Chuck vs. The Best Friend
February 24, 2009 by SB
So, last night was one of the most ghetto TV watching experiences I’ve had in awhile (cable issues), and normally I’d just wait for the internet but I am dedicated to bringing you your juicy recaps, and so I watched a very fuzzy NBC on bunny ears and since the sound went in and out, I busted out my weather radio that also picks up TV audio. So the sound was actually really reliable, but I couldn’t see some of the subtleties, so feel free to add anything I missed in the discussion in the comments. Onward!
You know I love it when they combine the spy plot and the Buy More plot, and having the Nerd Herd plus Morgan doing spy work from a van was hilarious. And Sarah and Casey’s commentary on their spying was pretty hilarious also. Of course my favorite line of the episode was the one from the promo of Lester saying Anna’s lunch date could be her boyfriend, and then them making out and Jeff saying, “Well, it could still be her brother.” But I won’t get too mad at the NBC promo people for spoiling that one, because honestly, if I wasn’t already watching this show and I saw that promo, that line would TOTALLY make me want to watch.
Sidenote, I saw on the What to Watch post that NBC hasn’t picked Chuck up for a third season yet. And what I have to say to that is … ARE YOU KIDDING ME, NBC? What do you think you would put there instead? Maybe some Deal or No Deal? MORE Jay Leno (which, by the way, I am pissed at and boycotting out of loyalty to Conan, because that was a crappy thing to do to him)? Perhaps a Jerry Seinfeld “comedy” special? Why do you suck so bad, NBC? What is Ben Silverman still doing there? Do you think you can spend a little more time and money on the good shows that you have and developing new good programming, instead of just trying to fill time with crap? This is why you are the lowest ranked network IN THE UNIVERSE.
Renew Chuck, NBC, and I will take (some of) it back.
Anyway, I was glad to see Chuck (the show, not the person) take a look at some of the secondary and/or non-romantic relationships, because it was a pretty nice change from the Chuck and Sarah angst, which I know gets old for some viewers. Billy actually commented during the show that Jeff and Lester have the most stable relationship of anyone, and I thought that was both hilarious and true. “Jeffster” was nothing but pure genius, and I thought it was really funny how they didn’t want to go with “Jester” and be taken for a couple of fools. I also liked how Jeff used variations of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” on Awesome and Lester to make it happen. It was perfect that Awesome had OF COURSE never had a dream that didn’t come true, and it left it a little ambiguous if Jeff was securing the audition for Lester, or himself, or maybe a little bit of both.
If you had one shot, one opportunity…
Either way, it was characteristically sweet of Awesome to let them have their dream for a few minutes, and I loved the kid rocking the Jeffster shirt, and the huge Jeffster banner. And did anyone else see them wearing the shirt of the band they’re in and think, “Did someone order a Goodburger … WELL DONE?”
Jeffster! Jeffster! Jeffster!
I liked how we got to see … well, not a softer side of Casey, exactly, but one of the more positive aspects of his militant personality, which was Semper Fi and his respect for Chuck not leaving his buddy out there to die. And Casey on top of the Nerd Herd car was amazing. I loved how he promised Chuck he’d help save Morgan, and he did, but he still kept it true to form by not allowing Chuck to drive and busting out a remote control.
I also liked how Chuck swiped the remote control to drive the bomb away and my only real gripe was that I have no idea, NONE, how Sarah and Casey could watch that car drive away and not see Chuck get out. I suppose they couldn’t show us that because we were supposed to think Chuck blew up in the car (please), but my disbelief is having a hard time suspending. Does anyone have any suggestions on this matter?
Also, I want to share with you a transcript from me and Billy watching this scene, bearing in mind that neither of us believed for one hot minute that Chuck was actually in that car.
[Car explodes]
Sarah: Oh no. What are they going to call the show now?
Billy: Dead Chuck.
Ummm … maybe you had to be there.
Anyway, in an episode that wasn’t really about her, Sarah had some good moments. She really sold it on being distraught that Chuck was in the car (and I’m going to go back and watch this on the internet because I couldn’t see Casey’s reaction through the static), and her chick fight with a hot possible-lesbian involving car stuff was characteristically sexy and nerd-fantasy-tastic.
