Things I've learned from Burn Notice - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Willravel · 02-04-2009, 08:34 PM

I don't know who else tunes in to USA's Burn Notice, but the show is about a spy who is "burned", or who is disavowed. He settles in Miami and does the whole crime-fighting for petty cash thing while simultaneously trying to figure out who burned him and why.

Neeways, one of the interesting aspects of the show is the spy-esque things he does during the show. As an example, he grabs a few canisters of compressed air—the kind you might use on electronics to remove dust—holds them upside down and uses them to freeze a lock. Admittedly, in the back of my mind I said "bullshit". Then I tried it. 2 canisters of air (Memorex Air Duster, from Fry's) took care of a medium sized padlock. Of course it would be faster to bring a lock cutter, but if you were caught it would be better to have something confusing than something obvious.

Then I started looking at other things from Burn Notice. In the last episode, the spy makes thermite using what he suggested were easily available ingredients. Sure enough, aluminum powder, iron oxide, and a bit of magnesium are all quite easy to get a hold of.

Is anyone else watching this? Has anyone else tried some of the interesting ideas that have been presented on the show?

Plan9 · 02-04-2009, 08:47 PM

You do stuff like that all the time if you're in the right bunch with the military. It's fun.

I like Burn Notice. It's a little too Miami Vice for me but the narration is good and the story is amusing.

The MacGyver / James Bond stuff? It's all from the US Army Ranger / Sapper handbooks. Any Charlie-type bearded hero knows this stuff.

I like shows that are authentic, but for obvious reasons they can't be TOO authentic.
...

Realism isn't necessary for entertainment. I mean, look at the A-Team. It was total fantasy.

Willravel · 02-04-2009, 09:02 PM

Bullshit, the A-team was based on a true story.

Some of it does strike me as entry level, but there are a few things that I can't imagine your average GI would need to know. Michael and Sam were questioning the scam artist middleman and his muscle. As a questioning technique, they blindfolded both of them and tossed the muscle out the window to scare the crap out of the middleman. It's a simple technique in establishing in the mind of the person you're questioning the fact that you're not bluffing, but it doesn't seem like something one might learn in soldiering 101.

BTW, do you have an extra handbook sitting around?

Plan9 · 02-04-2009, 09:06 PM

I have two SLC handbooks... and no, you can't have them.

You can, however, download them from the Interblog.

...

You should ask DK about his collection of Paladin Press books.

Willravel · 02-04-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crompsin

I have two SLC handbooks... and no, you can't have them.

I'm sure Murdock still has his. Unfortunately, he was institutionalized when it was discovered that he was, in fact, crazy.

snowy · 02-04-2009, 09:16 PM

I've caught Burn Notice a couple of times on the weekend, and I've got to say that I really like it. I probably won't go out of my way to watch it on a regular basis (only Family Guy qualifies for that honor anymore), but I would choose it over other options when flipping through the channels. That actually says a lot; I don't pay attention to many television shows.

And some of the things in this thread are very interesting indeed. I'm not sure I have any great use for this knowledge, but I am old enough to know that sometimes weird bits of information come in handy.

Plan9 · 02-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Will, you might find some of this interesting.

Willravel · 02-04-2009, 09:25 PM

Burn Notice - TV Series, Spy Show, Characters, Schedule, Videos & Photos - USA NETWORK -Ask A Spy
Look what I found.
-----Added 5/2/2009 at 12 : 26 : 54-----

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crompsin

Will, you might find some of this interesting.

Holy crap.

My inner child is putting on his cammo jammies and Rambo head band.

Fremen · 02-05-2009, 05:31 AM

I watch BN, too. I've liked the actor that plays Sam ever since his Pretender days when he played Jared's long lost bro, and the series where he was shot and left emotionless (or something), and who doesn't love Bruce?

One of my favorite narrations of his was his advice on losing a tail.

Not to go careening around corners all willy-nilly and attract the cops, but just make random turns until they make a mistake, or something like that. (he explained it better)

braisler · 02-05-2009, 07:34 AM

Yeah, my wife and I both like that show for the same reasons, the 'spy craft' narrations are cool information. That and she thinks the male lead is kind of cute.

Nikilidstrom · 02-05-2009, 02:51 PM

I started watching it from the beginning because it had Bruce Campbell in it, but the entire cast(almost) has grown on me. I love all of the gadgetry involved in the show, and as mentioned above, it harkens back to the hokier days of the A-Team, another favorite of mine growing up. Leverage, another new cable series, reminds me a little of A-Team as well. I especially love all of Michael's narrations on "social engineering" and how to work a mark. I just wish they would get rid of Cagney as his mother, I have never liked her.

snowy · 02-23-2009, 08:42 PM

I've been watching this on a regular basis lately. The more I watch it, the more addicted I become. I actually know what time they show the new episodes. That is very strange for me!

yournamehere · 02-26-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikilidstrom

I started watching it from the beginning because it had Bruce Campbell in it, but the entire cast(almost) has grown on me. .

Same here.
Ever since Evil Dead II, I'll watch anything if he's in it.

And I enjoy Michael's narrations, also. Good show.

Fremen · 02-27-2009, 02:05 AM

It was a good show tonight. Had a great fight scene between Michael and Daniel Jackson. ;-)

Zeraph · 02-27-2009, 01:47 PM

It's good, but the main character michael I think, bugs me for some reason. Bruce of course is awesome.

Willravel · 02-27-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeraph

It's good, but the main character michael I think, bugs me for some reason. Bruce of course is awesome.

