And I’m Excited!
Whoo! Sounded like Roark there for a minute!
But then again, it’s been an exciting day. And I’ve very much looking forward to Batista, Eric Roberts, and Joel David Moore being 3/4 of the New A-Team! Sorta, kinda.
The scenes shown in the promo look spectacular – Morgan and Alex, heartbreaking! Batista, threatening, and Casey looks oh, soooo peaceful. đ
It’s T – 30 minutes as I type this in the eastern time zone, and I hope you’re all as excited as I am. After the show, please tell us what you thought! And don’t forget to remember a little about the ads for when you visit Reward TV tomorrow!
– joe
amyabn
atcDave
Ernie Davis
Faith
joe
thinkling
Chuck This 
Thanks a lot for the thread. I get to watch the episode much later, but it’s fun to read the various views on the episode first and as CN8 will tell you, I love getting spoiled and it doesn’t diminish my enjoyment of the episode- not one little bit.
Happy Chuck viewing everybody!!
I’d say đ
Thanks to Alladins specifically for letting me know. From Syfy:
“Fedak admits that the producers had a plan in place in the hopes that more episodes would be ordered. “We’ve always designed our show to push story, to tell bigger stories, and we’ve done that for the first 13 episodes. But we have the next part of the story teed up so that we can ramp into nine more episodes … or whatever NBC might order. We have that idea out there, and we have the big shape of things that we want to do. … We’ll start going to break that out, episode by episode, and figuring out where we’re going each week,” said Fedak in an exclusive interview.”
http://blastr.com/2010/10/awesome-news-nbcs-chuck-g.php
I thought it was a great episode. For the fans of the more intense stuff (ie Tic Tac), you’ll love this eps. Only hints of C/S shippery stuff, but lots of Morcalex…. đ
Best news this episode: We now can officially compare Chuck and Sarah to Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.
Without spoiling it for anyone in the later time zones, the funeral scene is lifted, almost shot for shot, from “Charade,” the great Grant-Hepburn movie from the mid-1960s. The only difference is the lilly. In Charade, a character called Tex (James Coburn) holds a mirror up to the corpse to make sure he’s dead. Which obviously would not have worked given this episode’s situation.
Sorry, that was me above
Tell me you didn’t think Casey would sneaze because he was allergic?
I do have one complaint about this episode however. – It was over too soon. đ
Heh! I had *exactly* that thought, Joseph! đ
I think I liked this one the best all season. It was really funny and exciting at the same time. Don’t want to spoil it so I’ll shut up now.
If this wasn’t my favorite of the season so far, it came awfully close! I thought the “spy story” was great!
Probably my favorite episode of the season. I did have problems with the cell phone in the beginning. What group of highly trained mercenaries finds and relieves someone of a tracking device, but fails to remove and disable said person’s cell phone?
The same type of mercenaries who order a pizza and have it delivered to their secret hide-out…. đ
That would be cocky mercenaries with empty stomachs and no cooking skills. As long as the secret hide-out is located in a residential area they should be fine as long as they don’t abduct the pizza delivery guy and then compound the problem by forgetting to remove the batter in his cell phone and leaving his vehicle idling outside.
Plus the tracking device was probabaly on his wrist or ankle and pretty much in plain sight once you got him out of the coffin , the phone was probably in an inside pocket (and they are making those things pretty thin ) and he put it and his id in his pocket out of force of habit.
I’m also going to break with the herd and admit I was slightly disappointed in the cliff hanger. I was sort of hoping that Chuck’s decision to stop looking for his mother would be overturned by Ellie’s personal search in future episodes. Chuck steps in knowing that Ellie is in way over her head. Instead Chuck gets a phone call.
Bring a solid spy story and everything else will flow.
One note of caution – they could have easily wormed their way into more relationship angst between Chuck and Sarah. Gladly they didn’t let Chuck get his panties in a knot… and Sarah was gold as always… In another season – this could have easily ended on a sour note – with or without the spy story.
Wow – I can’t believe how much I had the exact thoughts I’m seeing repeated here this morning!
I had that same worry (that they’d bring back the angst). It lasted about 0.4 seconds and disappeared about the time Sarah tried to save Chuck from the laser-beam triggered bomb. This time, he didn’t say the stupid thing!
