CHUCK vs. The Dream Job
April 7, 2009 by SB
Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who participated in the live chat last night! It was so fun, and I LOVE community TV watching. But please please please be sure to join in the discussion in the comments! Even if you usually lurk, please come out of the woodwork. This is the week where we all share our love for Chuck! Now, let’s get this party started!
SO much happened last night that I actually had to go back and watch again. I did miss the Buy More crew (okay, a lot), but I know that there just really wasn’t time for them. And we did get Jeffster running interference for Chuck at the conference, so that helped to curb the craving a little bit.
I think that what really stands out to me about this episode was that it was subtle. A lot of people did a really great job acting, and I can only imagine that getting such regularly great performances out of so many people at once has to be a special talent. Captain Awesome was SO good—he played slightly awkward so well. Sarah didn’t say much in this episode, but as always, it was all written perfectly on her face. Seriously, that girl is a gem, and I can’t imagine anyone else in the part. Scott Bakula was amazingly cast as Chuck’s father (seriously, I could absolutely imagine them sharing DNA), and he played maybe-genius/maybe-crazy in just the right way. And even though we all kind of knew it was coming, the big reveal was still awesome. All Quantum Leap jokes were totally lost on me, though, so please feel encouraged to share those in the comments!
I mentioned last night in the chat that I wasn’t crazy about Chevy Chase in the Roark role and that I kept trying to recast him in my mind, but he did grow on me a bit in the second watching. He made those not-quite-funny self-deprecating-but-not-really jokes so perfectly that I think his character was just a little hateable (totally a word, trust me). And since that’s what his character was supposed to be, I have to give him props for that.
I feel like we did see a little movement on the Ellie front, with her relationship with her dad, but the whole bachelor party thing is SO on my nerves. As someone pointed out last night, it’s easy to understand why she’s mad. I do totally get that. But why doesn’t he just say that he was passed out when the pictures were taken? I feel like it wouldn’t get her off his back, but it might count for SOMETHING. You can only hold someone so responsible for things that happen to them while they’re unconscious in a Buy More, you know? And I think what I hate the most is that it keeps coming up in arguments that have nothing to do with it. It’s like, fight about it, get it out there, and either break up or get over it. You can’t just be mad and hold a grudge forever. I REALLY like Sarah Lancaster and I WANT to like Ellie, I just think we may be teetering a little too close to the line where she becomes a total harpy.
On a more positive note, there were some great Casey moments last night! I declared last night in the live chat my love for Nerd Casey, but I thought about it more and what I really like is GLASSES Casey. Hot. But my favorite scene was the one with Chuck in his gear—that might be one of my favorite Casey scenes yet. His irritation and disgust was SO perfect when he realized it was a tranq gun, and accused Chuck of not having the common courtesy to threaten him with an actual fire arm. He did so many emotions so well in that little scene—surprise (when Chuck took the paper from him), mild amusement at Chuck not knowing what he was doing, annoyance … I don’t feel like we get to see a real range from Casey but that was an awesome couple of minutes. And his increasing reaction to the tranquilizer darts was SO good—it was actually really believable when he was shot and then passed out. And I loved when Sarah asked where Chuck was, and Casey growled that he was “in a world of pain.” You know it!
And wow, you guys, how about that scene at the end? And the music was just totally perfect, as usual. (Again, plug for going to the NBC site and linking directly to the iTunes—maybe the more songs we buy, the more likely they’ll give us a soundtrack? I would pee myself for a Chuck soundtrack.) It was so hard to see Chuck reunite with his dad, understand who he was and why he left, feel like his dad might be able to help him and he was going to be rid of the Intersect, and then have it all ripped away. Sarah and Casey were great in the background, pulling him out of the doorway, but ZL was the real scene stealer there. He is SO great. Now if we could just do something about whatever is going on with his hair! Seriously, hair department!
Alright, guys—let’s talk! So much happened last night and I can’t wait to hear all of your thoughts. Did you love Scott Bakula? Were you sad for Chuck that his dream job was just an assignment? How are you feeling about Ellie? Did Nerd Casey/Nerd Sarah excite you? How glorious was it when Chuck came out with two (tranq) guns?!?! You guys know how I love the two guns!
