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MICHAEL WESTEN

burn_notice_cb_and1 burn_notice_tv_pic1 Westen_Michael3 Westen_Michael2 Westen_Michael5 westen_michael_mv_fosa burn_notice_tv_pic2 burn_notice_tv_pic4 burn_notice_cb_fc Westen_Michael4 burn_notice_tv_pic3 Westen_Michael1 burn_notice_cb_and2
 
Full Name: Michael Westen
Series Name: Burn Notice
Nationality: American
Organization: CIA
Occupation Agent

Creator: Matt Nix
Time Span: 2007 - 2013

ABOUT THE SERIES

Michael Westen is a contract agent for the CIA.

Initially the actual agency name is never mentioned in the books or in the television series, Burn Notice, from which the books were based but as the series progresses, the coyness of mentioning the CIA departs.

After many years as a highly respected and very capable career, Westen finds himself suddenly blacklisted by his employer who issued a "burn notice" on him. In the parlance of that agency, this means that he is out of work, bank accounts frozen, without the protection of his colleagues, and stuck in his home town of Miami Beach.

As he struggles to learn why he was fired and who was behind his drastic denouement, Westen takes odd jobs around the metropolitan area, often in aid of someone without the ability to protect him or herself. Though used to working alone, Westen has learned to call frequently upon the aid of his old friends; Sam Axe, a retired agent, Fiona, an Irish beauty who has loved Westen for years, and even his mother, a chain-smoking widow who has a wonderful air of naïveté about her which makes considerable wisdom and determination.

Through time, we learn much about Westen. We find that he was the older of two sons of a drunken bully who beat the two and their mother with little provocation. His mother, a sturdy, strong-willed woman was determined to stay alive and keep her sons that way as well but when Westen reached adulthood, he left as quickly as he could. One of the first things he did when he started to work for the government as an agent was to learn how to defend himself, determined to never be the target of a bully again. His skills at hand-to-hand combat became almost legendary and he has black belts in at least two disciplines. His knowledge of explosives, both professionally made and improvised is phenomenal and his shooting skills are among the best.

Best of all for his longevity is his incredible ability to think on his feet. Knowing no plan ever survives the first encounter with the opposition, he is able to weigh the situation and alter the plan as needed. Without that skill, he and his compatriots would have been dead long ago.

The recorded adventures in the pages of the books recount his different activities as he lives in Miami Beach and tries to survive long enough to learn who burned him and why. The adventures in the television episodes go far beyond that as he works to uncover the truth and, when he finally does that, to get his old job back.

BOOKS

Number of Books:5
First Appearance:2008
Last Appearance:2011

1 Burn Notice: The Fix Burn Notice: The Fix
Written by Tod Goldberg
Copyright: 2008

Socialite Cricket O'Connor was pining for her lost love, a man who claimed to be just back from a hush-hush operation in Afghanistan. She is also missing a considerable fortune he took of hers when he left. Michael Westen is asked to help get it back.

2 Burn Notice: The End Game Burn Notice: The End Game
Written by Tod Goldberg
Copyright: 2009

Michael Westen goes to the aid of a helmsman on a yacht entered in a high-stakes race whose family is being held captive to make sure that yacht makes it to the final race and then loses.

3 Burn Notice: The Giveaway Burn Notice: The Giveaway
Written by Tod Goldberg
Copyright: 2010

Michael Westen is called upon by friend and sometime helper, Barry the money launderer, for help. Barry has a friend who has stolen from a bike gang who now want him dead. The favor is to keep the friend alive while convincing the gang to ease off.

4 Burn Notice: The Reformed Burn Notice: The Reformed
Written by Tod Goldberg
Copyright: 2011

Michael Westen once knew Eduardo Santiago as a street thug but now the man has reformed and is known as Father Santiago and is a community activist. A gang is trying to blackmail him into returning to his old ways and he turns to Weston for help.

5 Burn Notice: The Bad Beat Burn Notice: The Bad Beat
Written by Tod Goldberg
Copyright: 2011

Brent Grayson is a 19-yr old scam artist who needs Westen's help when his father is kidnapped by Russians demanding Brent hand over his company which sells broadcast bandwidth. Unfortunately, the company is a sham and Weston has his work cut out for him.

MOVIES

Number of Movies:1
First Appearance:2011
Last Appearance:2011

1 Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe
Director: Jeffrey Donovan
Writers: Matt Nix, Greg Hart
Actors: Bruce Campbell as Sam Axe, Kiele Sanchez as Amanda Maples, RonReaco Lee as Ben Delaney, Pedro Pascal as Comandante Veracruz
Released: 2011

Shows a brief glimpse of the life that Sam Axe had before he became a close associate of Michael Western.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:111
First Appearance:2007
Last Appearance:2013
Network:USA

REGULAR CAST
Jeffrey DonovanMichael Westen [ 1-7 ]
Gabrielle AnwarFiona Glenanne [ 1-7 ]
Bruce CampbellSam Axe [ 1-7 ]
Sharon GlessMadeline Westen [ 1-7 ]
Coby BellJesse Porter [ 4-7 ]

Burn Notice, a series on the USA cable network, was first broadcast in June of 2007 and ran 12 episodes. One year later, it returned in two groups of shows, the first nine from July to September and the remaining seven in January to March. This splitting of shows into two mini-seasons continued for several more years.