Until last night’s episode I was thinking that this depended a lot on individual tastes, Lou. Now I’m not so sure! Let’s call it a “rule of thumb” now.
A very solid bit of advice for TPTB!
Oh, what the heck. Preach it, brother! đ
Any Episode that can fit together Oingo Boingo – along with a good cover of Fleetwoodmac – deserves all the applause I can muster.
Jeff naming an Episode has to be a first!
“Is this the point where I’m supposed to ask you what you’re thinking?” coming from a new writer to the diehard Chuck fans!!! The new group of writers continue to nail it. ” I think she’s going to start sleeping over” !!!!! what a howl!!!!
They have my permission to let Casey and Morgan run amuck, all willie-nillie as they wish…. its like they have their own “Funny Tank” – that just rolls over everything in their path.
And – not to mention probably the single greatest promo that NBC has released…
One question – when is this ill timed 2 week break supposed to happen?
After next episode….:(
I wonder if they’ll try to hang us off the cliff – with the final scene from the promo – for the 2 week break?
I think the standoff will happen early in the eps. The fight will be about Chuck not telling Sarah mom was going to shoot him, and the cliffhanger will be Chuck and Sarah having their first fight.
@Gringo – No two week break between 4×06 and 4×07. First Fight airs on 11/1
Solid episode, Jeff got some really good lines tonight “I know that dumpster” “couch lock” and “we wake up in some of the best dumpsters in the city”. I like that they moved the Chuck and Sarah relationship down the elements in this show but for the next episode, less Morgan please.
I’m still confused about the timeline, in the promo Chuck says where have you been since I was nine, if that was 1994 then that makes Chuck twenty-five, twenty-one or two when Sarah walked into the Buy More and sixteen or seventeen when he was kicked out of Stanford, in his final year. I think there must be some reason for them to change the show’s timeline (in Ring part two Mama B left in 1991, the day after he broke the necklace) but I don’t see the significance of 1994.
Fun episode, great music, Yvonne looking stunning in the dress at the end, fountain talk, moves the story forward what more could you ask for.
They just goofed on the 1994 thing.
The 1994 thing was just a really big goof from them. The timeline in Best Friend alone disproves it.
Though I just thought of one thing . Chuck mentioned in Best Friend that when his mom left Morgan came over with a cherry cheesecake and Legend of Zelda (I just went back and read the transcript) and that Morgan was a fifth grader. So I figure thier ages at 9 or 10 which would fit in with what he said in the promo.
I’m not sure where they got it but Chuck’s birthday is given on Wikipedia as September 18, 1981 making him 29 years old .
If his mom left in 1991 before his birthday then that would definitely make him 9 years old.
I’m not sure if he and Morgan are the same age though so it could be that Morgan was the 5th grader (depending on how old you are in the 5th grade , I’m not sure) and Chuck wasn’t or Chuck was in the fifth grade because he was moved up. I can’t find an official birthday for Morgan.
5th grade is typically between 9-10 yrs old.
You learn something new every day. Yesterday the lesson was that “Couch Lock” is like “vapor lock” for the brain.
But who remembers carburetors?
Awesome, fun episode. Highlights for me were:
Baby Awesome is a girl. Woot!! Woot!!
Loved Casey’s expressions throughout.
Jeff and Lester properly used in small doses are awesome.
Episode was Casey centric but Morgan walked away with most of the honors. And personally speaking it was way too much Morgan – I like Morgan – only in small doses though.
The whole funeral, Casey’s kidnapping, his escape and rescue by Jeffster – was good fun.
Morgan riling up Casey, Casey getting angry, lifting up Morgan by the throat- best comedic scene of the episode.
The only ones showing up at Casey’s funeral – his enemies – sad and poignant
Ellie being okay with Chuck’s search for his mom – nice scene.
General Beckman complimenting Chuck on being – wait for it – a cold, professional spy.
Chuck’s anguish at possibly losing Casey to the bad guys. And later his guilt,when he realized he had put Sarah’s life in danger too – totally loved Sarah for talking sense into him.
Casey’s change of heart regarding Morgan and Alex.
We go to see Sarah and Ellie talking – although we didn’t hear the convo, I was glad to see that scene.
Sarah looked really stunning in that dress.
