Where to begin? I've been watching the last 6 minutes of the show on youtube almost daily for months and it still amazes me. But why would you say Chuck's not known for its action sequences when its the one thing the show has been formally recognized for? Merritt Yohnka, Stunt Coordinator, has won emmys two years in a row. The first season for the Die Hard like fall from the balcony into the pool and the second for the car crash into the restaurant in First Date. Was that omission one of the ones you did "on purpose" to make me comment? I highly recommend that you watch the whole San Diego comic con panel now, still available if you look it up in Sepinwall's blog, from Josh & Chris's very funny acting debut to Jeffster's performance of Fat Bottomed Girls to the Q & A section. I'm so glad Chuck is coming back in January and you guys will get it shortly afterward, but your reviews helped me get over the interminable hiatus the show has taken since that ...to be continued.
Dan
· 2 months ago
Maybe I worded that wrong. I just meant that nobody really watches Chuck *for* its action sequences. The comedy, yes. The characters, yes. The will-they/won't-they stuff, yes. But the action? I don't think so. But yes, within the industry it's won some awards for a few of its stunts.
I saw bits of the Comic-Con stuff, including the Jeffster performance, but now I can indulge without fearing any spoilers!
Thanks for leaving your comments every week - a shame more Brits didn't, but the show's either less popular than I imagine here, or everyone just downloaded it months ago. Rest assured, given the inciting cliffhanger, I'll be reviewing a few days behind the US for S3 -- if Virgin1 don't fulfil their promise.
bob
· 2 months ago
I didn't have a grin on my face.
The ending really had me confused and torn. On the one hand they seemed to destroy the show. I quite literally could not watch Chuck fight the agents (I had my hands over my eyes and occasionally peeked through my fingers). He's not that guy. It's fundamental to the whole show that he is not that guy.
But on the other hand... The writers probably know that. I mean, it's their show and they know what it is better than anyone. So sure, they ruined the show (in my eyes). But they did it on purpose. And they must have a reason for it and a way out of it (like Dan says, there has to be a catch). And there is a chance that from it they intend to spin some character growth and develop an arc...
*shrugs* I don't think I will enjoy season 3 much if Chuck is actually fighting people.
Plus, I won't be happy if they don't return to the Buy More. I can't imagine the show without it. It was always the highlight for me to see what insane shenanigans Morgan, Jeff and Lester were up to.
Apart from the ending, it was a constant delight of an episode with the highlight being Jeffster!'s performance.
And why not call Awesome Awesome?
Dan
· 2 months ago
@Bob: I think it's worth you reading this interview with Chris Fedak regarding the likely changes for S3. http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/04/chuck-chr... It's clear they know the pitfalls and will avoid them.
I know what you mean about the Buy More, but how about a compromise and they stay away from it for awhile - at least? It just drags me out of the spy story most of the time, hate to say.
I won't call Awesome Awesome because I'm hoping his marriage and knowledge of Chuck's secret will turn him into a real character and not a gag. So it's Devon now. Unless he fails to grow into anything interesting next year, then it'll be back to Captain Awesome.
Nat
· 2 months ago
I really enjoyed this episode. I was pretty spoiled on what was going to happen (well the upgrade anyway) but I thought it was one of their best episodes.
I like Ellie and Awesome so I enjoyed the wedding bits and I was glad they killed of Bryce for good this time (hopefully). The initial "He's Alive!!" was a great reveal but it got boring. Also did he just appear out of nowhere?! Where had he been, I can't remember. I also like the introduction of a new villain, who will hopefully be the mysterious villain that Fulcrum once was.
One criticism was that the episode was a little rushed, certain things didn't really flow properly especially towards the end.
Looking forward to season 3 :)
Dan
· 2 months ago
Yeah, Bryce just turning up unannounced was a bit strange. It would have been better if he'd been involved in last week's episode, or at least turned up towards the end once the Intersect mission was being closed down. I guess Bomer wasn't available, or it would have looked odd however they got him involved. It felt like he came back just to die, probably because the writers knew Bomer's White Collar had been picked up for series.
lilyxt
· 2 months ago
Thanks for the reviews, I have enjoyed reading your take. I liked this episode a lot, but loved v. Colonel better. I do like Awesome and Ellie together, so I did not mind the time with them. This is the 2nd episode where Ellie is a unbelievably forgiving. I mean her brother ruined her wedding - yes, he made up for it with her dream wedding, but I would think that her pain and disappointment in him would stick a bit longer.
Also, wouldn't have Chuck and Sarah gotten it on after the rehearsal dinner? At that time, Chuck was free of the intersect, they had pretty much put their feelings out there, and Sarah no longer was his handler - nothing was stopping them. Of course, I understand that the show didn't want to give it that easy, but still.
I always can find an over-the-top cheesy moment, seemingly each week, that I can do without. This week, its the ridiculous arm computer. Please don't let me see that in Season 3.
But enough of the negatives, overall this show really stepped it up pretty consistently all year in Season 2. The acting is superb and the show gives off a charming light sweetness that I truly enjoy. I think the twist with Chuck will open up so many more possibilities and make Chuck more of an active participant in the missions. It also will bring a new dynamic to the Chuck/Sarah relationship plus the Chuck/Casey one. And those two dynamics make the show what it is for me. Loved the eye connections and looks between Chuck and Sarah when they are at gunpoint at the end, I also like the unspoken awkwardness between them at the reception before she asks him to dance. She isn't given much funny stuff, but my favorite actor of the show has become Strahovski even though I wasn't sure of her early on in Season 1, (I also am saying this as a heterosexual female, so her hotness is not getting her bonus points ;)
Another thing I love about the show is they always have excellent music...Chuck has turned me on to several bands. Love the Blind Pilot song that Chuck and Sarah dance to.