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
Great recap! The only Quantum Leap reference I caught was the “Oh Boy” line (every QL episode started with that), but if there were others I’d love to hear it.
I’m going to be so upset if Chuck isn’t picked up for another season… damn Leno for stealing all of NBC’s good timeslots!
OMG this has to be one of my favorite episodes. The perfect mix of action, comedy and emotion.
Casey’s subtlies stole the show this week. When ‘Nerd Casey’ heard the annoucement that the expo was starting and did his little ‘Eeee!’ face and clap I just about died. And I totally agree with you SB, the exchange between Chuck and Casey in the fortress was priceless. I have to say, Badass Chuck? A little hot. Not gonna lie… even if it was just with tranq guns.
Wasn’t sure about the whole Chevy Chase deal, but I changed my mind when in the auditorium he was shaking hands with the two asian men and called “Arigoto, InAGaddaDaVida “…. one of the reasons I love shows like Chuck so much, the jokes that they DON’T place emphasis on that you almost miss if you’re not paying attention.
Zach Levi in swat gear? yes please.
Loved loved loved Casey’s dazed ‘woo’ and smirk right before he passed out. Still not sure why he and Sarah went as time traveling nerds from the 1950’s to the NextExpo, but it worked for Casey.
The Scott Bakula casting was a BRILLIANT move, I wasn’t so sure when I originally heard it, but after last night’s episode it’s clear it was a great move.
The hardest part to watch at the end was Chuck’s obvious internal struggle when trying to explain w/out actually explaining to Ellie. Props to ZL for the illustrating that so well. The ‘don’t count him out yet’ line was a nice way to leave it, even if Ellie has no clue why. And Captain awesome making pancakes? Aww.
Ha, I forgot about the expo clap! You’re so right, that was hilarious! And ditto on badass Chuck. Even though he was terrified to be shooting at people, it was awesome when they all fell over. Go get ’em, Charles Carmichael!
Oh, Angie, I totally forgot to mention the pancakes! That was too sweet for words! And I missed that Chevy joke entirely, although I did catch and forget to mention the sassy security system. You’re totally right about the jokes that they don’t emphasize–they add so much to this show.
I LOVED seeing Chuck all dressed up in the combat gear! And how awesome was it that he had to shoot Casey twice and then stick him with a dart in the neck? And what about when he came out shooting at the bad guys? I thought for sure he had missed by the way they were looking at him. That was awesome when they all fell. I really got choked up when Chuck had to leave his Dad. That was some great acting by Zac. I feel so sorry for Ellie because she can’t know what is going on. I really missed the Buy More crew as well, there really wasn’t much with any of them. Still can not wait to find out who will find out Chuck’s secret!!
Oh and I really loved Scott Bakula as Chuck’s Dad. I wasn’t really sure at first but it was perfect! And Casey and Sarah as nerds was just down right hilarious.
Is it me or do most of the songs they choose have an 80s quality to them?
I was nuts for this ep (so sorry to miss the live chat and hope you do it again). Scott B. was honestly a dead ringer for a ‘Bartowski’, and he played the part so well that I began to doubt our earlier prognostications of him being Orion so the reveal worked well. Am so overwhelmed it is hard to articulate all the love, so when all else fails, bulletize. Favorite things:
– Chuck falling off the ball
– Chuck in the commando gear
– Chuck tranquing Casey and his reaction to being tranqed
– Sarah in nerd glasses
– Casey in nerdware
– The entire Steve Jobsian feel at the expo
– The ending where Chuck and ‘dad’ are working together at RI
– Pancakes left for Ellie (awesome or dad did this?)
– I could go on.
Hey ZacharyLeviNet–I just clicked through to your site and it’s so cool! And thank you so much for helping us promote Chuck this week–the help is really appreciated, and I love all the Chuck fans joining forces.
