I was out of town last week, but thanks to enalzi and Fugazi for starting the Chuck discussion threads. The first episodes of the season hit the Chuck/Sarah relationship pretty hard. While that forms the emotional core of the show, I think it works best when the writers aren’t so blatant about it, and especially not when it actively interferes with a mission. The third episode last Monday struck just the right balance, I think.
This week, Chuck has to save Captain Awesome from the bad guys. According to my guide:
Chuck becomes Awesome’s handler and shows him how to be a real spy; Morgan has to deal with Jeff and Lester’s latest hijinks after getting promoted to assistant manager.
I’m not sure I quite like that development, but let’s watch and see.
Well, the writers were really firing on all cylinders for this one. I think this season has really hit its stride - from Awesome’s increasingly ridiculous story about his whereabouts to the fight club at the Buy More. I’m glad Awesome is off the hook for the spy stuff. I didn’t like Chuck’s civilian world intruding too closely into the spy world.
Absolutely great episode, especially the first scene with Shaw. I’d bet good money the Chuck will have to shoot someone this season. He’s gonna have to learn that being a spy isn’t as easy as running around tranqing people.
I liked it.
This ep had exactly the right tone and rhythm that made me a fan of the show in the first place. The tension between Chuck and Sarah was simmering just below the surface, where it belongs; The Buy More segments were silly comic relief that ended up dovetailing nicely into the A plot (the electrified fence); and Chuck himself was at just the right balance between out of his element and keeping his wits about him.
The Awesome story line worked out nicely, I think. Now that Devin’s had a taste of the spy life, he’s been cured of wanting any part of it from now on, which might potentially have grown tiresome. And having one civilian who knows Chuck’s secret could prove to be an interesting dynamic – a Roger Healy to his Tony Nelson, you might say.
And enalzi, I’m with you – Chuck is going to kill someone this season.
Next week: Clark Kent meets Lana Lang! I wonder if they’ll reference it?
I’m new to the show. Sure, I’d heard good things about it, but hadn’t seen an episode until the recent marathon. So I started with this season & have also been catching up with earlier shows available at Hulu & elsewhere.
My “favorite” shows tend to be stuff like Dollhouse (one last show a week from Friday), Mad Men (on hiatus until summer) & Lost (soon to return). Shows that blow your mind & make you wonder what you just saw. Shows that lead to in-depth analysis all over the 'net. Shows that deal with some deep stuff. Heck, Doctor Who even got heavy; and I remember when Torchwood was endearingly light weight…
I’m enjoying the heck out of Chuck. Silliness & satire, pretty people, interesting music & just a touch of seriousness…
After seeing the clip several times since before the season premeire, I was tickled to finally see the context to why Chuck clobbers Jeff. It was even funnier than I’d hoped. That was a great instance of Chuck not really paying attention, or really being preoccupied with something, where the Intersect’s abilities got out of control and quickly.
Great episode, I thought. And, I, too, thought Shaw was part of the Ring. Interesting that he puts one on at the end of the episode. There’s more to the story there and I’m sure it will be an interesting plot twist down the road.
I liked it a lot, much more than the other episodes this season.
One question, though. I thought that the network was going to cut the budget on the show, in order to avoid canceling it, but the cast doesn’t seem to have been reduced at all. So was the budget cut, and if so, where?
Anna Wu is gone, as well as Emmett Milbarge. To make up for the budget shortfall, I believe that the producers worked out some product placement deals, like with Subway last year. This is why I don’t mind that Honda commercial so much - it shows some marketing savvy. They got me to actually watch their commercial and not fast-forward over it.
The (awesome) music from Chuck is usually posted here soon afterwards. It’s another excellent show for those of us that like to pick up new music/band directions through this venue!
