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[Cornballer]

Lightweight episode this week, but I found it amusing and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were layering on the ridiculous stuff (Beckman's hair, the RPG, 80's rock, various plot holes, etc...) but it didn't bother me and I thought it worked well. Good times. Nice to get the Chuck-Sarah-Casey combo out in the field together again, too. Roan Montgomery was a lot of fun, as always.

 

[Cornballer]

- Promo for next week's episode

Reviews:
- Sepinwall
- Onion A|V Club

 

[woodchuck]

man, what does this show have to do to get a decent grade from AV Club

Much like vs. The Honeymooners, really enjoyed this episode. I love the lighter episodes compared to the more serious ones.

 

[Marty Chinn]

I laughed everything they showed "Morocco," because it was just the lobby and pool area of the Hotel Figureoa in downtown LA!

Hah, I did the same! I see that hotel in so many TV shows and it's all thanks to E3 that I've got that place memorized like the back of my hand.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Just got past the Sarah belly dancer scene.

 

[CzarTim]

This was the best Chuck in forever. A true return to form. I was smiling the whole time.

Also, didn't see anyone else say anything, but Chuck and Sarah complaining about Beckman and Roan bringing personal squabbles into the the mission and calling them unprofessional was hilarious.

Best part of last episode was Young Blood, which has rapidly become one of my favorite pieces used on Chuck.

Tru dat.

 

[jey_16]

all i could say when watching that scene was OH MY GOD!

after the start with the focus on the baby i thought it would be a average episode but it actually turned out to be pretty good

 

[Captain Nemo]

Really loved this episode especially as someone who found the arc of the first 13 to be pretty underwhelming. For the spy stuff I'd rather they have shorter-arcs and more standalone episodes like tonight. Felt like old times with just the core three and no Chuck Fu. Return of the Roan theme music ("Did you bring the oils?") was great.

 

[Shouta]

That episode was absolutely amazing just hitting everything out of the park. Sarah in the belly dancer outfit... I'm so freaking jealous of the guy that's dating her.

 

[user_nat]

I enjoy the less serious, stand alone episodes. So I really liked this one.


Beckman RPG scene was cringe worthy special effects at their best

 

[Spotless Mind]

I think i'm officially over this show. I feel like i'm watching a bad sitcom each week.

Chuck is so goddamn dense. It's infuriating watching him come up with these stupid plans to manipulate Sarah into something or avoid confrontation within his relationship, instead of, you know, acting like a mature adult. The bickering between them is so tired. Of course, they both end up realizing their mistakes and promise to be more open with each other, but by the next episode the writer's hit that big ole reset button and we are back to square one.

Dalton has been the sole highlight this season.

 

[megashock5]

Fun episode, Roan always entertaining.

As far as the bellydancing scene, the conversation in my house went:

My wife: "Well, that's a bit gratuitous"
Me: "Yeah, but I would have agreed in about two seconds"

 

[Solo]

This was the best Chuck in forever.

*brofist* I think this was my favorite in the last 2 seasons. Sarah in particular was written way more endearing than she has been in ages.

 

[CzarTim]

*brofist* I think this was my favorite in the last 2 seasons. Sarah in particular was written way more endearing than she has been in ages.

And Casey did more than grunt and make funny faces too.

 

[Sir Garbageman]

Good episode became an amazing episode due to the belly dancing scene.

Random thoughts

Looks like they didn't give Casey much time at all to recover from that 40 foot fall and stint in the hospital.

The Chuck & Sarah fight actually made a lot of sense which was nice.

"I said No Woman!" and Sarah's expression was priceless.

Good to see them exploring Casey's past a little more.

I've come to the conclusion that Chuck is one of those rare shows were every character in the cast is likeable.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

And Casey did more than grunt and make funny faces too.

I loved the return of the "Angry Casey Music" when Morgan was talking to him in the kitchen.

 

[Spitz]

This Episode was great this is how i like my Chuck Tuesday's. Roan once again was awesome and Benkman was hilarious like last week.

