Chuck was back this week, playing every bit the awkward hero we saw on last Monday’s premiere. Though largely expository — and thus, a bit slower than we’d like — this week’s episode still delivered everything that Chuck has promised so far: comedy, drama, and action.
We saw CIA agent Sarah Walker, in her new identity as Chuck’s girlfriend, land a job at a fast-food joint that, naturally, requires her to wear pigtails, a figure-accentuating bodice, and a short skirt. Also, in case you didn’t catch it, this eatery happens to specialize in hot dogs, and is called Wienerlicious. (Insert raunchy junior-high-level joke here). Ridiculous? Yes. Offensive? Kinda. Funny? Jury’s still out on that one.
It would have been far more sensible for Sarah to do what NSA agent Major Casey did: become a new employee at Buy More. Thankfully, Casey’s new post places the character in a new position that will hopefully allow viewers to look past the tough, over-dramatic caricature that many of you found irritating last week. Though lines like, "If it screamed out loud, I’d be right at home" — in which he is referring to the beeps emitted by price-scanning guns — are certainly not helping that cause.
Either way, besides getting to better know our NSA and CIA officers, we also learned that you can’t always trust medical professionals. And that cell phones can be dangerous, even outside of Naomi Campbell’s grasp. (Seriously, why did anyone in this episode get into a car after the first one exploded?) Dr. Jonas Zarnow, a top NSA scientist, was given the assignment to erase the government secrets from Chuck’s brain, but not before giving viewers a taste of what some of those secrets are. We now know, thanks to the humorous picture-association scene, that there was a plot to assassinate President Carter, that there is a Russian spy in the White House,and that an Oceanic Flight 815 was shot down out of the sky (Lost, anyone?).
Chuck’s new talent impressed Dr. Zarnow, who said he could eraseChuck’s knowledge, but apparently not before the his car blew up. Thisnew development, beyond instigating a Jason Bourne-esque fight pittingSarah against Casey — with corndog spokes, plastic forks, and a mop handle— also forced Chuck to be caught in a tug-of-war between the NSA andthe CIA. The waffling continued well into a dinner scene, where CaptainAwesome delivered the best line of the night when asking Chuck’s"girlfriend" Sarah to tell the family about herself: "Turn this up anotch — personal-style." (Don’t you just want do some extreme sportswith this guy?).
We soon find out that Dr. Zarnow is not only alive and a pretty goodshot with a tranquilizer gun, but is also a victim in the crime ofover-acting ("The hell with honor!"). Sarah is captured and Chuck,along with Casey (who doesn’t kid about quiche), correctly assume thatthe doctor has plans to chopper her away to an undisclosed torturelocation. The pair find the helicopter dock, and Chuck tries to rescueSarah, but not before recognizing Dr. Zarnow as a scientist who sellsU.S. science to North Korea. In the manner of a good Bond villain, thedoctor discloses his plans to sell Chuck to another country, and, tomake a long story short, the whole thing ends with Chuck defeating thebad guy and successfully landing a pilot-less helicopter, thanks toSarah and his experience playing flight simulator. And girl unloadedsome serious ex-boyfriend baggage upon Chuck’s landing, telling him"How could you think I was the double? You know, I’m not Bryce. Brycebetrayed everything I believed in, and if you ever accuse me of thatagain, I will walk away." Perhaps Chuck is catching on to Sarah andBryce’s former romance — how could he not, after seeing her cry at his funeral?
Overall, the episode was fairly good, but after two episodes spent setting up the story, it’s about time that Chuckfocuses on a plotline not directly related to the title character’snewly established computer-brain. Let’s see Chuck help save the worldwith his knowledge, not just himself. After all, he’s already toldSarah he’s ready to be a hero. Hopefully, next week we’ll begin to seeChuck summoning his inner spy, rather than playing a befuddled sidekickgeek.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Do you think Chuck needs tovary its plot devices? Did the last few minutes of the show lead you tobelieve that Casey is indeed steppin’ to the bad side? How many of youare Mac people, and thus "It artists"? And were any of you as confusedas I was with the bizarre exchange between Dr. Zarnow and Chuck aboutthe tranquilizer gun: Wide-eyed Dr. Zarnow: "It’s heavier than youthought." Chuck: "What?" Dr. Zarnow: "The gun. It’s heavy." Silence.Cue fight.
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I love this show. Thanks for the Mini Watch.
I didn’t catch the Lost reference… hilarious ! That show has great potential, even with the insane premise. Every character apart from Chuck is a little bit over the top, but it works. I thought it was priceless when the Buy More manager said the better his employees are, the less he has to work. How true…
I see plenty of flaws in the show, and yet it seems to work – so far. I had forgotten about that strange exchange on the heaviness of the gun until you mentioned it.
I missed last week’s pilot so I was glad that last night’s eppy was ’slow’ enough for me to catch on. I loved the LOST reference of Oceanic flight 815 – hilarious. I will add this to my DVR list of shows to record. Entertaining!
No comments on the outstanding music used last night? Lots of Spoon & New Pornographers. Always a good way to spend an evening.