C/S Fountain scene after a long time. Nice and cute. Trust Mama B to break Chuck’s resolve not to go looking for her. Judging by the promo for next week , looks like she will be the one coming to meet him.
That’s a great set of observations, Genie. The only thing I would add is to note the complete lack of the dreaded
Pirate Robertsangst in this episode!I wouldn’t worry about too much Morgan. I suspect he’s going to be farther in the background for the next couple of episodes. If that’s indeed the case, this was a good way to let him recede for a bit.
I loved it. By far the best episode of the season. For the first time since “Anniversary,” I felt as if there were actually some stakes. There was also some significant progression on the Mama B storyline, and though it’s heading in a predictable direction right now, I’m still interested to see where it goes.
Plus, how hilarious is it that Jeff and Lester now think that Casey is a druggie? I’ll be happy if that somehow factors into the storyline later (like the story about Casey getting drunk last season).
So now, I can forget that “Suitcase” through “Coup d’Etat” ever happened and be happy that Chuck is back on track.
“If you break her heart, i’ll break your everything” Casey’s always so sharp! And men, he can be heartwarmed! I really liked this episode. Loved how sarah is becaming the sweetest girlfriend. Lester and Jeff saving Casey, priceles.
M<ybe a little too much Morgan, and I really liked that Ellie and Awesone got a part, almost everybody was in the ep, but not too much, so, loved it! Also, It's a little AWESONE Girl!!! I love baby girls, really looking forward to seeing a season 5 with everyone interacting with the mini awesomeness…
IMHO this was just the right amount of Jeff & Lester! I will always be grateful they taught me what “Couch Lock” was! đ
Gee – my granddaughter is named Hannah. I may have to adopt the Awesome’s baby as my second granddaughter! I wonder if she’ll be named Jill or Lou.
That’ll drive Chuck nutz!
I really have to start grading on a system. It’s getting to the point where they’re hitting all the notes and it’s noticeably fantastic.
For example:
+1 Fountain scene. :wub: Nothing against Chuck and Sarah in the bedroom, very intimate, very couply, but the fountain is sacred. And it’s very nostalgic to the fake relationship that was.
+1 Growth. Morgan Guillermo Grimes. Man up. Dude, I’m so totally crushing on Morgan. He’s really grown into his own. I don’t just mean his bravery in telling Casey, but in realizing what needs to be done and doing it. Who would have expected him to risk life and limb and electrocute. Morgan, you are only hope…has more assuring meaning now than it did before. Similarly Casey. I had a bit of a pause/trouble with the idea that his B-team buddies would rationalize him rescuing his 2 teammates after not knowing him for so long but apart from that, definite growth. Especially as it comes to seeing the changes to those that has become his family.
+1 Jeffster. Jeffster to me is one of those things that either work or doesn’t. I’m not proud of it but in seasons past I’d just fast forward over their parts because well…I didn’t care for it. Tonight they hit all the notes. Rescuing Casey, revisiting the “opening in our crew bud-dy!” too funny. And very well done.
+1 Family. I’m sure it’s no secret that I love me some get-togethers. Anytime the “family” (extended even more with Alex—p.s. Casey needs a girl) sits down for a meal after a long day/harrowing mission it’s fine by me. And the twist, the twist! A+
These are scored but things I noticed that were pretty cool:
– Sarah joking lol. That was great…”you could have told me this before I crawled” just great!
– Beckman congratulating how far Chuck has come. I agree. He’s actually got it wrong, overthinking has him questioning his motives later on (and I like that) but in the beginning it’s a sign of him actually not being emotional. I like the balance. He has found the perfect balance between heart and strength.
– It’s a girl! Nice twist, especially with Ellie now wanting to know about their mom. Of course added pressure…well done.
Now for the only negative…the set and the music did not work for me. Yes I realize they were in Iran (funny little bit from conservative Adam Baldwin and Bill Clinton) but it looked far too fake. The lighting didn’t work for me. But I fully admit I’m being entirely too nitpicky. The music didn’t fit.
All in all I will give this a score of 4 stars (out of 5). Well earned 4 stars in my book. Not the best of the season for me, but certainly a strong showing.
I had no problem with them knowing Casey would show up to rescue Chuck and Sarah. It would be part of Casey’s code of honor that would make him do that. If you are part of his team , he’ll protect you with his life , unless you betray him.
