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

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R

RevoDS

Junior Member
The end of The Guardian's article about the latest WikiLeaks leak has a strong déjà-vu feeling...
Asked why such sensitive material was posted on a network accessible to thousands of government employees, the state department spokesman told the Guardian: "The 9/11 attacks and their aftermath revealed gaps in intra-governmental information sharing. Since the attacks of 9/11, the US government has taken significant steps to facilitate information sharing. These efforts were focused on giving diplomatic, military, law enforcement and intelligence specialists quicker and easier access to more data to more effectively do their jobs."
Click to expand...

Turns out Chuck's premise isn't that far away from the truth :lol
 
S

Solo

Member
Damn, I haven't watched the pilot in a long time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R45tylwtu6s

I forgot how badass it was and how much higher the production values were than they are now (they are woefully bad). I don't understand why Chuck can't have a higher budget anymore - I mean jesus, NBC has pretty much guaranteed that it will last 5 seasons to reach syndication, and it remains stable while other shows tank, so why not up the budget for next year's final season?
 
D

Domino Theory

Crystal Dynamics
I really hope they don't continue with the no-Intersect-Chuck. I like all the flashes, whether they're intel-related or when Chuck starts going ape-shit with his fighting skills.
 
S

Solo

Member
Just did a compressed "greatest hits of S2" viewing consisting of 3 episodes - Vs the First Date, Vs Santa Clause, and Vs the Colonel.

Chuck Vs the First Date is, to me (with S1's Vs the Tango coming in a very close second), the episode I would show anyone if I had but one episode to show them to get them hooked on the show. There are better episodes in the series (although not too many!) obviously, but most of them are too deep into the major arcs to be fair game to drop someone into without prior knowledge. This one really has all the classics elements firing on all cylinders. The A plot is really fun and ties in nicely with the overarching mythology, its very funny and charming, it features some great Chuck and Sarah (before Chuck and Sarah became a bad thing), and has a fun guest appearance. On top of that, it does a very brief recap of S1 for the uninitiated.

Chuck Vs Santa Clause is the perfect example of the incredible balancing act between levity and gravitas that the show has been capable of at its finest moments. For the first 30 minutes or so of the episode its a rather light hearted, comical and downright silly hostage plot/Die Hard homage, but then out of nowhere it takes a distinct turn into a dark area and suddenly becomes very weighty when we witness Sarah murder a Fulcrum member in cold blood to protect Chuck. I for one love when the show has displayed that darker edge and a sense that there are indeed stakes and danger in the world of Chuck. Also, the scene in question is probably the creepiest thing in the series. There is something downright eerie about two killers stalking eachother amidst rows of Christmas trees while Silent Night plays.

As for Chuck Vs the Colonel, nothing has changed here so I won't say much - subjectively, its my favorite episode of the series. Objectively, I would call it the best episode of the series. When Chuck's father removes the intersect is a moment of great catharsis that had been building for two seasons which gets me every time.
 
S

Solo

Member
Cornballer said:
Three great choices there. :D
Click to expand...


They would probably make up 3 of my top 5 for the whole series :D 2 of them for certain - First Date and Colonel. Santa Clause I'm not 100% certain would make such a discriminating list.
 
P

PhoncipleBone

Banned
I swear I am the only person that is not madly in love with VS Santa Claus. It was a decent episode, and the Die Hard connection is great, but it is not anywhere near a favorite of mine.

Colonel is in the top three though. May not be my favorite episode, but I do think it is the best one.
 
R

RevoDS

Junior Member
Solo said:
Just did a compressed "greatest hits of S2" viewing consisting of 3 episodes - Vs the First Date, Vs Santa Clause, and Vs the Colonel.

Chuck Vs the First Date is, to me (with S1's Vs the Tango coming in a very close second), the episode I would show anyone if I had but one episode to show them to get them hooked on the show. There are better episodes in the series (although not too many!) obviously, but most of them are too deep into the major arcs to be fair game to drop someone into without prior knowledge. This one really has all the classics elements firing on all cylinders. The A plot is really fun and ties in nicely with the overarching mythology, its very funny and charming, it features some great Chuck and Sarah (before Chuck and Sarah became a bad thing), and has a fun guest appearance. On top of that, it does a very brief recap of S1 for the uninitiated.

Chuck Vs Santa Clause is the perfect example of the incredible balancing act between levity and gravitas that the show has been capable of at its finest moments. For the first 30 minutes or so of the episode its a rather light hearted, comical and downright silly hostage plot/Die Hard homage, but then out of nowhere it takes a distinct turn into a dark area and suddenly becomes very weighty when we witness Sarah murder a Fulcrum member in cold blood to protect Chuck. I for one love when the show has displayed that darker edge and a sense that there are indeed stakes and danger in the world of Chuck. Also, the scene in question is probably the creepiest thing in the series. There is something downright eerie about two killers stalking eachother amidst rows of Christmas trees while Silent Night plays.

As for Chuck Vs the Colonel, nothing has changed here so I won't say much - subjectively, its my favorite episode of the series. Objectively, I would call it the best episode of the series. When Chuck's father removes the intersect is a moment of great catharsis that had been building for two seasons which gets me every time.
Click to expand...

Agree with Santa Claus and Colonel, but First Date? I just don't get it. Chuck season openers have always been subpar for the show, whether it be the Pilot, Pink Slip, Anniversary (to a lesser degree) or First Date. It's not a bad episode by any means, but definitely well below the S2 average. The Call of Duty battle plan part was great, but that aside, it's not really memorable or anything.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
Chuck Day!

