Strahovski and Best Friends
Sometimes it’s really nice to just relax. The weight of the world is on your shoulders and you have so much to worry about, and you just need to put it all on hold.
To me, that’s what ‘Chuck Versus the Best Friend’ was. It was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise overly serious and awkward season.
“Drive-thru when you’re used to fine dining.”
That quote is perhaps the best explanation for this episode. Sure we’re used to deep Charah stuff, but sometimes you just want a burger, ya know?
I thought the ‘Charles Carmichael comes quickly’ was scandalous last week, but this whole exchange between Awesome and Ellie took it to a whole new level.
Nonetheless, I’m sooooo happy to see Awesome back, as well as his relationship with Ellie. He brings so much to the show and I feel like they’ve forgotten that since the first season.
I’ve said it before, but I initially got into this show for two reasons: Adam Baldwin (from Firefly) and Captain Awesome from the first episode.
“Idiots on the move.”
Not only were we treated to more Awesome & Ellie, but we also got a heavy dose of the whole herd.
Jeffster was pretty funny and it was nice to see Jeff and Lester carry almost an entire plot point by themselves. They weren’t just support for other characters.
And then there was Anna. I’ve been missing her and she got more lines in this episode than she’s gotten in the whole series.
As much as I loved seeing her, though, I felt some of her lines seemed a little bit too story-serving. I’m not sure it was all consistent with the Anna we’ve come to love.
“You’re like the poster child for friendly fire.”
Casey’s always funny but tonight was a particularly fine episode for him. He actually had me convinced when he was supporting Chuck’s love of Morgan.
It was also nice writing to see the Semper Fi reference weave through the episode so well. It’s fun to see Casey slowly come to respect Chuck, however fleeting it may be.
“He’s not a spy; he’s a stalker.”
Poor Morgan. He really got slapped around this episode. I have to say, though, that his integrated part in the plot was a welcome addition.
I was watching the first couple of episodes from the Blu-Ray set this week and they’ve really lost some of the Chuck/Morgan love since that first season.
It’s important to remember that it’s not just Chuck & Sarah that have a relationship. Chuck has Morgan and Ellie, and even Casey. If the show is to survive, it has to embrace all of its characters, for it is the characters that make Chuck great.
“Shame I gotta mess up that face.”
You know what gets its own section tonight? That awesome fight scene in the cab of the car. Just wow.
That was some creative choreography in there, and I especially loved the attempted CD stab. Whomever planned that out (I’m gonna guess Fedak), did an awesome job using every bit of a car for a fight scene.
Sure it was a little bit Jackie Chan, but I loved it. When’s the last time you saw a bad guy taken out by an intentionally deployed airbag?
That’s quick thinking on Sarah’s part. Color me impressed.
“Was the woman born with stars on her shoulders?”
The writing on this episode was just amazing. I’m a big fan of character driven stories and this one was about as character driven as it gets.
The developed every single character who made an appearance in the episode — even General Beckman! That’s just great writing that I hope they can stick to.
The episode flows so much better when we have so much to take in. In comparison, previous episodes seem drawn out and too focused. We need the multiple plot lines if we’re to deal with a 60-minute comedy.
“Yeah you do.”
And even with an episode so full of character development, there was time for Chuck & Sarah. My favorite of the parts was the subtle laugh from Yvonne when Chuck was fumbling over his words with the General.
Yvonne did have to lecture Chuck a bit on putting things in perspective with Morgan. I thought it was actually well done, and probably even justified. It might have stung a little, but it wasn’t relationship-damaging.
The car explosion was obvious, but they played it well where Sarah wouldn’t have known Chuck knew about the remote control. Our girl Yvonne Strahovski really sold that scene with her emotion. I don’t even think Chuck realized how big of an impact it made on her.
And we get a nice bow around the present with the conversation during Jeffster’s debut. If we’re going to dance around them being together ad infinitum, this is the way to do it.
Screen captures should be up tomorow afternoon; until then let’s talk it out! Did you like this episode? What was your favorite part?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
this episode was awesome.i had a couple of favorite parts.. one was the scene when chuck sees sarah’s face after the nerd herd car blew up.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I liked this episode a lot! It was better than I had expected. Yvonne was great. No surprise there, but still needs mentioning. I loved the car fight too. Casey and his toys. Amazing. And the way he hung on to the roof of the car was just great. I liked that the whole Buy More crew got involved, but they seemed a bit out of character to me.
