CHUCK Kicks All Kinds of Spy Ass
September 30, 2008 by Kath Skerry
SB is back and ready to take on another season of one of our favorites…CHUCK. The second season premiere kicked things off right last night, and coming from someone who has seen the next few episodes, things only get better from here (which is pretty awesome considering the awesomeness of last night’s awesome episode…which featured a half naked Captain Awesome…ok I’ll stop.)
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So let’s just get this out of the way right now—last night, when Casey said he had a single white female pining for the beastmaster, did anyone think of me? Because really … I think somebody’s been reading the recap!
Unlike many of you, I opted to skip the early viewing of Chuck so I could maintain my enthusiasm for this recap (I’m here for you, kiddos), but I did read what Kath had to say about it and a couple of your comments, and I am SO with you all that it was awesome. I had forgotten how much I love this show.
Okay, so briefly, since I assume if you’re reading this you watched the episode: Chuck recovered a cipher, which would get the new Intersect up and running and then he could go back to his normal life. In the words of Tom Petty, “the future was wide open.” But, unbeknownst to Sarah and Chuck, once the CIA and NSA are done with Chuck, Casey has been ordered to kill him. Thinking he’s going to have a normal life and that Sarah will be gone soon, Chuck asks her out on a date. Obviously, bad guys show up on the date AND over at Casey’s house, where they steal the cipher. Sarah and Casey and Chuck work on getting it back. Meanwhile, back at the Buy More, Big Mike has to hire an assistant manager but doesn’t want to talk to people, so he offers the job to Chuck. Chuck turns it down and as punishment, has to interview and choose the next assistant manager. He passes the buck to Morgan, and the decision-making method of choice is … what else? … a cage fight.
Okay, now on to the fun stuff!
I LOVED Michael Clarke Duncan. He’s an awesome bad guy, even if he will always be John Coffey (like the drink, but not spelled the same) from The Green Mile to me. When he does that thing where he cracks his neck and his eyes roll back in his head a little bit … well, let’s just say that “heebie-jeebies” is right. I was reading an article this morning about how a lot of times, stunt casting will kill a show but it seems to work really well on Chuck, and I agree. I think it’s because of how cheeky Chuck is.
And I think that we need to address the awesomeness surrounding Sarah. First of all, Sarah in undies is always hot. ALWAYS! Secondly, did anyone else have a moment where it was totally weird that she was fighting this huge tough guy, and not another hot chick, a la nerd porn? And finally, it must be addressed that when it comes to being a foxy blonde with a fake American accent, Yvonne Strahovski is kicking Anna Torv’s ass all the way around the world and back. If anyone has been reading my comments on Fringe, I’ve been discussing how flat of an actress Anna Torv is, and I think at least part of that is because she’s concentrating so hard on her accent. And really, I think the same thing happened with Michelle Ryan on Bionic Woman. But Yvonne, man … she’s really, really great. I usually don’t think about her as having a foreign accent, and really, I think the only reason it crossed my mind at all during this episode was because of my admiration for her after it being such an issue for me the last few weeks with Fringe. And she’s just so able to do so much with her face. I can’t imagine a better Sarah.
While we’re on the subject of spies, Casey was KILLING me this week. It’s no secret that he’s my favorite (and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you haven’t seen it yet, Go. Rent. Firefly.), but I got so many really major laugh-out-loud moments from him. When that little contraption in his fireplace was rotating pictures, and he shot Osama and Hitler, and then winked at Ronald Reagan and shot at but missed Chuck, I mean … I know that in ways it was a cheap laugh and an obvious metaphor, but it was REALLY entertaining and Adam Baldwin sold me on it. And when he drove through the restaurant and delivered that incredibly cheesy line, I just loved it, and I loved Chuck’s subsequent calling out. I feel like they’re adding a lot of layers to his character with this whole “assassinate Chuck” thing. And it was interesting, really, because Billy and I were having a really in-depth discussion about that this morning. He said that he didn’t like how Casey went in to kill Chuck, and how he kept waiting for the twist or for Casey to rebel. I told him that I didn’t think that was in character, and that he tried to save him by standing up to his superiors, which is really a lot for him, but I think they really sold him on the fact that he would never be able to extract the secrets from Chuck’s head, and wouldn’t be able to keep him safe from kidnapping and torture. I think that is the kind of argument that Casey can be convinced by, and I thought that it was really smart of the writers to create a believable situation where Casey cares about Chuck, doesn’t want to kill him, but has a legitimate reason to do so, that, in his mind, is compassionate. I’m totally impressed with that.