The character of Michael Westen was played superbly by Jeffrey Donovan who provides the character with a quiet solidness and dependability devoid of cockiness or machismo. He knows what he can do and has no reason to talk about it. Mr. Donovan also has incredible range in slipping into roles ranging from scared nobodies to fierce hard cases, all believable and all entertaining.

Also in the cast are terrific talents such as veterans Bruce Campbell as Sam and Sharon Gless as Mrs. Westen. Watching these two go about their business is an honor as they are both so capable and so good.

Lastly and most importantly is the fantastic Gabrielle Anwar who portrays Westen's former, and still hoping, girl friend, Fiona Glenanne. The character is a former member of the Irish resistance movement who now makes her living with gun running and other less-than-legal activities. With Ms. Anwar playing her, Fiona can be highly aggressive ("Shall we shoot them?") while never losing her exquisite femininity.

[Note: the plots and metadata on these episodes comes from IMDb.]


1 Pilot
Episode 1-01, first aired 06/28/2007
Director: Jace Alexander
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

Michael Westen, a contract agent for various agencies including the CIA, finds that a burn notice has been issued for him. Stranded in Miami, he takes the case of a caretaker accused of stealing millions from his boss.

2 Identity
Episode 1-02, first aired 07/05/2007
Director: Rod Hardy
Writer: Matt Nix

Weston is roped into helping his mother's friend get back money she lost in a scam, but Fi and Sam may ruin everything with their bumbling and bickering.

3 Fight or Flight
Episode 1-03, first aired 07/12/2007
Director: Colin Bucksey
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Michael's landlord, Oleg, is having a problem with one of his waitresses. She hasn't come into work because she witnessed a crime committed by a man who just happens to be a member of a local drug cartel. Michael is (mostly) happy to look into it, as he also continues his investigation into who stuck him with his burn notice.

4 Old Friends
Episode 1-04, first aired 07/19/2007
Director: David Solomon
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Michael's brother is back in town, and he involves him in the search for a friend's daughter for less than pure motives. Elsewhere, an agent with a grudge comes after Michael.

5 Family Business
Episode 1-05, first aired 07/26/2007
Director: Sanford Bookstaver
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael takes on arms dealers for an airport worker, while Nate obsesses about the car and their dad's will.

6 Unpaid Debts
Episode 1-06, first aired 08/02/2007
Director: Paul Holahan
Writer: Nick Thiel

Michael helps out an old SEAL buddy of Sam's who has gotten himself on the wrong side of a smuggler while trying to repossess his boat, and a new agent hits town set on making Michael's life miserable since he won't give up on finding his burn notice.

7 Broken Rules
Episode 1-07, first aired 08/09/2007
Director: Tim Matheson
Writer: Mere Smith

Michael works to rid a community in little Havana of a crime boss, all the while baiting Jason Bly at the risk of his family and friends.

8 Wanted Man
Episode 1-08, first aired 08/16/2007
Director: Ken Girotti
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Fiona decides to try bounty-hunting, but then convinces Michael to help prove the man innocent.

9 Hard Bargain
Episode 1-09, first aired 08/23/2007
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

A slightly dim house sitter's fiancée has been kidnapped, and Sam guilts Michael into a rescue while he's negotiating with a D.C. bureaucrat to stop the burn notice.

10 False Flag
Episode 1-10, first aired 09/13/2007
Director: Paul Shapiro
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

Michael makes plans to leave Miami, but has to do one last job - locate a woman's missing son - so he can get a new identity.

11 Loose Ends (1)
Episode 1-11, first aired 09/20/2007
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Phillip Cowan has arrived in Miami, but Michael has to put him off when a job involving heroin and blackmail goes south.

12 Loose Ends (2)
Episode 1-12, first aired 09/20/2007
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writers: Matt Nix, Alfredo Barrios Jr.

With Cowan's bosses now tracking him, Michael must protect his family and rescue Sam all before his own capture if he doesn't move fast enough.

13 Breaking and Entering
Episode 2-01, first aired 07/10/2008
Director: Paul Holahan
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael's meeting with the mysterious voice on the phone is postponed when she makes him jump through another hoop - stealing data from a mercenary group - before agreeing to another meeting. Meanwhile, his mother and Fiona have mixed feelings about his return.

14 Turn and Burn
Episode 2-02, first aired 07/17/2008
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

While Michael's new handler asks him to locate a Tunisian counterfeiter, Sam asks him to help a woman who says she is being stalked by a drug dealer, and his mother asks him to join her in seeing a therapist.

