CHUCK Recap: Chuck vs. The Nemesis
November 27, 2007 by Kath Skerry
Episode: “Chuck vs. The Nemesis”
Original Airdate: 11.26.07
GMMR Recapper: SBMan, I know everyone is probably dying to talk about this episode so I want to get crackin’ on the recap, but there was just so much in this one that I don’t even know where to start!
I guess the obvious place to begin is that this was the return of conscious Bryce, played by Matthew Bomer and who my buddy Bryan already has a huge crush on. So I guess you could say that Bryce gives him a Bomer! And yes, I have been dying to make that joke all morning, lame as it may be, so thank you all for allowing me the opportunity, gross as it may have been. Do you think we should make t-shirts? Perhaps cross-stitch it on a pillow?
Anyway, he’s alive, strapped to a chair, and wants to see Chuck. He makes Chuck prove that he’s the REAL Chuck by speaking Klingon. So is making faux people CIA/spy protocol now, and if so, why hasn’t this come up yet? Because that would be so incredibly awesome. Anyway, I guess Bryce has some sort of Hulk-like strength because he busts out of his restraints and takes Chuck hostage. Hasn’t he been dead for like … nine episodes? Or at least frozen? Didn’t his muscles atrophy at all? Anyway, once we kind of get over this part, it picks up for me, even though most of the spy plot is Bryce popping up, wreaking havoc, fighting, danger … you know, the usual. The Fulcrum story was kind of confusing for me, but as best I can tell, Bryce was tricked into going rogue for an inside coup sort of thing, and Scar Face Asian Guy (which I realize now, sadly, that I am not going to be able to use as an acronym) was behind it. Tommy, I believe it was. I admit that I was a little distracted by my dog playing with his basset hound friend, Otis, and they were being every bit as gay as Captain Awesome suggesting water sports to Casey.
I think I may actually be alone on this, but I liked the Buy More plot more than the spy plot this week. I know that the spy plot was awesome and action-packed and advanced the story and whatever, but I was just more entertained at the Buy More this week. And I love that Chuck took on Black Friday (Chuck vs. Black Friday … maybe next year), since that’s such a huge deal in retail. Let me tell you, I went out for the first time ever on Black Friday this year, and I never want to do it again, so I was pretty cracked up at the Buy More madness. It’s way funnier when you can watch it from your couch and not find yourself on suicide watch in the middle of Target. Plus, my love for Lester and Jeff just grows and grows. I love how they were hiding together and how Jeff didn’t want the store to explode so he had to go fix the ancient registers. And let us not forget that when asked what happens the day after Thanksgiving, his response was, “The tryptophan wears off and the liquor kicks in.” If not for Casey, Jeff would be my uncontested favorite character on this show. As it is, Casey fireman-carrying Chuck and opening up a table full of weapons kept it close.
I was kind of eh on the whole Thanksgiving dinner thing, although I do enjoy getting to see all the major players in Chuck’s life together at one time. Billy pointed out that they used the foodgasm joke two weeks in a row, which I had already forgotten about because I find it that not funny. But I did actually get several laughs out of Morgan and I really felt for the guy when he asked Anna why there had to be tests. And I laughed when Chuck said he was thankful that Bryce was dead and not in his room making out with his new girlfriend and Morgan and Awesome commented on the specficness of it. And I love how trigger-happy Casey is. He reminds me a lot of Major Payne. Did anyone else see that movie? One of my all-time favorite comedies.
The part at the end with both of the phones ringing and Sarah undecided about whose to answer (and whether to stay with Chuck or go undercover with Bryce) was pretty clichéd, but I forgive it. And I know there has been a lot of talk on the internet about how this love triangle, while also a clichéd story, is working out pretty well. I think that the actors playing Sarah and Chuck are pretty much entirely to thank for that, because they really sell it and because the sexual tension is so there with them.
Really though, and I love Chuck so much, but the promos are not doing much for me at all. Actually, I am kind of annoyed at whoever does NBC’s advertising as it is, because here is the thing. Those stupid Bee Movie TV Juniors that we all suffered through incessantly? Not only did they not make me want to see the movie, but they actually made me want to actively avoid seeing it. Retarded! And also, why does NBC still think that Jerry Effing Seinfeld is the key to their dreams? You know what, he had a show. It was called Seinfeld and it was funny. AND IT WAS LIKE TEN YEARS AGO! Jerry Seinfeld, and all of his little minions at NBC, they are like the creepy older guy who is still going to the high school football games seven years later. GIVE IT UP ALREADY! I do not want to see stupid Jerry Seinfeld on 30 Rock, and I swear to all things holy, if he shows up on Chuck, or Journeyman, or Life, or GOD FORBID, The Office, I will lose my freaking mind.