And Jeffster did hit perfectly . Not only do they not freak out at being asked to retrive casey from a dumpster but the outfit barely makes them blink.
I agree about Jeffster, including skipping over their parts.
Regarding Casey, I’ve been disappointed that Kathleen McHugh hasn’t been included in the family events. It’s as if she has disappeared from existence without an explanation. Even if there were some hint that Casey had given up on her, Alex wouldn’t have. Maybe we’ll find out that she had been abducted earlier by Frost and those three guys.
Frankly I’m hoping she’ll be brought back in too. Maybe the more time Alex spends with Casey is the more time she’ll be able to wear him down until he faces her.
And with Alex dating Morgan there’s a chance she’ll be out with her mother and “drop by” to take her mother to meet Morgan when she’s pretty sure Casey will be at the store.
Great list, Faith! I want to add that I thought this was the best spy plot of the season so far!
I know what you mean about the Iran set, but you just know I’m going to blame that on the budget. And if they’re going to make compromises, that’s where they should be, right?
I guess I have to preface this by saying I’ve been grumpy all day since our local affiliate delayed the air time until 1:35 am. So its now 2:45 and I’m just making my first (and only) comment of the night.
I was a little bored (Okay, maybe sleepy) until about the halfway point. Jeff and Lester rescuing Casey was very funny. I thought everything got better from there on out. Stoner Casey is just too funny, talk having a reputation he wouldn’t be caught dead with…
I liked the ending a lot. Sarah and Ellie actually talking, a Chuck/Sarah fountain talk, and a the final phone call from mom.
I also find it interesting to look at the misleading promo we got. “Chuck must decide what he is willing to sacrifice in order to find his mom.” Oh brother, Chuck worrying about putting his team in harm’s way barely even constituted a secondary theme. I’d say this episode was about Casey, Casey and Morgan, Morgan and Alex, Morgan, getting more background on MEB, and half a dozen other things before we trickle down to Chuck’s sacrifice. I think it consisted of about three lines of dialog; that Sarah didn’t take very seriously and mom’s phone call rendered moot. I don’t mean to sound grumpy (tired), I really enjoyed the end of this episode, its just funny to me how misleading promotional material can be if we take it too seriously.
I don’t disagree Dave, grumpy/tired or not. It was a slow start…not particularly enthralling being so Morgan heavy at the beginning. There’s this scene that illustrates the focus of this epi (not necessarily bad, or god, though it probably doesn’t need to be said the show is called Chuck ;-))…
Chuck is in the kitchen offering Casey a beer. Morgan walks in, pours wine, Chuck leaves. Morgan and Casey remain in the kitchen and have a “talk.”
Don’t get me wrong, it was a good epi…but certainly not of the norm. I love the dynamic though. I am always a happy camper if Morgasey (team 2) and Chuck/Sarah (team 1) are the teams that be.
Assume that the promo people are sadists and just rely on the visual cues from the clips.
At least this year the chance of a massive break after a ending on a sour note (that was never resolved) is unlikely.
1:35 AM??!! Oh, the sacrifices we make, Dave! đ
And seriously, if I had had to wait that long to see it, I’d be suffering from Couch Lock too.
Okay, so after a good nights sleep I’m a little more coherent. Just saw we got a 1.9; that’s really excellent news. Start with all the usual, cheap show, killer slot, little promotion; then add in numerous pre-emptions… I’d say 1.9 is wonderful news.
I seriously need to watch this episode again. I’m thinking this may be the smallest amount of Chuck (and by extension Sarah; omitting some of the Sham episodes) we’ve ever had in an episode. I enjoyed much of the Casey/Morgan dynamic, especially later in the episode. I really like (and I want to emphasize this strongly, REALLY REALLY) having a mission themed episode where we see everyone working together with little internal conflict (well except over Alex, but that was largely played for laughs). Some of you may have noticed I’m a big Chuck/Sarah fan, they were just perfect as a team here; a GOOD team with no relationship issues, just working together and enjoying each others company. My only complaint there would be MORE! We know relationship issues will get more tangled as the MEB story unfolds, but I have a great feeling about where things are heading (last season, at episode 5 I was already getting very disgruntled).