And, okay, I also loved how he was so disgusted that Jeff was going to eat ninety Twinkies in three minutes, until he heard someone say that Jeff might die, and then he was totally all about it. Hee!
Speaking of Jeff … so DVR is a totally new thing in my life and I’m obsessed with it, and I fell a little deeper in love when I was able to pause on the “resume” he gave Chuck. Did anyone else do that? It said, “I’ve been here forever … 18 years and I know where all the bodies are buried HA HA HA”. I laughed hysterically at that. And when he was trying to play footsie with Chuck under the table … how gross and Jeff-like!
Man, I know I’m going on forever and I’ll try to wrap it up here in a minute, but also … DID YOU GUYS HEAR FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS IN THIS EPISODE?!?! I about peed myself. And they could not have chosen better than “Foux de Fa Fa” for the yogurt shop. Don’t you just love it when two things that you ADORE come together? It was like … SUCH a moment for me! I about died.
Alright, so in general … I was SO completely pleased with this episode. I had a lot of questions last year about the long-term sustainability of Chuck, but I think they’re working it out. I’m sure it’ll still be a little episodic, which, by the way, I have NO problem with, but they’re working on an overarching storyline too, of Chuck still being forced to be the intersect, of Fulcrum sabotaging the new Intersect, and of Casey knowing that he’s going to have to kill Chuck and Sarah knowing that she’s going to have to leave him. They started going a little deeper, and I love it.
I also really feel like they hit a good balance between spy stuff and Nerd Herd store. Historically, it’s felt a little bit like two entirely separate stories happening in one TV show, but this time, it was just all tied to what’s happening in Chuck’s life—that he doesn’t want to be the assistant manager because he wants more, and then bringing Morgan (who they’ve come leaps and bounds with in likeability) in on the spy stuff (via Call of Duty) was fantastic, I thought. But Buy More was still light and funny, and I think that’s an important balance in this show. They did a really great job.
Over the summer, I saw Pineapple Express, which was similar to Chuck in that it was an action comedy. I LOVE, and I mean LOVE, Seth Rogen, but the whole time I was watching it, I couldn’t help thinking that Chuck does it so much better. I was looking forward to Chuck’s return just as I left it, but somehow it came back even BETTER, and noticeably so! It was such a great surprise, and I am beyond excited about the rest of the season.
And now, I leave you with just one question:
Do you find me intimidating? You can be honest. That’s what I was going for.
— posted by SB
SB has many interests, including photography, her pets, entertainment, traveling and writing. She does have a day job, but that mostly amounts to her being a sarcastic young woman with a lot of time on her hands, which is why she appreciates the opportunity to recap.
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Filed under Chuck, Chuck Recaps
OMG! Greatest Chuck recap EVER! And also one of the greatest Chuck episodes ever! I was a wee bit preoccupied last night while watching (skinned my knee at aerobics – yeah, if you knew me you wouldn’t be wondering how that’s possible), so I might have to have a second viewing. But your recap just reminded me of all the awesomeness of the episode.
I honestly came close to peeing myself with laughter many, MANY times in this episode. And it all began with Chuck walking in on Capt. Awesome and Ellie in the shower. Too damn funny. And then the cut to them eating “Nuts & Stuff” at the kitchen table, albeit somewhat awkwardly. Seriously funny stuff.
Sarah’s new “digs” are … awesome! And the fact that she can so wonderfully mimic an American accent thrill me. Until your recap I was wondering why I was disliking Olivia on “Fringe”, but you tagged it. She is very flat, and her accent is annoying. Yvonne, though … perfect. (Another great accent impersonator is Anna Friel from Pushing Daisies!).
And Casey … aww, Casey. I love him too. I honestly love everyone on this show, even Harry Tang from last season. Jeff and Lester are two of my favourite people, and Jeff’s resume (the cover read something like “To: Chuck”, like a greeting card), his “flirting” with Chuck … Too. Damn. Funny.
I’m glad this show is back, and hopefully for an entire 23(+) episode season to entertain me.
Kimber! Thanks for the compliments and you left the best comment ever, so much so that I now have to respond to it!
I’m so glad you mentioned the Nuts & More cereal, because I meant to and forgot, but I thought it was a great background joke. (SO much better than the Astro Diapers of the pilot, no?)
So much WORD! to Anna Friel. I had no idea she wasn’t American until I read something. Who was the main character on Journeyman? Something Kidd. Kevin Kidd? He can also kill it on the American accent.
Yay! I can’t wait to be all-season-long comment friends!
Excellent recap!
