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

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C

Cornballer

Member
Some fun moments in tonight's episode, though it did feel a bit rushed. Also, for me there's very clearly false tension (I don't buy that Chuck is worried about Sarah turning to the dark side) and effective tension (Casey taking the fall.) I seriously doubt that they'd kill off Casey, but it's tough seeing him banged up in a non-comedy fashion (e.g. the wheelchair.) Still, as always the Morgan/Casey axis of funny did well tonight. Dalton continues to do some fine work as a bad guy. Sarah looked great in the catsuit and Ellie was lookin' fine as well. Nice to see Alex again, too. Oh, and did anyone else notice that they re-used the "Yuri" actor - it's the same guy that took the microwave to the head in S1. Next week should cover a lot of ground as the midseason finale, so I'm looking forward to that.
 
A

Attackthebase

Member
Casey has become an obsolete character. Ever since Chuck acquired the Intersect 2.0, Casey has slowly become a comedy-relief character. I miss the dynamic the show had with the sex appeal (Sarah), brains (Chuck), and muscles (Casey). Not anymore! The writers became too lazy to continue this (solid) formula. I truly hope that Casey dies, so some new form of creativity may bring from this nearly-dead show....Maybe I'm hoping for too much. :'-(
What happened to this show? It used to be so great. I should buy the second season of Chuck and relieve the golden days.
 
G

gdt

Member
Cornballer said:
Some fun moments in tonight's episode, though it did feel a bit rushed. Also, for me there's very clearly false tension (I don't buy that Chuck is worried about Sarah turning to the dark side) and effective tension (Casey taking the fall.) I seriously doubt that they'd kill off Casey, but it's tough seeing him banged up in a non-comedy fashion (e.g. the wheelchair.) Still, as always the Morgan/Casey axis of funny did well tonight. Dalton continues to do some fine work as a bad guy. Sarah looked great in the catsuit and Ellie was lookin' fine as well. Nice to see Alex again, too. Oh, and did anyone else notice that they re-used the "Yuri" actor - it's the same guy that took the microwave to the head in S1. Next week should cover a lot of ground as the midseason finale, so I'm looking forward to that.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I remember mostly because of that gif of it floating from way back in S1 times.
 
M

Medalion

Banned
Yeah, I am not really buying how easily Volkoff was willing to accept Sarah into the ranks... but it's a TV show with a limited number of shows to get an arc across.

It was hard to see our tough man Casey get taken down like that and now Sarah may be going rogue for real.

Can't wait to see how this gets wrapped up.
 
D

Domino Theory

Crystal Dynamics
I liked the episode. Chuck is just a quirky and funny episodic TV show that doesn't take itself seriously so there's no reason for me to take it seriously either. I knew this the second time something potentially serious happened in Season 1 and then got retconned/eliminated a minute later. I just learned to sit back and soak in the goodness that is Chuck.

Only time I've ever really had a problem with Chuck is S3 pt.1 because it was wayyy too serious compared to S1 and S2 and too heavily focused on Chuck and Sarah's will-they-won't-they relationship. It's more subtle in Season 1, 2 and 4 (for the most part).
 
B

Blue Ninja

Member
Watched the entire series in the last two weeks, and wow, I should've started a lot sooner. Great series, which doesn't take itself too serious all of the time. That, and Yvonne Strahovski is just smokin' hot.

Still need to watch this week's episode, though. It's strange going from being able to watch any episode whenever you want to having to wait an entire week for a new episode. :p
 
beat

beat

Member
Cornballer said:
- Sepinwall's review
- Onion A|V Club review pouring their usual cup of Haterade
Click to expand...
Thank god for the AV Club. I usually like Sepinwall's reviews, but he has a gigantic blind spot for all the problems with the writing and it was killing me to see him gloss over them all.

Edit: ok, Sepinwall wasn't as gushy over a fairly bad (for Chuck) episode as he usually is.
 
M

megashock5

Member
I can't believe what an enjoyable, likable character Morgan has become. Seeing him with Alex, you're reaction is "good for you, Morgan" and not "why is she with that guy?" like it probably would have been earlier on.

Also, Dalton is freaking awesome.
 