15 Trust Me
Episode 2-03, first aired 07/24/2008
Director: Paul Holahan
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Michael tries to help a man who lost the money he owes to loan sharks to a conman, and blackmails a Pakistani spy in order to get information about his new operative. Meanwhile, Michael's mother asks Fi about their breakup.

16 Comrades
Episode 2-04, first aired 07/31/2008
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writers: Matt Nix, Jason Ning

Michael's brother shows up to ask him to help a Russian woman whose sister is being held by Russian mobsters, and Sam tries to work a local agriculture source to find out more information about Michael's handler.

17 Scatter Point
Episode 2-05, first aired 08/07/2008
Director: Rod Hardy
Writer: Ben Watkins

Michael poses as a safe cracker to help out a reformed ex-con who is unwittingly part of a heist, and tries to sneak into the heavily-guarded office of his handler. Meanwhile, Sam gets an unexpected proposition from his girlfriend.

18 Bad Blood
Episode 2-06, first aired 08/14/2008
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani

Michael meets his new "wrangler"/"rodeo clown". Also Michael's childhood friend Ricky needs help proving his innocence to his boss, Valantine.

19 Rough Seas
Episode 2-07, first aired 08/21/2008
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Alfredo Barrios Jr., Michael Horowitz

An early client of Michael's returns with a new job for him which will disrupt Fi's social life, and spark Madeline's, and the search for the buyer of the sniper rifle turns dangerous.

20 Double Booked
Episode 2-08, first aired 09/11/2008
Director: Tim Matheson
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Michael tries to foil a hit that he was hired for by an old spy colleague he thought was dead, which becomes more complicated when he discovers that there is more than one contract out on the target.

21 Good Soldier
Episode 2-09, first aired 09/18/2008
Director: Jeff Freilich
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Michael and Sam are busy running counter-surveillance on Carla and the sniper. However, the job is interrupted when Fiona's new boyfriend asks Michael to help a friend involved in a kidnapping conspiracy plot.

22 Do No Harm
Episode 2-10, first aired 01/22/2009
Director: Matt Nix
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael has questions for Carla, and he wants to know who tried to blow him up. But first he goes after a group of medical scam artists who stole the life savings from a man trying to take care of his sick child.

23 Hot Spot
Episode 2-11, first aired 01/29/2009
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Ben Watkins

While Fi tries to help Michael by getting the identity of the man who may have tried to blow him up, Michael tries to help a football player who is in trouble with a gang of car thieves.

24 Seek and Destroy
Episode 2-12, first aired 02/05/2009
Director: Scott Peters
Writer: Rashad Raisani

Michael turns to a familiar arms dealer for help in tracking down the bomber, and decides to help out a woman track down her dead artist father's stolen painting.

25 Bad Breaks
Episode 2-13, first aired 02/12/2009
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Michael Horowitz

Michael and former handler Jason Bly are trapped together in a bank robbery. The pair must work together in order to get out alive

26 Truth & Reconciliation
Episode 2-14, first aired 02/19/2009
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Michael helps a Haitian man who is trying to prove that a man currently living in Miami is actually a fugitive who killed his daughter in a Haitian prison.

27 Sins of Omission
Episode 2-15, first aired 02/26/2009
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writers: Craig S. O'Neill, Jason Tracey

Michael's ex-fiancée asks for help after a black market dealer kidnaps her son to force her to steal a tracking chip for him.

28 Lesser Evil
Episode 2-16, first aired 03/05/2009
Director: Tim Matheson
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael captures the rogue agent responsible for trying to bomb him, but he decides to form an alliance with him and together go after Carla and her boss. But that decision also puts Michael's mother in jeopardy.

29 Friends and Family
Episode 3-01, first aired 06/04/2009
Director: Tim Matheson
Writer: Matt Nix

An old colleague frees Michael from prison and asks for his help in capturing a man who is stealing land from Venezuelan farmers, but is that his real mission?

30 Question & Answer
Episode 3-02, first aired 06/11/2009
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

It's Michael's birthday, but he and Sam are busy performing a dangerous "reverse interrogation" to find the location of a kidnapped boy.

31 End Run
Episode 3-03, first aired 06/18/2009
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writer: Craig S. O'Neill

Arms dealer Brennen returns and threatens to kill Michael's brother Nate if he does not cooperate and perform a mission for him.

32 Fearless Leader
Episode 3-04, first aired 06/25/2009
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Michael Horowitz

Michael, Fi, and Sam pose as an under boss' crew to bring down a criminal and hopefully get Detective Paxson off Michael's case. Meanwhile, Sam is audited by a humorless, no-nonsense IRS agent.

33 Signals and Codes
Episode 3-05, first aired 07/09/2009
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer: Jason Tracey

Michael's quest to get a new CIA connection is interrupted when a mentally disturbed man comes to him with credible evidence that someone is sending encrypted messages that reveal the names of operatives.