What was I talking about?
Oh, right. So why are these idiots at NBC showing us Sarah and Chuck kissing in last week’s promos? And why did they have to hype this episode up so much? It was not what I would call “the defining show of the series”—please. No. And it wasn’t totally dramatic and serious, but even if it was, all you need to know is that Bryce is back and that’s drama and suspense enough! What needs to happen is this: I need to get a DVR (which I talk about every single week, I know) and I need to fast forward through all the commercials and never watch another NBC promo again as long as I live. I can’t wait for Nielson to start rating commercials so NBC will find out how much theirs SUCK.
End rant.
Point being, I wish I was a stronger person that could ignore hype and commercials and whatever else, but I’m not, and I just felt like this one was too built up. And maybe this is all part of their evil genius over there, but this makes me even more just want to buy the DVD so that I can give it the second viewing when I’ve had some distance, because I really thought this was a fantastically funny episode. I don’t know, did anyone else run into this?
Also, while I’m asking questions, since this recap is also designed to be a conversation starter, here are some questions for you guys that I’d like to know: What do you think of the whole Morgan/Anna thing? I liked it when she wasn’t jealous, in case anyone was wondering. And are you preferring the spy plots or the Nerd Herd plots more? Or is that an apples/oranges question?
And I know it’s been mentioned on GMMR, but we’ve gotta have a little celebratory moment … our show got picked up! The good guys win! Yay! So even though I hate on NBC’s commercials, I’ve gotta give it to them where they deserve it—it is a network that is awesome about giving shows chances and, for the most part, keeping the fans happy. We won’t string you up yet, Ben Silverman! You’re alright.
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
YES! I’m so glad the show got picked up for a full season.
I think the balance between the spy and nerd herd plots is just right. I love it when the plots actually mesh together.
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I loved last night’s ep! (although, I agree completely, SB, that NBC is giving WAY too much away in the promos- since when did they start thinking we don’t like suspense?) I actually loved how the Buy More plot and spy plot collided into each other with one word: pineapple.
And here, I have to mention my absolute favorite throwaway line of the night. When all the Herders and Morgan are talking about the word pineapple signaling impending Buy More disaster, Jeff cuts in with, “Pineapples are fun! My father used to throw them at me!”- Love it! I think that line shows why I love this show so much- it’s full of drama and suspense, and also manages to make me laugh out loud. Here’s to a full season!!
Oh.My.God. Tell me you did not just mentioned Major Payne! My husband and I love that movie.
I liked last night’s episode (not as much as last week’s) but I agree the hype was too much. And I was really frustrated that every time chuck would try to talk to bryce he got absolutely no answers. I mean bryce even sort of forgot that he got chuck kicked out of college and ruined his life. But the episode was really funny so it evens out.
I really love the romance between Morgan and Anna, I had been hoping for that for a while and I’m glad it seems to be moving forward, unlike Chuck and Sarah’s. It will be a good distraction from the angst. 🙂
I think the balance between the Buymore and the spy stuff is pretty perfect. It’s kind of like I’m watching two half hour shows that happen in the same place and time and share characters, but one is a spy show and one is a comedy. My favorite show before The Office was Alias, so I like both genres, but I really enjoy mixing them together. You could never take Alias seriously anyway, and the really crazy stuff that happened on that show seems to work better here because it is so obviously a comedy.
I like a good spy/Herd balance as well.
Meanwhile, NBC promos claim that every episode of Heroes is amazing and that ER is better than ever. I can ignore that mess. It’s when they SHOW the big stuff right in the promo. Like Sarah & Chuck kissing. Ugh.
Pineapple! This will be the new family CODEWORD for getting out of a tough spot.
I will take one of those Bomer t-shirts, thank you very much.
I kept waiting for my TV to implode from Bryce and Chuck sharing the screen. That’s a lot of deliciousness in one place.
