I have a few problems with this episode....

1. Why would there be a Pakistan Consulate in Miami?

2. Someone would have to be very dumb and gullible to give away $200K for an "investment" in a nightclub in Cuba! Especially, when that someone had to borrow the whole $200K from a loan shark. It's not very believable.

3. How does shooting up a car's trunk make it explode?

Other than these things, the show was ok. Some of the quotes were kinda humorous, like.... "Sir, I would like to invite you to lower your voice."

However, I did learn a new word....vig.

I kinda liked that Waseem guy, too.

Why wouldn't there be a Pakistani consulate in Miami?

And what's vig?

According to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, DC, the nearest Consulates are in NY, LA, Chicago, Houston, Boston, and Jamaica. Sorry, Miami. No soup for you.

A vig is short for "vigorish" which is the amount charged by the bookie for his services, usually 5%. Or in this case, the interest paid to the moneylender.

Interesting - I too felt Nate’s absence in this episode. It just seemed like he should’ve been there. I hope he returns from Ft. Lauderdale soon!

[BTW - it’s nice to see you, Coribbean - I hadn’t run into you here on the boards and I wasn’t sure if we were just two cyberships passing in the night or you’d run into the dreaded systems maintenance/login fiasco...in any case, I’m glad to run into you here.

Well, I’ve finished watching last night’s episode again (ep. 3, Turn and Burn). There were a few things that I noticed about Madeline that I wanted to ramble about, forgive me as always everyone. *ahem*

First of all - Sharon Gless is phenomenal, period. In that last scene, where Madeline is washing the dishes - when Michael moves the faucet towards him so he could wash his hands? She has just a slight hint of irritation about her in that moment; and then before he can ask for the towel, when she hands it to him while moving the faucet back towards her - again, just a *hint* of irritation. It’s not anything significant, but I just had to mention it because I’m so impressed by how nuanced the dynamic is between Michael and Madeline.

I’m also impressed by how Madeline’s facial expressions and body language are somewhat similar to Michael’s - has anyone else picked up on this? That scene in the therapist’s office - when they smile at one another, it was just *uncanny* how much resemblance there was in the facial expressions of SG and JD. I noticed this as well throughout last night’s episode as well - nothing specific is coming to mind off the top of my head, but I know there were moments in the episode where I thought, wow - I can see where Michael picked up some of his body language and facial expressions from his mom. Which is like, unbelievable to me that these two actors would be so in tune with one another to do this...pretty impressive, to say the least.

The other thing is that she seems to have calmed down considerably, after having sort of acknowledged what Michael did for himself and the family as a child, in order to survive essentially. She *really* loves Michael and wants to front his best interests. That moment where she tells Michael she won’t give up on hoping he’ll have a family of his own someday - and he asks her if this is about having grandchildren...and she replies that it’s about him and how much fun it (family, life in general) can be - and he says with such an incredulous look on his face, “I was fun?” And Madeline’s touching his cheek…*bittersweet sigh* Guys, this just about broke my heart.

If the show was Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I might have problems with the above points also, but since it's not...er...not so much.

This was something that didn't catch my eye, as I'm in the DC area and it just didn't seem unusual at all. Embassies, Consulates, et al - these are ubiquitous in DC (Starbucks and consulates, yes? lol). Interesting, the things that sometimes don't stand out at all depending on where you live...

[edited for clarity]

Hey first up wassuppp!!!! I just looked up on google and opened the ambassador to pakistan page (dont really know if that was a good idea ehhh) and Yes they do have a Consulate in Florida outside the Coral Gable area; I dont think in the show they actually said they were in Miami tho.
On the car thing... ehh... maybe they shot the gas tank... & dont get me wrong I really really dont know anything about cars but wouldnt that at least cause fire? and ya i loved Waseem too... loved "Wassupp Waseem" by Michael.
Anywho... love the way your thinking... deep into the show.!!!! Love it all ... Peace !

Thank you so much. It's nice to be noticed.

