• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Chuck versus the NeoGAF - The Official Season 4 Thread - Mondays on NBC

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Cornballer

Member
Brettison said:
Oh I meant did they write that in cause the actress was going somewhere else or they wanted to cut her out or something.
Click to expand...
All of the GRETAs have been one-week guest stars so far. That's just how they're doing it this season.
 
BJK

BJK

Member
Not a very strong episode tonight, which is disappointing given they largely wasted appearances from Rob Riggle and the Summer Glau / Adam Baldwin reunion*.

I didn't see who the principal writer was for this episode (coming off the Judkins / LeFranc episode of 2 weeks ago, any of the other writers was likely going to be a letdown), but the number of actual laugh-lines and pop culture references just weren't up to par. If I had to guess, I'd say Nicholas Wooten, since 'Cubic Z' was the last episode that felt like this much of a let down.


*- On the night with Jayne and River Tam appearing on the same show, the best Firefly reference of the night came from Nathan Fillion on "Castle."


The introduction of Riggle's character as a trainer / field agent introduced the idea that fear (including the titular fear of death) could trigger a re-boot of the intersect. To anyone who's watched season 3, however, there's an understanding that powerful emotions from Chuck can cause the intersect to fail when it's working properly. Worse yet, by introducing the idea that the auction scenario could be fake....everything else Chuck goes through in that episode falls prey to the 'is this real, or another level of the ruse' conundrum...including Riggle tumbling to his presumed death as part of a horribly green-screened gondola sequence that rivals the Mexican zipline from the Season 3 premiere for bad graphical effects. I'm not sure if I'd feel better with Chuck getting Inception'd in the continuation of the story next week.

Also, does anyone else worry that plot lines like the Buy More story tonight are as close to a payoff as we're going to get from the Greta thing? They've never really tried to explain why all of these characters shares the same name, or what they're role is in Operation Bartowski.


As a fan of the show, it feels like we've been here before. Chuck has been benched for the intersect failing on multiple occasions last season, and he has proven eager to help the team despite that. This week, in a similar situation, he's now afraid he can't help the team without powers...despite some of the best 'Chuck' moments coming from the character's quick thinking with the non-intersect-y parts of his brain (going all the way back to Ms. Demova in the show's pilot). Instead of a throw-away line about not being able to find Frost or Volkoff, I'd have loved to see Chuck struggle with the 'why' of whatever his mother did to the Intersect: could there be a message there, or new information, or some sign that she's not the villain we fully expect her not to be?

Eventually, Chuck's intersect powers will come back - probably with an assist from the Orion-mobile - and Frost's Intersect-SP device will either pay off or serve as a detour from the main story. In either case, 'Fear of Death' feels like the kind of story I had hoped the show had moved beyond. More than that, it just wasn't that funny.
 
N

NotTheGuyYouKill

Member
Noooooooooooooo Riiiiiiiiigle!

Damn, Agent Rye was an awesome character. I'm just gonna assume he was awesome enough to survive a gunshot and fall from the gondola cause he's that awesome.

Damn that cliffhanger!
 
L

legend166

Member
BJK said:
Not a very strong episode tonight, which is disappointing given they largely wasted appearances from Rob Riggle and the Summer Glau / Adam Baldwin reunion*.

I didn't see who the principal writer was for this episode (coming off the Judkins / LeFranc episode of 2 weeks ago, any of the other writers was likely going to be a letdown), but the number of actual laugh-lines and pop culture references just weren't up to par. If I had to guess, I'd say Nicholas Wooten, since 'Cubic Z' was the last episode that felt like this much of a let down.


*- On the night with Jayne and River Tam appearing on the same show, the best Firefly reference of the night came from Nathan Fillion on "Castle."


The introduction of Riggle's character as a trainer / field agent introduced the idea that fear (including the titular fear of death) could trigger a re-boot of the intersect. To anyone who's watched season 3, however, there's an understanding that powerful emotions from Chuck can cause the intersect to fail when it's working properly. Worse yet, by introducing the idea that the auction scenario could be fake....everything else Chuck goes through in that episode falls prey to the 'is this real, or another level of the ruse' conundrum...including Riggle tumbling to his presumed death as part of a horribly green-screened gondola sequence that rivals the Mexican zipline from the Season 3 premiere for bad graphical effects. I'm not sure if I'd feel better with Chuck getting Inception'd in the continuation of the story next week.

