Strahovski and Truths
We all know that I like Chuck. I’ve liked it since the pilot.
If you go back and read my first review I pointed out that what it really had going for it was potential. It hadn’t started firing on all cylinders. It hadn’t yet clicked into place.
That all changed last night with Episode 1.08 - Chuck Versus the Truth.
Last night’s episode was the best episode of the series thus far for so many reasons.
The whole thing almost felt like it was the first episode they had produced since the show had aired. It was as if they were able to take all of the fan feedback and cram it into one yummy episode.
The most impressive feat for this episode was the writing. Rather than having two disjoint plotlines (usually one at Buy More and one with Chuck & Company), we get a tightly integrated plotline that explores all aspects of Chuck’s not-so-ordinary life.
Getting rid of Harry Tang made me shout for joy. Captain Awesome was awesome (is he ever not?) and Ellie finally fell into her character. I can’t fairly say she’s a bad actress anymore. It would seem that she just needed some time to grow.
Everything finally clicked together this episode. Sarah and Casey have finally accepted their relationship as partners. Chuck and Sarah have finally accepted their star-crossed love for each other. Now the show can move on.
As heartbreaking as it was, the show took the perfect direction with Chuck and Sarah staying apart. Unlike so many shows before it, Chuck has to resist the temptation to let the love work out. The longing is what makes the show work and it’s good that they realize that.
As for Yvonne Strahovski, she did a fabulous job as always. Not only did we get to see her with a brown-haired wig, but we also got to see her in purple lingerie. All without breaking character for a second as she walked that line between being just a vulnerable girl-in-love and being a super-secret spy.
She got her chance to do what she does so well when she tells Chuck that she has no feelings for him. Chuck may have believed her but the fans never do, because Ms. Strahovski does a remarkable job of barely suppressing the angst she has about the situation.
All of this is accentuated by a helping of genuine laughs and some nice action scenes. The truth serum made for some excellent quotes (Who’s there? NSA, CIA, and me. It’s complicated.).
If there was any doubt whether Chuck could find its footing and really bring it all together, this episode proved that it could do it. It was the best episode of the season and it was the fulfillment of the promise that Chuck made when the season started to be one of the best new shows on television.
As always, screen captures should be up this afternoon full of yummy goodness.
November 13th, 2007 at 8:02 am
The episode was definately the best of the entire series so far, As predicted. I hope the ratings reflect this aswell, Im hoping to see “Chuck” as a “winner” tonight in the ratings!
Oh, nice little write-up by the way
November 13th, 2007 at 9:32 am
I was a little disappointed that Sarah shot down Chuck however a lot of good shows went to crap when the love plot line took over. I think they both know in their hearts how they feel but in reality it may never be able to happen. Great write up.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I was screaming at the two of them for not admitting that they’re in love with one another! I guess I’m just an old softie, but dang that was some good TV! Sandwich Girl don’t stand a chance when Sarah decides to get her man. Oh, and at the end of the show when Chuck “breaks up” with Sarah, you could see that she was soooo expecting Chuck to plant one on her right there in the Weinerlicious (I’m sure that was Freud’s favorite eatery), but no! she was denied! This show is making me look forward to Mondays. Awesome! ;D
November 13th, 2007 at 11:05 am
What an absolutely _amazing_ episode. Threw a few surprises my way - I forgot that Sarah was so well trained, didn’t expect her to shoot the guy in the knee. And although I’d prefer Sarah and Chuck together, at least I know there’s something there to look forward to in the future!
Great write up!
November 13th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Great write-up! I agree with Warbunny on the scene where we think Chuck is gonna plant one but no! Awesome awesome episode. I wish this Writer’s Strike would end…
How many more episodes do we have left? I heard it was gonna run through the end of December/Early January
November 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Someone (Lykaon maybe???) said they’ve only filmed through episode 11, which gives us three more. Whoever said that also said that unfortunately we get only two more episodes for now, as episode 11 is not scheduled to air until March. It’s going to be hard waiting so long, although I like the show so much I’d be happy to watch reruns for a while. But these days the networks usually don’t run reruns while a series is on Fall/Winter hiatus, they try out new shows instead. My vote would be for reruns of course.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
What an awesome episode. Not only the most well-written of the series, but the funniest. The exchange between Chuck and Sarah in his room is awesome.
Sarah: “What this? This is part of my cover.”
Chuck: “Well it doesn’t cover a thing.”
Sarah: “What if Ellie and Awesome walk in? I am just being professional.”
Chuck: “Yeah, the world’s oldest profession.”
Everything about the episode was good. The only thing I was confused about was the end with Big Mike and Morgan. They made that whole scene seem really important, but nothing really important ever happened. I’d just have to guess maybe Morgan will be the new Assistant Manager because Big Mike likes him.
Oh, and excellent writeup by the way.
November 13th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
this episode showed why chuck should get another season it was written excellently i hate how lou and chuck are a couple now sarah looked devastated.. the only thing that i didn’t like was the awful britney spears song in the background (i get why they put it there though) anyway great episode all my friends watch it now
November 13th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Quoting myself rom the Ratings post:
“Not entirely sure, but air dates and titles have been released up through Episode 11 (to air on March 12).
That’s probably the last one. I’m not sure the lead time they need to get new episodes out (meaning I’m not sure when the strike has to end to not effect future production of the show).
Interestingly, it looks like the show will go on hiatus after Episode 10, so there’ll be no Chuck for months. This isn’t totally uncommon these days.”
November 13th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I think that this show will be picked up. I also agree with Warbunny I think she expected him to kiss her. I do want to see them together but like I said before I hate to see showa tank when people hook up. Although it could be written in well to the script
November 13th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
I agree that the scene at the end was remarkably well acted by Yvonne. She conveyed very clearly that she expected a big kiss.
She really is an amazing actress. She puts across so much with just her facial expressions.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Last night I wished I was Chuck- I would have definitely kissed Sarah so passionately her toes would’ve tingled lol
Last night gave us so much Yvonne goodness I can’t wait for your caps!
November 13th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I agree with Lykaon, Harry Tang must go, he’s a weasel
This show has got me exited about watching TV again. It’s got a good amount of action, great banter between characters and fabulous babes 
This one was by far the funniest of the lot to date.
Chuck should have said exactly how he felt and planted one on the lips and told her it was for real. The comments about shows going down after the love begins is so true, but Chuck and Sarah should be together. I do like the Sandwich Girl, though.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
We all know what Chuck should have done. YOU IDIOT! Anyways, now we’re going to see Sarah in a jealous rampage. That’s going to be some great tv.
November 14th, 2007 at 2:29 am
What a great episode! It’s nice to see a show with such great writing and timing. The ensemble cast here seems to really be coming together. Great kudos to zach and yvonne for such nuanced expressions and performances, their acting totally captured me. I’m so happy to see the writers prevented the love from just starting in such a cliched fashion. It’s nice to see a show where the principals aren’t just jumping in bed with one another at the drop of a hat. Keep it up folks, love the show so much. By the way is it me or did they switch Morgan’s last name from ‘Perez’ to ‘Grimes’ somwhere during the last several epsidoes? Also, while tang got under my skin, i’m sad to see him go since his character was such a great plus to the dynamics, i hope they bring him back.
November 15th, 2007 at 12:35 am
Good news i was reading ign a cool website i read this
Down the street a bit, Joshua Gomez was standing with his Chuck co-creator Josh Schwartz and co-stars Zachary Levi and Sarah Lancaster. I hadn’t met Lancaster before and Gomez, an avid gamer and loyal IGN reader, earned my thanks by introducing me to her as someone who works for “a really cool website.”
Gomez explained the situation with Chuck during the strike, noting “We’re actually fortunate enough that we’re a little bit ahead of the curve - a little bit ahead of the game, so we actually have our full 13 [scripts] finished and done. So we’re in the middle of shooting [the 12th episode] right now, and then we actually have a 13th script, so we will finish shooting our original contracted 12 episodes past the pilot. But after that, that’s when it becomes really real, at least for our cast and crew.”
http://tv.ign.com/articles/835/835270p1.html