Loved the homage to Three Kings and Kill Bill. As much as I love all the eighties references some modern stuff is nice once in awhile.
No Chuck and Sarah relationship drama, its about time.
Name: Morgan Expertise: None, that had me rolling.
The spy stuff was stronger this week.
Casey and Morgan together is comedy gold. Alex is such a great addition to the cast, she really grounds Casey without it being forced.
Good use of Jeff and Lester, first time this season I didn’t wish the BuyMore was gone.
I’ve noticed how Morgan is the lighter version of Casey. Breaking his thumbs, electrocuting himself, etc. While Chuck is the lighter version of Sarah, more stealth and traditional spy.
What I didn’t like.
I don’t mind C/S taking a back seat to focus on other characters. But I do worry the only time we won’t get relationship drama is in these episodes.
It’s great getting back story on Team B and I love Casey but seriously we need one for Sarah. Its been far too long.
I still don’t buy the tension, after S2 the show doesn’t have any dramatic weight behind it. I’m hoping MEB changes that. I guess we’ll see next week.
Not enough Eric Roberts. Never thought I’d say that.
Now it sounds like I didn’t like the episode but it’s my second fav of the season behind Coup (Goya gives it the edge). I guess my complaints are about the show in general and not this episode.
Another great list, JC. Joel David Moore really surprised me, too. I had seen him doing the geek bit quite a bit in Bones, and I always thought he’d make the quintessential Buy Moron. But he make a great comedic action figure too, a la Dwight Schultz in the original A Team.
Funny – Schultz did the same thing to me when he appeared in Star Trek TNG as Barkley.
Yep their version of the A-Team was perfectly cast. I’m guessing Casey was Hannibal and Eric Roberts was Face right?
I’m hoping if we get a S5 they bring that whole crew back. Make it a two parter with them trying to overthrow Goya.
I share some of your concerns JC. I hope Chuck and Sarah can have more angst free episodes without being pushed to the background. I don’t see this as huge, the season has been pretty low angst anyway; this was certainly the least amount, but then Chuck and Sarah were secondary characters too.
Ditto on needed another Sarah centered episode. Personally I’d give her two for every one Casey gets.
I don’t quite agree on the tension issue. Its true there hasn’t been a lot so far, but I can feel it ratcheting up as we learn more about MEB. I think the mommy story will be awesome.
I’d actually rate this as my least favorite of the season, but I’ve been a very happy boy so far. All I really mean is I’ve liked everything I’ve seen this season.
Its not even angst Dave, not every episode that focuses on them has to deal with the relationship. Can’t they just be two spies who happen to be in love. No suitcases, misunderstandings, wedding rings, etc. Just Team B on a mission. To quote Mo Ryan can’t Chuck and Sarah just be.
I think they feel the need for any Sarah episodes to have some huge revelation about her past. It doesn’t, we could get a flashback of her first mission with Carina and the Big Bad comes after them. It just fleshes out her character more which is always a plus.
As for the tension, well it’s just the nature of the show. I never really feel like any character is in any real danger.
And again I don’t want people to think I’m down on this episode or season. These issues have bothered me for awhile.
Great Episode. Not much Charah, OK, so sweet little Sarah Chuck moments đ GREAT: Sarah’s reference to the telling the truth moments at the Fountain…
Less Charah in the Chuck universe means more Spy or Comedy and in this Episode: MORE Casey. The Spy Stories are getting very very good, when they have enough time to do it all in one Episode. When the Spy Story is that good I’m really OK with less Charah. But ELSE… Casey grumbling …and grumbling …and grumbling
Hey, and the little bearded ONE. Don’t know when it happened but he’s brave, kind of charming and less annoying. I really really like him in the Spy World !!!°
Meanwhile Morgan means: NO forward button => YES repeat button: what did he just do? so cool đ
just read this tweet: MRSHEKMI (New)
“You know what, you could have told me all that BEFORE I climbed under those laser”.
Sarah messing with Chuck’s insecures to support his soul life. isn’t that great. It’s Sarah we are talking about. The girl you prefers action before talking. in the middle of disarming the bomb. And her joke/sarcasm: “or you get bored or something” LOL
…and sorry for posting in my post. thats the disadvantage of an other time frame in the world. you watch Chuck and post and i sleep. you sleep i watch chuck and post. a funny world today…
Yeah! and I mean no one else answers me. got it? đ
..because of the different time slots.
