“Michael, what do you want to do?” asks Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar). “I want to fight,” replies Michael (Jeffrey Donovan). “Okay, brother, let’s do this,” answers back Sam (Bruce Campbell) as the three best friends prepare to face down James (John Pyper-Ferguson), leader of the terrorist organization that Michael Westen was trying to bring down, as well as James’ mercenaries in the series finale of the action/drama Burn Notice.
Ever since Fiona finally got through to Michael and made him realize he was getting lost in his mission to bring down James and was beginning to believe he could run the mercenary network himself, Michael, Fi, Sam, Jesse (Coby Bell) and Michael’s mom Madeline (Sharon Gless) have become the targets of James and his professional killers. To make matters worse, CIA contact Andrew Strong (Jack Coleman) – fearing blame and loss of his position with the agency because James once again eluded capture – has made Michael and his friends wanted by the authorities as criminals.
Seeing no other option, Michael, Fi, and Sam set out to take down James’ terrorist network by breaking into a communications base that contains hard drive evidence of all of the networks ops they learned about by grilling and terrifying a tech genius who once worked for James. Meanwhile, Jesse is protecting and helping pack Madeline at Michael’s request to get ready to leave town quickly in case the plan goes bad. Just as Michael, Fi, and Sam have gotten the evidence the CIA needs, James calls them to inform the group that he and his men have surrounded them outside the room they’re in. James tells them he also has men headed to Michael’s mother’s house to execute her, Jesse, and Mike’s nephew Charlie unless Michael surrenders, steps outside, and allows James to execute him.
Suspenseful, emotional, and action-packed, the Burn Notice series finale brings the show to a close with the most powerful and incredibly acted episode of the series run. Jeffrey Donovan deserves nothing less than an Emmy for his performance as Michael Westen, the wrongly blacklisted spy who this season starts to lose his way and almost losses his family and friends by going into deep cover to bring down a terrorist network. The scene where he tries to tell someone he deeply cares about (no, I won’t reveal it here just in case you haven’t seen the show yet) not to sacrifice themselves for the greater good is heartbreaking.
Gabrielle Anwar is once again tough and spirited as Fiona, the loyal and loving girlfriend who desperately wants to find a way out of their dire situation and with a little luck finally be free of the CIA and build a life with Michael. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of Fiona after Anwar’s wonderful performance and strong chemistry with Donovan. Bruce Campbell has had the best role of his career – he himself admitted this in a recent interview – as Sam Ax, the retired Navy Seal who’s always willing to do whatever it takes to help his best friend and surrogate brother Michael clear his name and help people. He’s the moral center of the show and by far the most likable character in the cast.
The spy action/drama series known for its top-notch action scenes and explosions goes out with a riveting car chase, a major shoot-out, countless breathtaking explosions, and a touching funeral. There are more exciting action and powerful performances in this one-hour final television episode than in most two-hour films.
With excellent performances from the entire cast, unforgettable action scenes, fantastic writing, a cast that has great chemistry, and an ending that is sure to please any and all fans of the show, the Burn Notice series finale brings the adventures of Michael Westen and his friends to a fitting and perfect end. To quote Jeffrey Donovan’s Tweet after the show’s final episode: ”My name WAS Michael Westen…Goodbye.”
GRADE: A+
