USA Network: New Burn Notice theory suggests finale was not the end!

USA Network’s popular series, Burn Notice, ended with a finale that seemed to wrap everything up in a neat bow. However, a new fan theory suggests we missed a big part of the story.

Audiences familiar with Burn Notice know that the series ended with its two titular characters riding off into the sunset together. Technically, it was more like faking their deaths than a cheerful goodbye, but at least Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) got to start over.

In the series finale’s conclusion, Fiona and Michael find an isolated cabin in what’s presumably a foreign country to rest in. They’re sitting with Nate’s son, Charlie, cherishing a moment of peace together.

While they’re enjoying some well-deserved rest, Fiona asks Michael how he’ll explain their situation to Charlie. Michael is unsure of how to spell out everything that happened but Fiona gives him the perfect one-liner, to begin with. She tells him to start off with “my name is Michael Westin and I used to be a spy…”.

Now, anyone who’s seen Burn Notice will recognize that specific line of dialogue from the show’s intro. It played at the very beginning of every episode, always seemingly directed towards the audience as a form of direct exposition. But, we’re starting to think that Michael Westin’s most notorious catchphrase was said in a different context.

The reason that Mike’s catchphrase is more telling than previously thought is he could be talking directly to Charlie. There’s always been an assumption that the intro was meant for the audience, but what if the background dialogue was actually paired with a visual of Michael telling young Charlie about his whole adventure?

Reasonably speaking, it would make sense. Think about it, every time that Michael’s voice would randomly pop up in an episode to explain something, his dialogue sounded as if he were talking directly to one person—not the audience. For instance, Michael’s helpful hints throughout the series.

Whenever the episodes stopped for Michael to gave a detailed description on unconventional spy work, he’d leave the nastier bits out—or he’d clean up the language—almost as if he were speaking to a child. Perhaps all of the random dialogue was pulled from conversations between Michael and Charlie?

There’s never been an actual visual of Michael (Donovan) paired with the dialogue so the chances of him telling this story to Charlie are very likely. Fiona emphasized how important it would be to tell their surrogate son the truth—maybe Mike took her advice to heart.

Theories aside, Michael giving Charlie a first-hand account of his adventures might have set up an additional arc in the series. Burn Notice ended on the right note but there’s a good chance Matt Nix and the writers crafted that final scene to leave the door open for more.

There could be a nugget of truth to our theory, or maybe not. Either way, Michael, Fiona, and Charlie starting another adventure together would be the reunion many fans have been asking for. Who knows, maybe the cast will get back together for a TV movie similar to the Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) special. Here’s to hoping!

Would you be up in for a Burn Notice continuation? Let us know in the comments section below.

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