Jeff and Lester ROCK. They are quite the comedy team. Keep it coming NBC.
“I kept waiting for my TV to implode from Bryce and Chuck sharing the screen. That’s a lot of deliciousness in one place.”
OMG Dianne lol! It’s true though 😉
lol @ your Seinfeld rant and NBC promo rant SB, I completely agree. Unfortunately I had to take my niece to see Bee Movie and I slept through it…
My fave part of the episode was when Chuck was waking up from having been drugged by Bryce and he saw Sarah and was all sweet and then Casey popped in and Chuck said “No, not pretty… ugly” or something like that lol
At least NBC’s promos aren’t quite as bad as ABC’s Lost promos (Like saying “Don’t miss the episode everyone will be talking about” for the episode where Hurley fixes up an old van on the island, and saying “Five questions will be answered” which leaves me trying to figure out what numbers 3-5 are).
Oh, and “Chuck” was good. The slow motion Buy More scene made me laugh alot. Although then they showed Sarah running in slow motion, which was fine… but I had to wonder… Anway, the final scene had me saying “Well, at least answer one of them, before they hang up.” And then she didn’t. Blah.
I loved reading the TV Guide article where Adam Baldwin describes the show being carried on Zachary Levi’s shoulders… it is so true. He is so good and really steals every scene. Although he is in such good company with this group of actors….the casting dept. should get an emmy.
Hello all. SB’s friend Bryan here. I figured, since I got a shoutout in this recap, I’d finally make a comment.
SB has such the magical tongue. Her way with words is… umm, well… I’ll just let her recaps speak for themselves.
I have already placed my order for either Mr. Bomer wrapped in a bow or The cross-stitched pillow – I’ve got my fingers crossed for the first option.
Ok… about the episode.
I loved the dedication to John Woo. The slow-mo’s were quite funny. Especially when the manager leapt upon the counter and did the ol’ Dukes of Hazzard hood slide, just to be trampled out the door.
I was also quite confused when they did the scene with Bryce and Sarah running in slo-mo. I didn’t know exactly where to put my eyes. On the very nice eye candy or on the ‘pulled from the movie Airplane’ jiggling boobies.
And thank you SB for making me realize, I was not hearing voices in my head. I was happy to hear that Capt. Amazing DID indeed tempt your man Casey with the idea of watersports.
I’ll have to wrap it up by saying. The food-gasm scene was quite disturbing. I mean, watch it again… Chuck’s sister’s face was soooooo intent on Morgan. It was a bit odd. I had to let out a huge chortle (yes, I said chortle) at just watching her face, as the camera did the Vertigo shot with Anna.
Great job again, SB… I’ll expect my order to be filled soon. I’ve got other plans for the holidays, as you well know.
I describe Chuck to my husband (who hasn’t watched yet)as “A funny Alias”. Now, we LOVE Alias and still mourn it’s passing, so I’m trying to get him to watch this show!! Chuck is like Funny-Alias-with-a-Zach-Braff-substitute. I kept having flashes of Scrubs when he’d say something funny.
I hope the Buy More characters continue to develop. They have lots of potential.
Chuck and Casey are the BEST!!!! Love how Casey shoots Bryce point blank (no hesitation) and he flies across the room. Casey is an animal!
The sister character is probably the most overlooked and like an afterthought. They need to bring up some kinds of history between her and Chuck to give the viewers a solid connection. And I want to see some Chuck/Awesome-only scenes to see the awkwardness and them trying to relate.
Bionic Woman is trying to replace Alias and I didn’t appreciate it. I’d rather just watch Alias, thank you!
I don’t watch commercials since I DVR everything and watch it a day late. Or I watch it online and mute the commercials. NBC has had bad commercials forever! How many years have they done the promos for ER like it’s going to be the most dramatic episode you’ve ever seen and you won’t believe what they do to save a life…blah, blah….and then NOTHING happens on the show! Obviously the people writing the commercial scripts have no idea what the episodes are about and they are only watching the 4 second shot to base their plug on.
How can you mistake Tommy’s character as being Asian???
Yes, PLEASE get Jerry Seinfeld away from NBC. I’m not going to watch your stupid movie about bees, no matter how many times I hear you or Oprah talk about it.
This was a cute episode– I missed the end. Thanks for another great recap!
If he’s not Asian, then what ethnicity is he?