I was over the moon about the flight of the concords song – my brother looked at me like I had two heads. And when Chuck came out on the rooftop with the swat team, I thought the delivery was brilliant. I’m glad to have it back!
Thank you for the recap. it was awesome. 🙂 I kind of was overwhelmed by TV last year and kind of gave up on Chuck but I decided to get back in this season and I’m very glad that I did. I love Casey. He has got to be the best. I loved that he had a sprinkler system in his ceiling to remove poison and a syringe behind his picture of reagan to stab into his heart. How cool is he.
I also really enjoyed him dancing to hip to be square. He’s just a cutie. And his whole asking Sarah out and then when she said yes. I just love him, too.
I’m sad to say that I don’t catch a lot of the little things – the Nuts N Stuff cereal so thanks for pointing those out. In my defense I have three boys. I was giving the baby a bottle and the two year old was wanting to hug the baby and my five year old kept wanting to know if Casey was a bad guy because he was going to “reliminate” Chuck. I should probably watch TV after bedtime.
And maybe I’m wrong, but after Chuck flashed on Casey’s scar, and then Casey didn’t seem that interested in getting moving. I thought maybe it was cause he didn’t want that thingie back cause he didnt’ wnt the new intersect up because he didn’t want to have to “reliminate” Chuck. Maybe that was my imagination.
Anyway – Thanks for the recap. Really enjoyed it.
I also have another question. It seems like the lady boss told Casey last year that he would have to eliminate Chuck. It seemed to me last year that Sarah’s boss was not part of that decision. But then tonight, there he was telling Casey how it has to be. So, I’m wondering if, at some point, Sarah is going to find out the plan to eliminate Chuck. Did I imagine that?
Nuts & MORE! You are so right, SB. For some reason I was thinking “Nuts & Stuff”. That is so hilarious, and the look on Chuck’s face as he was eating his cereal, trying not to picture Awesome and Ellie in their birthday suits … priceless.
You are right – there are SO many non-American/Canadian people on TV! And some of them are so utterly amazing. I also had no idea Anna Friel was British until I saw an interview with her and Lee, and then had to go “whuuuuuuuut?” Same deal with Yvonne – I saw an interview with her in her natural accent, and went “awww!” (I love accents, you see!).
Can’t wait for the next episode of Chuck – and next recap of yours! 🙂
Ha! Reliminate! I can’t even imagine trying to explain to a five-year-old about whether or not Casey is a bad guy.
To answer the question about Casey’s orders regarding Chuck, I think you’re right that girl boss told him he had to. I just assumed that was because she’s his boss, so guy boss didn’t need to get involved. I don’t know if I ever got so far as to think about whether or not guy boss knew, but I wasn’t shocked that he did. And I liked how it was just her at first and guy boss came into the frame–that’s great continuity right there.
I don’t know if Sarah is going to eventually find out or not (although “Vegas money”, as they say in Supernatural, is on yes), but I’m guessing if she does, it’s not going to be from guy boss, since they blew him to high heaven.
You guys are awesome! These conversations make recapping fun! 🙂
Also, I would like to add how great it was when Michael Clarke Duncan called “Charles Carmichael” Casey’s boss! Ha!
DUDE! Go back and re-freeze frame! While the part you quoted was AWESOME, you have to read the other half of Jeff’s “resume”. It’s something about how he likes to take pictures of his co-workers feet and sell them and then there’s a price list for the other Nerd Herders (but Chuck’s finger covers up the $$ part).
I would watch this show if it were just the “Adam Baldwin is Awesome Hour”. Even though they cut off Foux de fa fa right before it gets HIGH-larious.
THAT WAS THE GUY BOSS THAT WAS BLOWN UP??!!!???
I so completely missed that. I feel like a dumbass.
Kim, thanks for catching the rest of it! I didn’t even know there was more. I need to become more of a remote control ninja, obviously!
And Becky, don’t even worry about it. I had to double check AND ask Billy, and I’m still not positive I’m right, just “pretty sure”.
Oh yes, I’m pretty sure it was Casey’s boss that was blown up. The scary man that was in that scary movie that scared the pants off me as a teen. (Is that enough “scary”s for ya?). At least I’m sure he was in the middle of that explosion, and it seems pretty hard to have made it out alive.
I am so going to rewatch tonight (somewhere between House-Fringe-SVU) and freeze frame (aka “pause” for those still back in the VCR world like me…) Jeff’s resume. I can’t believe I missed all that hilarity!!
… or someone’s boss. I was never clear on who was who’s boss (but maybe I was just paying too much attention to Sarah and Ellie … and Chuck and everyone else!).
