CHUCK vs. The Lethal Weapon
March 10, 2009 by SB
So, I’ll be honest … last night’s episode was hard to watch! And it wasn’t that it was bad, because it wasn’t—I really liked it. It was just so sad and awkward, you know? Not necessarily what I’m used to with Chuck, but you know I like it when they switch it up, so hopefully that first statement didn’t sound worse than I meant it.
Here’s the thing … I know I liked the Buy More plot, and I remember being really cracked up by some little soliloquy of Lester’s, but I cannot for the life of me remember what it was. I know that Morgan said, “Laugh it up, fuzzball!” which is one of my all-time favorite Star Wars quotes (nerd alert!), but details are kind of escaping me right now because so much happened on the spy side. Forgive me, and please help me in rehashing all the fun details in the comments.
Also, did anyone watch Heroes after Chuck? I think I may be the only GMMRer still loving Heroes, but I got extra super excited when Claire went into the comic book store to apply for a job, and all the comic book nerds were staring at her, and two of said nerds were Buy More employees! It was the kid with the red fro and the heavy guy who was wearing a Jeffster shirt. Yay! Apparently when you’re on the NBC lot and in need of a geek, you just go pick one up at the Buy More!
Oh, ALSO, do you guys remember that episode with Gary Cole where they played the most amazing song ever at the end, and I fell madly in love with it and downloaded it and wouldn’t shut up about it? Yeah, it was called “Furr” by Blitzen Trapper. Anyway, I immediately started loving the first song they played in this episode and I was fairly certain it was the same band, so I just went to the Chuck website and sure enough, it was. And dammit all if this show is not going to end up giving me a new favorite band. I am in a certain amount of love.
So, back to the action. Did anyone else notice that Sarah really didn’t smile the entire episode? I love her so much that that was hard to watch, because I could totally feel how conflicted she was and it was like there was so much emotion in her performance that it couldn’t all come out, but you still knew it was there. She’s amazing. And I still thought she and Cole had amazing chemistry, and I’m sorry to see him go. I mean, really, does he have to go?
But I will say, it was fun getting to see Casey as Sarah’s date for a change, and not as the bartender. And I LOVED that Perseus was Coach Cutlip from The Wonder Years, which is easily one of my all-time favorite shows. He has such a recognizable face and voice, and I swear he hasn’t aged a day, and I just kept picturing him giving that horrible sex ed talk where he drew the female reproductive system and it looked like a cow. I need to see more of that guy, and I mean like, EVERYWHERE, and once again I maintain that this show has the best guest stars ever. (Also, did everyone see Six from Battlestar in the previews? Woo!)
I don’t get writer’s block about Chuck very often, because there’s always so much to talk about, but I’m kind of there now. I feel like there was a lot of patronizing Chuck (calling him “buddy”, which reminded me of his relationship with Morgan, actually), but also Casey in the background kind of prodding him to man up, like telling him that Cole took a bullet for Sarah while Chuck complained about his ankle. And I loved the look on Casey’s face when the general said it might be possible for Chuck to have the intersect removed from his head.
And you know, I’m glad that Chuck took some control of his life, telling Sarah that they couldn’t move in together and why, but that someday he’d get the intersect out and then nothing would stop him from living happily ever after. And I think Sarah was glad too. It was strange to see all of her actions but really have no clear idea of what she was thinking, but in a good way.
And that whole Tron poster thing at the end … I’m telling you, Chuck is taking control of his destiny.
What did you guys think? Are your brains just swimming from all the concealed emotion? Would you have closed your eyes and said yes to Cole? Did you wonder why Ellie put a cast on Chuck for a hairline fracture, and why she said he “might” have a hairline fracture AFTER the cast was already on when, last time I checked, hospitals had a little thing I like to call X-ray machines? Are you happy with everyone’s new living arrangements? And did you feel like someone was kicking a puppy during the whole episode? Let’s talk!
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.
Related Posts
Filed under #1 featured, Chuck, Chuck Recaps, Posts by SB
This ep has my head swimming. I loved it but it was as you said at times hard to watch. I wish that they would start to show Chuck being more capable as we know he is. He’s no Cole but he shouldn’t always be left in the car. I ended up liking Cole a lot just for the fact that he, godlike in his escapades, actually gave Chuck the most credit. I am sort of sad Chuck is still in his old room but not surprised. I’m looking forward to peeking in on Morgan and Anna (and the string cheese).
Just one last thought – I’ve read speculation that Orion is Chuck’s dad…thoughts?