BJK

BJK

Member
For an episode whose a-plot was borrowed in most respects from an old G.I. Joe cartoon
The one where Dusty was approached by Cobra, so he and Duke form a plan to act as double-agent....only Duke gets caught in an explosion and is left in a coma, so the team doesn't find out until later that Dusty didn't betray them.

this episode survived largely on the character relationships it has built around Chuck's support network: Morgan and Ellie. For the first time in a long time, Ellie played a role other than being Chuck's spy world cock-block; her plot line was funny, and used the Buy More cast in an interesting way.

I am starting to worry they've lost anything resembling a direction for Captain Awesome, who now shies away from extreme baby-naming.

My biggest gripe is
knowing that next week is the end of the original season order for the show, meaning that the Volkoff plot will be probably be resolved by then. Considering it's been Frost's mission for over a decade, if Sarah is able to come in and finish things off in a matter of weeks....how hard was Chuck's mom really trying? If this is the direction the show wanted to go, it either jumped into things too late, or rushed the conclusion to fit within the original NBC show order.
 
N

Nander

Member
I don't really know how to feel about this episode. I like that they are taking the story in a new direction, with a longer story arc, but I'm just not sure that this is the way to do it...

But anyway, what I really came in here to say was that Chuck really seems to be back on track music wise. Slow Club in the last episode, and in this both Miike Snow (Sweden, woho!) and f'n The National!
 
D

Dr.Horrible

Member
Nander said:
I don't really know how to feel about this episode. I like that they are taking the story in a new direction, with a longer story arc, but I'm just not sure that this is the way to do it...

But anyway, what I really came in here to say was that Chuck really seems to be back on track music wise. Slow Club in the last episode, and in this both Miike Snow (Sweden, woho!) and f'n The National!
Click to expand...

I noticed the music a lot more in this one as well, it was really good. Especially the last song. Speaking of, I haven't seen (or searched for) a music list yet. Anyone know what the last one was?

I personally really enjoyed this episode although I agree with Cornballer about the false tension. I was hopeful they were past stuff like that when Chuck came into the Buy More very happy, but they turned that right around by the end. Also, I knew they'd used that guy before, but my wife and I couldn't place him. I might have to go back and check out that episode now.

Oh, and I absolutely love Alex. They really need to have her in more episodes.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
Attackthebase said:
Casey has become an obsolete character. Ever since Chuck acquired the Intersect 2.0, Casey has slowly become a comedy-relief character. I miss the dynamic the show had with the sex appeal (Sarah), brains (Chuck), and muscles (Casey). Not anymore! The writers became too lazy to continue this (solid) formula. I truly hope that Casey dies, so some new form of creativity may bring from this nearly-dead show....
Click to expand...
I disagree with this. Casey (along with Morgan) has been one of the steady performers through S3 and S4. He still gets some good action scenes, but he also serves as the occasional comic relief and there's a new dimension to his character with Alex on board. He's been fleshed out into a much more useful character the past two seasons.

KCHusker33 said:
I noticed the music a lot more in this one as well, it was really good. Especially the last song. Speaking of, I haven't seen (or searched for) a music list yet. Anyone know what the last one was?
Click to expand...
From Sepinwall:
This week in "Chuck" music: "AM/FM Sound" by Matt & Kim (Chuck is feeling upbeat about Sarah's mission), "Midnite Runaround" by Pop Levi (Chuck fights the Gobbler), "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" by The National (Chuck and Sarah both hope for the same thing) and "Silvia" by Miike Snow (Chuck, Morgan and Alex in Casey's hospital room).
Click to expand...
 
stuminus3

stuminus3

Member
Wife was not amused when I bounced around the couch going "Look! Look! He's got a de Blob shirt! Just like my de Blob hat!"

She has no idea what de Blob is other than that I have a de Blob hat that I wear like a crown.

Enjoyed the show as usual.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
Ratings down slightly from last week in the early numbers:
TVbtN said:
Full details coming soon, but both Harry’s Law (2.1 adults 18-49 rating) and ‘Chuck’ (2.0 adults 18-49 rating) were down one-tenth from last week’s final numbers. Both shows were even with last week’s preliminary adults 18-49 rating, so there’s a chance either or both will be even with last week when all is said and done. ‘The Cape’ was down more, cloaking an additional two-tenths of a percent of adults 18-49 and falling to a 1.6.
Click to expand...
 
W

Wads

Banned
Cornballer said:
Btw, if anyone knows how to extract an .mp3 from a youtube video, please send me a PM. I have a
non-
suicide mission for ya.
Click to expand...

