iAmMaximus
Member
Season 4 has been OK. I just miss the old seasons where the writing wasn't as predictable.
-
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
- Thread starter Cornballer
- Start date
- Status
Captain Blood
Member
Cornballer said:
Haha sooo good.
onlyindreams
Banned
Was pretty good to me. Very touching scene with Chuck/Morgan.
NotTheGuyYouKill
Member
Someone needs to gif the scene where her wings just pop out... that was great
Spotless Mind
Member
It's hard for me to disagree with much of what he said. The show has become painfully formulaic and the sitcom/soap opera-style plotting has gotten even worse. It was never a great show, but it was at least light and fluffy entertainment. Now it's background noise for me while i browse the internet. It has become hugely apparent to me over the last couple seasons that Levi is a HORRIBLE actor, with practically zero range. Strahovski might as well act against a plank of wood. She'd probably have more chemistry with it.Wads said:
beat
Member
Yeah, what Spotless said.Wads said:
What part of Heisler's review was wrong? The show really is glaringly inconsistent. Morgan living with Chuck and Sarah isn't weirding him out at all until just this episode? The instantaneous flight times don't bother you? Ellie and Awesome's THREE MONTH OLD baby doesn't already sleep in the nursery? The show didn't cop out twice with two "hey, stuff will actually happen next episode" sequences in a row?
Don't get me wrong, I kinda liked it. But it's nowhere near great anymore. (And yes, I realize it was always flawed, but in S2, I dunno, it felt like the plotting wasn't quite so shamelessly bad.)
It actually was a great show (S2 is one of the most excellent and unbelievably consistent seasons of TV in recent memory), so I completely disagree with Spotless on that point.
But otherwise, how can you really defend the show against complaint's of predictable/formulaic writing and inconsistency, when both of which are 100% true? Me personally, I love the shit out of the episodes that manage to hit the right notes (like this one or the Roan one), but in the poor episodes I'm often feeling like I'm completely over the show because the inconsistency has been going on for half the series now and they return to the well of certain tropes far too often.
I'd be curious to see where the show would be had they had Chuck and Sarah hook up in S1, discover how wrong they are for eachother, and split amicably, forming a purely platonic relationship. Something along those lines could have saved a lot of the headaches.
But otherwise, how can you really defend the show against complaint's of predictable/formulaic writing and inconsistency, when both of which are 100% true? Me personally, I love the shit out of the episodes that manage to hit the right notes (like this one or the Roan one), but in the poor episodes I'm often feeling like I'm completely over the show because the inconsistency has been going on for half the series now and they return to the well of certain tropes far too often.
I'd be curious to see where the show would be had they had Chuck and Sarah hook up in S1, discover how wrong they are for eachother, and split amicably, forming a purely platonic relationship. Something along those lines could have saved a lot of the headaches.
megashock5
Member
Wow, I'm surprised by some of the response. I thought it was one of the best episodes of the series, for the most part. The horseback scenes were pretty awful, but the emotions of Morgan moving out were played perfectly by everyone, and it was one of the funniest episodes ever IMO.
The passing on of Han and Chewie to Clara was the perfect blend of geeky and touching. That shot of them on her shelf gave me the biggest smile.
The passing on of Han and Chewie to Clara was the perfect blend of geeky and touching. That shot of them on her shelf gave me the biggest smile.
Shouta
Member
Hrm, I liked this episode but it's a bit of a hit or miss as well. The opening was amazing and I liked the Morgan stuff. I also liked how they're starting up some more threads for the last half of the season but at the same time, the material inbetween, the stuff that's starting actually leading into those threads is a bit bland. I've liked S4 so far so having this introduction episode for Vivian and the back-half storyline being dialed in is a bit disappointing on the spy/action end.
I agree about the inconsistency but what show hasn't become predictable / formulaic by season 4? You could say almost the same thing about Friday Night Lights (which I loved) or, well, almost any other show. Maybe it's a bit more obvious on Chuck because the show itself has always been relatively formulaic and now it's even more -- but still.Solo said:
The action is so bad now. The team is pinned in a barn, then suddenly they're in a car with Sarah sticking out of the sunroof. The horse chase along a path: "Did we lose them?" The Jurassic Park 2 gymnastics.
