Chuck Returns - January 10

Chuck Is Back! On January 10 Chuck will premier season 3 with a 2 episodes on Sunday and then one more episode at the regular time on Monday, January 11. It’s been a long wait but after all these months, the advertisements on NBC look like the season is good.

The sub-theme this year is Chuck: No more Mr. Nice Spy. As you know, at the end of last season, Chuck downloaded the Intersect 2.0 into his brain. 2.0 gives him different strengths and spy skills. The problem is that 2.0 was designed for a non-emotional spy like Brice Larkin. As we all know, Chuck Bartowski is not like that. So the Intersect doesn’t always work the way it was intended. That should lead to some hilarious and dangerous incidences.

It also should lead to some exciting dealings between Chuck and Sarah. They will go on missions as “equals” but Chuck will have to try not to show his jealousy or the Intersect will go wrong. One preview shows us Sarah getting out of a pool in an awesome white bikini. Chuck gets into the underwear showing too. He is on a roof and his pants fall down. That is in the one of the first five episodes.

One reviewer who has seen the first five episodes said the episodes were faster moving, with more action, and everything pertained to the plot. The first three are great to be played together. I could say more but I think Captain Awesome has a big part in one of them.

I can’t wait to see Chuck, Sarah, and the gang. Keep January 10 & 11 open.

New Season

It has been too long since I have posted anything on my blog. I worried and wrote letters for the renewal of Chuck for Season Three. We got a shortened Season 3 that doesn’t start until after the Winter Olympics in March. (Argg) But at least they are filming now so there will be some episodes in the can.

Over the summer I heard that Zac Levi had a part in the new Chipmunk movie. Yvonne went home to Australia and worked on two movies. She worked on Love and Mortar and I Love You Too. She also signed to do a movie called Shadows of the Sky. From interviews and other blogs, these movies kept her very busy and didn’t have much information about the Subway campaign to save the show and all the letters to NBC.

I am embarrassed to admit that I spent too much time on EBay trying to get tickets to ComiCon in San Diego. There for a while I was fixated on getting tickets to go. But after the third time I stopped bidding at $350 and the tickets went much higher. It would have been great to see the cast of Chuck and The Big Bang Theory but I may be a little old to be a groupie.

Since the beginning of filming, I have heard of a disturbing rumor about a new character. Brandon Routh, who portrayed Superman in the most recent movie, has joined Chuck for a multi-episode arc. Routh will become a mentor to Chuck. He will later become Chuck's rival to get some attentions from Sarah. His character is described as a mysterious new spy who takes control as the leader of Operation Bartwoski.

Why do they have to bring in Guest Stars like this? I know I should keep an open-mind but it seems a replay of last year but at least Chuck will be on the air.

Chuck Season 3

I have been holding my breath since the last episode, hoping NBC would renew Chuck for next season. The first set of announced renewals did not include Chuck. Last week the second list was announced and Chuck was on it for 13 episodes (22 is a full season). Chuck won't be shown until after the Winter Olympics in March.

After I found out it would be that long, I ordered Season 1 on DVD. Its over 10 months before a new episode. So its positive that Chuck was renewed but its limited victory. We need to continue to support Chuck if there are repeats this summer. This was the first time I have ever written to a network for a show.

Some of the forums have reported that Yvonne is filming 2 movies in Australia now. Also there are reports that she has signed for another movie. I wish Zack would do a movie too. The Chuck team usually goes to ComicCon (Comic convention) in San Diego but I haven't heard of any of the cast appearing this year. It would be great if they would. There is one in Chicago too. I'd go if they were at that one.

If I hear of some news, I will post it.

Chuck vs. The Ring

Let me say, this was one of the most exciting Chuck episodes of the season. I kept waiting for Sarah to tell Chuck how she feels about him. I wanted them to get together in this episode since there might not be another episode.

Now here are some things that happened in the episode. Chuck gets the Intersect out of his head, quits the CIA, quits the Buy More, asks Sarah to go on vacation with him, saves the day at Ellie's wedding, puts the intersect back in his head, and then learns he can do Kung Fu. That's just what happened to Chuck. There was the threat by Chevy Chase, the destruction of the first wedding by Jeffster, the creation of the second wedding by Casey, and the beach wedding.