Some favorite lines...Casey's "Chuck Me"...Woody Woodcomb's (aka Dad Awesome) reference to "why are you letting Sam Kinison and a lesbian indian ruin your wedding"...
Solid...see ya all in Season 3!
Dan
· 2 months ago
@Lily: Thanks! Yeah, a few things like Ellie's forgiveness and Sarah being so cold to Chuck all of a sudden felt a bit odd to me, too, but the plot just had to go down that route. And you're right, Yvonne was much improved this year (not that she was terrible last time!) I hope we get more insight into Sarah's adolescence next year -- I was hoping that scene with Tony Todd discovering her all alone ("... The Cougars") would get some development this season, but it was forgotten about.
I get the feeling the forearm gizmo will return, as it's another easy way to get past security and make the writer's lives a little easier! But I agree that it's a bit of a crutch.
Some favorite lines..."why are you letting Sam Kinison and a lesbian indian ruin your wedding"...
The Sam Kinison line was lost on me - he obviously never became an international success, but a quick Google made me giggle. Krinsky does look a lot like him!
Sarah Jones
· 1 month ago
Speaking of Chevy Chase, have you heard about this? HomeAway is going to bring back the Griswolds in a new ad campaign. Check out http://budurl.com/griswolds for more information.
All Comments
I highly recommend that you watch the whole San Diego comic con panel now, still available if you look it up in Sepinwall's blog, from Josh & Chris's very funny acting debut to Jeffster's performance of Fat Bottomed Girls to the Q & A section.
I'm so glad Chuck is coming back in January and you guys will get it shortly afterward, but your reviews helped me get over the interminable hiatus the show has taken since that ...to be continued.
I saw bits of the Comic-Con stuff, including the Jeffster performance, but now I can indulge without fearing any spoilers!
Thanks for leaving your comments every week - a shame more Brits didn't, but the show's either less popular than I imagine here, or everyone just downloaded it months ago. Rest assured, given the inciting cliffhanger, I'll be reviewing a few days behind the US for S3 -- if Virgin1 don't fulfil their promise.
The ending really had me confused and torn. On the one hand they seemed to destroy the show. I quite literally could not watch Chuck fight the agents (I had my hands over my eyes and occasionally peeked through my fingers). He's not that guy. It's fundamental to the whole show that he is not that guy.
But on the other hand... The writers probably know that. I mean, it's their show and they know what it is better than anyone. So sure, they ruined the show (in my eyes). But they did it on purpose. And they must have a reason for it and a way out of it (like Dan says, there has to be a catch). And there is a chance that from it they intend to spin some character growth and develop an arc...
*shrugs* I don't think I will enjoy season 3 much if Chuck is actually fighting people.
Plus, I won't be happy if they don't return to the Buy More. I can't imagine the show without it. It was always the highlight for me to see what insane shenanigans Morgan, Jeff and Lester were up to.
Apart from the ending, it was a constant delight of an episode with the highlight being Jeffster!'s performance.
And why not call Awesome Awesome?
I know what you mean about the Buy More, but how about a compromise and they stay away from it for awhile - at least? It just drags me out of the spy story most of the time, hate to say.
I won't call Awesome Awesome because I'm hoping his marriage and knowledge of Chuck's secret will turn him into a real character and not a gag. So it's Devon now. Unless he fails to grow into anything interesting next year, then it'll be back to Captain Awesome.
I like Ellie and Awesome so I enjoyed the wedding bits and I was glad they killed of Bryce for good this time (hopefully). The initial "He's Alive!!" was a great reveal but it got boring. Also did he just appear out of nowhere?! Where had he been, I can't remember.
I also like the introduction of a new villain, who will hopefully be the mysterious villain that Fulcrum once was.
One criticism was that the episode was a little rushed, certain things didn't really flow properly especially towards the end.
Looking forward to season 3 :)
Also, wouldn't have Chuck and Sarah gotten it on after the rehearsal dinner? At that time, Chuck was free of the intersect, they had pretty much put their feelings out there, and Sarah no longer was his handler - nothing was stopping them. Of course, I understand that the show didn't want to give it that easy, but still.
I always can find an over-the-top cheesy moment, seemingly each week, that I can do without. This week, its the ridiculous arm computer. Please don't let me see that in Season 3.
But enough of the negatives, overall this show really stepped it up pretty consistently all year in Season 2. The acting is superb and the show gives off a charming light sweetness that I truly enjoy. I think the twist with Chuck will open up so many more possibilities and make Chuck more of an active participant in the missions. It also will bring a new dynamic to the Chuck/Sarah relationship plus the Chuck/Casey one. And those two dynamics make the show what it is for me. Loved the eye connections and looks between Chuck and Sarah when they are at gunpoint at the end, I also like the unspoken awkwardness between them at the reception before she asks him to dance. She isn't given much funny stuff, but my favorite actor of the show has become Strahovski even though I wasn't sure of her early on in Season 1, (I also am saying this as a heterosexual female, so her hotness is not getting her bonus points ;)
Another thing I love about the show is they always have excellent music...Chuck has turned me on to several bands. Love the Blind Pilot song that Chuck and Sarah dance to.
Some favorite lines...Casey's "Chuck Me"...Woody Woodcomb's (aka Dad Awesome) reference to "why are you letting Sam Kinison and a lesbian indian ruin your wedding"...
Solid...see ya all in Season 3!
I get the feeling the forearm gizmo will return, as it's another easy way to get past security and make the writer's lives a little easier! But I agree that it's a bit of a crutch.
Some favorite lines..."why are you letting Sam Kinison and a lesbian indian ruin your wedding"...
The Sam Kinison line was lost on me - he obviously never became an international success, but a quick Google made me giggle. Krinsky does look a lot like him!