I wasn’t quite sure what to call this post. What exactly is the plural of ‘Ring: Part II’? I decided to use the same rule that makes the plural of passerby into passersby.

We just got done watching one episode and now it’s already time to review another!  It’s rough work keeping up with all of this, but I press on for fans of Yvonne Strahovski everywhere.

I can’t wait to see what sort of changes we will see as we review Episode 3.19 — Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II.

“Two Bartowskis.  Double the fun.”

I know I usually line my reviews with quotes, but I’m going to forego that this time.  Taking quotes makes it to where I can’t pay as much attention as I’d like and this episode is too awesome to miss.  I apologize to all the quote lovers out there.

I don’t even know where to begin!  Though I would have preferred the arc brought to conclusion with these two episodes stretched out over the entire back 6, it was still a pretty momentous episode.

It’s sad to leave Stephen Bartowski go but wow — what a way to go.  So Chuck has now inherited a spy legacy.  Can Ellie stop him from pursuing it?  Who is this even more evil organization out to get the Bartowski family?

I love how this episode ended with opening up a ton of lore.  It allows the show to continue with an entirely different angle next year while still keeping the spy/action/comedy bit together.  It’ll be interesting to see how some of the fringe characters like Lester, Jeff, Mike and Beckman play into all this.

I really love the addition of Casey’s daughter.  It was a bit out of the blue (like the entire arc), but it opens up a great thing for Adam Baldwin.  His begrudging respect for Morgan is sure to be put to the test with the budding relationship with Alex on the horizon.

Now that everyone knows everyone else’s real name, you’d think they’d start calling each other by their real names, wouldn’t you?  Oh well, I guess calling Casey Alex and Sarah Sam would just a bit much to take.  I don’t know if I could adjust.

I’m not entirely surprised they blew up the Buy More.  It was a great epic thing to do and it allows them to finally break free of the shackles it has provided.  It has been such an identity for the show, though, I’ll give the writers a lot of credit if they can really leave it behind forever.

I was pretty satisfied with the way Shaw died the first time and I think I would have preferred that it be left at that.  I think a new villain could have stepped in for this arc and been acceptable.  Although Chuck did finally get to beat the ever loving heck out of Shaw, it was a bit forced with the weird memory of Chuck getting an Intersect Alpha in his head from his childhood.

I’m not entirely clear how that Intersect affected Chuck.  It clearly did not give him flashes in the way the current Intersect does, but could it possibly explain his above average intelligence?  Perhaps his whole life was inadvertently engineered by that fateful exposure to his father’s work.

I’m interested to see where the governor goes as a plot device.  It can be used as Chuck’s kryptonite now, but it could just as easily fade into the background as though it never existed.  I say they should get Awesome to implant the governor in his body.  Sure would make it a lot harder to steal.

I’m excited about where the show is going next year, but they left it open enough to give them complete creative freedom on what to do.  Chuck could start a new lie to Ellie and they can effectively “reset” the show.  I expect to see only Sarah and Casey in on Chuck’s legacy.  It was a pretty clever way to pull all of that off and I think it only suffered because they didn’t get started on it until too late in the season.

As for our girl, Yvonne Strahovski; these episodes really weren’t about her character.  She brought the best to her role as she always does but I really hope the writers can find a better place for her next season.  Since Chuck is now awesome and dating Sarah, they need to find a niche for her and not forget that she is also totally awesome in her own right.

So what do you guys think?  Are you stoked about what Season 4 may bring?  Screen caps should trickle up over the next few days (I don’t know if I can do both hours in one sitting).  Until then, let’s talk it out.

Season 3 has finally come to an end, but it is considerably less bittersweet with the news that a fourth season will bring us at least 13 new episodes.

Through the hard work of fans last season and the generous sponsorship of Subway, Chuck was able to get a 4th season on its own merits.

Perhaps it is fitting that this next to last episode pays homage to the sponsor that kept Chuck alive when it was all but surely dead.  Let’s get to the review of Episode 3.18 — Chuck Versus the Subway.

“Way to talk me down, Dad.”

This review is going to be quick.  I have another episode to watch!

To start, I still love Papa Bartowski but it’s sad to see him so quick to run away.  That didn’t even work for him so I don’t know why thought it’d work for Chuck.  At least he came around at the end, though.

Chuck’s Intersect glitching out is an interesting macguffin to explain why Shaw might want to go after him.  He needs the governor, afterall.  What’s better than some Intersect on Intersect action?

“Ellie is exactly like Chuck but with lady parts.”

So now Ellie knows too!  It’s gone from Mr. and Mrs. Smith to a new sort of setup — The Waltons as spies?  It’s like a spy family now.  Casey’s even there to be the kooky next door neighbor.  Every family comedy needs a kooky neighbor.