These are my fav scenes from this episode:

• Mike sportin' 70's style glasses with the collegiate blue blazer: 

• Mike continuing to tell everyone that Fi is NOT his girlfriend.
• Sam's scenes at the consulate. The mocking scene was classic Sam.
• The poker scene where Fi is getting creamed by seniors.
• Mike's look when Fi volunteers him for a job.
• Fi getting Mike to help someone who puts love first.
• Cat lady's house where Mike is identified as handsome, single, and a cat lover.
• Mike's uncomfortable night club scene where Fi is trying to fix him up.
• The cheesy but smooth scene in Mike's loft. Sam and Fi can still zing each other.
• The fight at the cat lady's house. Mike gives fashion tips and finds an interesting use for Cat Fancy magazine
• The "Whassup Wazeem" scene was Mikey at his adorable but smug best.
• The scene where Mike slams poor Sam for complaining about his cell being tied up was a bit hard. Makes you wonder why anyone would consider him as a friend. He can be really brutal.
• The scene where Mike extricates Fi from the club's VIP room
• Then we got a Barry scene. "Bad Check" Barry. Love it!!!!

I'm willing to bet it was Fi and a couple of bars of C4.

Yeah, I really dig Barry, too.

I forgot about this scene where we see a wee bit of chest and the crazy yipping sound Mike's Davis Cullen makes when he's offered whiskey.

I loved the entire show. I loved most of the scenes you all mentioned. But thought those glasses look like Mikey can't see. They are so thick. Especially the whole Fi is not my girlfriend bit. But seriously, I think they need to recruit the GalPals for some scenes. We can hold our own on the set. Just someone will have to mop us off the floor. And yes, they do have a pakistani embassy in NY, it's actually near me. It was always protected when the F***ers bombed the WTC back in 2001. I had hoped they would bomb them so we'd get a few out of the city. No such luck.

I thought Michael can't leave Miami, one of the problems of getting burned, right? I think he said that in the first episode. Carla spoke arabic, right? With a kurdish accent. I believe Kurdistan(not a real country) is in Northern Iraq, Southern Turkey and Western Iran, and no where near Pakistan. forgot the arabic part, they don't speak arabic in pakistan. Not even in afghanistan or Iran. But hey, its a TV show. Remember urdu is nearly the same as hindi, just more "poetic". it more sense if michael broke into the turkish consulate. oh well.

A Map for the geographically challenged: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan

Me too.
Now, that's kinda negative, dontcha think? Isn't all life to be respected?
"Avoid, rather than check. Check, rather than hurt. Hurt, rather than maim. Maim, rather than kill. For all life is precious, nor can any be replaced. "

Caineisall

You guys/gals have the great moments of this episode covered quite well. By the end, it seemed like a heartfelt tribute to moms, which was nice. As always, the writers and all of the actors get, and do a great job, of portraying the complexities of relationships. I'm so glad it continues.

My favorite line was Mikey's to Madeline: I don't know what it is that you want me to say (or something pretty close). I say that one to my own anxious and determined-to-pry mom at least once a month (but I am still very grateful for her).

Mikey's attack on Sam when Sam complained about tying up his line to Veronica was harsh, but it looks like Fi will be giving Mikey a "relationship education."

Sam's leaving a trail! Charles Finley is well known in certain circles, and and now those circles might discover eachother. Once again, the validation of episodes connecting to episodes. So far, so good. Let's see if Steve Remington returns with Charles Finley in an episode; whereby, the connection of additional episodes might be a bit more interesting.

Would you like a scary version? If you recall, Nate stated he lost his key to his mom's house; then later, we discover a coffee pot at his mom's house, placed there by Carla. I could say that something happened to Nate as a result of his actions; but then, Ft. Lauderdale was the last known place for him. Maybe Nate's gone fishing; or, maybe Nate's working on his house. No matter what Nate's doing, it might be important to remember both Nate and Carla are missing at the same time. If Nate says he's got a new gal in his life, it might become very interesting.