I think the one reason I didn’t love this episode was the fact that it felt a lot like last weeks episode: Chuck likes Sarah, Cole likes Sarah, Sarah likes them both but still chooses Chuck and so on. But the one thing that did make the episode really good for me (besides Morgan quoting Star Wars) was the ending when Chuck turns the poster over. Yeah- that was awesome.
The promo for upcoming episodes was great though- I’m excited to see the rest of the season. And I forgot that Tricia Helfer from Battlestar is guest starring! That should be a good episode.
Billy said that too, about Orion–I think he might be onto something, especially what with the Tron poster and Ellie’s purposeful inquiry if Chuck had found their dad, and him saying, “Not yet, but I will.” I’ll be impressed if they don’t go that route, though, since it seems pretty telegraphed at this point.
And you’re so right about Cole giving Chuck the most credit. I think it was sweet and made Cole an even more likeable character. Can you tell I’m going to miss him?
Coach Cutlip and his famous female reproductive system drawing, the cow! Thanks for making me laugh this morning. That is probably one of my all time favorite scenes!
As for Chuck, I loved last nights episode, but like you said it was a bit of a downer. I’m beginning to refer to the courtyard at the apartment the, “Courtyard of Doom” because Chuck and Sarah always seem to have their “I love you/care for you” convos there and end up leaving sad.
Something needs to be done with Ellie. It’s like she just a pretty prop.
Mandy, you don’t even now how excited I am that someone else loves Coach Cutlip like I do! And yeah, The Courtyard of Doom is about right.
I don’t really know what I want them to do with Ellie. I feel like she’s kind of an exposition fairy, and she’s necessary, but it’s like … where is there to go? Although, I had wondered the same with Morgan, and he worked out alright, so … I’m sure it can be done!
I really liked the addition of Cole the last couple of weeks, and while I wouldn’t want him on the show as a regular character (can’t take away from the few Casey moments we get), I wouldn’t mind seeing him re-appear every now and again when the team needs a fourth. There were a couple moments I was afraid Cole was going to turn out to be a not-so-good guy, because this is a spy show after all, but was relieved it didn’t go that route since it’s so overdone. (Note to self: this is Chuck, no need to doubt the writers!) Also, if they do decide to bring him back, shirts are not an option for that man, unless it’s a ‘cool tank top’ as Chuck pointed out.
Certain parts were hard to watch, particularly Sarah’s face/reaction most of the episode.
Loved Chuck’s mini declaration at the end, that he will get his happily ever after one day. In the meantime, I completely agree Lisa that they need to show him as more capable once in a while. He’s starting to take more initiative (firing up the ladder without hesitation when Cole began to bleed and couldn’t do it himself), and I’m anxious to see where it goes the next couple episodes, looks to be gearing up for a fight.
I don’t know about Cole…don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the character and am really really sad to see him go, but something in me still doesn’t trust him. They cut off his torture in the opening scene at just the right point–it makes me wonder. Maybe I’m paranoid?
I LOVED Yvonne’s performance in this episode. It was just so perfect, because the entire time you really couldn’t tell which guy she was thinking about; when Cole was giving her that speech about how unfair their lives were, I SWORE i saw a glimmer of her thinking about Chuck and not Cole, but then I second guessed myself. She kept me guessing the whole way through, and that’s the mark of amazing talent. She’s hitting it out of the park every episode lately.
I thought about Orion being Chuck’s father as well. He was an engineer, remember? But as cool as that would be, it would feed into my only complaint about this show: it’s too predictable.
A final note: Morgan living with Anna now makes me the happiest person ever. It was the only ray of light in this decidedly bleak episode–Jeff and Lester were PERFECTION, and that Morgan’s string cheese thing is real and not fabricated to turn Anna off is so right. I’m really really looking forward to the dynamic of them changing and growing together 😀
I can’t believe no Chuck for two weeks, damn March Madness, who gives a *bleep* (apologies to all the NCAA enthusiasts.)
In reference to the courtyard, I’ve been hearing it referred to as “the fountain of doom”.
Ellie and awesome are convenient plot devices as Chuck has to live somewhere and it is sort of like the nerd who never left home. i have high hopes, though, for her involvement as the search for the father heats up…and who isn’t envisioning some Darth Vader-esque character saying “Chuck, I am your father…”
I was having a hard time watching because I wanted to punch Chuck most of the night. All the “co*kblocking” of Agent Beefcake was getting tough to watch. I was getting embarrassed for Chuck as he carried on trying to not let Sarah and Beefcake have any alone time. While I was glad he spoke up at the end of the ep I feel like we’ve heard that from him before. Hopefully this time will be different. Who would have thought Morgan would be more of a man then Chuck or even Casey in an episode? Speaking of Casey. I’m sure I’m wrong but he sure seemed to have a MAJOR man crush on Beefcake 😉
Orion. My guess is it is who some think it is – but that the person doesn’t know he is Orion. Geez – that was hard to type and probably confusing but didn’t want to speculate and sound like a spoiler 🙂
Oh, right. In the words of Will Forte on SNL talking about the BCS (lots of initials, and more to come!), March Madness can “S my D”. I do love Fug Madness on gofugyourself.com, though. I always participate in the voting. 🙂
Angie, I had totally blanked on “cool tank top”, but thank you so much for bringing that back to mind, I giggled again at the thought.