34 The Hunter
Episode 3-06, first aired 07/16/2009
Director: Bryan Spicer
Writers: Lisa Joy, Ryan Johnson

Michael is outnumbered and on the run in The Everglades from an old Ukrainian nemesis, and his only ally is an angry gunrunner whom Michael inadvertently got roped into the situation.

35 Shot In The Dark
Episode 3-07, first aired 07/23/2009
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson
Writer: Ben Watkins

As Michael tries to gather intelligence on the "agent to the spies" who is offering him work, he comes to the aid of a teenage boy with a violent and abusive stepfather who is trying to take custody away from his mother.

36 Friends Like These
Episode 3-08, first aired 07/30/2009
Director: Felix Enríquez Alcala
Writer: Rashad Raisani

While Michael takes a job from Strickler despite Fi's reservations, Barry the money launderer cashes in his favors and asks Michael to help retrieve the ledger with his clients' information which was stolen from him.

37 Long Way Back
Episode 3-09, first aired 08/06/2009
Director: Jeff Freilich
Writer: Craig S. O'Neill

Michael is about to get his name cleared at the agency, but Fi is leaving him to return to Ireland. However, their plans are interrupted when Fi's brother arrives with news that an enemy is in Miami with plans to kill Fi.

38 A Dark Road
Episode 3-10, first aired 01/21/2010
Director: John T. Kretchmer
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael's quest to find out who killed Diego is interrupted as he helps a widow take on a network of insurance scammers. However, the job could be jeopardized when Madeline befriends an "asset" during the mission.

39 Friendly Fire
Episode 3-11, first aired 01/28/2010
Director: Terry Miller
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Michael helps track down a child predator for one of Sam's old friends, and winds up igniting a war between two rival gang leaders. Meanwhile, Michael also makes contact with Diego's killer, who has in interest in his services.

40 Noble Causes
Episode 3-12, first aired 02/04/2010
Director: Michael Zinberg
Writer: Ben Watkins

An old drug-dealing acquaintance asks Michael to help his mentally-challenged cousin, who is unknowingly involved in a heist. Meanwhile, Gilroy gives Michael a mission, but he is forced to work with a dangerous partner.

41 Enemies Closer
Episode 3-13, first aired 02/11/2010
Director: Kevin Bray
Writer: Jason Tracey

Michael's old spy partner Larry is back, and gets Michael in trouble with a cartel. Meanwhile, Michael needs Sam's help for Gilroy's latest black op assignment, and Nate is back in town with a wife and a proposition for Madeline.

42 Partners in Crime
Episode 3-14, first aired 02/18/2010
Director: Dirk Craft
Writer: Michael Horowitz

A socialite fashion designer who hired Sam and Michael to find out who's stealing from her turns up dead during the operation. Meanwhile, Michael needs Fi's help to find out more information about the flight that Gilroy's interested in.

43 Good Intentions
Episode 3-15, first aired 02/25/2010
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writer: Rashad Raisani

Michael's job for Gilroy approaches its conclusion, but he is temporarily sidetracked as he is forced to come to the rescue of Fi, who may be in over her head after she takes a job for a violent kidnapper.

44 Devil You Know
Episode 3-16, first aired 03/04/2010
Director: Matt Nix
Writer: Matt Nix

After Gilroy's plan goes horribly wrong, the FBI is on the lookout for Michael, and they try to use Madeline to get to him. Meanwhile, the man Michael and Gilroy helped to escape turns to Michael to arrange a "meeting" with management.

45 Friends and Enemies
Episode 4-01, first aired 06/03/2010
Director: Tim Matheson
Writer: Matt Nix

While Michael contemplates working with a man who is trying to uncover the identity of the arms dealers who were responsible for Simon's escape, the old gang helps a lawyer who has been green-lighted for death by a biker gang.

46 Fast Friends
Episode 4-02, first aired 06/10/2010
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani

A burned spy turns to Michael to help protect him from an enemy who has found him and wants him dead, not knowing that Michael is the person who burned him.

47 Made Man
Episode 4-03, first aired 06/17/2010
Director: Jeffrey Donovan
Writers: Matt Nix, Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Jesse convinces Michael, Sam, and Fi to help a warehouse security guard being harassed by mobsters. But when Michael's cover is compromised, Sam is forced to take over and run point in the operation.

48 Breach of Faith
Episode 4-04, first aired 06/24/2010
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

While Jesse and Fi try to gather information on a dead gunrunner, Michael and Sam are caught in the middle of a hostage situation while trying to help a man who lost his charity's money to a con artist.

49 Neighborhood Watch
Episode 4-05, first aired 07/01/2010
Director: Kevin Bray
Writers: Matt Nix, Michael Horowitz

While Kendra the assassin tries to set up a meeting with Michael to get a stolen computer disk, the gang tries to help a clinic doctor who is being harassed by neighborhood drug dealers.

50 Entry Point
Episode 4-06, first aired 07/15/2010
Director: Jeffrey G. Hunt
Writers: Matt Nix, Craig S. O'Neill

While Michael and Fi try to foil the heist of a priceless antique sword, Sam and Jesse try an interrogation trick to get information out of Kendra.