21ew4nc.jpg
 
S

Solo

Member
RevoDS said:
Agree with Santa Claus and Colonel, but First Date? I just don't get it. Chuck season openers have always been subpar for the show, whether it be the Pilot, Pink Slip, Anniversary (to a lesser degree) or First Date. It's not a bad episode by any means, but definitely well below the S2 average. The Call of Duty battle plan part was great, but that aside, it's not really memorable or anything.
Click to expand...

Wait, what? We just took a trip to crazy town! Pilot and First Date "subpar"? Surely you jest. Yes, S3's premiere is awful ("worst episode of the series" is a title befitting it), but even S4's is pretty decent.
 
W

Wads

Banned
Tokubetsu said:
I really need to get back to this show. I didn't even have the heart to finish season 3. It just killed my spirit. I OD'd
Click to expand...

How far did you watch? Show was pretty solid after 3x09 (Beard) and 3.5 was great.
 
L

Lafiel

と呼ぶがよい
Wads said:
How far did you watch? Show was pretty solid after 3x09 (Beard) and 3.5 was great.
Click to expand...
I kinda dropped the season myself around episode 8 from what i recall. It's a shame because during season 2 i was like "OMG I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH NEXT WEEKS EPISODE" and in season 3 i was like "meh".>_> I'll definitely try and get around to finishing it off someday.:lol
 
W

Wads

Banned
You should really. The Beard is up there with my favorites from S2. Love that ep and the last 2 episodes of S3 were brilliant IMO. I love the way they finished the season off.
 
R

RevoDS

Junior Member
Solo said:
Wait, what? We just took a trip to crazy town! Pilot and First Date "subpar"? Surely you jest. Yes, S3's premiere is awful ("worst episode of the series" is a title befitting it), but even S4's is pretty decent.
Click to expand...
Individually, the pilot is great. I got hooked to the show by the end of its 42 minutes. But season 1 has followed it with many better episodes. Same deal with First Date. Chuck premieres tend to set the tone of the season in terms of quality (the better seasons have the better openers), but they ultimately tend to end up under the season's average in my scale of love.
 
S

Sir Garbageman

Member
Solo said:
Just did a compressed "greatest hits of S2" viewing consisting of 3 episodes - Vs the First Date, Vs Santa Clause, and Vs the Colonel.

Chuck Vs the First Date is, to me (with S1's Vs the Tango coming in a very close second), the episode I would show anyone if I had but one episode to show them to get them hooked on the show. There are better episodes in the series (although not too many!) obviously, but most of them are too deep into the major arcs to be fair game to drop someone into without prior knowledge. This one really has all the classics elements firing on all cylinders. The A plot is really fun and ties in nicely with the overarching mythology, its very funny and charming, it features some great Chuck and Sarah (before Chuck and Sarah became a bad thing), and has a fun guest appearance. On top of that, it does a very brief recap of S1 for the uninitiated.

Chuck Vs Santa Clause is the perfect example of the incredible balancing act between levity and gravitas that the show has been capable of at its finest moments. For the first 30 minutes or so of the episode its a rather light hearted, comical and downright silly hostage plot/Die Hard homage, but then out of nowhere it takes a distinct turn into a dark area and suddenly becomes very weighty when we witness Sarah murder a Fulcrum member in cold blood to protect Chuck. I for one love when the show has displayed that darker edge and a sense that there are indeed stakes and danger in the world of Chuck. Also, the scene in question is probably the creepiest thing in the series. There is something downright eerie about two killers stalking eachother amidst rows of Christmas trees while Silent Night plays.

As for Chuck Vs the Colonel, nothing has changed here so I won't say much - subjectively, its my favorite episode of the series. Objectively, I would call it the best episode of the series. When Chuck's father removes the intersect is a moment of great catharsis that had been building for two seasons which gets me every time.
Click to expand...

All great calls, especially Chuck vs Santa Claus.
 
S

Solo

Member
One thing that I noticed in my mini rewatch is that I really miss Intersect 1.0. I liked it when Chuck's flashes were of the information variety. Outside of a few flashes early in S3, all Intersect 2.0 ever does is teach Chuck to fight.
 
C

Captain Blood

Member
Solo said:
One thing that I noticed in my mini rewatch is that I really miss Intersect 1.0. I liked it when Chuck's flashes of the information variety. Outside of a few flashes early in S3, all Intersect 2.0 ever does is teach Chuck to fight.
Click to expand...
This is a good point. It is something I didn't even realize I miss until just now.
 
W

Wads

Banned
Yeah, I too wish they got back to intel based flashes a bit. Chuck's intel is probably about due for a flash update too. I'm actually kind of surprised they haven't addressed that beyond Bryce giving him the glasses update and 2.0 upgrade. Perhaps that was what his mom showed him, dad didn't want him to see it, but it had some sort of negative reaction of blocking the intersect. I'm hoping we make more sense of her comment after tonights ep.
 
S

Solo

Member
Cornballer said:
Yup, every time he flashes these days they dial up the ol' "Kung Fu" flash.

jpx2mg.jpg
Click to expand...

Yeah, rather irksome that this is all they've done with it. Stuff like Chuck learning to play guitar or speak another language? Now thats the sort of thing 2.0 should be doing. Instead its not an intersect but rather a kung fu master course.
 
D

Domino Theory

Crystal Dynamics
Please get the Intersect back tonight, Chuck.
Please get the Intersect back tonight, Chuck.
Please get the Intersect back tonight, Chuck.
 
S

Solo

Member
It only just occurred to me finally in my rewatch that both the first and last time we see Bryce Larkin is in an intersect room :lol How did I never pick up on that?
 
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