THE SHOW "Burn Notice" 
 WHEN | WHERE The seventh and final season begins Thursday at 9 p.m. on USA 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Michael <a href="/topics//Sharon_Gless">Westen</a> (<a href="/topics//Jeffrey_T_Donovan">Jeffrey Donovan</a>) -- the ex-spy with a "burn notice," meaning his entire past and identity were wiped out after he was canned by the <a href="/topics//Central_Intelligence_Agency">CIA</a> -- is faced with a deal he probably can't refuse. The love of his life (now estranged), Fiona "Fee" <a href="/topics//Gabrielle_Anwar">Glenanne</a> (<a href="/topics//Gabrielle_Anwar">Gabrielle Anwar</a>); his closest pals, Jesse Porter (<a href="/topics//Coby_Bell">Coby Bell</a>) and <a href="/topics//Bruce_Campbell">Sam Axe</a> (Bruce Campbell), and even his mother, Madeline (<a href="/topics//Sharon_Gless">Sharon Gless</a>) -- have been jailed. To get them out, he must do one big thing. It involves going to the <a href="/topics//Dominican_Republic">Dominican Republic</a> and infiltrating the inner circle of a terrorist (<a href="/topics//Adrian_Pasdar">Adrian Pasdar</a>). Will Mike, or won't Mike? What do you think? 
 MY SAY "Burn Notice" may well be the most unknown hit on television -- a reason the "SNL" skit "What Is 'Burn Notice'?" was not uninspired. It's sailed happily and comfortably beneath the radar of critical attention for six seasons. It has attracted lots of excellent actors in supporting roles over the years (most recently <a href="/topics//Jere_Burns">Jere Burns</a> and <a href="/topics//John_C._McGinley">John C. McGinley</a>). It boasts a beloved cult actor (Campbell) and a TV classic (<a href="/topics//Sharon_Gless">Gless</a>). And special effects? Oh, man, they really know how to blow things up here. 
 So why the persistent "What Is Burn Notice?" questions? Forget 'em. The big question is: Why has it been canceled with many millions of "Burnheads" (more than 4 million last year) still out there? Because "Burn Notice" is done. The narrative arc of the show essentially wrapped more than a year ago, when Westen finally found the man who "burned" him. He still needs to win back a measure of respect from the CIA -- and good luck with that, Mike -- but especially needs to win back Fee. 
 That's the final lap here: The conclusion of a romantic cliffhanger. "Notice" began to shed a playful tone of quirky nonchalance years ago, but there's nothing like unrequited love to kill it off altogether. 
 BOTTOM LINE As such, the first couple of episodes are on the tedious side. Bad guys still die, things still get blown up. But love is in the air, and after all the mayhem of the first six seasons, perhaps the only other question left is: Who cares? 
 GRADE C+

THE SHOW "Burn Notice" WHEN | WHERE The seventh and final season begins Thursday at 9 p.m. on USA WHAT IT'S ABOUT Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) -- the ex-spy with a "burn notice," meaning his entire past and identity were wiped out after he was canned by the CIA -- is faced with a deal he probably can't refuse. The love of his life (now estranged), Fiona "Fee" Glenanne (Gabrielle Anwar); his closest pals, Jesse Porter (Coby Bell) and Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell), and even his mother, Madeline (Sharon Gless) -- have been jailed. To get them out, he must do one big thing. It involves going to the Dominican Republic and infiltrating the inner circle of a terrorist (Adrian Pasdar). Will Mike, or won't Mike? What do you think? MY SAY "Burn Notice" may well be the most unknown hit on television -- a reason the "SNL" skit "What Is 'Burn Notice'?" was not uninspired. It's sailed happily and comfortably beneath the radar of critical attention for six seasons. It has attracted lots of excellent actors in supporting roles over the years (most recently Jere Burns and John C. McGinley). It boasts a beloved cult actor (Campbell) and a TV classic (Gless). And special effects? Oh, man, they really know how to blow things up here. So why the persistent "What Is Burn Notice?" questions? Forget 'em. The big question is: Why has it been canceled with many millions of "Burnheads" (more than 4 million last year) still out there? Because "Burn Notice" is done. The narrative arc of the show essentially wrapped more than a year ago, when Westen finally found the man who "burned" him. He still needs to win back a measure of respect from the CIA -- and good luck with that, Mike -- but especially needs to win back Fee. That's the final lap here: The conclusion of a romantic cliffhanger. "Notice" began to shed a playful tone of quirky nonchalance years ago, but there's nothing like unrequited love to kill it off altogether. BOTTOM LINE As such, the first couple of episodes are on the tedious side. Bad guys still die, things still get blown up. But love is in the air, and after all the mayhem of the first six seasons, perhaps the only other question left is: Who cares? GRADE C+

Entertainment

ETTEL04.WEB

'Burn Notice' review: The fire's about to go out

Newsday

p2BURN

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Looking back at forgotten cartoon characters who appear in "Coyote vs. Acme."

