For just a short a second last night, I thought we were going to finally see some deeper character growth in Chuck’s Morgan (Joshua Gomez, pictured). While on his way to dinner with our main guy and Sarah in L.A.’s Chinatown, Morgan mentioned to Chuck and Sarah that he needed his "fix." Could Morgan be addicted to drugs? (It would certainly explain his squirrel-like tendencies) Nope. Turns out Morgan just wanted to nab some fireworks. So instead of actually digging beyond Morgan’s conventional exterior, Chuck once again forced us to live through several scenes that flaunted Gomez’s annoyingly sophomoric and underdeveloped character.
Not that the episode didn’t show some of Morgan’s redeeming qualities. I have to give it to Chuck’s writers for proving that Morgan has a greater purpose outside of advertising his extremely irritating tendencies. After bonding over an "I-Miss-Chuck" moment, it seems that Ellie and Morgan have put aside their differences – or, rather, Ellie has put aside her differences with the latter – to develop a somewhat affectionate relationship. But as nice as it was to see a friendship developing between the two, I’m a bit worried about the direction Chuck’s writers seem to be going with Morgan and Ellie. Correct me if you think I’m wrong, but I see a possible romance brewing between the two most important people in Chuck’s life. Sure, the duo has their moments, but replacing Captain Awesome – who was noticeably and tragically absent again last night – with Morgan? I have a feeling that it’s not as inconceivable as we might think, since I can’t fathom anyone spending $700 to save someone’s job unless they have some sort of ulterior — albeit subconscious – motive.
But, for the purposes of last night’s episode, Ellie’s spree at theBuy More was meant to be compensation for Morgan’s efforts to comforther after Chuck skipped their October version of Mother’s Day, which,we discover, celebrates the day Mrs. Bartowski left the family to letChuck and Ellie fend for themselves. Though I can’t quite imagine whyanyone would celebrate being deserted by a parent, Ellie introduced thedinner as Chuck’s last chance to prove he could be true to his word.But after Chuck returned home late after a mission went awry, Ellieplayed the ever-understanding sister again, acknowledging that lovemakes you do crazy things. Like miss important family gatherings, or,say, destroy a perfectly good van with fireworks. But I was almostcertain that Chuck was going to confess his double life to Ellie whenshe told him that he could confide in her. Alas, for the second timeover the course of the hour, I was wrong. But I can’t help but hopethat Chuck will soon tell his sister about Charles Carmichael and hiscomputer/brain, as I would love to see Sarah Lancaster play more thanjust the sympathizing sister. Perhaps she’d take on an alias as well.(Any suggestions, PopWatchers?) After all, Captain Awesome already hasone.
But the message of loyalty really hit home for Chuck upon receivingthis week’s mission. During last night’s episode, Sarah and Casey tookChuck on his first stakeout, where the trio stalked a potentiallydangerous Chinese woman named Mei-Ling. It doesn’t take long, however,for us to learn that Mei-Ling’s target – an elderly wheelchair-boundman named Ben Lo Pan – is the real enemy, having kidnapped Mei-Ling’sbrother. But after an almost laughable scene — where Ben Lo Pan managedto dodge dozens of bullets while moving incredibly slowly and withoutany sort of shield – the bad guy got away thanks to Chuck’s inabilityto follow orders (shouldn’t Sarah and Casey have learned by now thatChuck never stays in the car?). To make up for his error in judgment,Chuck promised to help Mei-Ling procure her brother if she would defectto America (Ã la White Knights – thank you for the Baryshnikov reference, Chuck), and, for the firsttime in last night’s episode, followed through with his vow. Thanks toChuck’s computer skills, and inability to follow orders, our titlecharacter managed to save not only Mei-Ling’s brother, but Sarah andCasey as well. Though I did find it quite curious that Chuck wouldcontinue using his "spy" name (Charles Carmichael) during thestakeout, but had no problem adorning himself in a jacket inscribedwith his name and his place of employment during the final battle.
I know that I had previously complained that Chuckwas focusing too much on the title character’s newfound abilities inthe show’s early episodes, but now I’m beginning to worry that the Chuck’sformulaic pace may affecting the intrigue introduced in the series’pilot. Though there are still some lingering mysteries – why Jilldumped Chuck, and why Bryce would choose to send the top-secretinformation to Chuck – it seems Chuck is suffering from its inability to launch story arcs that continue beyond one episode. In this post-Lost and -Heroes world, Chuck needs to start pulling out all the stops in order to keep up.