Yes, my husband and I are total nerds and loved the Lost reference! I really like this show….it’s not the most intelligent, hilarious show around, but it’s still entertaining and I love Chuck…I think he’s really endearing. Yay for fun entertainment!
While I enjoy the show, I think the writers have yet to find their groove. That being said, I have such a crush on Zach Levi that I think I’d watch Chuck even if it was about a guy who sits in front of a camera and smiles for 45 minutes..sigh…
I really like this show. I wish it had moved a bit faster this week, but I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store. And we do have to give it up to Joshua Gomez as annoying but very funny friend Morgan.
Seriously? A Lost reference in Chuck? I’m bummed I missed that but I’m caught between a rock and a hard place if Monday at 8 is where Chuck will stay; I’m a big HIMYM fan!
I really like this show too! Thanks for the mini-watch. I don’t mind the two week set up revolving around Chuck…made sense to me. It will progress from here; and it seems like it will by not taking itself too seriously, kinda like Burn Notice (which is great btw) so i think im going to really like the show. So far so good. Loved the Lost reference and I’m a sucker for pigtails so Sarah rocks! The supporting cast overall is good though.
Yeah, the “Lost” reference was priceless.
“Chuck” is a little silly, but it’s an enjoyable show for the most part. I wouldn’t mind watching it again next Monday night.
Not to mention, I thought that the convo between the doctor and Chuck about the gun was funny.
Kate: I also cant watch Chuck because I get out of class at 8:30 and by the time I get home its already Heroe’s time but I watch it the next morning before work at NBC.com…Looove websites with full episodes, all the channels should have that!
btw, Chuck is just too cute, so I as well will watch if he was sitting in front of a computer smiling (good one Allison)…he’s just so Jim!!
G, I just saw that on NBC and I am now a happy camper!
Robert, my wife said the same thing last night. Great music in this show.
Why is it that almost every comment from a girl\woman on these TV Watch posts has to do with how cute a guy is? Aren’t content and quality the reasons to watch a TV show, not what an actor looks like? And women say men are shallow…grow up!
You are cute.
Great show, best of the new batch.
Chuck wears chucks. How cute.
Great episode. I want to see what else the Nerd Herd mobile can do!
So just two eps and you’re already tired of the direction? ADD much? By episode 5, you’ll be whining about how every episode is Chuck saving the world and they should do something else. How about letting the show go at the pace it feels comfortable? I thought it was great last night.
I definitely thought this ep was rickety. I recognized the second ep plot that most shows have that start with “problems”–by fixing it.
But there was some seriously great stuff here. I loved (loved!) the whole bit at Buy More when Chuck was remarking on the pictures he was shown…”Dog…hippopotamus…fat guy…really hot girl at the beach!” Hee! And do I sense some affection from Casey for Chuck? He seriously seemed to be warming up to the guy as Sarah was cooling off. Though I hope we get back that romantic vibe from the pilot back soon.
Also, I like Morgan’s throwaway lines “The Ramones. Bottom shelf.” And Chuck performing a magic trick–and it actually working? Awesome. Additionally, can I say that everyone (except maybe Morgan–hair & makeup, please) looked both slightly different than (but as cute as) before?
But the whole Weinerlicious thing? Um, I just hope the joke’s the fact that Sarah can kick some serious ass. And could probably do some serious castration.
Love the show so far, and the Lost reference had me rewinding my DVR because I was laughing so hard at it. I miss Lost!
Well actually, Kate, extreme sports with Captain Awesome wasn’t exactly what I had in mind … unless you mean “extreme sports (wink, wink)”, in which case that’s EXACTLY what I had in mind!
I thought Zarnow was trying to hypnotize Chuck into putting the tranq gun down, but that whole sequence was so undeveloped as to be almost nonsensical. The Lost reference was great. I like this show so far!
I thought the doctor was trying some power of suggestion or hypnosis thing with his comments on how heavy the gun was.
The ep wasn’t as good as the premiere but then second episodes of new series seldom are. That being said the “Lost” shout out was great (bet there’ll be other ones to geeks and nerds throughout the year) and Casey has obviously been given the directive to kill Chuck in 6 months. Hmmmm just in time for May sweeps.
I agree with the others in that this show shouldn’t be taken too seriously. At least it knows it’s cheesy, unlike Heroes.
I was laughing throughout last nights episode. So many great lines and moments. There aren’t very many shows I get excited over, (love The Office and Dexter) so I really hope this one makes it. For all the naysayer’s out there, give Chuck time to work out its kinks and find a niche.
Oh, and I loved all Adam Baldwin’s lines and delivery! “Flambé!” He’s the perfect not-so-bad-guy.
I’m hooked- I loved the dinner party- from the quiche to the magic trick. I think that Adam Baldwin is hilarious! I see a begrudging friendship forming between Casey and Chuck that will be tested around the season finale when Casey is ordered to kill him. Another question- when will we see Jill and/or find out why Chuck got kicked out of Stanford? I also loved the LOST reference and the Spoon songs playing through the episode.