I think it's an issue of being able to relate to the character. Michael takes on a narrator/teacher position in the show, which changes his relationship with the audience. I think much of the audience is supposed to identify with Sam or Fe.

gardens · 02-27-2009, 11:13 PM

the info parts are interesting up to a point, generally when he gets into the I AM GOD voice of treating you like your stupid, off hand I can remember the epi where he talks about dealing with private security (ciggy butts, offer bribe, obvious loitering etc)

I think that Mikey might be a little crazy because really who is he talking to?

have they ever explained where Sam was/why he moved to Miami to be with Mikey I get that they were friends, but what kind of life did Sam have before Mike if there was such a time

are they going to bring back his brother thats my question personally I could care less if he dies but the brother had serious comedic value

good show even if it has low moments (in particular everybody being mad at Mikey Spoiler: for not telling about the fiance

02-04-2009, 08:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Things I've learned from Burn Notice I don't know who else tunes in to USA's Burn Notice, but the show is about a spy who is "burned", or who is disavowed. He settles in Miami and does the whole crime-fighting for petty cash thing while simultaneously trying to figure out who burned him and why. Neeways, one of the interesting aspects of the show is the spy-esque things he does during the show. As an example, he grabs a few canisters of compressed air—the kind you might use on electronics to remove dust—holds them upside down and uses them to freeze a lock. Admittedly, in the back of my mind I said "bullshit". Then I tried it. 2 canisters of air (Memorex Air Duster, from Fry's) took care of a medium sized padlock. Of course it would be faster to bring a lock cutter, but if you were caught it would be better to have something confusing than something obvious. Then I started looking at other things from Burn Notice. In the last episode, the spy makes thermite using what he suggested were easily available ingredients. Sure enough, aluminum powder, iron oxide, and a bit of magnesium are all quite easy to get a hold of. Is anyone else watching this? Has anyone else tried some of the interesting ideas that have been presented on the show?

02-04-2009, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	You do stuff like that all the time if you're in the right bunch with the military. It's fun. I like Burn Notice. It's a little too Miami Vice for me but the narration is good and the story is amusing. The MacGyver / James Bond stuff? It's all from the US Army Ranger / Sapper handbooks. Any Charlie-type bearded hero knows this stuff. I like shows that are authentic, but for obvious reasons they can't be TOO authentic. ... Realism isn't necessary for entertainment. I mean, look at the A-Team. It was total fantasy. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

02-04-2009, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	I have two SLC handbooks... and no, you can't have them. You can, however, download them from the Interblog. ... You should ask DK about his collection of Paladin Press books. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 02-04-2009 at 09:11 PM..

02-04-2009, 09:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I've caught Burn Notice a couple of times on the weekend, and I've got to say that I really like it. I probably won't go out of my way to watch it on a regular basis (only Family Guy qualifies for that honor anymore), but I would choose it over other options when flipping through the channels. That actually says a lot; I don't pay attention to many television shows. And some of the things in this thread are very interesting indeed. I'm not sure I have any great use for this knowledge, but I am old enough to know that sometimes weird bits of information come in handy. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

02-04-2009, 09:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Will, you might find some of this interesting. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

02-04-2009, 09:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Bullshit, the A-team was based on a true story. Some of it does strike me as entry level, but there are a few things that I can't imagine your average GI would need to know. Michael and Sam were questioning the scam artist middleman and his muscle. As a questioning technique, they blindfolded both of them and tossed the muscle out the window to scare the crap out of the middleman. It's a simple technique in establishing in the mind of the person you're questioning the fact that you're not bluffing, but it doesn't seem like something one might learn in soldiering 101. BTW, do you have an extra handbook sitting around?

02-05-2009, 05:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	I watch BN, too. I've liked the actor that plays Sam ever since his Pretender days when he played Jared's long lost bro, and the series where he was shot and left emotionless (or something), and who doesn't love Bruce? One of my favorite narrations of his was his advice on losing a tail. Not to go careening around corners all willy-nilly and attract the cops, but just make random turns until they make a mistake, or something like that. (he explained it better) __________________ Google

02-05-2009, 07:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Yeah, my wife and I both like that show for the same reasons, the 'spy craft' narrations are cool information. That and she thinks the male lead is kind of cute. __________________ --- You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother. - Albert Einstein ---

02-05-2009, 02:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nikilidstrom Stick it in your five hole! Location: Michigan, USA	I started watching it from the beginning because it had Bruce Campbell in it, but the entire cast(almost) has grown on me. I love all of the gadgetry involved in the show, and as mentioned above, it harkens back to the hokier days of the A-Team, another favorite of mine growing up. Leverage, another new cable series, reminds me a little of A-Team as well. I especially love all of Michael's narrations on "social engineering" and how to work a mark. I just wish they would get rid of Cagney as his mother, I have never liked her.

02-23-2009, 08:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I've been watching this on a regular basis lately. The more I watch it, the more addicted I become. I actually know what time they show the new episodes. That is very strange for me! __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

02-27-2009, 02:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	It was a good show tonight. Had a great fight scene between Michael and Daniel Jackson. ;-) __________________ Google

02-27-2009, 01:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	It's good, but the main character michael I think, bugs me for some reason. Bruce of course is awesome.

02-27-2009, 11:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
gardens Tilted Location: Kolob	the info parts are interesting up to a point, generally when he gets into the I AM GOD voice of treating you like your stupid, off hand I can remember the epi where he talks about dealing with private security (ciggy butts, offer bribe, obvious loitering etc) I think that Mikey might be a little crazy because really who is he talking to? have they ever explained where Sam was/why he moved to Miami to be with Mikey I get that they were friends, but what kind of life did Sam have before Mike if there was such a time are they going to bring back his brother thats my question personally I could care less if he dies but the brother had serious comedic value good show even if it has low moments (in particular everybody being mad at Mikey Spoiler: for not telling about the fiance