What did you think of last night’s episode, PopWatchers? Are you growing tired of Chuck’smission-of-the-week format? Did any of you find the stop-startcamerawork in the final fight scene distracting? Do you find yourselvesliking Morgan just a little bit more? What would you bring withyou on a stakeout (a sweater? Life-jacket?)? And, finally, have any ofyou ever had a spastic colon?
Comments (1-30) of 52 Add your comment
It seems with all the complaining about serial TV over the last couple of years, that a mission of the week format would be embraced by people. I love serial shows but I certainly don’t mind an easy going, action comedy, mission of the week formula either. I think development of the characters and the plots can still happen and have, little by little, in each episode.
Morgan is still annoying, but if he is with Chuck’s sister then he’s a little easier to handle. I did feel for him for the first time when his fellow Nerd Herders embarrassed him in front of the girl that was going to give him her number. A relationship between him and Ellie would be silly. Capt Awesome rules! Also, for the first time I was getting annoyed a little by Ellie, to be honest. I hope that Chuck tells her his secret so she won’t be Nurse Nagging anymore.
And I would bring Sudoku on a stakeout with me…I bore easily.
I understood the reason they celebrate Mother’s Day in October is that their mother actually left them on the real Mother’s Day and they are celebrating the day they decided to rely on each other. In short, it’s a celebration of their relationship.
This is only the third or fourth episode so they are probably not trying to jump into any long story arc so early on. I enjoy the show and hope it lasts, but yeah Morgan can be annoying. You can’t criticize a show for not having story arcs when it is so early in its first season. It’s like Reaper, they have to get out of the monster-of-the-week formula, but it’s like Buffy and since Buffy was on the “same” network I trust that they’ll find a lasting nemesis. I believe that the same will go for Chuck, they’ll find a story, just give it time.
I completely agree on the mission of the week format. The main complaint I heard when recommending Alias to friends was that the long plotlines were too hard to follow. IMHO, Chuck is doing a great job at the serial aspects of the show while still making itself accessible to casual/new viewers each week.
As for Morgan, last night was probably the only episode where he didn’t annoy the crap out of me.
My only complaint about last night’s show is that we didn’t get to hear more of Chuck’s “Stakeout Mix.” Private Eyes was classic!
Did anyone catch the reference to the movie “Big Trouble in Little China” with Kurt Russell. James Hong played the evil Lo Pan in the movie and is the guy in the wheelchair named Ben Lo Pan in the episode.
I disagree almost completely with the review. First of all, Morgan and Ellie? No. I didn’t see even a glimmer of any potential hooking up between the two. Don’t know where you got that idea, but it disturbs me none the less. Also Ellie didn’t just spend $700 just on a whim to make Morgan feel better. She said that she was going to get Chuck and Captain Morgan’s christmas gifts anyway, so she got them early. So she had a legitimate reason to spend that money and help Morgan at the same time that has nothing to do with potential romance.
Why would Morgan’s having a drug problem character development? That makes no sense whatsoever. And jeez lay off the guy. We get it, you’re not a fan. Personally I like him and his weirdness. I don’t need a drug problem to enjoy him.
And finally, Chuck and Ellie weren’t celebrating being deserted by a parent. They were celebrating the day they became self-sufficient and were able to take care of themselves. There’s a huge difference.
is it just me or has each episode’s adventure referenced a geek-loved movie? this week seemed to be big trouble in little china, complete with a bad guy named lo pan (played by the guy who played the original lo pan). underground terror, fights in a kitchen, and the hero saving his love interest. good times all around, though. i have to say, the first two eps were weak, but the show has shown that there’s a groove to be found.
and how is captain awesome not a regular character?
I got the possible Morgan-Ellie vibe as well. Ewww. She and Captain Awesome are similarly hot, and should remain together for all time.
What I didn’t understand was why Chuck just doesn’t tell Ellie about his secret life. I don’t see how Ellie is any more or any less safe knowing that Chuck has this side job. Yes, she would worry more, but at least she wouldn’t think he was ditching her for some chick with bad teeth! (Sorry, Sarah) I guess it could get squicky if she decided to run after him on missions to help, and she is a doctor, so I guess that’s feasible to patch him up afterward, but for the love of God, just tell Ellie already!
I don’t see Ellie and Morgan together either. I thought Ellie was just helping out her brother’s best friend when she did some early Christmas shopping and helped him with his sales contest. Believable and I would have done the same thing. I like the format of the show with a mission a week. I liked Chuck’s “spy mix” too. It seems they didn’t say exactly what happened with Mom, maybe leaving it open for her to show up later?