Good call on the Steve Jobs vibe, Lisa. That was mentioned last night on the live chat (so it’s like you were there psychically!), and it’s totally true.
I knew it I knew it I knew it I kneeeeew it!!!
Sorry, I’ve been fighting on the Chuck’s-Dad-Is-Orion front for too long not to brag a little 🙂
This episode was FANTASTIC and I’m so anxious for the next one–I always am, but the preview this week was just perfect. I missed the Buy More crew as well, and I think they could’ve worked Jeffster a little more into the plot (or Morgan–who would understand Chuck’s feelings about having his father back more??) but I do get why they didn’t. I did like Lester’s comment about Chuck never being around the Buy More anymore, and I’m wondering if that’ll come back as a bigger thing. Much as I wonder about that conversation Big Mike and Morgan had a few weeks ago about the possibility of the Buy More being shut down due to the bad economy. Don’t get me wrong–I’m completely sucked into the A plot here. But the Buy More keeps nagging at the back of my head.
I really thought the best performance all episode though WAS Sarah Lancaster when she first saw her father–the shock followed by the happiness followed by the hurt followed by the anger. Though her character annoys me sometimes–and I agree that the Bachelor Party thing was old before it even started–I liked how we saw more of hers and Chuck’s brother-sister relationship, where he’s taking care of her in a way she can actually understand rather than her simply mothering him.
Geek Casey was perfection. The goofy smile he got on his face as he applauded was ALMOST as good as DJ Casey trying to get the crowd going. Almost.
I forgot about Chuck and the ball!! THAT WAS HILARIOUS!!! Thanks SB! This is my very favorite show and I will do anything to support Zac. After meeting him, you really want to do everything you can for him. I can’t imagine TV without Chuck. From all the support that is coming out for this show, I can’t imagine them not renewing it. Positive thoughts!!
Chuck in combat gear = HOT! I loved how he went tranq guns blazing on the baddies at Rourk. Amazing. One of my all-time favorite episodes of Chuck.
Hey, just a quick reminder that it would be awesome if anyone could drum up some more support by clicking the “Share This” link at the bottom of the Chuck posts. I just posted it to my Facebook and it took like two seconds. You guys have been AMAZING so far with all your enthusiasm and support. Thanks for making it such a great Give Me My Chuck week, and we’re not even halfway through it yet!
Hey Sarah, feel free to contact me anytime if you want something promoted. My personal email is in the post and you can always contact me on my site.
Loved it (as usual!)
-Adam Baldwin is hilarious. Seeing him fall down after 3(!) darts reminded me of the Firefly scene where Simon drugged Jayne so he wouldn’t be in charge with Mal gone…Adam doing physical comedy cracks me up!
-When they’re still in the trailer and his dad says something about being glad that Chuck is there for Ellie, I found myself thinking…me too. I really love their relationship as brother and sister.
-I missed the Buy More gang too. Jeffster sneaking to jump out in front of Mike and Lester’s “stop counting” made me giggle…just like last week’s “oooo, astronomy snap” by Jeff….those guys are great.
I know I’m missing so much more….
Oh, Diana, nice call on Chuck’s dad being glad Chuck was looking out for Ellie. I think I always extra like it when Chuck can take care of and/or protect someone else, since he’s so often on the other end of it.
I thought this was a great episode, and I’m really hoping we get to hear from some first time viewers! This Chuck week idea is really great. 🙂
I had never seen any Quantum Leap, so I didn’t know what to expect from Scott Bakula, but I thought that casting was absolutely perfect! I was so happy with Chuck’s interaction with his dad that I started to get teary when Sarah and Casey had to hold Chuck back near the end. Wow.
Also, they simply cannot cancel the show now that we are finally getting action!Chuck. I want more of that! And of course, more physical humor from Chuck and Casey. These actors are so good at what they do!
Hey P.D. Yerf, wonder who you were fighting with re: dad=Orion because we all pretty much agreed on it here a few weeks ago. Just curious.
wow – i am blown away by all the comments. I really liked this episode – I liked Scott BAkula as Chuck’s daddy. The hair was identical 🙂 And while I’ve heard the speculation that he was orion, I was still a little surprised when he busted out that arm band that can do anything. And them sitting at the computer together – I was awwwwww happy for them.
