Satisfying in every way. That’s what the season 2 finale of Burn Notice is, and I’m damn glad that’s the case. The only issue is that as the final Westin inner monologue ends you don’t want the show to go away. I can’t believe we have to commence waiting for season 3, which is going to put the previous two to shame if the finale I watched the other day is any indication.
“Lesser Evil” is an episode of Burn Notice running on high levels of adrenaline. It moves swiftly, and often has the feel of a Bourne movie. Including the best fight Michael has ever been in on the show with the man who tried to kill him. Oh my god that is an insane fight, and if it weren’t for this being a TV show it could have been quite bloody. As it is the sequence is devastatingly physical.
What the episode does so well is set up the future of the series. Michael Westin is on a mission, and while Carla has been fun she’s really a distraction. In the grand scheme of things she’s just a hired hoodlum, even if a highly deadly one. Her story comes to an end during the finale and I’m OK with that. It was a great ride watching her and Michael play cat and mouse, but there are more important things to consider.
And yes, you will absolutely be meeting the man who burned Michael in the season 2 finale. Even better is the end of the conversation this person has with Michael. It’s one of those rare little moments that make you want to clap for a TV show, even though there’s no one around to receive the applause. Not to oversell the moment, it’s not a huge revelation or anything, just something simple and exactly what I wanted for Michael to do the entire scene.
Being a season finale there isn’t a lot of love in the air, so the question about Michael and Fiona remains predictably unanswered. In a minor subplot Sam tries taking Michael’s mother to Disney World for safe keeping, but she insists on being able to blend in with all the other old fogies in Miami. Then in a plea that is both demanding and heartbreaking she tells Sam to save her son. Sometimes the old lady does understand, even if her son doesn’t reveal all.
“Lesser Evil” might be the best episode of a series full of brilliance. Highly action focused with a lot of nuanced play between the characters culminates in a finale both satisfying and a bit bittersweet. It’s going to be a long wait for season 3 of Burn Notice.
Burn Notice - Season 2 Finale, Lesser Evil
Starring: Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell, Sharon Gless, Tricia Helfer
Created By: Matt Nix
Premieres: Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 10:00 PM/ET on USA
