CHUCK vs. the Seduction
October 7, 2008 by Kath Skerry
Well … here’s the thing. (Don’t you just love that? It’s right up there with “we need to talk.”) Last week’s show was a REALLY tough act to follow, and while I’m still a Chuck lover, I didn’t really love this episode. I know Kath will disagree with me on this one and I’m guessing a lot of you probably will too, that’s okay and even good, because it means we’ll have a lively discussion! Yay!
I couldn’t find out/was to lazy to keep looking for who the writers were on each respective episode, but my guess would be that they were not the same person. The show took on a totally different tone. Last week’s was funny and romantic and exciting and suspenseful, and this one just fell a little flat for me.
I’m going to do my best to say something nice for every criticism I have, since I think that might be something I need to do in my actual, non-TV life today anyway, so here goes.
Lester in charge of the Buy More was so lame this week. On the other hand, Big Mike’s “manager-only donuts” was hilarious. The punishment wheel was also lame, and the employee walk-out would have been also EXCEPT for the random dude that we’ve never seen saying that the Buy More sucks without Jeff totally saved it. I agree with you, Fratty-Looking Extra! And congrats on your big break! Anna demanding that Lester spin the wheel was good, but I wish they’d given him something besides diaper duty, because seriously, did anyone NOT see that coming? Man, these people love their diaper jokes.
I’m not big on the CIA lair out of the Orange Orange, mostly because I liked them talking in break rooms and bedrooms. That added a certain amount of colloquialism to it for me. But I did giggle to myself thinking about how behind the counter was “yogurt and fun” from last week.
I was kind of put off by the whole “chasing the cipher” storyline two weeks in a row. I really thought last week, incorrectly, obviously, that Fulcrum had somehow planted a virus in the ACTUAL cipher and that had blown up, so the CIA and NSA would be starting over from scratch. I don’t want to chase this thing around all season. However … I did LOVE Chuck tying the banner around his waist and flying down at the bad girl, so if they can give me fun action like that, I can probably overlook it.
Casey was totally wasted in this episode. He didn’t entertain me once, nor did he have any lines for me to wiggle my eyebrows at (very sexy, you know). On the other hand, Zach Levi REALLY brought the cute this week. I cannot get over how genuine and happy his smile is at all times. He’s TOTALLY the new Jim.
The guest star and her Van Halen body guards could not have been more bland (except, okay, for the Van Halen hair—that was pretty bomb). I remember her from Firefly (I think—wasn’t she the madam?) [GMMR: Although I’ve never seen “Firefly” I can tell you that Melinda Clarke played Julie Cooper Nichol on “The OC” and Lady Heather (a madame) on “CSI”] and she was much hotter there. Here, it seemed like they were trying to give her that squinty, lippy, Angelina Jolie look that I just do not find attractive. I know, right? I really think I might be the only one.
… Actually, I don’t have a nice thing to balance this out. That character was completely uninteresting to me in every way.
John Laroquette … he was okay, I guess. I think I’d like to see him again in an episode with better writing because I think he could be a really funny and great character. I just thought they swung him around too quickly from being jaded, alcoholic ex-spy, to suave, debonair, super-spy. [GMMR: Had to jump in and say that besides Zach Levi’s ridiculously hot swagger, I thought Laroquette was all kinds of awesome in this episode.]
I really didn’t like where they went with Sarah this week. I thought it was pretty ham-fisted. I mean, we all know that Sarah is in love with Chuck but I think it works better when they don’t talk about it and when she’s in denial (or trying to be). BUT … was that kiss not the hottest thing you’ve ever seen? [GMMR: so damn hot!] Hello! Try to find me ONE person who would not want to trade places with either Chuck or Sarah right then. Smokin’!
Ah, yes, and because it must be said … it was really good to have an Ellie and Awesome storyline, and in theory it was good, but in execution … weak. I was impressed that we got to see some range out of Captain Awesome, getting a little emotional there talking about not having time, but the favorite eighth grade song could’ve been SO much more embarrassing, and when the house was covered in rose petals … well … it kind of makes you wonder, DID an eighth grader write this scene in 1992? Because doesn’t it sort of remind you of that Bon Jovi “Bed of Roses” song, but totally on crack and maybe in a Sweet Valley High episode or something? But then I feel like I may possibly be being too hard on it, because Chuck (the show, not the person) likes a little cheese and that’s part of where my love for it comes from, and you DO want Ellie and Awesome to be happy, one way or another.
And finally … that last scene. Heartbreaker. I loved the callback to the pilot episode, but Sarah looked pretty rough (not sexy rough, like … flat hair rough), which HAS to be difficult because of how amazingly gorgeous she is. (Sidenote, as a positive, Anna has been looking positively AMAZING the last two episodes. Did you SEE that blue streak in her hair? Foxy!) And then when Bryce showed up, looking like a smug douchebag, I wanted to throw something at my TV. (Although I’m sure my friend Bryan WAS more than happy to see Bryce return, which is a shout out in case he’s reading this. That’s right, I’m shameless. Don’t worry about it.)
What I’m REALLY hoping is that this was a good set up episode and next week will be awesome. I know they can’t all be home runs, but I was sort of hoping that some of the unevenness that had plagued Chuck last season was eliminated. We’re not quite there yet, but after the spectacular start of last week, I think there is plenty of reason to be hopeful.
What do you guys think? Did everyone else love it? Am I alone on this one? I want to hear your thoughts!
— 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
Love the GMMR comments! It really is like TEAM GMMR! (We need some baseball tees.)
Hi SB! So nice to have you and your recaps back. I was waiting for this one to come out.