Here are the best parts:

Wedding 1
We get to the church after Chuck and Casey quit the Buy More. Everybody is all dressed for the wedding as Chuck tells Ellie that he had quit the Buy More. That pleased Ellie but she asked the natural question, “What’s next?” Sarah enters the room and Chuck looks at her. Ellie tells him to go make his dreams come true like she did. Then Chuck and Sarah go into the hall to talk.

The scene starts slow with Sarah telling Chuck he looks like a real spy and Chuck tells Sarah that she looks like a real bridesmaid. That start made it look promising for at least a kiss but then they both talk at the same time and Chuck continues talking.

Chuck goes through this long monolog that ends by asking Sarah to go on vacation with him. I don’t know about you but I was expecting his to ask her to marry him. Come on Chuck, do you love her or not. I know you are taking a big step but that was a wimpy step. Then Sarah said she was leaving in the morning on the new Intersect project in the morning with Brice. Way to go, Sarah, put the knife in and twist it.

Battle in Reception Hall
No wonder Chuck retreated to the reception hall for a bottle. Who does he run into? Ted Roark! And he gives Chuck the ultimatum; get me the Intersect or Ellie dies. Now, Chuck’s message to Sarah by way of Morgan was ingenious. Sarah knew what he meant but Morgan thought Chuck had really forgotten the rings.

While we are talking about rings, what is the title of the episode all about? Chuck versus the Ring. I thought it was referencing the wedding ring of Ellie. It turns out that it is a new group of bad guys. I thought we got rid of all the bad guys when they bombed the drive-in.

Before Bryce and Chuck arrive at the reception hall, Sarah is opening gifts. I couldn’t figure out what she was doing, and then she found some knives and began throwing them. That held off Roark and his goons for a while until she ran out of knives and Bryce ran out of bullets.

It was a good thing Casey and his crew showed to save the day but ruin the reception.

Wedding 2
The beach wedding was awesome. Everyone’s dresses were much better than the original ones. Chuck knew exactly what Ellie really wanted for a wedding. I don’t have a lot to say about it except it was scenic and the bride was beautiful.

Final Battle
That was unexpected. Papa Bartowski has an Intersect in his head and Bryce is dead again. When Chuck fell into the Intersect room, he looked just like Bryce did in the Pilot. Then he discovers Bryce on the floor.

I wish Chuck would have listened to what Bryce said about Sarah staying with him. I can’t believe Bryce is really dead but he does have his own show.

Now Chuck has the argument with himself through flashbacks if he should download the Intersect before destroying it. He finally realized he was a spy and could be the Intersect.

After destroying the computer, the only two things of importance happen: Sarah’s discovering Bryce is dead and Chuck’s Kung Fu. At first I thought Sarah over reacted but they had been partners and had been involved so it wasn’t too bad.

Chuck needs to take some lessons from Sarah if he is to continue fighting next season. It will be exciting to find out what the new Intersect can do and how Sarah will relate to the ‘new and improved’ Chuck.

Chuck and Sarah
This was not the best episode for Chuck and Sarah. I am so frustrated with what Chuck did and didn’t say (and do) to Sarah. Sarah was just being Sarah – not saying anything that shows any emotional commitment.

I expected more to happen in this arena during this episode. Everything changed in this episode except this. I wanted to at least have a good kiss. There were several times it could have happened; in the hall when they talked about the rings, in Chuck’s room after the first wedding after Chuck asked her to do one more mission, a little one on the beach would have been perfect, or at the reception (before or during their dance).

Maybe next season, probably not.

Chuck vs. The Colonel

I am finally glad Chuck and Sarah got together. Boy I bet Chuck was mad when he found Morgan's IOU for a condom. Then Casey grabs his when he went out for one. Talk about frustration. At least they both got their feelings known to each other.

We quickly found out who the Colonel in the title - Colonel Casey. He gets promoted for his work with the intersect.  It just kills me how the General always calls him the intersect and not by his name, Chuck.  We find out in the first ten minutes, then the action starts.

First, Chuck runs over the guys that have Sarah prisoner and the quick fight after that. While Casey is driving Sarah and Chuck back to jail, the signal "Tron at 12". That's a signal for Chuck.

