Burn Notice – Should Nate’s death have changed the formula?

Burn Notice served up a very normal episode in “Reunion,” even though Nate died just last week. Unsurprisingly, Maddie is not ready to deal with Michael. Unsurprisingly, also, Michael and company conclude that Rebecca was the one who did it. They spend the episode chasing her to no purpose. Now, they have a new more mysterious target, and I am sure it will take many seasons to find him or her. Oh, joy. The biggest surprise was how standard a Burn Notice episode “Reunion” really was.

I will say it is great to see Fi and Michael reunited, especially since Fi in jail didn’t do too much for me after an episode or two. The material between them was pretty good, even though I found the rest of the episode to be problematic. I think they were high strung enough that they made a tactical mistake in showing themselves to Warrick’s client — a mistake they might not have normally made. That is the biggest effect Nate’s death has had on their work, thus far. Then again, Fiona can be a hothead, and she was probably antsy after spending time locked up.

We finally meet Sam’s lady, Elsa! I thought she’s be one of those off-screen characters, but I guess not. The plot with Evan is comic relief (or at least a bit lighter) at a heavy time for the show, and Richard Burgi is always a fun presence, but I am wondering if the show went for a light subplot in an episode too soon. It all feels very rote for the show. I guess they wanted an excuse to get back to the formula, but we can’t take a character’s death seriously unless the show does. Couldn’t they at least break formula for an episode to show the characters dealing just with the long game of avenging Nate’s death?

I was looking forward to how Nate’s death would change the show, but if it just serves to reset the show’s plot and give us more of the same, then … meh. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew the show wouldn’t abandon its formula entirely, but I was hoping for a bit more intensity for a while, at least. Part of the problem was not showing Maddie till the funeral, though I suspect she and Michael will have more to work out as the season goes on. The show won’t forget to do that much.

Notes and Quotes:

• Sam’s deployment of “El Ojo del Diablo” was kind of genius. More conflict resolution should involve alcohol.
• Fiona, on pulling up to Warrick’s shop: “So this is where an assassin on the go shops for a fake passport. Quaint.”
• Sam: “We’ll work together like Butch and Sundance. Right, kid?”
  Evan: “Who’s that?”
• Michael, v.o.: “Of course, just because you’ve decided you don’t want a chase to end in bloodshed, doesn’t mean your target feels the same way.”
• Sam, to Evan, who is nervous about confronting his mom: “Well, look at it this way. You’ve already been shot at today, so how much worse can this be?”

Clacked by Christina Furtado
on Aug 03, 2012 @ 10:53 EST5EDT