I think it would be great if Captain Awesome turned out to have an actual secret identity. Or if Ellie and CA’s life at work was just like Grey’s Anatomy or something. Please, I hope Morgan isn’t the first one to find out Chuck’s secret. Chuck is annoying enough on “missions,” can you imagine Morgan tagging along?
Geez. Make one complaint one week, rescind that and complain about something else the next week. And this show isn’t a hard drama, so if scenes are goofily comedic, that’s because this is a COMEDY/drama.
I’m guessing you’re a fan of, like, One Tree Hill or something. Otherwise, why would you assume that just because Ellie no longer completely despises Morgan they’re going to hook up when she’s already in a committed relationship? Or that a drug problem is the answer to developing a character? Anyone who’s been watching this show for the past several weeks knows that, while there’s an ongoing dramatic plot, it keeps its tone light and doesn’t take itself too seriously. If it did, it wouldn’t be as enjoyable as it is.
Plus, Morgan also had some character development when he recommended to the hottie in the store that she go somewhere else to buy that gadget and save money. He didn’t care about the sales contest, and he wasn’t trying to hit on her.
Hey Frank! I too realized the Lo Pan from ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ reference – I thought that was hilarious. Any girls with green eyes last night?!?!?
I think this show is progressing along just fine. Week by week analyses of what is wrong and what needs fixing is misguided.
is no one ever happy? people complain constantly that lost and heroes are too slow, that they lack the mental capabilities to follow a story line over multiple shows and just need big flashy things constantly. and now here is a show that gives simple episodic content that is both amusing and fun, and now you are complaining that it lacks season long story lines?
PICK ONE COMPLAINT!
A really good episode. Solid, funny, sweet. Just kind of a classic CHUCK template it seems. I like that I dont have to sit there with a notebook to keep up with all the plot machinations, it’s fun, breezy and adorable. A perfect way to start Monday.
I LOVE this show!!! One of my favorite show’s this year!!! (at least until Jericho comes back!!!)
Sarah Lancaster would make a perfect “Wonder Woman”. Sorry about that, the thought just popped in my head.
I’m starting to like Morgan more now. Or at least I understand him a little better. I think everybody has at some point known a person like Morgan… The nerd that’s a little too eager, a little too weird, outside of the box, says the wrong thing at the wrong time. And how much do we REALLY know about those people? Who took the time to find out what made them tick and who just blew them off as weird?
Oh, and I totally agree with Poochie! I thought about that last week, She would rock as Wonder Woman.
I like that the show is very self-contained. While serial shows keep you wanting more from a lingering storyline, these single episode plotlines are easier to follow and it doesn’t really matter if you miss an episode…
Could not agree with Dear God more – quit yer whining people and enjoy a great new show for what it is, one of the most clever and thoroughly entertaining hours of the week. The cast is great, the stories are fun, LOVE IT.
I think you (everyone) are jumping the gun this season on how story arcs aren’t closing on hour long drama/comedy shows like Chuck. We don’t usually see plotlines (major/minor) start to come back to close until sweeps – wait a few weeks (Nov) you’ll see some of your questions addressed.
Who cares about Morgan and Ellie…
Any episode that puts Sarah in her Weinerlicious skivs and pigtails – I’m all for it. Whoo Hoo!!!!
I’m wondering if maybe they did launch an arc last night. Wonder where Mrs. Bartowski went. Wouldn’t it be intriguing if she were a government agent herself?
This show is FAR from clever. Everything about “Chuck” is predictable. The characters are ALL one dimensional, I don’t know why anyone would expect anymore from Morgan than his boring, unimaginative, shtick.
Todd –> I totally agree with you on Morgan’s development. That was a great bit there with his being honest with the customer about Large Mart. I think Chuck is great and don’t see the need to ditch the crisis-a-week model. Plenty funny, and great comedy-action. The pausing was a little wierd, especially having seen its riduclous use on Survivor. I also liked how they don’t hit us over thead with Chuck/Sara relationship every week. It’s unnecessary and allows for development of other characters. I think starting in November (sweeps!) we’ll see the story really move and include longer arcs. I definitely missed Awesome last night.
It’s been on for FIVE episodes. Stop complaining that it isn’t changing things up enough and enjoy it.
Did anyone notice they used all the names from Big Trouble Little China last night and the actor who played Lo Pan James Hong, also played Lo Pan in Big Trouble Little China. Classic omage.