I kept thinking that Cole might be bad too, but I really think it’s a red herring because that’s what you’d expect to happen. I hope so, at least, and yes, I TOTALLY agree that Casey has a mancrush on him, which I find as hot as I find EVERYTHING that Casey does. 🙂 I am so predictable. Also, I would always, ALWAYS, pick Adam Baldwin over Brad Pitt. Just saying.
Wow! Can’t believe all the muted responses here so far. Loved the episode. Chuck really manned up in this one. The TRON poster reveal was awesome because it shows that Chuck has been trying to take control of his life from day one.
The fountain speech by Chuck was one of the most romantically, beautiful ones in TV or cinema history. The look on Sarah’s face when she realized what Chuck had just told her. Awesome.
Chuck is now the man. His lines to Ellie at the end – ‘Change of plans. Not moving out. Talk about it later.’ showed a new, take charge Chuck. The music playing was great too.
Looks like the rest of the season is going to be killer. Bring it on!
I agree, Old Darth, about the look on Sarah’s face. And the poster was good, and you’re totally right–so was his line to Ellie. I think that the muted responses (well, and recap, let’s get real here) was because so much of the episode was so heavy and the characters were dealing with so much emotionally, that even if it was a good episode, we love them so much that the empathy might be weighing everyone down. (Well, with certain exceptions, like the valid complaint that they’re retreading a lot of ground with Sarah and Chuck, and Chuck’s declarations. I don’t NECESSARILY feel that way, but I also don’t think it’s completely unfounded, either.)
I think my favorite part was Chuck’s pitiful attempt at saving the day, when gets his foot caught in the window, drops the gun, and accidentally shoots the scientist.
Though it’s about time that Casey and Sarah teach him how to fight and how to use a gun.
My one complaint about Cole is that he feels a bit to me like Bryce 2.0: a male spy who is better than Chuck and a rival for Sarah’s affections.
And so we’re back to Chuck expecting that something will happen between him and Sarah if he ever gets the intersect out of his head? Towards the beginning of the season, he declared that he needs a “nice normal girl.” But I guess I don’t blame him for not being able to shake his feelings for Sarah.
This ep was ok to watch simply because I couldn’t figure out every little plot twist before it happened this time….just most of them.
I ,too, agree that Casey is getting gayer and gayer….i’m not gonna last too much longer with this series but that’s ok ,apparently, it won’t be picked up again next season.
I agree with Billiam about Cole being the Bryce 2.0. I still like him, but to me the whole Cole/Sarah/Chuck thing just reminds me of the Bryce/Sarah/Chuck triangle. Been done before. Other than that, I liked the episode. Not a favourite, but a good one. Sarah was so, so sad during the whole thing, and the fact that she was serious and didn’t smile was kind of a downer. Loved Jeff and Lester, loved Morgan and Anna! I also really liked the ending, with the whole reveal of the poster back. I, for one, didn’t see that coming, but it’s nice to know Chuck’s keeping track of it all.
Also, while I love The Awesomes dearly, I’m starting to think that Ellie is a weeeee bit protective, and smothering of Chuck. Not that it isn’t cute, mind you, but I feel sorry for the guy sometimes.
Hey SB look what I found! “The ears?” LMAO!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7YJ14P8udw
Back on the topic of Chuck. The previews for the upcoming episodes made me so excited, but why a two week break? That stinks.
First of all, Mandy, did you ever know that you’re my hero and ALSO that you’re everything I wish I could be? And did you further know that I can fly higher than an eagle with you as the wind beneath my wings? Seriously, that video was incredible, and I’d forgotten about him drawing “the whole lady”. Lordy!
Also, I think I might be in the minority on this one, but I really didn’t feel like Cole was Bryce 2.0. I mean, yes, all the things that have been mentioned about the triangle and him being “better than” (supposedly) Chuck ARE true, but … well, I know this isn’t really quantifiable and is TOTALLY just my opinion, but …
Bryce is a bitch. There. I said it.