Over all, it was a great episode.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
what’s the age difference between chuck and morgan?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I don’t think it’s ever been mentioned on the show, but I always just assumed they were roughly the same age.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I like your synopsis, put it in a different perspective, because I see things a little different, but I do agree the writing was fabulous!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Do share, Aaron! What’s different about your perspective?
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Amazing episode…just awesome! I loved every single part of this show!..i do have a question though..who said “Was the woman born with stars on her shoulders”..for some reason i don’t remember that quote..i am sure once you tell me who said that, it will come flowing back lol…anyway beautiful performance by Yvonne as usual!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Chuck said that when questioning whether Beckman understood that she was asking him to betray his best friend.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Things to love about this episode:
Yvonne, the woman can act. First putting Chuck in his place by pointing out that by not doing his job he might have saved Morgan but he could have put untold numbers of people at risk (drugs/weapons), second the anguish when she thinks he’s been blown up in the Nerd Herder. The heartbroken look on her face, choking back tears, Yvonne is simply the queen of emotive acting.
Zach, give the man props. Both the lecture on what morgan meant to him, not just his best friend but family, and the heartfelt line at the end where he assures Sarah that there is someone who cares about her, Zach delivers here in a way that I felt was lacking last week.
CHARAH, we actually took a baby-step forward. Last week was angst-monkey paradise, and the ending left me feeling hollow. This week we have just a glimmer of how they feel about each other and the fact that it’s getting harder and harder for Sarah to deal with it. That look on her face as they’re holding hands. Yvonne effectively conveys that Sarah WANTS to be a real girlfriend.
The rest was just great. Like you said, sometimes you really just want a burger. We got that and the chili-cheese fries to boot.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
That episode was for sure one of the funniest this season. I loved every part of this one. Casey riding on top of the car, the ending with Sarah and Chuck, Morgan and his shenanigans, the more Ellie and Awesome, and everything else. Fantastic episode for sure
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
All-in-all this was the best episode since the Christmas break. Everyone got a sub-plot here. Plus, the Charah dynamic really moved forward at the end. Btw, Chuck said the stars comment.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I agree. One of the best episodes in quite a while. We worked on every character. Even Beckman! One preson we completly missed though this week. Big Mike! But the episode was fantastic. But gonna have to say my favorite part was Sarah crying. Showed us how much she cares and that she can’t always hide it.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
In thinking back to last season’s episodes it seems as if Sarah was more engaged, on a human level, with the other characters than she has been this year. Tonight’s episode brought back some of that, especially the dialogue with Anna. I agree that some of Anna’s lines seemed a little out of character, but I also remember the episode with Morgan and her parents that portrayed a side of her that had not been seen again until tonight.
Casey is great! His one-liners keep the story lines from becoming too self-involved.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Have to agree also. Great feel-good episode!!!! I loved the scenes after the car exploding. How often has it been said here, FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ARE AWESOME, nothing is said but damn they get their points across. Unfortunately, it may be the calm before the storm. I’m expecting a somewhat bumpy road ahead for Charah in the next couple of episodes, it always happens when things are going good and they really have been. Good news though, I’m still sticking to my previous “2 steps forward, 1 step back” philosophy. Meaning a step back to come but a leap forward afterwards (we know Tricia Hefler is guest starring because of the General’s concern over Chuck and Sarah’s growing relationship).