Huh. I tried to watch this show 2-3 times last season, and I just never got into it. Then last night it was on while I was at the gym and I was totally transfixed. Did the show get funnier or did my taste get better? I don’t know. In any case, I totally loved the most recent episode.
Well, they had forever and a day to get a good episode together. And it was great! I really love Adam Baldwin’s character. I’d love to see him interact with Awesome in an episode. That would be…wait for it….Awesome.
Has Morgan learned nothing from his past encounters with Casey? You move away or you will become wallpaper.
Casey totally didn’t want the new intersect up and going. HE’s the one who’s falling for Chuck. lol
But…
Casey would not have the cipher delivered to his home; he would have a meeting place. But how would we see his cool gadgets, yes, I get it.
They wouldn’t eliminate Chuck until after the intersect was up and running. That was beyond predictable how it went down and they probably could have written a better scenario. Like letting Chuck see the new intersect get up and running (from a safe location–online or something in a govt. building) because he doesn’t believe it’s really happening and he will be able to know that his new life is about to start when he sees it with his own eyes. Also, the govt. would want him “contained” so that they could eliminate him and maybe Chuck would get a little clue about their intentions by the way they treated him before and after the new Intersect blew up.
Hey SB, nice recap, I did not get into this show last year but made a commitment with a series recording on DVR… the bummer about time shift watching is that one is never able to comment in real time. I am not disappointed as I LOVED this ep, bring on more.
It’s okay, Lisa! I’ll keep checking the comments till they quit coming! And I’m excited that you’re joining us. 🙂
Melissa–I think it was a little hit or miss last season, although never just total whiffs. Just not all homeruns either. Maybe you caught a few of the … shall we say … foul balls. (Sorry, I’m in Chicago now and all these people are talking about right now is baseball.)
And Toast with Jam … I totally laughed at your line about Casey falling for Chuck. It’s so true! And I agree that they probably would have waited for the Intersect to be officially up and running before they offed Chuck, because seriously? That would be retarded. But I don’t agree that he would’ve seen it or even needed to see it, because I think that he’s just so eager to get back to his regular life that he’s really willing to accept that the Intersect could be online and he’d be off the hook. As for having him contained … I just explain that with “no need”. It’s not like Chuck would’ve been able to stop Casey from killing him, and he was totally unsuspecting. No reason to reinvent the wheel so to say.
I guess I never really realized how much fanwanking I do with this show. 🙂
I’m so happy to have the show back again… I’ve been missing it so much since it went off air. (I’m in the UK, so I have to “acquire” it and watch a bit later than most people!!)
I loved all the “catching you when you fall” stuff with Casey and Chuck – so funny to hear it all coming out of Casey’s mouth. (and Casey had some great moments this week).
Anna made me laugh too, when she was being really inappropriate with Chuck to wind Morgan up! Really happy to have the show back, and so looking forward to the rest of the season.
SB are you by any chance the famous SB from the JP and PD? Only the real SB will be able to decipher that 🙂 If so, I’m known over there as MBF.
^^^ didn’t mean to say you aren’t a real SB, should have saId only THAT SB would know what I meant. Sorry
Ha! That’s okay, Lisa! While I do know a JP, PD and MBF don’t ring a bell, so it must not be me.
Good to see I am as late to commenting as I am to everything else, but I just had to say – don’t you think if Casey wanted to kill Chuck, he’d already be dead? When he went into the apartment to kill him, he had more than one clear shot. I thought it was especially telling that when Chuck turned toward him, he hid. I think he doesn’t want to do it, and that if it would come to that, he doesn’t want Chuck to see him. Because if it were anyone else that he knew was unarmed, Casey would have just walked right up to him and ‘reliminated’ him.
Good observation on him not wanting Chuck to see him, Tessa. I hadn’t really thought about it like that, but you’re probably right, and we know there’s a lot of internal conflict there.
Fun recap! First off, I gotta agree on you about the awesomeness that is surrounding Yvonne/Sarah. This episode is one of her best performances. All her expressions are in perfect pitch. Also have to agree on you with Michelle Ryan’s accent deal; I felt her lines deliveries were flat. But I haven’t seen any Fringe episode to see how Anna Torv is doing in that aspect, so I can’t say much. Secondly, Casey really stood out in this episode. The writers are indeed adding layers to his robotic character and frankly I have to say for the first time, it really grabs my attention. Overall a fun episode. Thank goodness CHUCK is back!!
I DONT THINK THAT IS VERY TRUE BUT WHATEVER YOU THINK