He’s ok Sarah, I promise
And you know, if you’d asked me that first season if I could ever love a Morgan-centric episode, I would’ve laughed in your face and then backhanded you for being such a dummy, but I really did enjoy this and once again, I am SO proud of the show and the writers for reigning him in to be a lo… likeable character (shout out to Morgan winning back Anna!).
It was interesting, though, because I felt like the real star of the episode was less Morgan and more Chuck’s relationship with Morgan, and I liked that we got some history there, along with a little more information on Chuck’s parental situation. Except, would fifth graders really eat cherry cheesecake? I didn’t like cheesecake when I was a kid. I would think they would go for Oreos, or Doritos or something. Maybe ice cream. (Because CHEESECAKE is the unbelievable part of this show.) Still, I thought it was really touching, and showed what a good friend Morgan is, how much Chuck loves him, and how and why their friendship goes so deep.
Bromance
I know there are other things that people may want to talk about (drinks with Condi, Chuck caring about Sarah, etc.), but I don’t think I have much else to add until I hear what you all think. Lay it on me! Did you like this one, or was it too fluffy? Or is a little fluff exactly what you need sometimes? And did I miss anything truly outrageous through the bunny ears?
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 #1 featured, Chuck, Chuck Recaps, Posts by SB
Perhaps it’s my illness talking here but this might be one of my favorite CHUCK episodes ever! So many things were just awesome last night (including Awesome). Everything just worked so well.
SB I hope you don’t mind but I included some of my favorite clips from last night’s episode in your post. So many good moments to choose from.
But I must say that I LOVED the ending. CHUCK is always making right choices when it comes to music. I can’t wait for Chuck vs. The Soundtrack II from Just Judy next year. I listen to my current CD all the time, Jody! I love it!!
NBC PLEASE RENEW THIS SHOW!!
Loved this episode (but then again when don’t I love an episode of Chuck!) I loved all of them spying on Anna from the van- and Jeffster! LOL That song at the end was great! The show has turned into such a great ensemble show this season- I think that’s become one of my favorite aspects of the show.
(And SB- your rant on NBC at the beginning cracked me up! It’s my very thoughts exactly) I’m really, really hoping they renew the show
Awesome recap. You write the best recaps. When I laugh reading the post it can only mena good things. Here’s what bothered me. But when they expected him to befriend his best friend’s ex girlfriend’s new boyfriend, I was like well this won’t be hard. he’ll tell morgan that he’s going to spy on the whole relationship from the inside by pretending to be their friend. But, instead it was like he betrayed morgan.
and i know that the ENTIRE episdoe would not have worked if he had let morgan in on it BUT i still felt like Chuck was completely missing the obvious
Overall though, I loved it. i really enjoy this show and couldn’t agree more about the suck programming at NBC. IT’s like they’re all crackheads.
Thanks for the recap
Kath, no problem! You always make good contributions and I’m sure everyone will love the videos! Also, I don’t know what this soundtrack that you speak of is, but I need it! Do you have a link for us?
Bubblewrap, thanks for the agreeing, and I’m SO with you on the ensemble cast. Didn’t see that one coming, but it really works well!
And Becky, thank you so much for the kind words! I love writing the recaps and I am so spoiled by having the greatest commenters in the world! And I’m so totally with you on Chuck letting Morgan in on it, except I understand that they needed to keep him in the dark for purposes of conflict and having a story, but I really felt like there would be some tie-up at the end, and Anna would tell Morgan how Chuck and Sarah really got her thinking or something. You know, just so Morgan would know that Chuck really does have his back. It would’ve taken like two extra seconds and I think been a more convincing resolution than Morgan just being all like, “Dude, we have girlfriends,” and having ANOTHER sad Chuck and Sarah moment. I usually don’t mind the angst, but in this case and without it really being much of an issue in the rest of the episode, I was like, HELLO! I get it! She’s not his real girlfriend! Morgan, on the other hand? Morgan is totally his real girlfriend.
i want a jeffster t-shirt. i’d wear it everywhere.
i’d read a comment elsewhere that i want to share – huey lewis would be a perfect fit for the wedding band. the season started out with his music, why not end it too?
get on the ball nbc, renew already. (same rant goes for fnl too).