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Such a fantastic episode. I feel bad that I wasn’t expecting much from this episode, but it definitely delivered. As many have said, there were many many good quotes. Lykoan, nice choices. Also, kudos to Yvonne. She blows us away with her acting each week. p.s. I think this was the first time Chuck’s and Sarah’s fingers were interlaced. Such an aw worthy eppy.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
It comes across that all of the characters have something to truly offer this show. I mean I fell in love with it after the first episode. Yes there have been ups and downs (writers strike) which caused the plot line to be tangled a bit. But tonight just showed me why I love Mondays. Tonight shows that all of actors that are in this show were correctly chosen. But Yvonne delivers the most. I have that huge fan boy crush on her so my views might be a little biased. But all in all I am excited about Chuck and Sarah.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I loved this episode too! I mean, I didn’t know what to expect and this one had so many moments. First, there was a lot of friendship stuff that happened during the episode. I can totally relate to the whole Chuck and Morgan friendship thing, I have a friend who I’ve basically known since elementary school and now, we’re in our freshman year of college. I would do the exact same things for my friend. Second, I think Sarah’s face when the Buy More care blew up was really important for their relationship going forward. But my favorite part was when Sarah said she’s never had anyone who has cared for her like that and then Chuck steps in. YVONNE CAN ACT!! This episode increased my crush on her too.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:16 am
One of my favorite parts was at the end, with Jeffster playing, and Chuck and Sarah holding hands. Sarah just seems to get more and more human, and more emotional. Maybe getting more comfortable and holding less back. I love it!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:20 am
I fairly enjoyed the episode. And boy, did Yvonne emotes when that car blew up. My heart jumped with her!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Tremendous way of finishing a chapter. My congratulations to writers for this end with so many mixed emotions. This choir of the end, was so intelligent. This time, we saw very convincing prominent figures all.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:44 am
very good episode. a little bit of everyone in this episode. Perfect episode to prepare us for the roller coaster that will be the next two weeks.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:18 am
ooh and she was wearing the bracelet in the beginning
February 24th, 2009 at 4:17 am
I was able to catch tonight’s episode, albeit a little late, thanks to my trusty old HD-DVR. I’ll just say it now: Yvonne looked s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g in that blue dress. WOW factor five! And the hits just keep on coming… I hope several of the posted screen caps include her in that outfit. She never ceases to impress!
Somehow tonight’s episode really sucked me in and definitely merited watching a few scenes over again. I wanted to see the facial expressions of the actors a little more closely, especially of our girl Yvonne when the Nerd Herd car exploded (as Rick already mentioned above), Adam Baldwin, and also to re-listen to some of the character dialogue. Particularly at the end of this episode inside the Buy More, when Morgan makes a ending comment to Chuck that “This is as good as it gets.” That comment, for some reason, kinda got me thinking…
I immediately began to ponder if there’s not a hint of relationship foreshadowing happening… especially in conjunction with last week’s episode and Chuck’s admission to Ellie that his and Sarah’s relationship will never be “anything more than it already is.” Yes, I realize they were holding hands, fingers interlocked. BUT just as they give us that there it was, as the episode was ending, a look of cool contentment on Chuck’s face and the briefest look of something else on Yvonne’s, as her eyes darted down and up and then the lip movement… a quick, cold facial expression that gave up a little something that her character might have been thinking. I just don’t think the writers will let them both be happy together, content to be in the moment at the same time with each other. There’s always a bit of angst, some kind of little twist (or facial expression) at the end to leave you guessing. I’m hooked. Loved it! Can’t wait for the upcoming episodes, especially with Tricia Helfer from BSG. Again with the hits. Yvonne will have her hands full with that one, there is no doubt.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Totally agree with every single comment here. I definitely think the ending was great! It allowed us to see how Sarah is changing and giving in to Chuck. The holding hands and the way they are holding hands just reinforces how real the relationship is despite the “cover” and again absolutely magnificent acting by Yvonne, soooooooooooo stunningly beautiful!!
February 24th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Just went back and watched final scene a couple of more times, I wouldn’t call Sarah’s expression a smirk at all. There is a brief moment or pause where I think she finally sees that she can have someone close in her life and I think it is more of a very contented smile to herself.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:03 am
I was really glad to see that this episode brought the best out of all of the characters we’ve come to know and love! And I think that the writers have done their best not to beat a dead horse with Chuck and Sarah pining secretly (or not-so-secretly) for each other — they always manage to keep it fresh. I am still hooked on this show!
Also, may I commend the Strahotski founders for keeping up a great site – when I first visited this site I thought it was all just about lusting after Yvonne, but I love the insightful posts about the show! Seriously, one of my favorite fan sites for Chuck. Great job guys!
February 24th, 2009 at 8:01 am
I think this is one of the very few times Chuck sees Sarah Walker as “Sarah Walker the human being” and not “Sarah Walker the CIA agent”. I am, of course, talking about the last scene ’cause Sarah’s stand during the early scenes were…very-CIA. I was touched during last week’s episode when Chuck hugged her to shield her from Fulcrum’s intersect, but it would be one hell of an understatement if I say the same for the tears she shed when she thought he just got blown up.
Ten stars!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:34 am
hmm she was wearing her bracelet in the debriefing in the beginning and during the debriefing at the end…but then she took it off before she went with Chuck to the Buy More to see Jeffster? Hahah I just love knowing that she wore it.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
the episode was great, cause in my opinion the Chuck/Sarah story line was subtle this week, still there though. Plus it gave the rest of cast, the opportunity to shine. That’s what makes “Chuck” the best show on tv.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:53 am
“Vs. the Best Friend” just reminds me why I love this show (other than Yvonne’s nuclear hotness). As always Morgan and Casey both were giving me giggle fits. I love it when Chuck spritzed Morgan with the knockout breath freshener. “Hey, is that pepp…” {thud} Too rich.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Great episode, I feel its nice to know how much Morgan means to chuck. ‘Semper Fi’ should have been up there, for all fellow COD fans. What an actor our Strahovski is. I know this is the billioneth time you’ve seen such a comment, but after Chuck, Id like to see a big project roll her way so she can get the big time she deserves.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Oh and I forgot to add, Great car fight scene. We didnt get a lot of Sarah’s nemesis this week, as compared to previous episodes, but I feel she did enough to piss me off. No one talks to Sarah like That!
February 24th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
one of the funniest parts was morgan getting knocked out by the spray and then thinking he just fainted. the ending was great though as well.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I love this show. Even i’m from Malaysia, I never miss all of the episode. For this episode I like the part when Sarah thinks Chuck been blown up in the Nerd Herd car. She looks really sad..even just for a moment though but it’s really shows us how she felt for Chuck. Overall this episode was great!!
February 25th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
An observation and a comment.
Comment first. This was a very good episode. Better than I thought it would be. Everyone interacted so well. And Casey even showed emotion near the end. Yvonne really nailed the emotions after the Herder exploded. The holding hands at the close was a very nice touch. NBC needs to keep this show and support it more.
Observation. I am new here so I don’t know if this has been brought up. In “Cougars” we learned Sarah’s dad was arrested by Gen. Graham and then he recruted her into the CIA. She wasn’t popular in school and had few if any friends. She was with Brice until he was “killed”. So then she meets Chuck not knowing what she is getting in to. What she got in to was a family environment so to speak. This was all new to her but she likes it. We find out in “Wookee” that “I’m good here”. And we know that she likes Chuck, but being the well trained CIA Agent she can’t, or won’t show it. What I finally got to is the exchange between Chuck explaining to Sarah just who Morgan is to him, and her telling Chuck his best friend is not the only one who might be hurt cause they didn’t identify contents of the container. This exchange was not only important to the story line, but also for Chuck and Sarah to understand more where both of them stood. We also know that Sarah does not talk about her feelings, and she does not like anyone to snoop around in her past. So at the end when she told Chuck, with some difficulty, she didn’t have anyone who really cared about her, she has finally started to open up to him. At least that was my interpertation.
I don’t know if the writers are doing this on purpose, but if they aren’t, now is their chance.
We all want Chuck and Sarah to be together, but the angst is part of the show. I love this show. Yvonne is simply amazing. I love her more.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hello everyone, just my two pence :
I’d like to remind everybody that the broadcasting order was changed because of the president’s speech, and so the chronological order was reversed, “Suburbs” happens after “Best friend” (while also opening the ‘Dark Intersect’ tri-arc) thus making a lot of the comments here logically wrong and redundant .