I personally liked the episode. Not loved it totally 100% (and definitely not as much as the pilot). But I’m a Lester fan, so seeing him on a power trip was pretty hilarious. And the actor did a smashing job with all the humour. I’ll agree that Casey was totally wasted, though, as he didn’t really have many great lines or moments of fun facial expressions.
I think Zach Levi being adorable, and the whole scene with Chuck having to “kiss” Sarah saved it for me. That scene was a definite “rewinder” for me. I also thought the whole Capt. Awesome/Ellie moments had potential – a little “oh we need to fill some time gaps” for me, but … eh. I’ll take what I can get with them.
And HEY! Thank you for solving the eternal “where do I know that guest star from” question for me. While I’m not an avid CSI viewer (and have never seen the OC or Firefly), I have seen the episodes with Lady Heather, so that’s where I know her from!
Finally – Damn You Bryce Larkin! Seriously. I know that Sarah and Chuck aren’t meant to get together for good (as it would kind of ruin the show), but it irks me that Bryce keeps popping up just when Chuck thinks he’s getting somewhere with Sarah.
Thanks for the recap! I have been looking on this site all day for this so YAY! I really really liked it, though. I was laughing out loud several times.
And Chuck, I’ve liked Chuck, I’ve thought he was cute and geeky and fun and I think that’s where they’ve been trying to go with his character – but, that kiss – MAN! That was some kind of sexy awesome, smokin hot kiss. Now, I’m thinking I would like Chuck to move in. WOW!
I agree about the Russian spy. Julie Cooper (her name on THE OC) was awesome, and she could’ve done awesome things being a sexy woman without the Russian accent.
I really liked John Laroquette, though. I thought he was fun and funny so I didn’t get that.
I wasn’t that worried about Ellie & Awesome. Although, i’m wondering if Morgan was setting Awesome up to fail or if he really thought that all of that was Ellie’s favorite stuff. I never figured that out.
Also, didn’t put a lot of thought at the time. At the time, I was happy Ellie got her romance cause she was happy. Now, I guess, the adult in me is thinking what a pain in the ass it would be to clean all of those rose petals up.
Anyway, thank you for the recap. I wish you had liked it. I also really liked the webisode. Love Casey.
Heh. Hey, Becky! You reminded me of my one concern/question. The whole Capt. Awesome/Morgan thing. I was also wondering if Morgan really thought those were Sarah’s favourite things, or if he was trying to get Awesome in trouble. Hmm. That’s a puzzler. Any thoughts/ideas SB or GMMR?? In one sense I can totally see Morgan being serious, and thinking he knew everything about Ellie because of his crush, but really knowing nothing at all. Or perhaps those were Morgan’s favourite things, and he just always though Ellie loved the same. Or … maybe he was just being a wanker and wanted Awesome to look back so Ellie would run into his arms instead (…right!).
Also – in my comment I referred to the “pilot”, but I really meant the premiere. I did love the pilot to pieces, but I was comparing this episode to the last one … Chuck vs. The First Date.
I don’t know what Morgan’s true intentions were, but I kind of thought that he was really trying to help out The Captain. Unfortunately the Ellie that Morgan thought he knew wasn’t really Ellie. Or at least not the Ellie that she is now. Devon knows his lady…he should have gone with his gut (or in his case those ridiculously hot abs!)
Thanks for the recap! Personally I really liked this episode. In fact when I thought about it this morning a smile came to my face. I don’t remember the specifics, but there were plenty of funny parts and the romance between Sarah and Chuch is just so sweet. I too love Zachery Levi’s wonderful expressions.
You did mention that Casey was underused in this episode and now that I think about it, you’re totally right. I love me some Casey humor! Speaking of people from Firefly, thank you for telling me where I know that actress from. I knew wherever I’d seen her had been in another whorish type role, and I was right! On Firefly she literally was a whore. 🙂 Haha and now I’m remembering how hilarious Jayne was in that episode. I love Adam Baldwin…
Awww, sorry for being kind of a buzzkill, you guys, but I’m glad you all liked it so much! I’m with Kath–I think Morgan was genuinely trying to be helpful, but just missed the boat.
Oh, the other thing I wanted to say was that Kimber, I don’t know … I kind of hope there’s a happy ending in it (together) for Sarah and Chuck! I mean, is it realistic? Maybe not. But neither is having all the government’s secrets in your head, so in this case I’m willing to be an optimistic romantic about it. 🙂
jim 2.0 = chuck bartowski. all in favor?
It would be just like Morgan to try and help the Capt, but mess things up. Poor guy. Plus – he’s got Anna, right? Sure, she’s no Eleanore Faye Bartowski, but she’s still hot – and I think he does love her.
Also – SB, I do believe that Chuck and Sarah will have a happy ending … but not until the END of the show! And hopefully that’s not for ages and ages and ages!
I too loved this episode but I does fee like it was written by different people from last weeks episode. And I did miss Casey’s funny lines. All the Chuck and Sarah scenes were enough for me to enjoy it plus the cool guest stars as well. Every episode keeps me excited for the next one. Now I can’t wait for next week!!! 😀
“jim 2.0 = chuck bartowski. all in favor?” – aye!
I too loved this episode but It does fee like it was written by different people from last weeks episode. And I did miss Casey’s funny lines. All the Chuck and Sarah scenes were enough for me to enjoy it plus the cool guest stars as well. Every episode keeps me excited for the next one. Now I can’t wait for next week!!! 😀
“jim 2.0 = chuck bartowski. all in favor?” – aye!
One word…
BRYCE!
🙂
Shout out heard, loud and clear.
Miss ya SB