 

[Cornballer]

It has begun...

Bonus RPG:

 

[Cornballer]

Streams of Chuck versus the Seduction Impossible:
- NBC.com
- Hulu

 

[Cornballer]

Reviews:
- Sepinwall
- Onion A|V Club
- LA Times
- TV Fanatic
- TV Overmind
- TV Squad
- Zap2It

Also:
- Slightly better copy of the promo for next week

 

[Captain Blood]

I am pretty sure that I was hypnotized just as much as chuck during the belly dancing sara scene. "always be in whatever you're wearing right now......"

 

[Solo]

And Casey did more than grunt and make funny faces too.

Yep, like I said, there seemed to be something good for every character in this one. Good job, Fedak and co-writer! Episode basically had a S2 vibe but with S3/S4 budget.

 

[Cornballer]

Ratings...

Chuck stayed down at the 1.7 adults 18-49 rating level and against new competition on ABC and CBS, Harry’s Law dropped 19% to a 1.7 adults 18-49 rating. The Cape dropped 13% to a 1.3 rating.

 

[Cornballer]

I didn't make the connection last night that the woman playing Fatima (Lesley-Ann Brandt) is also on Spartacus:

 

[gdt]

That was a fantastic episode. Better than last weeks, for sure. Just very funny, and alot of great banter.

 

[layzie1989]

Casey insisting that he had to stay to spy on the Moroccans just so he could hide inside the walls had me rolling

 

[Chamber]

That belly dancing scene...so beautiful.

This show shines when it's lighthearted. The longer story arcs become groan inducing a few episodes in.

 

[Cornballer]

- A few photos from next week's episode *spoilers*

 

[X-Frame]

I didn't make the connection last night that the woman playing Fatima (Lesley-Ann Brandt) is also on Spartacus:

I realized this after about 30 seconds when she was introduced and I was shocked. Quite a different personality .. haha.

 

[Medalion]

Did I hear a few notes of the Terminator theme at the end of the episode?

Oh and pretty decent ep, if a bit wacky, but season 2 wacky

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

Why is Larroquette so fucking awesome!
Cant wait to she this one dubbed in spanish, Larroquete has an awesome voice in the spanish version.

Great lighthearted episode.

 

[Domino Theory]

Finally got to watch the episode and it was fantastic. Light-hearted Chuck episodes are always the best. I particularly enjoyed Chuck finally being a man to Sarah. She's been emasculating him, imo, in Season 4, especially with the "I'm taking over this proposal sub-mission" plot in the Balcony.

Regarding the promo for the Cat Squad, what the hell

Spoiler

did Chuck flash on at the end? Intersect 3.0, here we come?

 

[X-Frame]

Best scene was definitely Casey thinking that Morgan knocked up his daughter .. the change in music was just hysterical I totally lost it.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Best scene was definitely Casey thinking that Morgan knocked up his daughter .. the change in music was just hysterical I totally lost it.

Yup. That was my favorite part as well. I hope they bring the music back again, because the first time they used it in "Couch Lock" for a similar situation was one of my favorite moments of the entire series.

 

[Arjen]

Great episode, felt like 'oldschool' chuck.

 

[Solo]

Indeed. They need to continue in this direction.

 

[Screaming_Gremlin]

Short synopsis for 4.17, "Chuck vs. The First Bank of Evil" is up.

Spoiler

Chuck encourages Vivian (Lauren Cohan) to get in touch with her inner villain for a mission; Morgan's search for a new roommate has unexpected results.

 

[Cornballer]

Thanks, SG. I added it to the OP.

A couple on-set photos from Adam Baldwin's twitter: *not too spoilerish*
http://i.imgur.com/oq68x.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Tpu5S.jpg

 

[Cornballer]

Season 4 is now back up on iTunes in case anyone wanted to purchase it that way.