Then, comes the infamous battle between Colonel Casey and Captain Awesome. It is turns out to be more of a battle than I had imagined. Even though Casey wins, Devon gives a good showing of himself. There is a sneak peek of the blooming Chuck/Sarah (Charah as they call it in the blogs) romance.  

Wow, Chuck tells Awesome he is a spy. Of anyone to tell, why Awesome. Devan isn't even family, yet. But he had to get someone to help him with Ellie. I think he is not the best choice but it makes it really funny.

Dad gets the new intersect done that removes the intersect from Chuck. Everything goes as planned before the bombing starts.  My question is "How many of those guys got away?"

Everybody looks great for the rehearsal dinner, especially the ladies; and Casey gets invited. What can go wrong at the wedding, right?  

I'm sure there are some things Chevy Chase has planned for the wedding though. Can't wait.

Seeing the New Grandson

Sorry I didn't make an update this week. I am in San Diego playing with Elijah, my newest grandson.

I did love the episode, especially how Chuck showed some real backbone and Sarah showed some of her feelings toward Chuck. Can't wait for next week and the hotel room scene. Its got to be hot.

More next week.

Chuck vs. The Dream Job

We met Chuck's dad and he is Orion. So now we have some of the loose ends tied up. Dad left for the safety of Chuck and Ellie and his old buddy, Chevy Chase, is in tight with Fulcrum. Besides Chuck having a job at a Microsoft type company for a day, that was the show.

I was disappointed that Chuck didn't tell Sarah about having the Intersect plans.He told Casey.  I am confused with Chuck. To have someone trust you, you have to trust them. Sarah found YOUR DAD. What more could you ask for. They better get together in the next two episodes or I am going to be really mad. Both of them deserve some happiness. They have been giving throughout the series, its time they get something back.

We need some closure on the bachelor party happenings or that thing is going to cause some big problems later.  Come Jeff and Lester, show some backbone and go to Ellie and tell her how they got the pictures.

The whole episode seemed to build to the next one. I hope Chuck and Sarah save the day and the Dad before the intersect is finished. The intersect should stay in Chuck's head and he continues being the 'secret weapon'.  

But the Buy More should be history.  Another job with the main Buy More guys working together in a different field as a front for the CIA/DIA.  Sort of like the Man from UNCLE or I Spy.  I don't know.  I just like the idea of Chuck being a computer and Sarah protecting him.

Do you have any ideas? Let me know. 

Not the best show.  Everything jumped around too fast. 

Chuck vs. The Broken Heart

Chuck found his Dad (Scott Bakula) and Sarah didn't get replaced by Agent Forest. Then there was the Bachelor party for Captain Awesome.  I think it was wasted time that could have been spent on Forest's time evaluating Sarah.  Her report came out of nowhere.

It looks like Devon stumbled on some of Chuck's communications with the General.  I think he will either find out just enough to get himself in trouble or Chuck (or Sarah) will have to tell him some of what Chuck's spy activity.  Either way, I think Devon is going to be involved more in Chuck's spy activities next season.

A little more about Daddy Bartowski.  Why has he been hiding from Ellie and Chuck for all these years and did Sarah recognize him when the door opened?  He was working with the CIA and Sarah worked with him. That's my guess.  Over the rest of the episodes this year we will find out Mr. Bartowski's story.

Ellie will not be as mad after her dad gets there and Jeffster explains that they posed Devon for the pictures in their excitement to have the "perfect first bachelor party experience".  That whole sub-plot was lame, I think.

I look forward to next week.  Chuck vs. the Perfect Job is where Chuck meets his mentor, Chevy Chase.

Update

After I posted this last night, I thought of two things that have nothing to do with the plot of the episode. 

1. Did you see the car Sarah was driving?  A Porsche Boxster. Now that is a real Barbie car. Couldn't you see Barbie and Ken driving around your living room in that car.  But Sarah looked so wicked good in it.
2. What's all the noise about Agent Alex Forrest (Tricia Helfer)? I kept reading in the magazines, blogs, message boards before the episode about how beautiful she was and how great she is in her part.  I watched her and I still can't figure out if something is wrong with my TV.  She can't hold a candle to Sarah or Ellie and her acting was wooden. Sometimes people live on their past performances and I had never seen her before. So I must be missing something.
   