51 Past & Future Tense
Episode 4-07, first aired 07/22/2010
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Matt Nix, Jason Tracey

Michael helps a former Cold War spy who has been targeted by Russian operatives, while Fi helps Jesse get a chance to speak with his old boss about who burned him.

52 Where There's Smoke
Episode 4-08, first aired 07/29/2010
Director: Kevin Bray
Writers: Matt Nix, Lisa Joy

Michael and Jesse's plans to steal a safe deposit box are interrupted when Fi and a businessman's wife are kidnapped while Fi and Sam prepare to work security for a party.

53 Center of the Storm
Episode 4-09, first aired 08/05/2010
Director: Colin Bucksey
Writers: Matt Nix, Ryan Johnson, Peter Lalayanis

In the aftermath of a hurricane, Michael poses as a hitman as part of his plan to protect a federal witness, and is forced to turn to Vaughn so that he can speak to Simon about his coded Bible.

54 Hard Time
Episode 4-10, first aired 08/12/2010
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writers: Matt Nix, Alfredo Barrios Jr.

After Vaughn sets up a meeting with Simon for Michael about his Bible, Michael gets himself placed in a prison to help one of Sam's friends who has been targeted for death by a gang leader.

55 Blind Spot
Episode 4-11, first aired 08/19/2010
Director: Michael Smith
Writers: Matt Nix, Michael Horowitz

As Sam and Jesse reach out to the CEO who wants Simon's encoded Bible, Sam continues to mislead Jesse about who burned him. Meanwhile, Sam and Fi try to out-con a conman who is stealing money from unsuspecting widows.

56 Guilty As Charged
Episode 4-12, first aired 08/26/2010
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer: Matt Nix

As Michael prepares for his meeting with John Barrett, he also agrees to help a sleazy defense attorney whose daughter has been kidnapped, while Fi and Madeline try to convince Jesse not to kill Michael for burning him.

57 Eyes Open
Episode 4-13, first aired 11/11/2010
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writers: Matt Nix, Jason Tracey

As Michael tries to catch a mad bomber who was hired by one of Michael's former clients to kill a kidnapper, Jesse reluctantly helps Fi find the man who possesses the Bible that has information on who burned Michael.

58 Hot Property
Episode 4-14, first aired 11/18/2010
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani

A thief blackmails the gang into helping her get a chemical weapon back from the Venezuelans who stole it, and Jesse turns to Marv, his former handler, to help Michael get his hands on the Bible.

59 Brotherly Love
Episode 4-15, first aired 12/02/2010
Director: Terry Miller
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

While Sam and Jesse travel to the Dominican Republic to get their hands on the list of people who burned Michael, Michael helps his brother Nate, who is back in Miami to find a stolen car.

60 Dead or Alive
Episode 4-16, first aired 12/09/2010
Director: Peter Markle
Writers: Matt Nix, Lisa Joy

While Michael recruits Marv to help turn the list in to the authorities, Sam plots revenge when he finds out that an old police buddy of his was killed under the orders of his dirty partner.

61 Out of the Fire
Episode 4-17, first aired 12/16/2010
Director: Marc Roskin
Writers: Matt Nix, Craig S. O'Neill

Brennen teams Michael up with Larry to track down and kill the people on the list.

62 Last Stand
Episode 4-18, first aired 12/16/2010
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael, Fi, and Jesse are trapped in an abandoned hotel, held under siege by Vaughn's team of killers. Meanwhile, Sam and Madeline are forced to turn to congressman Cowley as their only hope to save them.

63 Company Man
Episode 5-01, first aired 06/23/2011
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Matt Nix

Now employed as a CIA asset, Michael travels to Caracas with Sam and Fi to find the man who burned him.

64 Bloodlines
Episode 5-02, first aired 06/30/2011
Director: Colin Bucksey
Writers: Matt Nix, Alfredo Barrios Jr.

While the CIA assigns Michael to babysit a scientist, Jesse asks him for help in bringing a group of Yakuza human traffickers to justice.

65 Mind Games
Episode 5-03, first aired 07/07/2011
Director: Scott Peters
Writers: Matt Nix, Michael Horowitz

Fi and Sam ask Michael to take a break and let go of the past now that the people who burned him have been brought to justice, but he soon decides to help one of Nate's friends who is being harassed by a loan shark.

66 No Good Deed
Episode 5-04, first aired 07/14/2011
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani, Ben Watkins

While Michael works with Max to intercept some files on a stolen tablet computer, Barry asks the gang to help his brother, who is having problems with a hacker.

67 Square One
Episode 5-05, first aired 07/21/2011
Director: Marc Roskin
Writers: Matt Nix, Ryan Johnson, Peter Lalayanis

Michael volunteers to help the CIA find Max's killer, even though he is the prime suspect. At the same time, he helps out a former Army sniper who wants revenge on the people who nearly beat his sister to death.