Thx for the reviews. I can do the latter for you. Sent a PM
 
C

ConfusingJazz

Member
Sir Garbageman said:
Decent episode, but like others have mentioned having Sarah infiltrate Fulcrum within one episode just feels rushed.
Click to expand...

Fulcram? Dude, you are two evil entities behind. This is Volkoff Industries, completely different!
 
S

Spitz

Member
I hate last nights episode its the worst since Chuck Versus the Final Exam for me. The Red Test all over again with changed cast this time. Only Casey has the same part and is the only one to clear things up.

Good things in this episode are Alex is back and once again Timothy Dalton as Volkoff.
 
B

Blue Ninja

Member
BJK said:
My biggest gripe is
knowing that next week is the end of the original season order for the show, meaning that the Volkoff plot will be probably be resolved by then. Considering it's been Frost's mission for over a decade, if Sarah is able to come in and finish things off in a matter of weeks....how hard was Chuck's mom really trying? If this is the direction the show wanted to go, it either jumped into things too late, or rushed the conclusion to fit within the original NBC show order.
Click to expand...
Perhaps
Chuck's mom will turn out to be a real bad guy after all, and they'll fill out the remainder of the season with that.
 
Arjen

Arjen

Member
Yvonne making a Mass Effect reference while looking like Miranda gave me a nerdgasm.
Loved the prison break part, and i'm curious to see where this is going.
 
H

Hixx

Member
Best episode in a while that. Didn't feel like rolling my eyes every time Chuck spoke or tried to look upset. Next week SHOULD be great but this season has been so hit and miss I don't know what to think.
 
LAUGHTREY

LAUGHTREY

Modesty becomes a woman
Arjen said:
Yvonne making a Mass Effect reference while looking like Miranda gave me a nerdgasm.
Loved the prison break part, and i'm curious to see where this is going.
Click to expand...
What was the reference?
 
C

CrankyJay

Banned
I don't understand how an episode that features Alex in a t-shirt and Sarah in a full black leather outfit pulls a lower rating. HOT!
 
A

Attackthebase

Member
Cornballer said:
I disagree with this. Casey (along with Morgan) has been one of the steady performers through S3 and S4. He still gets some good action scenes, but he also serves as the occasional comic relief and there's a new dimension to his character with Alex on board. He's been fleshed out into a much more useful character the past two seasons.
Click to expand...

I was focusing on more of the spy missions, but you make a point that I did not realized.

Though, I'm a cynical person, and I want a main character (which sadly can't be Sarah) to be axed.
 
T

Tashi

343i Lead Esports Producer
Damn how did I not pick up on that Mass Effect 2 reference? I'm playing through the game right now. Maybe I didnt get to that part yet? Damn, now I'm not sure. Did Miranda say it when
you go and recruit the sniper and it turns out to be Garrus?
I'll just finish the game.
 
P

PhoncipleBone

Banned
Pretty solid episode. Sarah going undercover with Volkoff so quickly was not handled that well, but the episode was a lot of fun. I particularly liked Casey playing Risk.
 
P

Pepé Silvia

Member
Captain Blood said:
Dear lord in heaven, thank you for cat suit sarah. Amen.
Click to expand...
easy captain, you have a girlfriend. :lol


anyways, i really enjoyed the episode. highlights for me were casey accepting morgan being in love with alex, and the development of a plot that wasn't entirely predictable with sarah making the effort to be stoic as fuck when she knows chuck is freaking out.

i agree with those saying more alex. i think she is a great character who's added a level of emotional depth to casey's character. that, and she's really freaking hot.

dalton is maybe the best thing to happen to this show since season 2. it's pretty masterful how the guy can go from hopeless romantic to maniacal demon without missing a beat. the thing that impresses me the most is his ability to be both of those things at the same time.
 
D

Domino Theory

Crystal Dynamics
Captain Blood said:
Dear lord in heaven, thank you for cat suit sarah. Amen.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I wonder how Zachary Levi can be professional when a lot of his scenes have to do with snuggling/kissing Yvonne all the time, especially in her Miranda suit. Holy fuck.
 
S

Screaming_Gremlin

My QB is a Dick and my coach is a Nutt
Couple pieces of Chuck news. The short synopsis for 4.15, "Chuck vs. The Cat Squad" is out.

After Chuck reunites Sarah with her former spy team, old grudges and secrets are revealed; Morgan fends off the advances of a former flame.
Click to expand...

Episode 4.18, will be titled "Chuck versus The A-TEAM."