I just feel awful for Ellie. I think chuck should just tell her. I’m almost (barring anything I’m not thinking of) positive that I would tell my brother. I wouldn’t let him continuously believe that I’m a screw up and our dad doesn’t love us cause he’s crazy. I would have to tell her.
And Awesome was Awesome. It was actually a little nice to see nerves in Awesome about meeting Ellie’s dad cause he’s always supremely confident and awesome.
The nerdy Sarah and Casey were too cute. And Casey’s handclap.
And lester’s “it’s like he looked right through us.” and Jeff’s “he’s already forgotten us.” And then to still run intereference for Chuck. I love those guys.
Thank you so much for the recap and hopefully NBC will get a clue and renew Chuck.
I love this show! The build up toward the season (NOT series) finale has been awesome. I missed the buy morons last night, but loved how Jeff and Lester had Chuck’s back at the conference. Love the casting of Scott Bakula. Can’t wait for next Monday!
I loved everything aboot this episode! But more importantly, Sarah with the Nerd glasses! They cannot put her in enough Nerd disguise for my taste hehe!
This was my favorite episode of Chuck ever (and thats saying a lot). My favorite scene was the one where Casey and Sarah show up just in time to support Chuck at Roark and Orion says that he was wrong about Chuck not being able to trust his handlers.
First time poster, but I have been reading SB’s recaps from the beginning. The recaps are excellent, by the way! I love Chuck and am really really praying that it is renewed. It is my favorite hour of tv each week and I am totally invested in all of the characters every week. I watch it with my kids and they love it too. In fact, it is the first “grown up” show my 10 y.o. twins have watched (I cover their eyes every so often, like the bachelor party) and they look forward to Monday nights as much as me!
This season has been awesome (pun intended) and I can’t wait for the finale! Thanks again, SB and GMMR!
Cheryl! Thanks for joining us in the discussion! I’ve been reading the comments on the first Save Chuck post and one of the things that really stood out to me was how many people watch this with their families and how it crosses demographics in a seriously vast way. I had no idea and I love that! I feel like if I were running a network, that would be a major selling point. How many other (non-reality) shows can say that?
Great episode, and love the recaps.
Did anyone connect the “Doctor, Doctor, Doctor…” line from last week (gag courtesy of “Spies Like Us”) to the fact that Chevy Chase was on this week?
All we need now is Dan Akroyd, and the geeky spy callout is complete.
Last night’s episode was amazing! I’m gonna have to go back and watch it again.
Yet another solid episode. Chuck NEVER disappoints!!
good recap as usual sb! i loved this episode. more chuck in swat gear, pretty please. (i’m still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor.) my guess is that awesome will be the one to learn of chuck’s super secret spy work.
next week – boo! jill is back, even if she is in a cell.
kath – thanks for showing chuck so much love and dedicating your site to the show this week. hopefully nbc will take notice and renew it already.
Wow … look at all the comments already! This is awesome!!
SB – gotta say first, I LOVE your gravatar! Is that your pup with the mohawk? So cute! I saw the pic first and thought, “what an adorable puppy! Who is that?” then saw it was you and your pup (I assume). Just had to mention how adorable that is.
I loved the Chuck Chat last night! I’m only sorry I didn’t read about it earlier, so I ended up joining late into the episode. But it was still fun while I was here! And for such a fantabulous episode too. Loved the Nerd Casey/Sarah, Daddy Bartowski, the “big reveal”, Chuck and his guns … basically EVERYTHING you already mentioned! And Chuck tranq’ing Casey, and the look on Casey’s face as he went down … PRICELESS!!
Any idea when we’ll know if the show will be around to entertain us again next year (HERE’S HOPING!)??
What’s the best thing about watching House twice in the last 24 hours in order to put together a recap? Getting to save Chuck like your favorite holiday present! I just watched the episode on Hulu.com, and absolutely adored it.