I don't think he's the only one... lol

Once again, I'm giving a little bit of realism to events related to BN.

Answering Q1:

==========================================================================

Jan 23, 2008Wednesday Muharram 13, 1429
Pakistan to attend US textile fair
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) will assist textile exporters to participate in the US 'Material World' trade show.

An official announcement issued here on Tuesday said the show to be held in Miami, Florida, on April 8, is the largest textile trade fair held in the United States. The TDAP is organising the national pavilion in collaboration with commercial section of the Consulate General of Pakistan.

The Material World showcases textiles, fabrics, yarn, accessories, garments and home furnishings. It is known in the US as an alternative to Heimtextil and Texworld in Europe.

According to the announcement, the TDAP has invited applications from textiles exporters for participation in the trade show.

Sixteen companies from Pakistan had showcased their products in the last edition of the show held in May last year, where Pakistan was given the status of the 'featured' country.

The US is the largest market of textile products in the world and is the largest buyer of Pakistani textiles.

===========================================================================

Asian-American Advisory Board:

Mission:
To advise the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administration, the community with respect to matters pertaining to the Asian-American community in Miami-Dade County.

To encourage the activities, and participation of Asian-Americans in civic, cultural, Economic, and community affairs.

To promote the cultural heritage and eliminate ignorance and bigotry towards Asian-Americans



Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 660
Miami, FL 33128
tx: 305-375-1541

===========================================================================

For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2007</B>Media Contact:
Hernando Vergara
Vergara@miamidade.gov
305-375-2601



Pakistan Ambassador to the U.S. receives key to the County


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Commission Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners present Mahmud Ali Durrani, the Pakistan Ambassador to the U.S., with the key to the County during the Commission meeting in County Hall on Thursday, May 10, 2007. Ambassador Durrani, who is visiting the Sunshine State on a familiarization tour, invited the Commissioners to visit Pakistan to share their experience implementing democratic principles. Pakistan is a trade partner with Miami-Dade with a trade value of $67 million. Pictured from left to right are commissioners Sally A. Heyman, Katy Sorenson, Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Dennis C. Moss, Carlos A. Gimenez, Barbara J. Jordan, Natacha Seijas; Pakistan Ambassador to the U.S. Mahmud Ali Durrani; President of the Pakistani-American Chamber of Commerce A.G. Kabani; and commissioners Audrey M. Edmonson, Chairman Bruno A. Barreiro and Joe A. Martinez.

================================================================================
=====



Answering Q2:

High Risk investments have high rewards in profits and in losses; and, without developing an additional balance to the high risk investment, the losses can be even greater.



Answering Q3:

All it takes is a spark to ignite the fuel tank fumes; but then, we already know those so-called FBI agents weren't agents, therefore the so-called Crown Vic didn't have the added safeguards to protect the fuel tank fumes.

Finally in this season we saw a little skin! Now why couldn't they show JD taking off the shirt and then putting on that rubbery looking shirt! I think they all want me and others like me to suffer...OK already! I give! ..... Loved the show!

Nice (NOT!)

I second, Chris....or Caine, or who ever you are.....



KA23

Totally.

LuLuny: why so hateful?

Hey vestokes thanks for posting the links... loved the crazy yipping too. The Sam scene in the beginning with "i would like to invite you to lower your voice" - excellent.

& ya I didnt think of Fi's love for C4. & how about BadCheckBarry loved that he said to Michael anybody else would get 3 minutes!! great episode! thanks for all your clips... Peace

I didn't think that was harsh. Sam likes to drink A LOT and hang out at that bar, so Mike kinda poked fun of him there. Sure, it was inconsiderate to tie-up his phone, but it was kinda an emergency.



Yeah, I like Barry, too. The best shows have the best cast of characters in them. BN seems to fit that mold.

Actually the 911 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia. 