Finally, Chuck was mentioned in the latest Ausiello Report or whatever he calls it now. I put a spoiler tag on the answer, although honestly I am not sure if it is necessary.

Question: Josh Schwartz keeps warning fans on Twitter not to miss the “last 10 minutes of next week’s Chuck” and I’m start to get worried. Please put my mind at ease. —Chris

Ausiello: Would it help if I had Schwartz offer up a one-word description of the episode’s much-buzzed-about final act? No? Too bad. I already asked him. And the word is… Goosebumps!
Click to expand...
 
P

PhoncipleBone

Banned
Screaming_Gremlin said:
Couple pieces of Chuck news. The short synopsis for 4.15, "Chuck vs. The Cat Squad" is out.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I wonder who that could be talking about. :)

Thinking back on the episode, Casey was the highlight of it for me. Between playing Risk and trying really hard not to kill Morgan for sleeping with Alex, Baldwin was awesome as usual.
 
T

TheOddOne

Member
This episode was everything I expect from Chuck and then everything on top of that more awesomeness. I know Casey is gonna be ok, but damn did I get sad.
 
R

RevoDS

Junior Member
Screaming_Gremlin said:
Couple pieces of Chuck news. The short synopsis for 4.15, "Chuck vs. The Cat Squad" is out.



Episode 4.18, will be titled "Chuck versus The A-TEAM."

Finally, Chuck was mentioned in the latest Ausiello Report or whatever he calls it now. I put a spoiler tag on the answer, although honestly I am not sure if it is necessary.
Click to expand...

Damn you, resisting the urge to highlight this is taking every last bit of willpower I have.
 
S

Solo

Member
The episode was okay, but damn if the Chuck and Sarah stuff doesn't continously bring the show to a halt. From "does she like me?" to "does she love me?" to "does she want to marry me?" to "has she really changed sides?". Timothy Dalton continues to carry the episodes he stars in with his darkly comedic, sadistic work as Volkov. And does anyone actually believe that Casey won't be back to normal within 2 episodes?

- by and large I’d prefer it if they pretended like S3 never existed, but I did enjoy the reference to Chuck sitting around eating cheetos
- “Grunka”, lolz
- random janitor: “you can talk to me, I know a lot about love” *inappropriate hand gestures on mop* LOL
- once again the new Intersect has only one function, kung fu, borinnnnng
- loved the Buy More scene with the setup to try and change Ellie’s mind on the baby name; even better when Ellie's trickery was revealed in the end
- nice final song
 
C

CrankyJay

Banned
Solo said:
- once again the new Intersect has only one function, kung fu, borinnnnng
Click to expand...

You bring up a good point for discussion. What else would you like to see Chuck do with the intersect in a mission setting? I'd like to see some MacGuyver type shit.
 
C

CzarTim

Member
Guys, if Chuck didn't just use the Intersect for kung fu, the writers would have to actually put creative thought into the episodes. Who wants that?
 
S

Screaming_Gremlin

My QB is a Dick and my coach is a Nutt
legend166 said:
When was the last time the Intersect was used for intelligence gathering purposes, like it used to?
Click to expand...

Off the top of my head, the last time he used the Intersect for something besides kung fu was when he cracked into the safe in "Chuck vs. the Suitcase." I think the season premiere was the last time it was used solely for intelligence.

That was one of the few things I liked about season 3.0. Chuck used the Intersect for all sorts of things, from playing a guitar to speaking a foreign language. Now it is nothing but the kung fu machine. It annoys me more since I was hoping they might have expanded on it a bit with the PSP that sucks away Intersects, but that went no where. Well, it led to my favorite episode of the year (Phase Three), but it still annoys me that they added that comment about his father not wanting to see it, which still makes no sense.
 
C

Cornballer

Member
The endless use of the kung-fu flash is getting tedious. Would be nice for them to go to something else one of these days.
Screaming_Gremlin said:
It annoys me more since I was hoping they might have expanded on it a bit with the PSP that sucks away Intersects, but that went no where. Well, it led to my favorite episode of the year (Phase Three), but it still annoys me that they added that comment about his father not wanting to see it, which still makes no sense.
Click to expand...
I hope that comes up at some point. I can't remember if Sepinwall asked Fedak & Schwartz about it in his podcast.


One more random thing - Zach Levi is going to sing a song from Tangled at the Oscars, so hopefully that serves as some free publicity for Chuck.
 
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