http://ficwize.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
ficwize.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2009-10-05 12:05 pm
ficwize.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2009-10-05 12:05 pm
Entry tags:
Burn Notice: Fandom Overview
Hello fans! I'm going to provide you a very quick overview of the Burn Notice fandom, so we can get straight to the good stuff. But, I figured there simply is no better introduction than the one in Michael's own words. This voice over plays in the beginning of every episode.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy. Until...
voice on phone: [phone rings] We got a burn notice on you. You're blacklisted.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] When you're burned, you've got nothing: no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in.
Michael Westen: Where am I?
Fiona Glenanne: Miami.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone who's still talking to you. A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend...
Fiona Glenanne: Shall we shoot them?
Michael Westen: [voice-over] An old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI...
Sam Axe: You know spies... bunch of bitchy little girls.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] Family too...
Sam Axe: [phone rings] Hey, is that your Mom again?
Michael Westen: [voice-over] ... if you're desperate.
Madeline Westen: Someone needs your help, Michael!
Michael Westen: [voice-over] Bottom line? Until you figure out who burned you... you're not going anywhere.
THE CAST
Michael Westen:
He used to be a spy, but then, for reasons unknown, he was burned. Left in Miami with strict warnings from upstairs to BEHAVE, Michael has to figure out who burned him and why. More than that, though, he wants back in the game.
He grew up in Miami - and hates it. His ties to his family are tenuous at best, mostly thanks to an abusive alcoholic father who is dead when the series begins. He will do whatever it takes to get out of Miami, but while he's stuck in town, he takes on gigs to help pay the bills. It doesn't hurt that it keeps his skills sharp either.
In order to not get himself killed, he relies on two people. First is Fiona Glennane. She's an ex-IRA guerilla who specializes in explosives and violent foreplay. There is a history there, deep and dangerous, but the attraction between them cannot be denied. Michael just has to be careful not to get his ass kicked when he upsets her.
In addition to Fiona, Michael relies on Sam Axe, an "old army buddy." Sam is retired, and the powers that be don't hesitate to threaten Sam's pension if he doesn't inform on Michael. So, of course he does, which Michael knows. It's a very complicated friendship, but when the bullets start flying, Sam is always on Michael's side. Plus, he can be counted on to impersonate any number of people to get what Michael wants.
Lastly, Michael's mother, Madeleine, is a member of the main cast. Madeleine is a force to be reckoned with, although she seems to genuinely want what's best for Michael. She's motivated by a strange mixture of motherly love and guilt for the abuse Michael took as a child. That doesn't mean that she won't use every available tool to get what she wants, including emotional blackmail. It's easy to see where Michael got his early training.
Honorable Mentions
I need to also mention Michael's brother, Nate.
Nate was left behind when Michael finally ran away from home. He's a typical younger sibling in that he seems to always need something, but he's a bit more messed up than the average little brother. He's a compulsive gambler who occasionally has run ins with the mob; he's got a million dollar idea every few days; but as much as they don't get along, there is brotherly affection there. It's just shown in weird ways, like digging bullets out of each other, or helping each other into roles by punching each other.
In addition to Nate, there are several other recurring characters of interest.
Jason Bly – After Michael is found to have gained unauthorized access to a copy of his burn notice, his FBI surveillance team is pulled, and a new agent is assigned to the case. That agent is Jason Bly, who attempts to coerce Michael into giving up his attempts to return to the intelligence fold by harassing him and threatening his friends and family.
Carla – "Carla" is the alias assumed by a mid-ranking member of a mysterious and seemingly all-powerful shadow government organization that is apparently behind Michael's burn notice.
Victor - Victor is an employee of Carla's, a flippant, misanthropic, and more than vaguely psychopathic operative who styles himself as a "wrangler," sent in to force unruly recruits (like Michael) to do Carla's bidding.
There are too many other characters to mention, some friend, some foe. The fun is that you can never be quite sure who falls into what category. Just remember, the bad guys aren't always bad. The good guys aren't always good. Loyalties change.
In the spy world, nothing is ever as it seems.
On LJ
Alas, it is a small community, but there are several places where you can find the good stuff! (Please let me know if I've missed any, and I will add them.)