68 Enemy of My Enemy
Episode 5-06, first aired 07/28/2011
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Writers: Matt Nix, Jason Tracey

Michael plays a heroin dealer from his past against Serbian mobsters so that he can help the agency retrieve a stolen predator drone. However, his plan threatens to put Sam in serious danger.

69 Beseiged
Episode 5-07, first aired 08/04/2011
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writers: Matt Nix, Craig S. O'Neill

The gang takes on a militia group so that Michael can return a boy to his mother, while also trying to get answers out of the man hired as Michael's impostor.

70 Hard Out
Episode 5-08, first aired 08/11/2011
Director: Craig Siebels
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani

Michael goes on a CIA mission to stop a team of mercenaries in the Bahamas, while Fi is forced to turn to a shady arms dealer from her past to get information for Michael.

71 Eye For An Eye
Episode 5-09, first aired 08/18/2011
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writers: Matt Nix, Michael Horowitz

While Michael and Sam interrogate the war criminal who made the bomb that was supposed to kill him, Fi and Jesse help a man get revenge on his former business partner who betrayed him.

72 Army of One
Episode 5-10, first aired 08/25/2011
Director: Tawnia McKiernan
Writers: Matt Nix, Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Jesse asks Michael to sabotage a team of corporate spies, not knowing that they are planning a hostage situation. Meanwhile, Sam and Fi turn to an old "friend" to help gather information about who framed Michael and killed Max.

73 Better Halves
Episode 5-11, first aired 09/01/2011
Director: Michael Smith
Writers: Matt Nix, Lisa Joy

While Sam and Jesse get some help to get to Tavian, the assassin who framed Michael, Michael and Fi pose as a married couple for a CIA extraction assignment.

74 Dead To Rights
Episode 5-12, first aired 09/08/2011
Director: Matt Nix
Writers: Matt Nix, Jason Tracey

After Michael gets off the hook for Max's murder, Larry returns to force Michael to help him break into the British Consulate.

75 Damned If You Do
Episode 5-13, first aired 11/03/2011
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Matt Nix

Anson forces Michael to kidnap a computer hacker, Oswald, to find a virus that he created that can wipe the records of a person undetected. But Anson isn't the only one after the virus.

76 Breaking Point
Episode 5-14, first aired 11/10/2011
Director: Renny Harlin
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins, Rashad Raisani

While Sam and Fi do surveillance to find Anson's secret hideout, Michael poses as a gun dealer to trap the gang leader who killed one of his childhood friends and get him arrested.

77 Necessary Evil (40 min
Episode 5-15, first aired 11/17/2011
Director: Alfredo Barrios Jr.
Writers: Matt Nix, Craig S. O'Neill

While Sam and Jesse try to save a weapons maker held against his will to build a missile for an African warlord, Michael and Fi discover that Madeline's new boyfriend actually working for Anson.

78 Depth Perception
Episode 5-16, first aired 12/01/2011
Director: Craig Siebels
Writers: Matt Nix, Peter Lalayanis, Ryan Johnson

Fi and Jesse are sent to the Caribbean to transfer Anson's money to a new account. Meanwhile, Michael and Anson put aside their differences to help an old friend of Sam's, who's being targeted by a Russian spy.

79 Acceptable Loss
Episode 5-17, first aired 12/08/2011
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

While Michael turns to Vaughn to get answers about Anson, the rest of the crew helps Jesse's friend take down a diplomat dealing in blood diamonds.

80 Fail Safe
Episode 5-18, first aired 12/15/2011
Director: Renny Harlin
Writer: Matt Nix

When Anson demands that Michael burn the CIA team he's working with, Fi decides she's had enough and takes a drastic step to settle Michael's debt to Anson once and for all.

81 Scorched Earth
Episode 6-01, first aired 06/14/2012
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Matt Nix

With Fiona now in custody and facing an old foe inside prison, Michael pulls out all the stops to take on Anson.

82 Mixed Messages
Episode 6-02, first aired 06/21/2012
Director: Jeffrey Donovan
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

Michael takes on a drug cartel for his former mentor to gain access to Fiona, who must befriend a fellow prisoner to fend off a gang leader.

83 Last Rites
Episode 6-03, first aired 06/28/2012
Director: Nick Gomez
Writers: Matt Nix, Ben Watkins

Pearce asks Michael to track down her fiancé's killer. Fiona investigates who tried to kill her inside of prison.

84 Under The Gun
Episode 6-04, first aired 07/12/2012
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writers: Matt Nix, Michael Horowitz

Michael, Sam, and Jesse take on a mission in the Everglades, but Sam gets kidnapped. Fiona makes a new ally inside prison when two prisoners go after her.

85 Split Decision
Episode 6-05, first aired 07/19/2012
Director: Scott Peters
Writers: Ryan Johnson, Peter Lalayanis

Michael's mentor, Tom Card, offers Fiona a chance to leave prison and avoid extradition in exchange for becoming a CIA asset. Michael tracks down a vicious gangster with some unexpected help.