Last week, SB referenced the “girlfriendy” quality exhibited by Yvonne Strahovski when she said the line, “It’ll be good to see him” while waiting for Chuck’s father to answer the trailer door. That same look was all over Sarah’s face during the opening sequence this week. Don’t we all just want someone to look at us like that?
eep Chuck , frindge Reraly good shows!!!!!!!!!!!
As this is my first time posting I would like to commend you on the excellent episode reviews, I am taking the time to go back and read all of them that I missed. I started watching Chuck around January and I am now completely hooked!
I have to say that Chuck vs. The Dream Job is my favorite episode so far (beating out my previous favorite Chuck vs. Santa Claus)! This episode combined everything that I like about this show: action, drama, comedy, and great acting. I was skeptical about Scott Bakula as Steve Bartowski, but he was amazing in the role. The whole Chuck and his dad situation reminded me a lot of the Harry Potter and Sirius Black situation. Chuck comes to find that his father is not in fact crazy and was looking out for him all along, but then is immediately separated from him once again. Harry Potter came to find out that Sirius Black was really his father’s best friend and that he wasn’t out to kill him, but then is immediately separated from him. Just a thought.
Overall, I extremely enjoyed this episode and I can’t wait for next week. If there is some kind of Emmy or other award for best special appearance, Scott Bakula definitely deserves one for this episode. Plus, it was great seeing Sarah and Casey dressed as computer nerds (even if they looked more like lost eighties children on their way to Sunday school)!
Such a good episode! I totally loved Quantum Leap (I may or may not have the first 4 seasons on DVD), so I was one happy camper with the Scott Bakula casting. He did a brilliant job! And although I was a teensy bit disappointed that they decided to make him Orion (that just seems so obvious), I think they have set up a really interesting story line, and conflict, for Chuck. And whoa, was ZL great or what? That moment when he tries to run towards his dad, and Sarah and Casey are holding him, just broke my heart. That was some really good acting there.
And I also loved the scene where he hit all those guards with tranq darts, but it really didn’t seem like he did at first. So funny.
Overall, a great episode, and I’m really excited to see what happens next. And yay for Chuck Week!
Really loved last night’s episode. There are 5-6 people in my office who are chuck fans and every tuesday morning the emails fly back and forth discussing the previous night’s awesomeness.
fav moments:
–loved tranqed casey (was it 3 or 4 darts?)
–poor morgan pretending to know about chuck’s new job
–jeffster tackles
–awesome and daddy bartowski bonding
another interesting moment was when roark and dad bartowski came face-to-face. when roark made the snide comment about how he always got the girls and dad bartowski always was the nerd, i turned to my roomie and said, “omg, they’re totally ‘old school’ chuck and bryce”…talk about history repeating itself. that’s ok, though, chuck and his dad will triumph!
OMG you guys, I’m getting totally emotional about how everyone is joining in on our Save Chuck quest. And I love getting to hear from people who have been here all along! It’s like meeting new old friends!
RM, I have no idea what the doctor, doctor, doctor thing is … I wish I did though! It sounds awesome and purposeful. 🙂
Thanks, little bit, and I was as disgusted as you are when I saw Jill would be back. Puke all over Jill’s face, but at least it won’t be as the girlfriend this time.
Kimber, I AM SO EXCITED that you noticed my new gravatar! I was really hoping someone would. That IS my little mohawk dog, and I’m so excited that you remember me talking about him. It occurred to me last night that his name is Flash, and we actually named him that before Chuck was ever on the air, but in honor of Chuck Week, we TOTALLY named him after Chuck’s intersect flashes. 🙂
I read something today that said the NBC upfronts are May 5, so we should know that day or before. Big ol’ fingers crossed.
Erik, you win badass recapper points for remembering something I said last week. I never remember anything I say the week before! But yes, we all do just want someone to look at us like that and she was all over it. Yvonne’s facial expressions are incredible.