Loved when Mike told "Whassup" Wazeem that he was going "native" by eating at an Indian restaurant. You do know Pakistanis and Indians hate each other as much as Israelis and Palestinians.

From Arabia, and based in afghanistan. People forget that part, stems back to soviet-afghan war.

Well, I don't think they hate each out that much, because of the amount of trade and tourism they have each other. But all the hate really stems from ignorance. There families split across the imaginary border, both muslim and hindu. One day they will reunite and become an economic and military powerhouse. But I digress.

So nobody has any comments about my first post? Nobody going to greet me and welcome me to the board?
Well, nice to meet you guys too.

I understand WHY Mike was snippy but he can be really short with Sam. Remember this scene from the Pilot? Everyone knows Sam has no problems drinking before, during, and after a job. So, why is Mikey so snippy during that scene? Could it be he was ticked at Sam for questioning his use of Fi as "tactical support"? Mike is really cranky and takes it out on the few friends he has. I'm not saying that should change. I think it's essential to the plot and character. It's just an observation.

Hey. I didn't see your first post. I just jumped into the end of this thread. I usually like to say HI to anyone new. 

No offense intended. I know I gave up welcoming newbies a while ago because so many new folks -- I can't possibly keep up. I am glad to have newbies though.

uh_stdnt: Actually your first post has no response in it. It appears to be have been left out of the message.

palmtree24, I liked that scene, too! I thought the body language/facial expressions going on between the two of them was fantastic - great bit of character insight and obviously a great bit of acting between JD and GA, too. I also noticed the same thing going on between Sharon Gless and JD (mirroring of facial expressions, body language). BN is one of those shows where even the littlest details are a revelation with respect to the characters. Very cool.



I really liked that last scene with Michael and Madeline - as I said earlier in some post somewhere in this thread (*lol*), it broke my heart when Michael looked so taken aback when his mom told him that kids made the journey in life more fun and he said, "I was fun?" ...he looked so lost. Such a poignant moment. SG and JD are amazing, absolutely amazing. They hit every one of their scenes out of the ballpark, don't they? The dynamic between them as actors makes for riveting character development (the continuing development of similar body language/facial expressions between Michael and Madeline, the delving deeper into their history). I can see how Madeline is *really* in Michael's corner all the way - she's the greatest asset he's got in his life right now, I think.

Didn't you love that scene where he sneaks into Madeline's garage, only to be discovered by her? I loved how he pivots that side-view mirror around and we see Madeline in the doorway through the mirror. *lol* This show is just such a delight on every single level (acting, writing, directing, the whole shebang).

Vestokes, could I post your link to this scene in the GA appreciation thread? It was my favorite scene of the show last night, I think (although that scene with Michael confronting the loan shark with the Cat Fancy magazine/weapon runs a very close second, lol). And of course, that scene where Mike's Client's mom says, "Phyllis said you were handsome" and Fi chimes in, "And he's single too, can you believe it?" A-HAHAHA! Fiona, you rock! Ummm...and of course, there's that scene where Michael's menacing the loan shark and his goons with the Cat Fancy Magazine. *LMAO* Ah, who am I kidding, this episode was chock full of great scenes (Whassup, Waseem; the crazy Texas yip from Davis Cullen, Mike’s cover; and by golly you nailed ‘em all, Vestokes!). Thanks for all the great moments you've posted here!

Hey, now wait a cotton pickin’ minute, uh_stdnt - I wasn’t even *on* the board when you made your first post. I can’t very well send out the welome wagon if I wasn’t even here - hold yer horses there, kiddo!