Everything involving the peripheral characters is completely inconsequential. The nice thing about the Buy More and Ellie was that their issues tied in to the main plot somehow, even if only thematically. The entire Ellie subplot could've been dropped without losing anything.
Everything involving the peripheral characters is completely inconsequential. The nice thing about the Buy More and Ellie was that their issues tied in to the main plot somehow, even if only thematically. The entire Ellie subplot could've been dropped without losing anything.
Sirpopopop
Member
I liked this episode.
I'm not sure I can take the AV Club seriously at all. They crush hard on Spartacus, making it out into an A show, when really, it's just a solid B+ show. Then they give that absolutely horrible episode of Skins, a B- (sometimes I like watching train wrecks).
I'll stick with Sepinwall and Ryan, for now.
I'm not sure I can take the AV Club seriously at all. They crush hard on Spartacus, making it out into an A show, when really, it's just a solid B+ show. Then they give that absolutely horrible episode of Skins, a B- (sometimes I like watching train wrecks).
I'll stick with Sepinwall and Ryan, for now.
Cornballer
Member
Balboa
Member
Same here I tried to keep going but it's just becoming a chore :-( there may be a few good jokes and some pretty ladies now and then but overall it's really weak tv. Pretty much just checking this thread now and then to see how the season ends but after that I'll be leaving this show behind.Meier said:I am now 3 episodes back and honestly not all that bothered by it. Show has just lost the magic for me..
Cornballer
Member
Cornballer
Member
Season 2 is right up there with Veronica Mars s1 as amongst the best in recent TV history. It's pretty much flawless and just had that magic where I honestly looked forward to the weekend being over just to see new Chuck. Is it wrong that I almost wish our Save Chuck campaign hadn't worked?
Sirpopopop
Member
Meier said:Season 2 is right up there with Veronica Mars s1 as amongst the best in recent TV history. It's pretty much flawless and just had that magic where I honestly looked forward to the weekend being over just to see new Chuck. Is it wrong that I almost wish our Save Chuck campaign hadn't worked?
plc268 said:Here's my attempt at a Sarah wings gif
To answer your question: Yes.
Meier said:
100% with you on everything you said here. Chuck was without a doubt the highlight of my TV viewing experience in 2008-2009, and as you so excellently put it, the show had that magic feeling of somehow getting better each week.
Still makes me wonder how they could possibly have bungled S3, which seemed like it would be a lay up after S2. Somehow they managed it
Meier said:Season 2 is right up there with Veronica Mars s1 as amongst the best in recent TV history. It's pretty much flawless and just had that magic where I honestly looked forward to the weekend being over just to see new Chuck. Is it wrong that I almost wish our Save Chuck campaign hadn't worked?
Yea it is wrong. I just don't understand the pessimism about Chuck. Was S2 the pinnacle of the series? Absolutely. Was S3 (at least the first part) the worst of Chuck? Sure. Even considering all that, there's no other show on Monday (or on TV in general) that I'm so excited to watch. Even the bad/mediocre episodes are more entertaining than just about anything else on TV.
I mean I see so many people, and not just here, complain about the show and the direction it's taking... and it's obvious that they lost interest in the show, so why watch it?
I'm just happy every time Chuck airs, and I hope it continues for at least another season. If not, well I'll have ~55 hours of Chuck to watch and rewatch on DVD.
Cornballer
Member
The short synopsis for 4.18 (Chuck versus the A-Team) is up and added to the OP.
Cornballer
Member
Longer version of the wing gif:
Cornballer
Member
PhoncipleBone
Banned
NOOOOOO!!!!!czartim said:
But an interesting proposition. They are in the time where they need anything consistent they can get though.
Thats makes 4 great episodes in a row for me.
Awesome episode with everything i love in the show. Funny was the German speaking scene at the Beginning. The words on the Microwave Oven are hilarious cause they make no sense at all in German. Maybe they used Google Translator for them.
Awesome episode with everything i love in the show. Funny was the German speaking scene at the Beginning. The words on the Microwave Oven are hilarious cause they make no sense at all in German. Maybe they used Google Translator for them.
Watched the last two episodes back-to-back.