Also, does anyone else worry that plot lines like the Buy More story tonight are as close to a payoff as we're going to get from the Greta thing? They've never really tried to explain why all of these characters shares the same name, or what they're role is in Operation Bartowski.


As a fan of the show, it feels like we've been here before. Chuck has been benched for the intersect failing on multiple occasions last season, and he has proven eager to help the team despite that. This week, in a similar situation, he's now afraid he can't help the team without powers...despite some of the best 'Chuck' moments coming from the character's quick thinking with the non-intersect-y parts of his brain (going all the way back to Ms. Demova in the show's pilot). Instead of a throw-away line about not being able to find Frost or Volkoff, I'd have loved to see Chuck struggle with the 'why' of whatever his mother did to the Intersect: could there be a message there, or new information, or some sign that she's not the villain we fully expect her not to be?

Eventually, Chuck's intersect powers will come back - probably with an assist from the Orion-mobile - and Frost's Intersect-SP device will either pay off or serve as a detour from the main story. In either case, 'Fear of Death' feels like the kind of story I had hoped the show had moved beyond. More than that, it just wasn't that funny.
Click to expand...

Uh, when did they infer this?
 
P

phantom13

Neo Member
Hairtux said:
Not exactly. The auction was real, Chuck just thought Rye was trying to scare him into not bidding.
Click to expand...

For a while, I considered the whole scenario could be fake too, but it was after the scene in the freezing room when Rye just walked up and disabled the password. Thought it could have been a whole CIA setup just like the training scene back at the start of season 3.
 
S

Seth C

Member
BJK said:
Not a very strong episode tonight, which is disappointing given they largely wasted appearances from Rob Riggle and the Summer Glau / Adam Baldwin reunion*.

I didn't see who the principal writer was for this episode (coming off the Judkins / LeFranc episode of 2 weeks ago, any of the other writers was likely going to be a letdown), but the number of actual laugh-lines and pop culture references just weren't up to par. If I had to guess, I'd say Nicholas Wooten, since 'Cubic Z' was the last episode that felt like this much of a let down.


*- On the night with Jayne and River Tam appearing on the same show, the best Firefly reference of the night came from Nathan Fillion on "Castle."


The introduction of Riggle's character as a trainer / field agent introduced the idea that fear (including the titular fear of death) could trigger a re-boot of the intersect. To anyone who's watched season 3, however, there's an understanding that powerful emotions from Chuck can cause the intersect to fail when it's working properly. Worse yet, by introducing the idea that the auction scenario could be fake....everything else Chuck goes through in that episode falls prey to the 'is this real, or another level of the ruse' conundrum...including Riggle tumbling to his presumed death as part of a horribly green-screened gondola sequence that rivals the Mexican zipline from the Season 3 premiere for bad graphical effects. I'm not sure if I'd feel better with Chuck getting Inception'd in the continuation of the story next week.

Also, does anyone else worry that plot lines like the Buy More story tonight are as close to a payoff as we're going to get from the Greta thing? They've never really tried to explain why all of these characters shares the same name, or what they're role is in Operation Bartowski.


As a fan of the show, it feels like we've been here before. Chuck has been benched for the intersect failing on multiple occasions last season, and he has proven eager to help the team despite that. This week, in a similar situation, he's now afraid he can't help the team without powers...despite some of the best 'Chuck' moments coming from the character's quick thinking with the non-intersect-y parts of his brain (going all the way back to Ms. Demova in the show's pilot). Instead of a throw-away line about not being able to find Frost or Volkoff, I'd have loved to see Chuck struggle with the 'why' of whatever his mother did to the Intersect: could there be a message there, or new information, or some sign that she's not the villain we fully expect her not to be?

Eventually, Chuck's intersect powers will come back - probably with an assist from the Orion-mobile - and Frost's Intersect-SP device will either pay off or serve as a detour from the main story. In either case, 'Fear of Death' feels like the kind of story I had hoped the show had moved beyond. More than that, it just wasn't that funny.
Click to expand...

Yup. I pretty much disagree with everything you just said. :lol Last night felt like an episode of Chuck. I don't know what you guys are expecting at this point, but it was one of my favorite episodes in a while. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Between the Jeff/Lester/Greta triangle, and the banter between Chuck and the scientist, I certainly found it to be funnier than many others.
 
D

Dr.Horrible

Member
Zomba13 said:
Damn, I didn't recognise Summer until a good chunk of the way into the episode. She looked amazing.
Click to expand...

This. I was shocked at how damn hot she looked.