FIC:
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
bn_coverstories
bn_fanfic
bn_slash
winter_deaddrop
ICONS:
bn_100x100
GENERAL:
burnnotice
Michael Westen: [voice-over] My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy. Until...
voice on phone: [phone rings] We got a burn notice on you. You're blacklisted.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] When you're burned, you've got nothing: no cash, no credit, no job history. You're stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in.
Michael Westen: Where am I?
Fiona Glenanne: Miami.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone who's still talking to you. A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend...
Fiona Glenanne: Shall we shoot them?
Michael Westen: [voice-over] An old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI...
Sam Axe: You know spies... bunch of bitchy little girls.
Michael Westen: [voice-over] Family too...
Sam Axe: [phone rings] Hey, is that your Mom again?
Michael Westen: [voice-over] ... if you're desperate.
Madeline Westen: Someone needs your help, Michael!
Michael Westen: [voice-over] Bottom line? Until you figure out who burned you... you're not going anywhere.
THE CAST
Michael Westen:
He used to be a spy, but then, for reasons unknown, he was burned. Left in Miami with strict warnings from upstairs to BEHAVE, Michael has to figure out who burned him and why. More than that, though, he wants back in the game.
He grew up in Miami - and hates it. His ties to his family are tenuous at best, mostly thanks to an abusive alcoholic father who is dead when the series begins. He will do whatever it takes to get out of Miami, but while he's stuck in town, he takes on gigs to help pay the bills. It doesn't hurt that it keeps his skills sharp either.
In order to not get himself killed, he relies on two people. First is Fiona Glennane. She's an ex-IRA guerilla who specializes in explosives and violent foreplay. There is a history there, deep and dangerous, but the attraction between them cannot be denied. Michael just has to be careful not to get his ass kicked when he upsets her.
In addition to Fiona, Michael relies on Sam Axe, an "old army buddy." Sam is retired, and the powers that be don't hesitate to threaten Sam's pension if he doesn't inform on Michael. So, of course he does, which Michael knows. It's a very complicated friendship, but when the bullets start flying, Sam is always on Michael's side. Plus, he can be counted on to impersonate any number of people to get what Michael wants.
Lastly, Michael's mother, Madeleine, is a member of the main cast. Madeleine is a force to be reckoned with, although she seems to genuinely want what's best for Michael. She's motivated by a strange mixture of motherly love and guilt for the abuse Michael took as a child. That doesn't mean that she won't use every available tool to get what she wants, including emotional blackmail. It's easy to see where Michael got his early training.
Honorable Mentions
I need to also mention Michael's brother, Nate.
Nate was left behind when Michael finally ran away from home. He's a typical younger sibling in that he seems to always need something, but he's a bit more messed up than the average little brother. He's a compulsive gambler who occasionally has run ins with the mob; he's got a million dollar idea every few days; but as much as they don't get along, there is brotherly affection there. It's just shown in weird ways, like digging bullets out of each other, or helping each other into roles by punching each other.
In addition to Nate, there are several other recurring characters of interest.
Jason Bly – After Michael is found to have gained unauthorized access to a copy of his burn notice, his FBI surveillance team is pulled, and a new agent is assigned to the case. That agent is Jason Bly, who attempts to coerce Michael into giving up his attempts to return to the intelligence fold by harassing him and threatening his friends and family.
Carla – "Carla" is the alias assumed by a mid-ranking member of a mysterious and seemingly all-powerful shadow government organization that is apparently behind Michael's burn notice.
Victor - Victor is an employee of Carla's, a flippant, misanthropic, and more than vaguely psychopathic operative who styles himself as a "wrangler," sent in to force unruly recruits (like Michael) to do Carla's bidding.
There are too many other characters to mention, some friend, some foe. The fun is that you can never be quite sure who falls into what category. Just remember, the bad guys aren't always bad. The good guys aren't always good. Loyalties change.
In the spy world, nothing is ever as it seems.
On LJ
Alas, it is a small community, but there are several places where you can find the good stuff! (Please let me know if I've missed any, and I will add them.)
FIC:
bn_coverstoriesbn_fanficbn_slashwinter_deaddropICONS:
bn_100x100GENERAL:
burnnotice
no subject
no subject