That's all - I want a ride with Sarah in her car and if I never see Agent Forrest again, it will be too soon.

Chuck vs. The Predator

We know that Chuck can get the Intersect out of his head. We have met Orion and he is dead (I think). General Beckman doesn’t want the Intersect out of Chuck’s head. General Beckman is short. (Which on this show could be normal height because everybody on Chuck is really tall.) There is an all out war against Fulcrum. And General Beckman doesn’t trust anyone.

Now that I have all that off my chest, let’s talk about the episode. Chuck spends one night looking for Orion and finds him. Fulcrum and the NSA have been looking for Orion for three years and haven’t found him. So it seems to me Orion had feelers out for Chuck for when he was looking. Then someone was captured by Fulcrum and he died. Would Orion come out of hiding that easily? Mmmm … maybe … maybe not. I think we will find out in the next 4 episodes.

Beckman wants to know how Sarah has been doing on the job. Next week Tricia Helfer will be a guest star to evaluate Sarah’s job performance. The last episode is Ellie and Awesome’s wedding. So I want to see some kind of commitment between Sarah and chuck about fighting Fulcrum and finding how to get the Intersect out of Chuck’s head.

I think Chuck and Sarah will form some kind of alliance before the end of the season. I don’t know how close Casey will be involved in the alliance. He will still be part of the team but I don’t think he will be privy to all everything Sarah and Chuck are. I still think Chuck is a better spy than he shows and I also think Sarah is going to train him some to real spy stuff.

I already hate Tricia Helfer and can’t wait for next week’s show. It is going to be Awesome’s bachelor party. So there should be some fun and some tension. I’ll be surfin’ the net trying find out some tidbits about the show.

Who is Orion?

In the last new episode, Chuck clearly stated his feelings for Sarah:

“Sarah, I’m not going to move in with you…because I can’t. And you know why I can’t. I’m crazy about you … and … and … I’ve always been. But having a fake relationship, that’s one thing, but living together is … (pause and Chuck struggles for words) I mean everyday, bein’ around each other and … and … and that’s why I can’t do it. And I hope you understand.”

“I do.”

“Thank you.” Chuck puts on his bag and turns back to Sarah.

“Oh… and ah… just so ya know. (pause) I am going to get this thing out of my head one day. I will. And when I do I’m going to live the life I want with the girl that I love. Because I’m not going to let this thing rob me of that. I won’t.”

So we know Chuck wants the Intersect out of his head and he thinks Orion can help him do it. I looked at some websites with some short episode synopsis and it looks like Chuck goes out looking for Orion. One teaser had him questioning General Beckman about if she wanted him to find Orion. It was implied that she didn’t.

After seeing the back of Chuck’s Tron poster, I think Chuck knows more than he lets on. Has he had more flashed than he has told? It was evident by the chart that he heard Sarah say her middle name. This poster is going to play into the final episodes of the season.

Now, who is Orion? The only theory on the Chuck message boards right now is that Chuck’s dad is Orion. That seems a little far out for me but it might be. Tron was his favorite movie and maybe he designed a computer that was like Tron.

I think General Beckman knows more about Orion and the Intersect than she is saying. In upcoming episodes, a Bill Gates type guy is introduced. He may have something to do with the Intersect. My theory is that Chuck shows Sarah the Tron poster and they work together to find Orion. This will be the hook to keep us waiting until next year. Oh, someone is supposed to die, too. I think it will be Bryce as he tries to tell Chuck and Sarah who Orion is.

I know, I have too much time on my hands to be figuring all this out, but what else did I have to do while waiting for Emily to have her baby? See you all soon.

Sarah's Feelings for Chuck

Today I’m going to talk about Sarah and how she feels about Chuck. She gave us some quick glimpses into her feelings like when she thought the time bomb was going to explode and she kissed Chuck. You could tell she was jealous in the episodes when Chuck was involved with other woman. For me, it seemed she was more jealous when Chuck was with Lou than Jill.

But in this last episode (Chuck vs. the Lethal Weapon) the beginning was sort of odd. Sarah and Chuck awoke in Chuck’s bed (surprise for me it was in Chuck’s bed). It was clear that Chuck was awake before the alarm but when the camera focuses on Sarah, I think she is awake too. I wonder why she was awake. Was she trying to build up herself for the show she was going to have to make for Chuck at the alarm? I think so.