…well sometimes it gets worse and worse and you can not stop. like watching a car crash…
I share your pain, due to watching at a stupid hour last night!
I loved the scene with Chuck and Sarah and the lasers. It is so much fun to see joking Sarah this season; and the whole “you could have told me before…” was very funny in an understated sort of way.
Morgan looks good in suit too, doesn’t he?
I give you hands down the best episode of the season ladies and gents. Man that was good, it reminded me of season 1 & 2 glory day fun. The bad guys were as good as Fulcrum and had me going for a minute or two.
There were so many classic one liners that had me rolling on the floor while the last four episodes have been rather mediocre on the humor of late.
Morgan, had his moments of glory by being brave, badass and smart while at the same time he annoyed me too by being an idiot as well. ”Maybe it’s because you have no friends” Ouch that was a low blow even from Morgan if I do say so myself.
Chuck has been impressing me with becoming very competant and clever in his own right. Though for a moment he was going into yet another ”Sarah, I’m sorry” charade and I’m glad Sarah called him out on it. Atta girl Sarah.
Loved the fountain talk those are always precious and I’m liking Alex more and more every time I see her. She’s so pretty. And I wish Kathleen could come back, I don’t like to see Casey being a lone for the rest his life poor baby.
The Awesome’s are having a girl…wonder what the little one’s name will be? I wouldn’t be surprised if the child is named after Ma B. Mary Woodcomb? i like the sound of that. đ
Finally Casey, wow was he the ultimate badass or what? I have no words how awesome AB was in this one. A+
I’d love to see Ellie and Awesome ask if they can name the baby after Sarah… and Sarah has to confess her real name to the whole family… that’d be quite a moment.
Why, what’s wrong with Lisa? đ
That’s cute, but they can keep that for season 6(?) when Sarah has her own daughter.
No doubt the name had been chosen already in season 2 by the grandparents: “Honey”. Ugh.
I vote for naming her Stephanie after Papa B.
+1
It would be cool if they go with that.
hmmm, what about Oriona?
Five staight enjoyable eps for me, can’t ask for more. I would have to think 4.5 was part of the lighter arc and the cringe worthy CS OOC behavior is around the corner, if any is coming at all. But, back to the topic at hand, this ep probably is my fav ever that does not center around CS romance and comedy.
Last season I made the comment that if CS the couple is working, the rest of the cast is free to act and the story is free to flow on pace. This episode was an example of that, CS did not get in the way, just contributed, kind of like a star QB’s in a blowout football game, CS were content to hand the ball off to the B team rather than throw 5 TD passes. Jeffster saved casey, CS arrived late then got captured, in Iran, CS remained handcuffed, while Morgan saved the day, at the party casey and morgan, ellie and awesome shined, while CS quietly slipped away to have their moment. Well done.
Alex is an example of a character who raises the stakes in a show. She gives dimension to the Corgan relationship, showing serious sides to both Morgan and Casey, while allowing for even more potential hijinx between morgan and casey.
I can’t remember the last time I liked jeff/lester. I FF thru them near 100% of the time on rewatch. I am thinking I like them best when they unwittingly get involved in spy stuff rather than make crude, non-family suitable remarks & antics at the buymore.
I agree with most of this. I think Undercover Lover remains my favorite Casey centered episode, but this was a very strong entry.
Ditto all that about Chuck and Sarah; love your QB analogy.
I don’t dislike Jeff and Lester as much as you seem to (I rarely FF anything), but this was their best role this season. I wish Buy More and the “A” plot meshed so seamlessly all the time.
A little morning spoiler.
4.11 Chuck vs. the Balcony
http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/10/chuck-episode-411-chuck-versus-balcony.html
steady she goes, 1.9M, event held steady 2.2M, the chase actually gained .1 to 1.6M:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/19/tv-ratings-monday-chuck-the-event-house-steady-hawaii-five-0-bests-castle/68579
Both “The Event” and “Chase” got plugged NUMEROUS times on Sunday Night Football – one of the few BIG RATING shows on NBC. So you’d expect to see an uptick. Instead you got no change and just barely a change. I may have missed it, yet I didn’t notice ONE promo for Chuck. Event, Chase, the Weds. and Thurs. shows got plugged over and over again. Yet nothing (or next to nothing) for Chuck. So to keep holding steady is a testament to the loyalty of the fans.