- Sarah in that white dress... *damnnnnnnnnnnnn*
- WTF at Alex and Morgan tantra scene.
- Eyes Wide Shut is a boring movie, love Kubrick though.
- Glad that Casey is getting (I hope) a decent storyline now.
- Lauren Cohan... *damnnnnnnnnnn*
- Sarah in that white dress... *damnnnnnnnnnnnn*
- WTF at Alex and Morgan tantra scene.
- Eyes Wide Shut is a boring movie, love Kubrick though.
- Glad that Casey is getting (I hope) a decent storyline now.
- Lauren Cohan... *damnnnnnnnnnn*
plc268 said:Yea it is wrong. I just don't understand the pessimism about Chuck. Was S2 the pinnacle of the series? Absolutely. Was S3 (at least the first part) the worst of Chuck? Sure. Even considering all that, there's no other show on Monday (or on TV in general) that I'm so excited to watch. Even the bad/mediocre episodes are more entertaining than just about anything else on TV.
I mean I see so many people, and not just here, complain about the show and the direction it's taking... and it's obvious that they lost interest in the show, so why watch it?
I'm just happy every time Chuck airs, and I hope it continues for at least another season. If not, well I'll have ~55 hours of Chuck to watch and rewatch on DVD.
This is pretty much where I stand on the issue. I think some of the complaints would go away if they had the S2 budget, but they don't and it is what it is. S3 after the beard was friggin' awesome... Shaw or not.
beat
Member
The Simpsons. Futurama.Sloane said:
It's not about predictability, it's about overall mediocrity in writing. West Wing was certainly formulaic in its latter seasons, but they rarely gave up and just had random shit happen to fill time with no regard for plausibility or character.
Really, more than Pushing Daisies?Solo said:
"Knallender Mais", yeahSpitz said:Thats makes 4 great episodes in a row for me.
Awesome episode with everything i love in the show. Funny was the German speaking scene at the Beginning. The words on the Microwave Oven are hilarious cause they make no sense at all in German. Maybe they used Google Translator for them.
The "German" they spoke was also quite bad, at least the lines spoken by that killer.Anyway, I liked the episode and agree with plc268 and others on this. I hope there'll be at least another season but I'd still be happy with just the four full seasons we got.
Domino Theory
Crystal Dynamics
What I want to know is why 30 Rock gets a renewal for a 6th season when the viewers per episode for season 5 are the same, if not WORSE than Chuck season 4.
Cornballer
Member
30 Rock puts up better numbers in the 18-49 demographic, and that's what the network and advertisers care about. In addition, 30 Rock wins awards and is well-liked (if not loved) by the media.
This is what I don't get about the whole budget thing:
When they had a budget, the entire show was basically set in LA. I'm struggling to come up with a time when they ventured outside LA.
Now the show basically has no budget, they pretty much go to a new city every single week.
Why are they doing this? They clearly don't have the money to make believable cities.
The show was better when they stayed in LA and focused more on the Buy More. I wish they could figure out a way to get that back. Even if it is old hat and formulaic. I'd rather they use a proven formula other than one that is hit and miss.
When they had a budget, the entire show was basically set in LA. I'm struggling to come up with a time when they ventured outside LA.
Now the show basically has no budget, they pretty much go to a new city every single week.
Why are they doing this? They clearly don't have the money to make believable cities.
The show was better when they stayed in LA and focused more on the Buy More. I wish they could figure out a way to get that back. Even if it is old hat and formulaic. I'd rather they use a proven formula other than one that is hit and miss.
WascallyWabbit
Member
Domino Theory said:
agreed. but i do love 30 rock, maybe i'm just a jinx and all my shows are doomed to have niche audiences
Since we're piling on right now, I'd also like to add that the music selection has gone drastically downhill from S3 onwards too (perhaps also tied to the budget cut, making it harder to license bigger acts). There are still amazing tracks like Got Nuffin and Young Blood here and there, but the music used to be impeccable every week.
Cornballer
Member
Regarding the music, it feels like a budgetary issue again. They're still picking some good stuff, but it trends towards the more obscure/old and then tend to mine a single album for multiple tracks these days. (e.g. Nico Stai, The Constellations, and Alexi Murdoch)
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked