Archive for December, 2008

Yippee-Ki-Yay, Yvonne Strahovski!

It’s not much of a consolation for the show being on hiatus for the next month, but I have a couple of additions to the gallery for your perusal.

First up is a new fan wallpaper from reader James, and second is a new motivational poster from reader Carterman (via the forums).

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A lot of Chuck viewers were disappointed that the Die Hard references in Chuck Versus the Santa Claus didn’t include John McClane’s signature line.  It was therefore only a matter of time before someone figured out a way to work it in!

If you have any creations you’d like us to include on our website, email it to us: submissions@strahotski.com. Enjoy!

Episode 2.11 Captures

We’ve added a healthy 45 new screen captures to the gallery from Episode 2.11 — “Chuck Versus the Santa Claus.”

There were some pretty high quality shots in this batch, and we got to see a little bit of Sarah’s special smile that she reserves for Chuck.  That’s always a treat.

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This episode didn’t yield nearly as many screen captures even though Yvonne was featured heavily in the episode.  Part of the reason for that is because there were no outfit changes!

I don’t know if this is the first episode where that was the case, but we were treated to Yvonne in her Orange Orange uniform for the entire episode.

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I’m especially proud of the sequence of shots leading up to Sarah shooting Hauser.

I’d like to take credit, but Ms. Yvonne Strahovski really did all the work for me.  Her face said it all.  The whole episode summed up in 7 screenshots.  Amazing.

Enjoy!

Strahovski and Santa Claus

strahovski-ep210-005.jpgIt is with a heavy heart that I write my last review of 2008.  Waiting until February for our next taste of Yvonne Strahovski is going to be painful.

But still, I’ve gathered my quotes and I’m ready to go.  Let’s rock Episode 2.11 – Chuck Versus the Santa Claus.

“How ya holdin’ up there, partner?”

Let’s just get this out of the way first.  The cop from Die Hard playing Big Mike’s brother!?!  That’s perfect casting, right there.

Some of you may only know him from Family Matters, but before that he was John McClane’s radio friend in Die Hard — one of the best action movies of all time.  Also a ‘hostage thriller.’

His talk with Big Mike was a direct reference to the film.  I don’t know if Die Hard qualifies as geek culture, but I say it does.

“This store has a strict no bravery policy.”

No time for B-plots this week with a story that nicely uses the entire cast.  I know this is an Yvonne Strahovski site, but dang Anna makes a good elf.

I thought seeing each character react to the situation was actually pretty fun.  Devon was surprisingly gung ho about trying to take Ned out.  I don’t know that I quite expected that, but it was fun.

I really like the relationship that Morgan and Devon are forming.  It’s a funny father/son type of relationship that I hope they keep playing up.

And Morgan’s gonna need Devon’s help if he’s going to get over Lester’s moves on Anna.  I hate Lester now; and also sorta don’t blame him.

“It’s an electronics store, Major, not Basra.”

No matter how funny Chuck & Morgan can be, it always seems like Casey gets the best lines.  His conversation with the general about his cuts had me rolling on the floor.

What’s better is Casey had his fingers taped up even before that scene and I noticed.  It was a long and glorious set-up for yet another classic Casey moment.

Also interesting that our boy Casey lost a toe!  That’s bound to provide endless humor in future episodes.

“I’m getting by fine with eight.”

I was pleased to see them get Emmett out of there fast.  There was nothing for him to do but be annoying.  I really don’t think he working out.

The writers seem incapable of maintaining an assistant manager who can hold his own with the rest of the Buy More crew.  Perhaps they should try another hot babe?  Those always go over well.

“Prepare to be heartwarmed.”

Amid all the crazy hostage crises and fulcrum kidnapping, we did get a little bit of some Chuck/Sarah love which we’ve all been craving.

Giving Sarah the bracelet was a heartfelt moment, complete with Yvonne’s lovely facial expressions.  I feel like I should stop repeating myself, but she does such an amazing job of conveying so many mixed emotions at once.

“Gonna be a cold Christmas at the Bartowskis.”

strahovski-ep210-038.jpgChuck and Sarah’s return to potential love may be short-lived, though.

Chuck’s seen Sarah shoot the occasional bad guy in a pinch, but seeing her commit murder in cold-blood isn’t something I think he’s going to take well.

It’s really an interesting end to the mid-season.

Did Sarah make the right choice?  Was she just doing her job, or did her love for Chuck cause her to pull the trigger when she shouldn’t have?

It’s truly a massive character turn for Sarah, and our girl Yvonne.  They’ve finally given her something weighty to shape her character.

Sarah Walker may never be the same.  And her relationship with Chuck may be shattered for a long time.  Sad, but so good.

I am both shocked and impressed that the writers were willing to take this risky step.  It really propels everything forward.  It was a cliffhanger without having to be a cliffhanger.  Bravo.

It’s going to be a long wait until February to see how it all shakes out.  Until then, we’ve got tons to talk about.  Did Sarah do right?  How should Chuck deal?  Comment away!

Screen captures should be up tomorrow afternoon.

More Motivation from Yvonne

The fans have come through again with 3 new motivational posters from reader Ashley, and our second ever LOLStrahovski from reader Popi.

I’m sure you will find the lot of them as hilarious as I did!  Heck, I’m sure even Yvonne Strahovski herself would find them pretty funny.

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If you have anything you’d like us to consider for including in our gallery, send it to submissions@strahotski.com.

Episode 2.10 Captures

We’ve added an unprecedented 85 new screen captures to the gallery from Episode 2.10 — “Chuck Versus the Delorean.”   

I try to keep the number of screen captures down every week; hand picking the very best.  I try to set limits on the number, and Rob always tells me to just pick the good ones — no matter the number.

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Well this week, that number is 85.

Sure it’s more than we’ve ever had in a single episode gallery, but there was just so much Yvonne Strahovski in this episode and her expressive face got a workout.  I got the guns, the smiles, and of course the kickboxing.

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I also got a few of her with her father.  I realized when screen capturing that Yvonne has a very special smile that she usually reserves for Chuck. But she flashes that smile to her father as well.

I don’t know if that was an intentional choice on the part of Ms. Strahovski, but it’s a nice touch nonetheless (especially for those of us who love her smile).

Enjoy!