Hopefully, NBC will at least promo a little the Linda Hamilton episodes. This is the heart of what this season is supposed to be all about – “Mom,” so hopefully that will boost our ratings numbers a tick or two.
Waiting now for that “Back 9” pick up announcement.
I did see on Chuck promo late in Football Night in America, but none during the actual game. I actually feel pretty good about how well Chuck is doing with no promotion.
The back 9 pick-up has been pretty strongly rumored the last couple days; hopefully they’ll make it official shortly.
@Rick: I’d be surprised if they didn’t plug Timothy Dalton too. Having a former James Bond on the show should be promotional gold.
Ratings for overnight are out. Chuck holds steady, The Event and Chase seem to have leveled off.
My bold prediction is that next week we go up to 2.0-2.1, no baseball, Freddy Kruger for Halloween, Sarah Connors and a good episode this week all help.
That is my hope. Plus it’s the Chucktoberfest Beer Bash! Besides, if the rumors are true we’ll also be celebrating a back 9 pickup, and most likely the S4 release on iTunes the next day.
iTunes? Have you heard something? I’ve been checking daily and getting frustrated. Is there some actual news now?
The Ausiello report said the last thing they (WB and NBC) were working out was the digital rights. My guess is that that is the last thing standing in the way of an iTunes release. It also fits with Schwartz’s “about a month” guess as to when S4 would be available.
I was really hoping we’d pull at 2.0. There’s something more comfortable about being on the other side of that line.
Same. A little .1 insurance.
Anyone know if there’s a possible upward adjustment? It seems to me the initial numbers are usually a bit low. I’d prefer to see Chuck gain a little in the next few weeks too.
Wasn’t the show preempted in some markets because of political debates?
Yes it was, JC. Specifically, in the Detroit area.
Dave stayed up to watch the later showing at 1:30 am. He’s probably *still* sleeping it off! đ
Ugh, Dave’s awake now. I wonder if there were ANY other viewers in the Detroit market last night!
My review at ChuckTV – Thatâs The Way, Uhuh, Uhuh â Episode 4.05: Chuck Vs The Couch Lock – Review – http://tinyurl.com/362emzo – Bring on MamaB!
“Ahhhh! It’s like slapping a car!” I’m still chuckling.
And the fact that Adam B. was able to emote so effectively with just his eyes was really something. Anger, confusion, panic, determination, and unbridled Morgan-rending rage using only his eyes. Very impressive.
This episode had me laughing so hard, I was crying and holding my side. I have read where so many people thought this new writer had it all right in every place that counted and I have to agree. This episode rocked from the first moment – slow? had to be to gear up for all the hijinx this one had packed into it. Jeffster saving Casey – was just hilarious, and then to Morgan “reviving” Casey with being brutally honest!! and then Sarah’s comedy is so sharp you almost miss it.
Can I say WOW over and over and really – is it next week yet?
This episode should have been enough to convince NBC to ink the deal on the back 9 all on its very own.
It’s official
http://www.spoilertv.com/2010/10/chuck-picked-up-for-full-season.html
YEAH!!!!!!
Hopefully that means a full 22 this year. But great news!!!
Ausiello:
“One more note about CHUCK: NBC actually ordered 11 additional episodes, for a total of 24!!”
Uh… What???? That’s like a whole new season! When was the last time that happened???
Added: Here’s Ausiello’s story, essentially expanding what he said on twitter.
Hmmm. So that would make 78 episodes by year’s end. I wonder if part of the negotiations involved setting the terms of a full 22 episode season 5 pickup.
Wow isn’t it a normally 6 or 9 pickup?
Here’s where cynical JC comes out to play. Is it possible they gave them 11 episodes so they can wrap the show up?
What can they do in 11 that they couldn’t do in 9?
Personally, I hope they don’t treat it that way. I’d like to see the show take a risk and kick off an EPIC (Yes, I did use the E word)story that would extend through the end of a season 5 if they got the pickup.