 

[Tashi]

I am pretty sure that I was hypnotized just as much as chuck during the belly dancing sara scene. "always be in whatever you're wearing right now......"

lolol so was I. Damn. Awesome episode too.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

Short synopsis for 4.17, "Chuck vs. The First Bank of Evil" is up.

And I bet the

Spoiler

"unexpected results" are Jeff and Lester. Or Big Mike if Morgan's mother kicks him out.

 

[RevoDS]

And I bet the

Spoiler

"unexpected results" are Jeff and Lester. Or Big Mike if Morgan's mother kicks him out.

I was thinking

Spoiler

Bryce Larkin

Believe.

 

[Cornballer]

A quick look at Chuck's renewal chances from a few websites that have started examining the odds...

- TV by the Numbers lists it as a "Tossup" right now:

The cancellation bear just finished catching The Cape, and suddenly a Perfect Couples ratings plunge put it next in his path. I wondered whether NBC might swap Perfect Couples and Outsourced before the end of the season. That was just a guess, but it’s certain that Perfect Couples will be cancelled.

Fans of Outsourced and Chuck should note that their shows are (as well as The Event) next closest to the cancellation bear, and he’s still hungry (and now under new ownership!).

Note that The Cape’s ratings average, and its Index, has still not yet declined to the extent that its most recent ratings would indicate.

Harry’s Law ratings fell sharply last night (not yet reflected in the table above), we’ll have to see what happens in the coming weeks and reassess the shows chances.

- James Hibberd & Co at EW.com list it as "Could Go Either Way"

- NY Magazine with a more sunny outlook:

Chuck

The poster child for bubble shows, two months ago Chuck seemed a lock for renewal: It was the highest-rated hour on NBC's otherwise disastrous Monday. In recent weeks, however, Harry's Law has popped a bit while Chuck has dipped. That said, it would be silly for NBC to give up on one of the few anchor dramas it has left; we think it'll be back for at least a dozen episodes.

So yeah, Chuck is on the bubble like usual.

Thinking about it a bit, I'd be ok with 13+ episodes next season to finish off the show. Chuck's had an awesome run with a few lows here and there, but it's been highly entertaining for the most part. Five seasons is a long time to have the show on the air, and another 13 episodes would put the show close to the 100 episode syndication number. Having a pre-determined end date is almost always a good thing, and I think the cast and crew would do a great job with that in mind. A whole new season without an end date is fine by me, too, though knowing the conclusion is at hand could help turn a potential S5 into something special.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this? I'm curious what everyone else thinks about Chuck's renewal chances for next season, and what you'd like the terms of that renewal to be. Do you want S5 to be the final season? Would you like the show to continue indefinitely? Do you want them to cancel it at the end of the current season?

 

[Sirpopopop]

I would be fine with the show ending this season, or having a capper season next year.

I'm not sure I would be all that happy to see a Season 6. The story of Chuck Bartowski is hurtling towards what I consider a natural conclusion. He's managed to resolve most of the issues laid at his feet in Season 1. His character growth arc, as a contributor to society, is almost complete, even if he hasn't had any drastic emotional changes. The major storyline questions that we as an audience had in Season 1 seem to be nearly resolved.

The well is nearly tapped. Don't let the show overstay its welcome.

 

[Apoc29]

I would watch Chuck indefinitely as long as they kept up the quality, but I doubt they can with this kind of show (low budget; the dwindling well of generic spy missions). I would be satisfied with one more season and a proper finale.

 

[RevoDS]

A quick look at Chuck's renewal chances from a few websites that have started examining the odds...

- TV by the Numbers lists it as a "Tossup" right now:- James Hibberd & Co at EW.com list it as "Could Go Either Way"

- NY Magazine with a more sunny outlook:
So yeah, Chuck is on the bubble like usual.