Nick, I’m so excited that you’re joining the recap and chat party! I loved Chuck vs. Santa Claus too! It’s definitely in my top five. And I love your Harry Potter parallels–totally. And he was taken from Chuck just like Sirius too. You have made my little nerd heart happy.
Tessa, you’ll have to check back in throughout the week to give the other QL fans someone to chat with! It sounds like a show I would really like. I must have just been too young when it came out, but Scott Bakula really was excellent, and that’s good, because we can’t have anyone disgracing the SB initials.
LimeHead, you totally brought up something else I forgot to mention–the Steve/Ted/Chuck/Bryce comparison. TOTALLY. And I’m so excited that there are other fans in your office! The thought of people discussing Chuck around the watercooler (which, let’s face it, e-mail is TOTALLY the new watercooler) just makes me happy!
You guys are amazing! Keep the comments coming!
This episode was so awesome! And, I totally agree with you SB on the buy more comedy for this week. I missed it, but I also know that they had to move forward with the story line. It was really cute to see Jeffster (I can not say “Jeff and Lester” anymore lol) sort of chagrined that Chuck is leaving buy more and “sees right past them” at the RIOS demonstration one minute, and the next minute almost saving chuck from being attacked by the people at the convention. Sarah Lancaster did a great job with her facial expressions speaking for her on last night’s episode. I mean, this is precisely what I love about Chuck. It’s this unique and amazing mix of small and large plots and characters which give it charm, humor, and make my Monday nights absolutely AWESOME.
I will be SO sad if they cancel it. I don’t see why NBC is pushing Chuck to compete with BIG shows like House, Gossip Girl, DWTS. Moving it to another night might also attract more viewers.
I cannot wait to see how Jill helps out next week! Should be exciting!
Wow, I really don’t think Chuck has put a foot wrong for pretty much most of Season 2. No episodes have felt like “filler” and they have built so amazingly. It’s been awful but every week it’s been my “fave episode” and every week the next one is even better!!
The casting in this was fabulous. I really, really enjoyed it.
I would be absolutely gutted if this show gets cancelled.
Another fabulous episode of Chuck. How long until Monday night?
Also, I haven’t seen much mention of the “Fantasy Island” throwaway line. It didn’t process until my third viewing – “Mr. Roark” buying a private island! Maybe they needed to append a “Tatoo” joke to it as well, although I like that they sneak in so many subtle jokes along the way. Makes me pay attention!
I so love the obscure references…
Spies Like Us clip I referenced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lge2_H_8IQ
Not to repeat what I said in the chat, but I loved the episode and the chance to live chat with other fans. Scott Bakula was perfect, as was the whole Bartowski dynamic. I might be in the minority, but I like Ellie — maybe I’m used to siblings like that.
Fantastic acting all around, and one of my favorite episodes. Thanks for the great recaps/reviews SB!
You guys are such great viewers–all of your comments make me realize how much stuff just flies over my head (like Fantasy Island)! I love this show and it’s subtleties so much, and I love how coming here and talking about it gives us a fuller appreciation of all the things in the show. And thank you, RM, for the link!
I usually just lurk in the background reading the comments.
But this is Chuck Week! so I’m writing in.
I watch this show with my wife and my two year old who loves the show’s music theme. Every couple of days when I get back from work, Matthew will say daddy Chuck, which means he thinks it is Monday again and Chuck is on.
Go Chuck, and thanks for the recaps.
Gus! Thanks for joining us for Chuck Week! I love how everyone is in the spirit. 🙂 And it cracks me up to picture your kiddo loving the theme song and saying daddy Chuck. In my head, he gets up and dances to it. 🙂 Hope you drop a line on us again soon!
I used to be just a casual viewer of the show but starting about 5 episodes ago i have become completely hooked and the last 2 episodes have probably turned it into my favorite show, or at least the most fun/entertaining show i watch. So consider me jumping on the bandwagon… SAVE CHUCK
Yay Mellisa! I’m so encouraged by all the recent converts, and not just because of our little campaign. I feel like Chuck is really finding an audience and I think it just needs a little more time!