Great recap! 😀
Regarding the Explody!Chuck part: Chuck sat down in the car to plant the bomb/grab the remote, while Casey was being held to the ground. Right as he did that, the guys holding Casey down turned his head the other direction, away from where Chuck was. Chuck then got out of the car and hid somewhere (I guess?) and that’s when Sarah pulled up and got them to let go of Casey. They were too busy watching the car drive off to look around and notice that Chuck was standing behind them.
At least that’s how it worked in my head.
Also, I think there was just the right amount of fluff in this episode, to balance out the OMGANGST from last week’s episode.
I have to agree with GMMR – one of my favorite episodes ever! It was great from start to finish. I’ve been singing Africa all day…
Chuck is a great show, and it is always made better by a little more Morgan. All that being said, this episode was only average.
http://www.joeonthetube.com
Becca, you totally just put my mind at ease, I can completely buy that scenario. Thanks! And OMGANGST is my new favorite. Maybe we can be OMGANGSTAS? No?
Jeffster singing Africa was the most pure stroke of genius so far on the show, and that’s saying a LOT. And SB, I completely agree with you on the loving-morgan thing; I never would have believed it possible either. Schwarz and crew deserve giant brownie points for making him lovable (I’ll say it :P). That being said, I have discovered that any chuck episode opening with a flashback is going to be win. It’s just how it is. little kid morgan and savior chuck made my life very very happy 😀
all in all, if this show is not renewed this will officially be one of the worst TV years when it comes to cancellations (Pushing Daisies AND Chuck, Project Runway in limbo…all that would be needed to make it worse owuld be the office dying as well).
P.S. I LOVED cheesecake when I was in fifth grade ;-D
I thought Anna was really sweet in this episode- especially with Sarah. When she told Sarah that she didn’t think she ever thought about her, it kind of broke my heart. And when she introduced Chuck and Sarah as her friends, and seemed so happy and proud! It was just kind of nice to see the vulnerable side of Anna.
Not too much to add except, yeah you rock SB – best recaps! And to say this ep stays on the DVR, no deleting (so glad I taped even though I watched live). It is officially my favorite ep of the show. One last thing and probably what made me love this show… Sara’s face was heartbreaking when she thought Chuck was dead but so was Casey’s! Be sure to watch that again, SB.
It seems like Chuck tops itself each week. The writers/producers bring the funny/action/drama/angst every episode, perfectly measured and balanced. All aspects of the show seem to be completely in synch, and I’m loving it. Thanks for the video clips, too!
Aaaahhhh! I just watched the clip, Lisa, that Kath posted. Woo! That was too convenient for words! And you’re so right, Casey was awesome, and very subtle, and I was glad I went back and watched it again. Did you all know that he’s from the Chicago area? I think he needs to come on home and make a little visit, maybe head on down to the south side St. Patty’s parade. 🙂 Train derailed!
Good part to bring up, Tessa–the Sarah and Anna moment was really sweet, and so was her introducing them as her friends. And talk about two girls who really need friends. 🙂
I’m so with you, Marc–they’re firing on all cylinders! (I think that was car geek, which would be apropros for this episode!)
This was my first episode of Chuck and my first recap. And I’m coming back for more of both!
Welcome to the party, AmyJ! (Are you my real-life friend AmyJ?)
I love SB recapping anything in life. That’s why I’m here.
My first “appointment TV” was ALF when I was 9 years old, so I lit up with joy when I saw little Morgan get pummeled while wearing the vintage ALF t-shirt. Good times…
Fantastic recap, SB! You are getting it done!
My husband and I were betting during the commercial whether Jeffster would be great or terrible at the end. Of course they were terrible! It just wouldn’t be believable that they are good at anything, right?
Totally unbelievable that they would find the bug that Chuck planted. At least not that quickly. The guy walked right over to it.
