Text size:

Review: 'Burn Notice' premieres on USA

Verne Gay | Off Camera

July 10, 2008

Burn Notice

Tonight at 10 on USA

Reason to watch Second-season premiere of basic cable's top-rated new original series, plus Tricia Helfer - yes, Cylon Number Six from "Battlestar Gallactica" - is now aboard.

What it's about Helfer plays the alluring and mostly unseen Carla, ex- CIA-agent- turned-private-eye Michael Westen's (Jeffrey Donovan) new handler. She's invisible for the bulk of this episode, but heard as a sultry, mysterious operative at the end of a phone line. What does she want? Why does she keep leading Westen on?

Verne Gay Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Meanwhile, he's got his hands full, as always. Some poor, beleaguered civilian/schmo, Jimmy, has been stuffed in a trunk by bad guys, and Westen must rescue him. Jimmy knows how to download vital computer data from a secretive security firm, and, under Westen's direction, they figure out the heist. Westen has to fake a Brit accent and lead the baddies on a chase that involves (what else?) a couple of fiery explosions and endless side-commentary on the nature of thermal blankets and high-tech security surveillance systems, along with other ephemera. Oh, yeah, and Michael still doesn't know why he was "burned" (terminated without explanation from the CIA).

Bottom line I love "Burn

Notice," so you know where I'm coming from. It's smartly acted, well written, funny, expertly directed and hugely entertaining. And utterly, totally, profoundly devoid of pretension. Donovan remains the well stirred (never shaken) action hero who knows all but still doesn't have a clue what's going on. Plus, he's effectively a little boy (mom - played by Sharon Gless - is back, and their scenes are priceless).

Did I mention splendid Bruce Campbell, as sidekick Sam?