86 Shock Wave
Episode 6-06, first aired 07/26/2012
Director: Renny Harlin
Writer: Jason Tracey

Sam and Barry are pinned down by an assassin as Michael gets a lead on Anson. An MI-6 agent tries to prevent Fiona's release from prison.

87 Reunion
Episode 6-07, first aired 08/02/2012
Director: Craig Siebels
Writer: Rashad Raisani

Sam tries to help his girlfriend's son, who is indebted to a vicious loan shark. Michael and Fiona must pick up the pieces from their last mission.

88 Unchained
Episode 6-08, first aired 08/09/2012
Director: Alfredo Barrios Jr.
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

To help the FBI take down a vicious Boston mobster, Michael gets himself arrested. Jesse and Pearce run into trouble while investigating a gun sale.

89 Official Business
Episode 6-09, first aired 08/16/2012
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Writer: Bridget Tyler

Fiona must help a CIA asset who is targeted by a black-market businessman. Sam and Jesse infiltrate a mercenary training camp to track down a sniper.

90 Desperate Times
Episode 6-10, first aired 08/23/2012
Director: Renny Harlin
Writer: Craig S. O'Neill

Madeline confronts Michael's mentor, Tom Card. The team runs into trouble as they head to Panama to track down an assassin.

91 Desperate Measures
Episode 6-11, first aired 11/08/2012
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Michael Horowitz

Michael and the team must evade a vicious drug-runner and hijack a plane to escape Panama.

92 Means & Ends
Episode 6-12, first aired 11/08/2012
Director: Ron Underwood
Writer: Jason Tracey

A former inmate asks for Fiona's help to take down a corrupt detective. Michael teams up with an old adversary to take down a treacherous enemy.

93 Over The Line
Episode 6-13, first aired 11/15/2012
Director: Marc Roskin
Writer: Ben Watkins

With the authorities after him for the death of Tom Card, Michael must risk Sam's life in order to escape.

94 Down & Out
Episode 6-14, first aired 11/29/2012
Director: Henry Bronchtein
Writers: Matt Nix, Daniel Tuch

Riley puts pressure on Maddie to assist her in finding Michael. Michael gets himself captured to locate a ham-fisted smuggler.

95 Best Laid Plans
Episode 6-15, first aired 12/06/2012
Director: Nick Gomez
Writers: Matt Nix, Rashad Raisani

Maddie asks Barry for help. Michael's plan to sell an important piece of technology puts Sam in the crossfire when things go awry.

96 Odd Man Out
Episode 6-16, first aired 12/13/2012
Director: Marc Roskin
Writers: Matt Nix, Peter Lalayanis, Ryan Johnson

Michael gets caught between a smuggler and the client against whom he's seeking revenge.

97 You Can Run (1)
Episode 6-17, first aired 12/20/2012
Director: Nick Gomez
Writers: Matt Nix, Craig S. O'Neill

Each side takes a hostage as agent Riley finally catches up with Michael, but Sam may not make it out alive.

98 Game Change
Episode 6-18, first aired 12/20/2012
Director: Matt Nix
Writer: Matt Nix

When agent Riley turns to a drug cartel to take out Michael and his friends, Michael is forced to turn to Jason Bly for help.

99 New Deal
Episode 7-01, first aired 06/06/2013
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael must deal with a terrorist who recruits him to steal hardware from the Department of Defense. Sam and Jesse discover Michael's life might be in danger.

100 Forget Me Not
Episode 7-02, first aired 06/13/2013
Director: Jeffrey Donovan
Writer: Ben Watkins

Michael returns to Miami but can't contact his mother or his friends in order to maintain his cover.

101 Down Range
Episode 7-03, first aired 06/20/2013
Director: Scott Peters
Writer: Craig S. O'Neill

Sam and Jesse head to the Dominican Republic to help with Michael's undercover mission. Fiona must help Maddie take care of a bookie attempting to collect on a debt.

102 Brothers In Arms
Episode 7-04, first aired 06/27/2013
Director: Dennie Gordon
Writer: Alfredo Barrios Jr.

In order to help Michael free a prisoner trapped in Cuba by the Russians, Fiona and Maddie must frame a corrupt bureaucrat.

103 Exit Plan
Episode 7-05, first aired 07/11/2013
Director: Marc Roskin
Writer: Michael Horowitz

Strong must convince Fiona to help Michael, who must escape from Cuba with the help of a former Russian spy in Burke's organization.

104 All or Nothing
Episode 7-06, first aired 07/18/2013
Director: Jonathan Frakes
Writer: Rashad Raisani

Michael is conflicted when he asks Fiona to help him steal intelligence data for Sonya. Sam and Jesse help Barry track down an old girlfriend.