I agree about the ending. They didn’t need to remind us AGAIN that Morgan and Anna have a real relationship and Chuck/Sarah’s is not real.
Nice to see the General getting a comedy bit in there.
Casey and Sarah could have come up with an excuse for Chuck to give Morgan for befriending the new boyfriend. Especially if they want the mission to be successful. It was more like “You’re on your own, buddy. Don’t screw it up.”
I’m a little late in watching/commenting…but the episode was fantastic! The balance of storylines is excellent! Loved the moment with Chuck and Sarah holding hands at the end. Sweet, yet subtle. Their relationship doesn’t overpower the show, but it’s still an essential storyline to me, so seeing those little interactions or conversations is always great. (Like their conversation with what a Best Friend means, and Chuck saying he can be that person for Sarah? So sweet.)
I love Awesome, but seriously – every scene he is out of the shower and in a towel! I keep thinking though – how are they going to explain Sarah’s beat up face to everyone? I mean fell down the stairs, or even car accident wouldn’t explain it.
Yeah, she never really swells or has bruises though. Just tiny, cute nosebleeds. Maybe she’s really good at makeup? That’s one of those things I just can’t think about too hard or it’ll all fall apart. 🙂
Did you guys see that effing NBC is developing a reality show with Jerry Seinfeld? Now it’s like they’re just mocking me. I swear, I must be psychic.
I got some Jeffster tshirts here: http://www.cafepress.com/doTees/6507918
I’m a bit late to this party, but I did get to watch the episode on Monday! It’s just that a damn cold has kept me away from the computer since that time. I knew, though, when I felt better I had to come over here and comment! It’s like having our own little After-Chuck-Party!
As always, loved the episode. And the recap! And your thoughts on NBC are the same as mine, SB … what the frick is their problem??! If they give up on Chuck, I will be a very, very unhappy girl. I’m already pissed at ABC over Pushing Daisies, but to have NBC do the same? Grr.
I LOVED Jeffster! Probably my most favourite part. But was I the only one who thought that maybe, just maybe … after all the lead up to it, the group was actually going to be awesome? I figured the guy who plays Lester maybe really could sing, and after all the play up of “oh, they’re just an on-the-side thing” maybe they would blow us away? Okay, so it didn’t happen that way. But their Buy More performance was still pretty awesome. And kudos to Awesome for giving them the chance too. When is he NOT awesome?
Loved Anna and Morgan, loved the spy bits, and the car fight with Sarah (though I always wonder how she explains to “non spy people” the reasons behind her constant bruises, cuts, and black eyes!). The only negative thing I have to say is that I’m sort of getting tired of the constant “Poor Chuck, he can never be with Sarah for real, and that kills him” ending they seem to be throwing at us. I get it, and it sucks, but it makes me hurt for Chuck every time!
Haha! Those Jeffster shirts are amazing, btjohns! The cartoon Lester is especially spot-on. 🙂
I’m so excited this is still drawing comments and Kimber, I’m glad you’re feeling better and made it to the party! You’re such an essential and reliable part of our conversations. 🙂
I totally thought Jeffster might be amazing, because this show likes to surprise us. But I think it’s so great that they play with our emotions and expectations in just the right way so that we’re equally surprised if they’re amazing or amazingly bad. Either way, I would’ve loved it. 🙂
Here it is four years later and I just watched Chuck versus the best friend. I think this is my favorite Chuck episode of all. The humor, the sensitivity, the all around comradery between the cast. It was so real and so heart warming. The last five minutes of the show was pure genius. Chuck telling Morgan what a great friend he is, Jeffster performing, and Chuck letting Sarah know she is cared for. The writers picked the right song at the end. Toto’s Africa. This was just a real feel good moment in television history. I really wish Chuck would have lasted past 5 years. With all the garbage on TV, all of the good shows go away too early. I hope the writers and producers are getting ready to produce a movie or maybe do a short term mini series bring Chuck back to NBC. As Fox is bringing 24 back in a Miniseries, I’m sure Chuck would do just as well. Please fans, don’t give up the ghost continue to fight for Chuck being brought back to television or some form so that we can have these feel good moments again. VIA BUYMOREIA!