Otherwise I thought the episode was great. Riggle was fantastic and I'm glad they are stringing it out. The rescue in the next episode looks like it will be amazing.

Edit - I support the continued use of music from The Constellations. Bought the album thanks to this show and it's so good.
 
C

Captain Blood

Member
Seth C said:
Yup. I pretty much disagree with everything you just said. :lol Last night felt like an episode of Chuck. I don't know what you guys are expecting at this point, but it was one of my favorite episodes in a while. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Between the Jeff/Lester/Greta triangle, and the banter between Chuck and the scientist, I certainly found it to be funnier than many others.
Click to expand...
It also seemed like Chuck and Sarah weren't fighting just to fight(you don't put your clothes in the closet and it makes me sad). When Sarah said she didn't think Chuck was a real spy it actually held some weight.
 
stuminus3

stuminus3

Member
DoctorWho said:
Fuck! My PVR cut off the last few minutes. I made it up to Sarah packing guns to go rescue Chuck. What happens after that?!
Click to expand...
This happened to me too, if anyone can fill us in on that last 30 seconds!
 
P

PhoncipleBone

Banned
Captain Blood said:
It also seemed like Chuck and Sarah weren't fighting just to fight(you don't put your clothes in the closet and it makes me sad). When Sarah said she didn't think Chuck was a real spy it actually held some weight.
Click to expand...
Even Casey had a "damn!" look on his face.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
Yeah, just saw that. The off week didn't help. :(
TVBTN said:
Chuck returned down 0.2 to a 1.8 rating with adults 18-49. Summer Glau made a great GRETA, but… Let the cries that “the presidents of the United States of America are always killing Chuck’s ratings momentum!” begin. NBC notes it was the most total viewers for Chuck since the season premiere on September 20.
Click to expand...
 
S

Seth C

Member
Captain Blood said:
It also seemed like Chuck and Sarah weren't fighting just to fight(you don't put your clothes in the closet and it makes me sad). When Sarah said she didn't think Chuck was a real spy it actually held some weight.
Click to expand...

That, too. That moment definitely felt heavy (I think I even blurted out, "ouch..."). And Chuck's lack of the intersect (combined with the confidence he's built up) made for some moments of tension that the show normally lacks due to his normal superhuman nature.

And fuck G-Dub. How were the ratings on that special, anyway? Did anyone CARE? Did anyone want to see him? I know it certainly tanked their 9 and 10 o'clock hours last week. Good call, NBC.
 
R

RevoDS

Junior Member
Captain Blood said:
At least it always seems to hold at 1.8 I don't think it has really dipped below that has it?
Click to expand...
Second part of S3 finale had a 1.7, but that was out of its regular timeslot (9PM instead of 8PM). 1.8 ties a series low for its normal time period (first part of the S3 finale).

That moment definitely felt heavy (I think I even blurted out, "ouch...").
Click to expand...

I think that was the first time I actually talked to my TV, too. "Oh no, she didn't say that..." :lol
 
C

Cornballer

Member
9t0h14.jpg

Ouch.

34oer7p.jpg

RIP Agent Rye

Lots of women with knives last night:
2gvkadk.jpg


vqpao4.jpg
 
B

BlackNMild2k1

Member
I agree with the Summer Glau thing. I didn't recognize her right away. I was thinking that "damn, this Greta is hot..... is that Summer Glau... Damn!! I hope that doesn't mean Chuck is about to get cancelled."


I also think this whole kidnapping of Chuck and killing of Agent Rye is all fake and a huge CIA ploy to make Chuck believe that he is truly alone and no one is there to save him. The auction only strengthened that suspicion and I think the diamond room all but confirmed it.

*speculation ahead*
I also think the diamond with the microchip was a ploy to get Sara to really fear for Chuck so that when they kidnap her and and threaten her infront of Chuck, it would trigger the reboot of the Intersect if plan A fails. Chuck can't fear for his own life enough to reboot, but the thought of not being able to help Sarah might be enough of a fear that it does the trick.

Just remember that Casey has his orders and his orders are likely to accompany Sarah in the rescue of Chuck so that he can steer her in the right direction and set her up at the right time.
Remember that the key to the success of this plan is that Chuck has to see true fear in her eyes so she needs to believe that is all real.
 
M

Medalion

Banned
Was there not supposed to be a Firefly reference in this ep, or possibly the next because Adam and Summer cross paths?