Who could forgot Taz and these other Looney Tuners?

The radio comic is starring as Hercule Poirot at Manes Studio Theatre in Lindenhurst.

Rob Bartlett is on the case in 'Murder on the Orient Express'

ZZ Top, Los Lobos and other groups will headline shows next week.

Flo Rida, more doing free shows at Eisenhower Park

The theater will host two Halloween screenings in honor of the actor who died Tuesday.

The Suffolk salutes Tim Curry with 'Rocky Horror' Oct. 31

The pop musical about the wives of Henry VIII will play its last show Jan. 3.

Its number is up: 'Six' to close in January

John Mayer, Chris Stapleton and Pitbull pay tribute at Jones Beach and Amagansett concerts.

Musicians honor Dolly Parton in Jones Beach, East End shows

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

"Big Stein has an eggplant calzone on his mind!" Thursday night at the Stadium.

George Costanza calzone bobblehead is on the menu at Yankee Stadium this Thursday

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

And who could forget two other legendary announcers, Johnny Olson and Don Pardo?

This is Johnny Gilbert, the voice of 'Jeopardy!'

Meet Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise and Michael Horse from David Lynch's cult series on Sept. 20.

The Suffolk to host stars from 'Twin Peaks'

The venerable game show is more popular than ever with four spinoffs going strong.

Too much of a good thing? 'Jeopardy' spinoffs put the show in overdrive.

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to pay tribute.

'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore goes out on a high note

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to honor the late 'Sopranos' star. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland has more.

'He was a dear friend'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers in Plainview.

Trendy Bites: Dom's Famous Chicken Fingers

The Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park in Manorville has a new alligator enclosure to go along with their existing reptile experiences. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Check out the alligator enclosure at the LI Game Farm Wildlife Park

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

The country superstar performed at Nassau Coliseum and helped get books to Wyandanch kids. Newsday film critic Rafer Guzmán has more.

Remembering Dolly Parton

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the Jamesport Farm Brewery, which has been recently purchased by the owners of Waterdrinker Farms.

Out East: Jamesport Farm Brewery

A Newsday data analysis shows that ICE agents detained just 72 immigrants in Nassau and Suffolk counties in July, down from 322 in January. Newsday data reporter Anastasia Valeeva explains.

ICE arrests on Long Island drop, data shows

Cleaning crews were hard at work after a tornado ripped through the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach Thursday evening. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It was just a whistling sound that came right through'

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman learns about renting and driving a skiff boat at Ted's Fishing Station in Point Lookout.

Cruise Long Island's shoreline on your own private boat

Since girls flag football became an official sport in New York high schools in the spring of 2023, participation in the sport has increased nearly 70%, NewsdayTV's Jared Valluzzi reports.

Flag football taking over spring sports

The Yankees' George Lombard Jr. and the Mets' A.J. Ewing went straight from high school to the pros. That might not be an option starting in 2028. NewsdayTV's Gregg Sarra reports.

Why MLB wants to make high school players ineligible for the amateur draft

Sitewide Video Playlist

The country music icon's face shines from James Hentschel's Deer Park home after he placed thousands pink and purple LED lights in tribute to the star, who died on Tuesday.

'Who doesn't love Dolly Parton?'

A flood advisory is possible in Nassau County with an increased chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Flood watch in Nassau

Suffolk police said a suspect casually fleeing a burglary scene at a Lindenhurst home was tracked down and arrested earlier this week with an assist from a Suffolk County police drone.

Alleged burglar caught with the help of a police drone

The law would require businesses to have proper state licensing, prove that their employees are paid and ban staff from living at the spas or sleeping there overnight. Repeat offenders could face penalties up to $25,000. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'It's personal to me'

Hockey fans flocked to The Rinx in Hauppauge to see Sound Beach native and Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bussi of the Carolina Hurricanes. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Bussi brings Cup to LI for 'unforgettable experience'

The average U.S. shopper is expected to spend more than $800 for back-to-school supplies, according to a recent report. Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou has more.

'It's gonna be close to $1,000 in the end'

On Thursday an "accidental electrical fire" damaged several areas of the historic Milleridge Inn's main property.

'Accidental electrical fire' damages Milleridge Inn

The contract is set to expire on Monday, jeopardizing the first day of classes. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more on contract negotiations.

Will Hofstra's faculty strike?

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'You could have a catastrophic failure'

During a tour of the public hospital's campus, CEO Thomas Stokes said upgrades to aging infrastructure would cost "hundreds of millions of dollars." But there aren't yet plans to replace it. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'It would cost hundreds of millions of dollars'

Nassau is one of two counties in the state that have refused to come into line with the law. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Likely that the issue will wind up in court'

This morning, Long Islanders were able to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Here was the view from Bethpage.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket seen over Bethpage

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Burn Notice' review: The fire's about to go out

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.