So in response to your post...I'll offer a few thoughts on the Carla thing (although honestly, I really am not at all interested in this stuff, but since Michael is I guess I’d better be, ahem, lol) -- didn’t Evelyn (the assassin from s.1, ep. 10, “False Flag”) take out a couple of diplomats in Turkey seven years ago (Istanbul, I believe)? Made it sound like Michael had been working for a while in Turkey. I wonder if Carla somehow came across Michael during her stint in the Kurdish areas of Turkey/Iraq? Hmmm… anyway, thanks for the wiki map of Kurdistan, uh_stdnt; very interesting stuff. [also - this may sound peculiar, but I actually spent a considerable amount of time a while back studing the former Soviet satellite republics (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, etc, etc). Yes, I’ve left of Kyrgyzstan because I can never remember how to spell it and being the lazy American that I am I ain’t gonna go look it up, ‘kay? ]

[edited to correct episode number of "False Flag"]

You and anyone on the message board are welcome to use any links I post. 

omg i loooved epi 3! this show just keeps gettin better and better!
the story was awesome
loooved the pakistanis
loved the Fi, Mike, and Mom story
never stopped laughing or smiling

i loooove Fi!
she and Mike were so hot! lol
Mom was so sweet
yay BN!

Okay first off, love the show, wouldn't be watching and posting here if I didn't...BUT...there's a thing in TV and movies called "continuity" - means that if someone is holding a drink, or wearing a blue shirt, or reading a newspaper in one shot, you don't show them drinkless, or in a red shirt, or reading a book in the next shot.

I'm not usually a stickler for this kind of thing on TV (it really bugs me in movies, as there's almost always one person tasked with ensuring "continuity" during production), but so far this season EVERY SINGLE EPISODE has had numerous, GLARING continuity errors.

Watch the scenes in Velvet, or most distractingly, Michael's lunch with Barry the money launderer, and notice how the characters are facing the bar or away from the bar, or holding their hands clasped or down on the table, and how the various elements don't match up in cuts and shots from other angles.

It's getting very distracting, and points to a general carelessness and amaturishness very evident in Season 2, that was NOT THE CASE in Season 1.

I'm worried for this show - which last year was one of the slickest and smartest on TV. What's happening guys? Pull it together PLEASE!

I agree with everything, but there have been only 3 episodes in season 2, its not a fair comparison. It bugs me a bit in the beginning of an episode as i am getting into a "groove" for that hour, but it is also our job to suspend reality. Its only a tv show(best ever!!), i'd cut them some slack as they have different writers and directors for every episode.

Hi!! Thanks for welcoming me!!
Random fact: "-istan" mean "land of (insert here)"



Gave up welcoming newbies? WHy? You could haze us!! How is that not fun? its freaking awesome. Okay, not really.



I see, oh well. The important thing is that I'm here now. I can't believe i discovered this show last week. And yes, i watched all the episodes in 1 day!! 1 day. Now i have to wait for thursdays, sucks.

Roberto - I love this show, too. It's the only show I've watched on television in many, many years (save for The Sopranos, which I watched all at once last year on DVD and Tivo). I'm pretty sure my addiction and love for this show is apparent to everyone who has posted or is lurking here. Just wanted to reiterate this.

I have noticed some dubbing/voice editing errors along the way in Season 2 (notably in ep. 1 and 2). The continuity issues bothered me in the first episode, but I guess I attributed this to season opener kinks/glitches. I confess that I didn't notice/pay as much attention to either of these issues in episode 3, probably because I was so relieved not to see Carla and I enjoyed watching this past episode so much more.

I wanted to post this for your consideration - this is an excerpt of a BN review of ep. 3 from a blog called, "What's Alan Watching?" No, I don't know who Alan is; I ended up on his site via the Google blog search engine. Anyway, here it is --

Got this e-mail from a reader a few minutes after the episode ended:

I read your review of Burn Notice- just wondering- do you not detect that season 2 has lost it’s “snap”? Your review suggested that you saw season 1. With season two, it drags in places, the lines are not crisp, stories have been hokey, not nearly as much of the “how-to” overlays, and there’s more silliness, and now even gory violent deaths. It seems to me, just an average joe (or joe ann, as the case may be) viewer, that there has been a loss of someone key from last year. Some part of the show’s essence is gone.