The closest I could think of was when Adam said he didn't know what crew she used to be with blah blah blah, but that's too subtle and could mean anything.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
LAUGHTREY said:
No Ding-dong shock gif. I am disappointed.
Click to expand...
Which scene?
Medalion said:
The closest I could think of was when Adam said he didn't know what crew she used to be with blah blah blah, but that's too subtle and could mean anything.
Click to expand...
That was the only one that I picked up on.
 
shawnlreed

shawnlreed

Member
Medalion said:
Was there not supposed to be a Firefly reference in this ep, or possibly the next because Adam and Summer cross paths?

The closest I could think of was when Adam said he didn't know what crew she used to be with blah blah blah, but that's too subtle and could mean anything.
Click to expand...

Really?
Casey/Adam's comment seemed pretty blatant to me.
 
M

Medalion

Banned
Chuck usually are very blatant in their references, I half way expected him to say something about serenity or firefly or something about a river or a gal named Jane :lol
 
C

Cornballer

Member
KCHusker33 said:
Edit - I support the continued use of music from The Constellations. Bought the album thanks to this show and it's so good.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm digging a few tracks on this album - good stuff.
Ashhong said:
I just have to say, Summer Glau has never looked hotter. Holy shit...
Click to expand...
214um9w.png
 
T

TheOddOne

Member
This weeks episode was awesome. The ending had me on the edge of my seat.

Sad to see Jim Rye die or did he survive it? (Please Rob Riggle as regular would be awesome)

Also who knows the song that plays when Sarah is packing her bags?
 
T

TheOMan

Tagged as I see fit
Welp, finally got to watching Chuck and this season has been great. Loved the last episode! I noticed that his Intersect is slowly coming back, so I'm thinking a few more "adrenaline jolts" and he should be back up and running. I'm guessing he's going to have to save Sarah to push it over the edge.

Seth C said:
That, too. That moment definitely felt heavy (I think I even blurted out, "ouch..."). And Chuck's lack of the intersect (combined with the confidence he's built up) made for some moments of tension that the show normally lacks due to his normal superhuman nature.

And fuck G-Dub. How were the ratings on that special, anyway? Did anyone CARE? Did anyone want to see him? I know it certainly tanked their 9 and 10 o'clock hours last week. Good call, NBC.
Click to expand...

I did exactly that.
 
M

mm04

Member
I thought it was a good episode. Best line of the night for me was...

Greta: The only question is, do you want to die with your wig on or off?

Lester: Are you talking about my hair?!

:lol
 
S

Solo

Member
Outside of the segments with Rye, which were fucking excellent and hilarious, this one didn't do much for me. I've had about enough of the Chuck-is-helpless-and-needs-Sarah's-help/Sarah-doesn't-think-Chuck-is-a-real-spy/Chuck-is-butthurt-because-Sarah-doesn't-think-he-is-a-real-spy plots in this series. Its the fourth season now, yet every single one has had a variation of this, and its tiresome. Im also starting to finally realize that Zachary Levi has about all of 2 or 3 facial expressions.

- Intersect testing at the start with the scientists? Uber cheesy
- I approve of Sarah’s red bra
- Summer Glau still can’t act
- Intersect testing with Rye? Much better :lol :lol :lol
- more “special” effects :lol OMG so fucking terrible the greenscreen is in this show
 
Infinity

Infinity

Member
Solo said:
Outside of the segments with Rye, which were fucking excellent and hilarious, this one didn't do much for me.
Click to expand...

Agree. I get the whole "we gotta try some new things" bit, but not having the intersect and putting Chuck in these ridiculous circumstances made me feel like I was waiting unnecessarily for the plot to advance. Knowing that he'll probably get the intersect back in some form or fashion just made it all that much more aggravating. It just wasn't appealing to me, and took the show from entertaining and funny to a bad form of silly.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Star Wars Rebels Season 4 |OT| It's time for the Rebels...to end.
2 3
148
23K
lachesis replied
  • Locked
Humans season 2 - US Discussion Thread - Mondays on AMC
27
4K
RatskyWatsky replied
  • Locked
The Americans - Season 5 of the award winning KGB spy drama - Tuesdays on FX
22 23 24 25 26
1K
105K
RatskyWatsky replied
  • Locked
Supernatural Season 12 |OT| Mama, I'm Coming Home
25 26 27 28 29
1K
137K
PhoncipleBone replied
AV Club: The 22 best minor characters on TV right now
2
60
7K
mambadragon replied
Top Bottom