Awesome does a great job in this episode, as he always does when he has to act flustered.  I love that his answer to Ellie potentially cheating on him is to double up his workouts in the gym.

I also love his reaction when he realizes that he’s told Ellie Chuck’s secret; and Morgan’s calm collected manner upon finding out that Ellie knows.

Read the rest of this entry »

I haven’t yet fully recovered from my trip, but the time has come to write another review.

This week sees the reintroduction of Stephen Bartowski which I’m excited about.  His arc in Season 2 is still the best of the series in my opinion.  I hope the wrist computer makes a return.  Whatever happened to that thing?

The clock is counting down and its time get to the review of Episode 3.17 – Chuck Versus the Living Dead.

“The heart is a very complicated muscle.”

Right off the bat this episode is better than last week’s.  The addition of Scott Bakula really picked up the episode and brought back the good old days.

I can’t believe Ellie whacked the heck out of John Casey’s jaw.  Poor guy.  Too bad the trailers totally spoiled all that business with the gun.  I didn’t believe for a second that she was going to shoot anyone.

Also, I wish the writers wouldn’t feel the need to put doubt into the Chuck/Sarah relationship every single episode.  It gets old, and robs us from truly enjoying the relationship that has formed.  They should be past distrust at this point; if not forever at least for a week.

“Is that a bulletproof tie?”

Morgan in Castle was pretty hilarious.  It’s interesting that despite the fact that he’s an official member of Team Bartowski, he still doesn’t have unfettered access.

It’s too bad that Sarah’s interrogation wasn’t expounded upon.  It would have been fun to see her pull out guns and all manner of weaponry to intimidate him.  I feel cheated!

Morgan is really going to have to man up if he wants Chuck to trust him with information.  How many times is Chuck going to fall for that?

“Shaw’s dead.  Care to join him?”

Those are neat glasses that Chuck & Sarah had in the penthouse.  I wish I could get a pair of those.  It’s especially great when you want to convince yourself that you’re seeing a ghost!

It’s too bad the writers can’t see that Shaw is not a particularly compelling villain.  I’m not sure putting the intersect in Shaw’s head is going to make him anymore exciting.  The good news is that we’ll probably get to see Chuck shoot him again.  Yay for that!

Also, does anyone else think that Ellie’s handler looks like Matthew Perry?  Especially from the side.  He’s like a serious version of Matthew Perry.

Read the rest of this entry »

I realize that it’s old news at this point, but for those who haven’t heard — Chuck has been renewed for a fourth season!

I apologize for the late post, but I’ve been visiting in-laws in rural Arizona. And when I say rural, I mean literally the middle of nowhere.  With sand and mountains in every direction.  Needless to say, Sprint’s 3G network does not extend that far.

But I’m back, and I’ve caught up by watching Versus the Tooth.  A cute episode, but I’m a little bit worried that Sarah (and in turn Yvonne Strahovski) is becoming more of an accessory than a character.

The arc with their relationship is pretty cliche so far with the “I Love You” debacle that always occurs on such shows.  And how could they not get Christopher Lloyd to say “Great Scott!” or “1.21 Jigawatts?!”

I do really like the new arc with Ellie, though.  Adam Baldwin plays well off of her, so I look forward to much hilarity in the future.

The screen captures will be up tomorrow afternoon after I’ve decompressed from the trip.  The above is about as much reviewing as I’ll do for Versus the Tooth.  Back on schedule this week, though!

Also on a site-related note, we’ve been having some issues with the server over the past week.  New forum members might have had trouble registering.  All should be fixed now, and the backlog of applicants should all be approved.

Thanks for the patience!

So now that Chuck & Sarah are content to smooch their lives away, what exactly are we left with?

For starters, it looks like Casey’s nerves are going to be put to the test by Mr. Grimes, while Chuck and Sarah get a crash course on what it is to be both spies and lovers.

Hopefully you’re back from your Chuck March, because it’s time to get to the review of Episode 3.15 — Chuck Versus the Role Models.

“I’m sure you’ll make him sparkle.”

To start with, this episode sure had a lot of fun with the scene transitions.  In true Chuck fashion, the B plot was a practically a mirror of the A plot.  It’s always a good way to tie an episode together.

With Chuck coming from a broken home and Sarah coming from even worse, it will be interesting to see how they play with that in developing both characters into a mature relationship.  Ellie & Awesome may be the only positive role models either of them have.

“He’s nothing but a CIA sanctioned gigolo.”

I know Chuck is a light-hearted show for the most part, but Fred Willard is just too over the top for me.  I’m too used to seeing him being completely over the top.  I can’t believe that Chuck would ever see anything in him worth idolizing.

The only thing I remember Swoosie Kurtz from is Liar Liar.  She did great in that movie, and she did fine here.  Not my favorite Chuck guest stars, though.  I much preferred John Laroquette as a washed up spy.

Read the rest of this entry »