105 Psychological Warfare
Episode 7-07, first aired 07/25/2013
Director: Larry Teng
Writers: Ryan Johnson, Peter Lalayanis

Michael postulates and is painstakingly questioned by the very organization he is trying to take down and could reveal damaging secrets when he is drugged.

106 Nature Of The Beast
Episode 7-08, first aired 08/01/2013
Director: Tawnia McKiernan
Writer: Bridget Tyler

While Michael is tasked by the organization he infiltrated to take down a drug smuggler, Fiona, Jesse, and Strong find out more about its leader, James.

107 Bitter Pill
Episode 7-09, first aired 08/08/2013
Director: Bill Eagles
Writers: Alfredo Barrios Jr., Daniel Tuch

Maddie suspects she is being followed and takes matters into her own hands. The team tries to help a Middle Eastern diplomat when the individual is poisoned.

108 Things Unseen
Episode 7-10, first aired 08/15/2013
Director: Craig Siebels
Writers: Ben Watkins, Craig S. O'Neill

A figure from Michael's past could reveal his cover in a crucial mission. Fiona's boyfriend is targeted by a gang, which places Sam and Jesse in the crossfire.

109 Tipping Point
Episode 7-11, first aired 08/22/2013
Director: Scott Peters
Writers: Rashad Raisani, Michael Horowitz

A conflicted Michael goes to Mexico on a mission with Sonya, not knowing what ruthless mercenaries Strong has hired to capture James.

110 Sea Change
Episode 7-12, first aired 09/05/2013
Director: Stephen Surjik
Writers: Ryan Johnson, Peter Lalayanis

Fiona and Jesse fear for Michael's life when he reveals his true identity to James.

111 Reckoning
Episode 7-13, first aired 09/12/2013
Director: Matt Nix
Writer: Matt Nix

Michael must win back the trust of everyone he betrayed as James becomes obsessed with ending his life.

COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, AND MANGA

Number of Stories:3
First Appearance:2011
Last Appearance:2012

1 Burn Notice: A New Day Burn Notice: A New Day
Published by USA Network
Contributors: Ryan Johnson (writer), Peter Lalayanis (writer), Tony Shasteen (artist), Saida Temofonte (letters), Wes Hartman (colors)
Copyright: 2011

A graphic novel told in 109 pages.

"Michael is in Washington D.C. with RAINES, the mysterious man from Michael's past. Armed with a complete list of the people who burned him, Michael will "unofficially" help the CIA dismantle the nefarious organization that he's been fighting for the last four years. The job won't be easy though. Danger lurks in every corner as the lines blur between new friends and old enemies..."

2 Burn Notice: A New Day vol 2. Burn Notice: A New Day vol 2.
Published by USA Network
Contributors: Ryan Johnson (writer), Peter Lalayanis (writer), Tony Shasteen (artist)
Copyright: 2011

"[This] picks up with Michael Westen on board a military helicopter, suited up with a team of commandos, ready to storm a cargo freighter in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Once the siege of the freighter is complete, Michael is tasked by the CIA to continue rounding up members of the Organization that burned him.  Fans can follow him over 12 weeks to see his next moves and how he continues to clear his name."

3 Burn Notice: First Contact Burn Notice: First Contact
Published by DC Comics

Copyright: 2012

This digital graphic novel tells the previously undisclosed story of how Michael Westen met the lovely Fiona

MY COMMENTS

I became a fan of Michael Westen from the first episode. I had liked the lead actor, Jeffrey Donovan, in Touching Evil, a crime drama that did not get the appreciation it deserved, and really enjoyed his comedic skills in Bait. Since this was a new spy series, I was already predisposed to like it but I would have anyways because the concept was so terrific: a spy who takes on bad guys. That and the show had a terrific supporting character is Fiona Glenanne, a feisty a woman as anyone could want and no one could handle. She was played by the delectable Gabrielle Anwar so I was hooked. Sharon Gless added gravitas to the series because she does nothing badly. And Bruce Campbell, a legend already, played Sam Axe. What was not to like.

Seven seasons the show has been running and I have not missed an episode.

Regarding the books, I have not been a big fan of books written about television shows as the books are usually not considered part of the official "canon" and as such cannot take the characters anywhere the TV show hasn't already. But since the concept of the show is that Westen takes cases helping people as he tries to get his old life back, it is possible to view the book plots as just jobs the show didn't cover.

They are very fast reads but really only for those who are big fans of the show. Mr. Goldberg does a good job, though. The grade is for the overall concept of a book series that cannot alter the character in any way, not for the job that Mr. Goldberg does.

GRADE

My Grade: A-

Your Average Grade:   A+

YOUR OPINIONS

myersman A+ 9/8/2015 9:47:35 AM

I was attracted to the series when the DVDs came out each season. The main character caught my attention and interest right away. I enjoyed the "Robin Hood" element of a spy helping out people and still managing to get his mission accomplished. Interesting fact: The actor who plays his brother was also up for the main role. Michael's narration in the series helps a lot and makes the shows more enjoyable. A series well worth watching.


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