Cole was hot and bad ass and saved the day and took a beating and had hot, hot chemistry with Sarah. The main difference, for me, is that I couldn’t really decide for awhile there who I thought she SHOULD pick (because we all knew she eventually WOULD pick Chuck). And I thought she might actually pick Cole for awhile, and I would’ve been okay with that. I mean, Chuck picked Rachel Bilson, right?
And there wasn’t this whole convoluted history attached to Cole like there was to Bryce. He wasn’t Chuck’s rival because he was an ass to him in college and subsequently ruined his life … he was a rival for Chuck because he was going after his girl and might actually get her. He was exciting for Sarah because she didn’t necessarily know how it would end, like she probably would have with Bryce. Plus, he was awesome enough to earn the respect of Casey. Bryce felt like a slice of plot device, and Cole felt like a big hot slice of man pie. What? Who said that? Not me.
But seriously, he was just a better character. I know that you kind of have to compare them because of the nature of things, but Bryce didn’t even hold a candle to Cole for me, and I forgive them because it was the first season, and the second season has gotten so much better, but seriously … if Cole had come first, I doubt they could’ve even put the Bryce story arc in there afterward because it would’ve been so lame in comparison.
There’s my two cents, don’t spend it all in one place. 🙂
SB, couldn’t have said it better myself (re: Cole/Bryce)…. As much as I love looking at Matthew Bomer (Bryce, for those playing along at home), there was always such an arrogance attached to him that never made it sad when he left. I was usually happy to see him go. Though every time I do see him I wish his show Traveler hadnt been cancelled, but apparently I was the only one who watched it anyway, or at least given a chance to be properly wrapped up.
Back to Chuck: I too wasn’t sure who I wanted Sarah to pick, thanks to some good writing and obvious chemistry between Sarah and Cole. I guess I wouldn’t have minded seeing them together for a bit because we all know she isn’t getting with Chuck any time soon, so what could it hurt for a little while?
Billiam is dead on, the boy is around weapons and dangerous situations enough, teach him how to fire a gun. It might stop so many bullets from flying in his direction all the time if he was actually armed. I loved Cole’s “For God’s sake man, carry a gun. Or two!”
I’m a little worried because it almost feels like they are setting up a series finale in case they don’t get renewed (in which case it would take a SWAT team to pry me out of the NBC building as I protested loudly to anyione and everyone…).
Michele – I don’t want to say too much but I can tell you that the way this season of CHUCK ends in no way feels like a series finale.
I’m with you Michelle…NBC RENEW GHUCK NOW!
I keep forgetting but after a second viewing last night (yeah, am obsessed) I watched for everyone’s reactions when Chuck talks about getting the Intersect out of his head…when that happens, he is terminated correct? I know Casey knows, but does Sarah?
Ooooh, Lisa, good point–I had forgotten that they would want to terminate Chuck if he wasn’t the intersect anymore. But I have to say, that seems unnecessary, which I suppose is the government for you.
And they best renew Chuck–if we have an awesome cliffhanger season finale that never gets resolved I will LOSE MY MIND.
Thanks for the recap. I liked the episode. i know that i spent a good bit of time saying “Poor Chuck.” Whenever I saw him with Sarah & Cole, I thought he looked young. Like a baby. When it’s just him & Sarah I don’t feel that so I think it’s Cole that makes him seem like a little bitty baby. I have to agree on liking Cole a hundred times more than Bryce. Bryce irked the hell out of me. Cole was actually pretty hot. And less with the irksome.
I was glad to see the back of the Tron poster. They’re all thinking he’s just a goofy nerd but he’s keeping up with everything. I LOVED that. I was blown away. I looked at my husband and was like “DId you see that?” and he looked at me like – it’s a tv show Beck, let it go.
I don’t remember last year – if I cared or not – but right now I find myself getting worried that they’re not going to renew Chuck. Ugh.
I changed my mind about Anna and Morgan.
She seems interested in him now. XD Go Morgan!!!
I have no other comments…
Love Chuck, it’s by far the best show on TV, but the Tron poster reveal(as someone called it earlier) seemed like a complete rip-off of Life. I’m aware there are probably fewer people watching Life then Chuck, but I was still pretty disappointed.
Ooooh … Kathy, I haven’t watched Life in awhile (although I have SERIOUS catching up to do with it on my DVR), but you’re so right!
OOOOH!!! CRAZY CHUCK SPOILERS!!!!!!!
…lol go here (http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/ask-ausiello–1.html#more) and scroll down. Really really spoiler-filled, but sooooo exciting!!!
I think that Yvonne plays Sarah too robotic. She doesn’t show emotion on her face like she’s conflicted inside. She just doesn’t smile is all and comes off rather cold most of the time. That type of conflict was played to perfection by Miss Sydney Bristow on Alias. She’s fine in her role, but I just think she could do so much better.