Thinking about it a bit, I'd be ok with 13+ episodes next season to finish off the show. Chuck's had an awesome run with a few lows here and there, but it's been highly entertaining for the most part. Five seasons is a long time to have the show on the air, and another 13 episodes would put the show close to the 100 episode syndication number. Having a pre-determined end date is almost always a good thing, and I think the cast and crew would do a great job with that in mind. A whole new season without an end date is fine by me, too, though knowing the conclusion is at hand could help turn a potential S5 into something special.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this? I'm curious what everyone else thinks about Chuck's renewal chances for next season, and what you'd like the terms of that renewal to be. Do you want S5 to be the final season? Would you like the show to continue indefinitely? Do you want them to cancel it at the end of the current season?

I still love Chuck, but I'm also starting to think it would be a good idea to let it go out with a bang. The midseason finale got me thinking that most juicy storylines have been explored (the Bartowski parents, Bryce, the Chuck/Sarah relationship, even Morgan and Casey have seemingly completed a transformation) and that any story we see beyond this point is much harder to tie into the original mythology than the stories we've had so far (though Sarah's family as hinted in the last episode has potential). Basically, to quote someone (I think it was Solo?), what's left from here onwards is extra, bonus stuff. And while I definitely want to see Chuck come back next year, I'm not sure it would have the potential for much more than one season left in the tank.

Basically, I want another full season if it can get the final season billing. But I'm increasingly unsure if I want it to go beyond that. Besides, 22 episodes would put it right at 100 episodes; perfect time to end the series.

 

[PhoncipleBone]

I love the show to death, and enjoy watching it every week, but I think they should just plan on ending it. I would like a season 5, but just come out and say it is over after that. Two years in a row of "will it get canned or not" is starting to wear down on me. It is starting to set in on Fringe as well, and that only just begun.

If Chuck goes away, I want it to go away on its own terms. At least they wont leave us with a cliffhanger like season 2s just to fuck with us.

 

[Screaming_Gremlin]

Full synopsis is out for "Chuck vs. The First Bank of Evil" is out.

Spoiler

Season 4, Episode 17 “Chuck Versus The First Bank Of Evil”
CHUCK AND SARAH PLAN THE ULTIMATE HEIST AT A HIGH-SECURITY BANK—LAUREN COHAN AND RAY WISE GUEST STAR—Chuck (Zachary Levi) pushes Vivian McArthur (guest star Lauren Cohan) to get in touch with her inner villain for a mission. Elsewhere, Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) tries to get in touch with her inner bride as wedding plans ramp up. Meanwhile, Morgan’s (Joshua Gomez) search for a new roommate takes an unexpected turn. Adam Baldwin, Sarah Lancaster, Scott Krinsky, Vik Sahay, Mark Christopher Lawrence and Bonita Friedericy also star.

 

[Oozer3993]

I still love Chuck, but I'm also starting to think it would be a good idea to let it go out with a bang. The midseason finale got me thinking that most juicy storylines have been explored (the Bartowski parents, Bryce, the Chuck/Sarah relationship, even Morgan and Casey have seemingly completed a transformation) and that any story we see beyond this point is much harder to tie into the original mythology than the stories we've had so far (though Sarah's family as hinted in the last episode has potential). Basically, to quote someone (I think it was Solo?), what's left from here onwards is extra, bonus stuff. And while I definitely want to see Chuck come back next year, I'm not sure it would have the potential for much more than one season left in the tank.

Basically, I want another full season if it can get the final season billing. But I'm increasingly unsure if I want it to go beyond that. Besides, 22 episodes would put it right at 100 episodes; perfect time to end the series.

What he said.

The bump up to 24 episodes this season seems a little odd on the face of it since most seasons are 22. And since Chuck was doing poor enough to get a smaller, bet hedging order of 13 and then performed the same it always has, it is certainly unusual that it got such a large order on the back end of the season. However, as Revo mentioned, a typical 22 episode order for season 5 would put it right at the magic 100 number for syndication. The maneuvering NBC has done with this current season says to me that some one up there at NBC has at least toyed with the idea of a full season 5.

 

[Cornballer]

Heh, Adam Baldwin posted a pic of Strahovski and Levi playing "Tape-Chambeau" on set. They're trying to see who can get the tape measure extended the furthest without it touching the ground.