A review of “Chuck versus the Pink Slip” & “Chuck versus the Three Words”
By Michal
“Really important people told me that they thought I could change the world.” – Chuck
Chuck is back and it was legendary! Two whole hours of spy fun! I forgot how much I loved this show or how much I missed it. But onto festivities…if you haven’t watched the episode yet, the standard spoiler warning applies and you should stop reading now. Okay, actually now!
Review
For me the two episodes felt like a pilot for the new direction of the show. Chuck is no longer solely in need of protection from the world. The world needs to be protected from Chuck and that was no truer than when Chuck had to fight himself not to attack Emmett.
I did feel like in some respects Chuck took a step back in his evolution as a spy. I thought Chuck was past some of the amateur antic, but as he kept trying to talk to Sarah about their relationship and feelings during the middle of the mission in “Chuck versus the Three Words,” I realized he hadn’t matured as much as I hoped. Sure, part of the allure of the show is the fact that Chuck isn’t really a trained spy, but I thought he’d learned more about the profession after two years with Casey and Sarah. Ah well…if that is my biggest issue with the show, the writers are doing pretty awesome!
Chuck’s new abilities are absolutely fabulous. I was stoked at the end of last season and I’m glad that the flashes aren’t reserved only for defense purposes. I loved Chuck as a classical guitarist. I can’t wait to see what other skills he will momentarily obtain.
I also liked that it was Chuck speaking from the heart, not flashed kung fu, that allowed Team Bartowski to take out Karl and his henchmen. I was a bit concerned that Chuck with spy skills might take away from Chuck the decent guy. I’m glad to see some things never change. That said, I can’t wait to see what trouble Chuck as the Intersect 2.0 can get into.
Miscellaneous Thoughts
“O Captain, My Captain!” Lester has really grown on me in the last two seasons. Of course most of it has to do with Jeffster. They better be back this season!
While I hated Emmett until the end…it kind of sucked he got shot like that on a loading dock. Good to have Big Mike back, though!
Mariachi!Chuck = AWESOME
I liked seeing Casey stranding up for Chuck again. The two of them formed an interested bond and while he may be back to more of a ground zero with Sarah, at least he still has his complicated friendship with Casey.
Who knew Karina was such a romantic?? Color me shocked!
Well, that’s it for me. So what did you all think? Do you agree with me? Were we watching the same show? Leave your comments below!
Hey. I LOVE(d) Chuck so it pains me to say how much I hated the 2 hour premiere (the next nights’ ep was better). My issues (you covered some of these):
-Really?! After 2 years AND 6 intensive months of spy training, Chuck’s reverted? Even last year when involved with Sarah he’d shut up and get the job done instead of harping on her and whining.
-Also he was a seemingly better spy last year. Sure he fell into saving the day, but there was always a geniune caring about his job. The show-boating and getting zapped by the laser security was more amateurish than anything he had done in recent memory.
-AND… on the same issue, last-year Chuck never would have mentioned the other spy’s name while confessing in the vault. Sure he wasn’t a trained spy but he was intelligent. That really bugged me!
-Emmett’s death was all wrong. This was a show with heart. Think of how many times a bad guy has gone into the Buy-More and Chuck’s defended everyone, even those folks he didn’t exactly love. Yeah, Emmett was an annoyance, but he didn’t “deserve” to be shot through the eye and head! And then to have the staff TOTALLY ignore it?! All wrong.
-Everyone coming back was sickenly too convenient. This must’ve been written after NBC changed their mind and decided to re-up the show, but it was so poorly done. I know shows like this need their contrivances but for Morgan to magically just have moved back from Hawaii and Big Mike just stepping back in?
-WHy oh why were Casey and Sarah just lingering in their old bunker? Chuck had been in Europe for 6 months and wasn’t supposed to come back any time soon. You’re telling me that 2 quality operatives are just sitting around eating yogurt and selling DVD players?
-NO WAY Chuck needed a third party to tell him that Sarah loved him. Hello?! She sacrificed her job to run away with him and blacklist herself by the US Government. OF COURSE she loved him. He’d know that! – Also it seems like that whole “meet me at the train station” issue would have been better handled by an entire episode, not just a 3 minute flash-back.
Then the smaller issues…
-How were Chuck and Morgan to pay for their apartment that Ellie and Awesome conveintly vacated?
-Chuck’s interaction with the General seems more child-like than I remember.
-Even without his “flashes” he’d still beed to be able to do basic things like self-defense.
-Knowing how to KO someone in 1 punch is great, but having the musclature would help, too.
OK, I’m done.
You make some good points Eric. Now re the rent issue- I am going to assume that with Chuck taking over the lease he is getting the rent control special ( they do have that in Los Angeles along with New York) so the apartment should be doable esp since we know Chuck is now getting a real salary from the government along with his Buy More pittance and in the vein of Chandler Bing he will watch out for his buddy.
There was mention of Emmett- Casey told Chuck et al that he moved away and was working for their competitor Large Mart in Alaska. Apparently the government covered up the plugging of Emmett.
I didn’t care for the whiny stuff either but they got through it and things seem to be back on track. I want Chuck to maintain his humility though. Gotta admit that Vinnie Jones as a guest was fun. Still like him from Gone in 60 Seconds as the Sphinx.