The bright parts of this show are Casey and Chuck. Period.
This episode was pretty good, but the end with the Tron poster was actually the best part. Like Chuck isn’t just waiting around for things to happen. Sarah and Cole having chemistry was fine, but for Cole to all of a sudden “get it” that Sarah cared for Chuck was really unbelievable. I don’t think Sarah did anything to show that she cared for Chuck, just that she turned kind of cold towards Cole. She didn’t give anything away that she had feelings for Chuck (like in previous episodes). And why does Cole just get to go away freely after finding out that Chuck is the intersect? Isn’t it a liability to just let him go?
The on-again, off-again with fake Chuck and Sarah is so ridiculous it could be a drinking game. Drink every time they change their status!
I am so over the Ellie-doesn’t-have-a-life character. Can the writers only write for one female character? Anna gets ignored and so does Ellie. Awesome is kind of a girl (metro-guy), so I include him in that category. They should rotate each episode’s B-plot to be either Buy More or Ellie/Awesome.
So glad I don’t read other posts until after I’ve written my thoughts.
Glad others agree with my previous complaints that 1. Chuck needs to learn self defense and how to fire a gun, and 2. Ellie/Awesome WTF?
I am an avid watcher of Life and I think that was a good thing to rip off. Go Chuck! He can even say that he got the idea from the show and give a shout out!
So if they take the intersect out of Chuck’s head they have to terminate him? That doesn’t make any sense unless they terminate everyone that knew about it. Once it’s out of his head then he wouldn’t know the information that’s in there. Casey and Sarah are government agents so they get to live I guess, but Cole knows about the intersect so they should terminate him if that is their “rule”. Or just make Chuck an employee (Isn’t me already? he’s got to be getting compensated for all his trouble). Like they do with hackers. Bring them into the loop.
P D Yerf, you are an evil, evil temptress but I am not going to cave–I like the surprises too much and I think I’d be less excited about recapping if I knew what was coming. But I want you to know that this is very hard for me, and I hope everyone that clicks gets mucho enjoyment. Oooooh, it’s KILLING ME!
Toast with JAM, I love your passionate opinions! I am a Sarah lover, and I just think she’s subtle, which seems in character for someone trained to hide their emotions but not very good at it. But I have never seen a single episode of Alias, so I don’t have that comparison to make. I’d be curious what other Alias lovers thought about the comparison (hint, if anyone wants to chime in!). But I am right there with you on the Casey love, as we ALL know. 🙂
I agree with you that Cole “getting it” was pretty contrived and that she didn’t really show her feelings for Chuck so much as be standoffish with Cole, and I do think it may have been a cheap way for the show to cop out. I maybe would’ve preferred to see Sarah want to go with him but not be able to, and pine/mope a little before either letting it go or having something else happen. Or for her to show more of her love for Chuck. I had a pretty easy time forgiving that one, though, mostly because it’s in keeping with the general tone of the show.
You bring up a really interesting point about how Cole gets to walk away with the knowledge that Chuck is the intersect, while Chuck will supposedly be eliminated. See, on the one hand, I feel like if Cole made it through two torture sessions, he probably earned it. On the other hand, once the intersect is out of Chuck’s head, what’s the point in eliminating him? He really only knows the secrets he flashes on and since those get resolved every episode, he doesn’t have any … shall we say, ACTIVE knowledge. So once the dormant knowledge is removed, he wouldn’t really have any secrets. I have a feeling this is something we’ll probably revisit more later, but it was a really great point to bring up.
I might have to disagree though about rotating Buy More and Awesomes. The Buy More plots are usually my favorite part, and I like the Awesomes in smaller doses (as a rule–sometimes I like the heavy involvement of Awesome). But until they can find a way to make Ellie more interesting, having more screen time only seems to emphasize her nagging qualities, which I don’t think is what you want. I hadn’t thought about them having trouble writing for women, but you may be onto something. Although I maintain that the gender roles being confused are one of the highlights of this show, so you probably COULD make the argument that they’re writing their main character as a woman/damsel in distress. 🙂
lol I’m so sorry to be so tempting 😉 But rest assured: I have yet to see that bit of “game changing event” so oft-talked about that is to come. All I’ve heard is that it’s amazing; I don’t think we’ll be spoiled for it until the season finale, or at least I hope not!!!! 😀
Josh Schwartz’s new online series “Rockville CA” premieres NEXT WEEK at rockvilleca.com! Check out the exclusive behind the scenes tour of the club now with Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars, Friday the 13th) at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=70024295888.