All during the episode she seemed to be overdoing it when Cole injured, especially when they were in the Constellation Computer Lab. She did admit that she was concerned for both Cole and Chuck. It wasn’t until the end of episode that Cole had a good feel that there was something between Sarah and Chuck from when Chuck’s life was in danger. Then Cole went all out to get Sarah to go somewhere with him for 24 hours and Sarah turned him down because “she couldn’t cheat on her cover boyfriend.”

Cole challenged her and realized “Cole Barker looses the girl to Chuck Bartowski.”

“When you meet somebody you care about, its just hard to walk away,” is Sarah’s response to Cole’s statement.

Then when Chuck tells Sarah that he isn’t moving in with her, she doesn’t blink. I expected her to say something to Chuck about how she felt but now she is being the stubborn one. She feels she has to hide her feelings from Chuck. Chuck tells Sarah he is crazy for her and it would be too hard.

Next he says he is going “…to get this thing out of my head…” and then he is going to come and get the woman he loves. The look Sarah gives is hopeful, scared, unbelieving? I don’t know but I want to know. I can’t wait.

I have looked at future episode synopsis and I can’t tell exactly what is going to happen but I know Chuck tries to find Orion. But there is also Ellie and Awesome’s wedding. I know somebody finds Chuck and Ellie’s dad.

Let me know if you have any ideas on my writings.

Bob
bob@jazzbob7.com

Chuck vs. The Lethal Weapon

I just finished watching the latest episode of Chuck and I am worn out.  There were so many ups and downs in Chuck vs. the Lethal Weapon that I couldn't ever get a solid footing.  Where are Chuck and Sarah going to live (it was a real surprise to see them in Chuck's room)?  How did Cole get away from Fulcrum (I think he is connected to Fulcrum somehow)?   Is it Chuck or Cole (We found out its Chuck)?  Can Casey dance (still don't know but he looks great in a tux)?  

Now this episode Chuck got to do some real spy stuff.  Cole pushed him to carry a gun and to save Sarah and Casey but he did clutz (I say it all the time but how do you spell it) out at the end.  He did show some grit when he was following Perseus and chasing him down but he was showed up again by Cole.  Then at the end of the episode I think Chuck didn't follow Cole's advice, push to get what you want.  He should have moved in with Sarah and Sarah should have told him that she wanted him to move in with her.

Sarah did a great job of keeping us wondering who she was thinking about throughout the episode.  She was always going to help Cole but she kept deflecting his advances.  Finally at the end, she makes it clear to Cole that Chuck was her choice.

Now we come to the Morgan/Anna thing.  It only took Morgan half the episode to realize that Anna was for him.  Chuck should take his own advice and grab on to Anna because she loves him for what he is, not for what he has.  Chuck, Chuck, Chuck.  Listen to your advice and follow it.  I just want to shake him. 

I am waiting for my download from Itunes.  After the download I will watch it a few more times.  If I have any more thoughts I will add another post.

Chuck vs. the Beefcake

This was a good show. There was a lot of action and some comedic parts.  I have to say I want Chuck and Sarah to get together but breaking up, getting back together, moving in together is getting a bit too much for me.  

Sarah doesn't strike me as shallow as she seemed to be in this episode.  It doesn't seem that she would fall that quickly for a "hunk".  Although Cole had some great lines and was a very good agent, I don't think Sarah would be taken in that easily.  Unless she was hurting about the "break-up" with Chuck.  Am I reading too much into this?  The end of the episode did leave many great possibilities for the future.  I can't imagine how they are going to make the living together work.  I'm sure it will lead to some fireworks and more underwear scenes.  

Now what becomes of Morgan finding an apartment?  Wasn't he going to move in with Anna several episodes ago?  Will that become a reality now?  Seems like many questions were raised in this show.  

Now the sub-plot with Jeff and Lester was not needed.  Maybe it will become part of a plot line and be resolved in another show (I hope they don't leave it hanging out there).  At least Jeff and Lester are a constant in the show.  I hear Jeffster will be making another appearance.

Can't wait for the next show - Chuck vs. the Lethal Weapon.  Let me know what you thought of this week's show.