This isn't the first complaint I've seen that season two is in some way a disappointment compared to season one, but I'm not seeing it. Not yet, anyway. ... [read the rest of his blog entry here]

I thought this was interesting. BN is still a terrific show and I'm having a blast watching it. Indeed, some things I'm enjoying even more than I did in season 1 (the character development of Michael and Madeline and delving deeper into Michael and Fi - these are all a delight to me). Having said that, however - I kinda know what that person who e-mailed is saying. Something *does* seem to be missing this season. I've wracked my brain about this and I just can't nail down what it is. The closest I ever got is when Vestokes said that thing about feeling as though everything had been moved around in your house and even though all your stuff was still there it felt out of place.

Generally speaking, it seems that the level of attention to minutiae is not as strong (coffee cups with actual hot coffee in them, things like that). I guess I'd also have to say that I don't feel the striking visuals to the extent I did in season 1 (where every single scene was basically eye-catching). I guess this would be cinematography? I don't know much about film, so I dunno. I can give some examples, though... I'm thinking of the pilot, when MW is in the drab "Girls Gone Wild" motel and swings open the door and there's all that eye candy that is Miami in the background. Or the scene where MW props himself against the wall with that cool sculpture thing in the foreground. Or when Sam approaches Mr. Pyne at the car in order to create a diversion and plant the cell phone bug - did anyone else notice the attention to color in this scene? I realize this is going to sound nutty, but I loved how many shades of pink were scattered amongst the set in that scene - Pyne's pink tie; his lawyer's pink blouse; the cab driver's pink shirt; the "Hello Sweetheart" phone; the flowers in the landscape behind the actors...see, I do sound like a nut, don't I. lol. But the truth is that it made a difference visually and I really appreciated how artistic those shots were in season 1. Mind you, I still feel that visual eye candy aspect of BN, just not as much this season. I'm starting to wonder if it's because they're filming more inside the studio (the expo center) and are having to rely less on filming locations. I know they're still filming on location, mind you... but it seems like some of the interior scenes just aren't as visually rich as they were last year (that Velvet nightclub looked like a set to me and I didn't think it looked as cool as some of the other clubs they'd visited in earlier eppies).

Aaaanyway - enough with the analysis of stuff that I know nothing about, basically. I wish I knew more about television and filmmaking, maybe I wouldn't ramble so much, ahem.

[edited for formatting only]

Hey, PhilippaConnors: That was a very insightful analysis of the visuals of Burn Notice. I read that post with great interest. In addition to all the things you pointed out, I notice they haven't been using the jumpy camera thing that they used in Season One, or have I missed that?

Okay, just now rewatching it (Sunday A.M.) and I was once again blown away by Michael's physique. What a babe. You can tell that he has been serously working out, as he mentioned in that interview where he said something about some kind of martial arts that he's been doing for the last year. Yum.

Anyone else notice how some of Madeline's common kitchen equipment is going missing. In this epi, she says her salad spinner is missing. The epi before, it was the coffee machine which a new one magically appeared in the middle of the night. Maybe these items have something to do with Nate's absence so far this season?

Hey Philippa! Yes the continuity errors were just the most immediate burr under my saddle, but I've also been noticing really shoddy sound work (levels don't match, voiceovers don't match, background noises don't match up, even the "foley" work (filling in sound elements after the fact) is sub-par. And yes the visuals are certainly less exciting and dramatic overall than they were in Season 1.

All these little elements may not sit in the forefront of most viewers' consciousnesses, but the overall effect is what a lot people have been talking and writing about. Many will say, as you did, that they can't put their finger on what it is that's missing - well in my opinion, it's 'quality' production work. Things like continuity errors, bad sound work, and lackluster visuals may not be noted individually by your average viewer, but they add up to leave the viewer with the nagging sense that *something's* not right.

A post above mentioned something about "different writers and directors each week" - I was not aware of this, is this fact? If so, no wonder it's a mess. That's no way to run a railroad.