I am not dissing anybody, just pointing out that the analogies with last week episode are incorrect and so their(their obviously being Charah) relationship which seems to bounce up a little after the stagnancy of “third Dimension” , which manifest itself in Sarah’s
Sadness(and almost tears) and that nice moment in the end gets soured up badly after the consequences of that Fulcrum cul de sac(“suburbs episode”), and so rendering all the advancement made here almost worthless. keep in mind I’m talking only about the misfortunes of our doomed(hope not) couple, all the other characters actually made a leap forward in terms of development.
to “Coolbreeze”‘ that’s why your observation, while intelligent and deduced properly on its own merit, isn’t the right one since that talk with morgan happens before Chuck own admittance of defeat in front of Allie in the end of “suburbs” , however your unique perspective on that last look she gave when they held hands has managed to intrigue me; do you really think or rather feel that hers wasn’t a genuine closeness ‘feel for chuck’, but something else, colder and less meaningful? If so that is most incoherent if one takes into consideration the moments of chuck’s pseudo-death and the heartbreak she exhibited some moments before…
However it clear to me that the writers will continue to fiddle with the Charah tale since that’s the glue of the show, annoying and frustrating at time as it is.
love to hear your responses, Lyakon and others.
Alex
February 26th, 2009 at 9:21 am
The writers sure are playing with the Charah tale, but it is all in the well being of the show…there is so much to this relationship that every time the show gives us something new to talk about…be it Sarah crying for chuck or chuck comforting Sarah with that “yeah you do” phrase…
Though Sarah does not openly show her emotions, but deep down under she has plenty…her acting skills speak volumes about how talented she actually is…
It was nice to see the Chuck and Morgan part as well…I’m really happy to see awesome back on the show…missed him a lot…
As I’ve said earlier, I love the show and after that killing emotional scene towards the end, my love for Yvonne has doubled..
Love ya Yvonne
Chakshu
February 27th, 2009 at 5:33 am
for Alexg…
I’ve been able to watch the ending of VS. Best Friend a couple more times now this week and reflect. (BTW, I now know the correct chronological episodic order of things, thanks for posting that info.) And I’ve come to realize that her brief facial expression wasn’t “cold”, rather a reaffirming manifestation of her character’s internal struggle between her feelings for Chuck and her strong sense of duty to CIA and country. Especially after the psuedo-death, exploding Herd Mobile she’s become emotionally conflicted and, more importantly, now she really feels it! Unfortunately for Chuck, it’s the part of her character that she has a difficult time expressing. Smartly, the writers are doling that out in small amounts to keep it interesting…
Interestingly enough, it also kind of reminded me of a scene in episode S01E04 “Wookiee” when that hot DEA counterpart told Chuck she loved nothing better than “taking something away from Sarah that she wanted, even though she hadn’t realized she wanted it yet.”
–C_B
March 1st, 2009 at 1:10 pm
hello people, to ‘CoolBreeze’ : to be honest I’m not sure that struggle is the feeling she expresses in the afformentioned look, rather a hesitated acceptance of her situation(BTW “for CIA and country” where did THAT come from?).
to edj.630 Graham wasn’t a general(Since there aren’t any in the C.I.A), but rather a Director of the agency.
Which by the way arises certain question on its own; I think that this fact is one of the more stretches of the suspension of disbelief practiced in Chuck, and let me explain : The director of the CIA is a political
nomination, a beaurocrat even if appointed from the Intelligence community, therefore he is not dealing with day to day field operation, and especially not talking to field officers(which BTW is the correct rank
of CIA operatives, there is no ‘agents’(it’s not the FBI)and consorting(of sort) with the head of the NSA (which again,BTW can’t give orders to the CIA) and certainly would not be involved personally in activation of something like the Intersect which is potentially dangerous, but rather will utilize the chain of command to do that.
rhetoric speech aside,non of this crap will interfear with my enjoyment from the show, which borders on obsession with regards to the Charah relationship which has me invested emotionally.
love to hear your replies
Alex
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:01 am
OK Alex, I couldn’t remember if Graham was military or not, and I didn’t go back to check. No big deal, and I agree with you. I have gotten VERY tied up in this show. Not only the Charah relationship, but also with the lovely Yvonne.
As an extra bonus, I get to see a very good television show. There is action, comedy, suspense, romance, and they seem to love blowing things up. What more could anyone ask for.
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
This episode was great , wonderful ,perfect and etc.Tough i’m not american or native english speaker i always watch chuck -with subtitles- I like sarah and this show impresses me i wish i stayed at usa or had a chance to meet yvonne . may be one time….