Look, I'm not bashing the show, by any means. It was far and away my favorite show on TV last season. That's why I'm feeling so frustrated by this season's lack of polish.

Bring back the writers and production team from last season guys! We want our old, quality Burn Notice back!

R

'uh_stdnt'
Hi!! Thanks for welcoming me!!
Random fact: "-istan" mean "land of (insert here)"

INterestin....and there are so many "stan"s....I wonder what the first parts mean (when not semi/obvious)

Gave up welcoming newbies? WHy? You could haze us!! How is that not fun? its freaking awesome. Okay, not really.

Eh, many of us are in a haze of our own half the time ....be it work or other .....hard to tell the difference


I see, oh well. The important thing is that I'm here now. I can't believe i discovered this show last week. And yes, i watched all the episodes in 1 day!! 1 day. Now i have to wait for thursdays, sucks.
Just do like the rest of us....watch the replays on television, Tivo, or internet (or, if you insist on variety, just rewatch stuff from season I....it's nothing "new" but at least it helps pass the time while waiting for Thurs )



Welcome Friend!!!!


KA23

Don't want to monopolize the thread but I just thought of a great example of how the visuals have changed (for the worse).

Let's look at two "explosive" scenes and compare:

Part one of last season's 2-part season finale - a couple, sitting in a shiny silver car along a Miami canal, waiting for a drug meet. Sam and Fi are surveilling. Go to a wide overhead boom/jib shot of Fi on a nearby bridge/overpass doing sound surveillance (we've already established that Sam's in car nearby doing photographic surveillance). Suddenly, from off-camera right, a rocket streaks diagonally across the canal and demolishes the couple's car (what a freakin' shot - caught the viewer totally off-guard, the bright sun reflecting off the canal and the buildings in the background, the rocket reflected in the water, the so-out-of-place smoke trail, the shiny silver car just disintigrates).

Cut to Fi yanking off her headphones with a pained grimace, cut to Sam rocked sideways in his car from the blast's shockwave). That's some quality shot selection, camera work, and special effects work there. As a viewer you knew exactly what had just happened and were as shocked and surprised as the characters depicted on-screen. The viewer identifies with the characters in going What the heck just happened, but in a good way, more Why and Who, than What.

Now; Trust Me - Sam and Fi destroy two faux-FBI agents' car. Starts on Interior shot of Mike and Zeke - you hear what sorta sounds like gunshots from outside (I didn't even register them as gunshots on first viewing, the sound work was so poor). Cut to split-second tight shot of Sam firing a semi-automatic rifle. Cut to shot behind Sam's back of him putting holes in a car's trunk (is this the car the two FBI guys were sitting in? Hard to say, we never got a look at the car itself in an establishing shot), Fi is standing on his right doing absolutely nothing.

Cut to Interior shot of Mike and Zeke watching as car explodes (why did the car explode? did Sam hit the gas tank? He couldn't be sure he could make the car explode that way, and it had to, to provide the illusion the FBI guys were killed, so they had to have used explosives - did Fi set them? Hard to say, we never saw her prepare or set any.) Seeing the car explode from inside a house looking out through the front door does not provide a sense of scale or violence, and does not twang any juxtaposition strings in viewers (tranquil interior vs. violence outside). As a viewer you're left wondering What the heck just happened? Not Who or Why, just What the heck just happened, i.e. not in a good way.

In my opinion, Trust Me looked and sounded like something prepared by high-schoolers for public access TV.

I'll have to agree, there was a little weakness in the scene's motion, but not so much in the explosion. A few seconds to see them getting the agents actually out of the car and away, and/or Fi sliding a little C4 on/near the tank would have helped, I thought the two of them were a little close for such a sizable explosion. Once all was said and done though, I think you could put together what went on.....the "story" could have been told a touch better there though...will have to view the scene again.....


And again......and again.....and again.....and again.......



KA23

Wow.
I know you're right, but I never watch stuff with that much attention to detail.

Interesting analysis.