It’ll be interesting to hear why a back 11, other than NBC has a lot of time to fill and Chuck is one of it’s cheaper shows. It could be that WB has decided that the rabid fan base makes it so worthwhile to sell the DVD’s and get to 100 episodes they basically decided to do a fifth season whether NBC buys it or not (or they’re essentially giving it to them for free with the profit to them in syndication).
This is better than I thought possible. This does mean if Chuck gets a full S5 order it will hit the 100 episode mark; which apart from being an interesting milestone actually means nothing…
The only thing I would really read into it is that the network has more confidence in Chuck than it does in some of its other programming.
I think I’m in a minority on this, but I prefer the more episodic structure. I hope the extra episodes are used for things they don’t normally play with like more of the minor characters and different character interactions (I want both a Sarah centered episode and something that explores Sarah/Ellie a little, and I don’t mean that in a dirty way!). But I’d also like to see something do honor to the Buy More, so far it hasn’t been well used as a setting this season and I’d like for that to change, at least once.
Most of all, I want to see Chuck and Sarah together like they were last night. Working happily as a team with no silly angst.
Oh one thought about two bonus episodes. This is when studios often fill in with a “clip show.” Not trying to rain on any parades today, the news is all good. But production schedules are brutal for an hour long show and we’ve heard about how spent the cast was at the end of last season. They may just take a brief late winter break before filming the last four episodes or something. But “clip shows” are a very common response to extra episode orders.
Now if they would just do it like SG-1 and show a clip show of things that never actually happened I’ll be a very happy boy!
@ernie @dave, I wonder if we’ll *ever* hear an explanation. Perhaps we can only say now that someone(s) in position to make the decision thought it was the right move to make today.
And really, this has little or no bearing on what the right move might be next spring (too many things can change). It shows, though, that up to now, both the show and the audience have been doing enough of the right things to get us to this point, and that is always a good sign.
@ weaselone
The way the show burns through story I’m thinking a lot. Trust me I like your idea much better, it’d be great if the TPTB knew they were getting a S5 while writing these back 11. It would allow them to setup an epic last season.
Now it’s really time for beer fest! Woo hoo!
With the extra shows they can finally get into the Dianne backstory!
I wonder how that affects the show’s running schedule ie thirteen episodes could probably be squeezed in before Christmas but with an extra 11 do they go 11 before Christmas then off ’till February for the back 13 (like season two). Or do they burn through all the episodes running January, February and March (like season 3).
And are those extra two episodes to fit a season ending wedding. I like the 11 episode order (besides the obvious reasons) because it allows a better story to be told after the big episode 13, last year the back 6 was somewhat rushed, a back 11 won’t have that problem.
Strangely enough for once I agree with Ernie’s Dianne obsession, I think that there will be some Diane backstory and I won’t be suprised if it involves agent Frost. Although I would really like to see her in the field, perhaps at an embassy due, Chuck and Sarah along with Diane and Casey, dress her in an evening gown, see Casey toung tied with unease. Plenty of potential.
Diane back story? Thats the best you can do Ernie?
Full fledged PLI Dianne. Haha. Complete with arc of s–pectacular.
Herder, there’s all sorts of ways this might play out.
December is a weird TV month. With the holiday and Christmas specials and all, they often put on seasonal specials that totally blow away the regular schedule.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen in two weeks, right before the mid-term elections. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see some “important” speech come up that disrupts things.
The track record is weird, too. Season 2 had that writer’s strike and a presidential speech that gave us five weeks between Santa Claus and 3-D. Season 3 had the Olympics. You just never know.
I just counted. There’s 8 more episodes in the original 13, which would take us through Dec.13 if there were no breaks. I’d guess one would happen before then, bringing us up to 20-Dec, Christmas week, and no show on the 27th. That leaves 11 episodes in 1st Q of 2011, probably spanning 12 or 13 weeks. That takes us through March.
The summer shows have been starting in May, so it seems like they need to have four more breaks or so on top of one or two before Christmas.
They usually take most of December off. Remember S1 and S2 both broke for Christmas at 11. That could leave 13 to run from say late January to April. Maybe skip a couple more weeks and push it into May sweeps. They also could run the last two as two-hour finale again. There’s a lot of options at this point.
Faith, I know they don’t want to kill the sexual tension between Chuck and Dianne yet (Did you see the looks exchanged when Dianne asked to speak to Chuck alone… You could cut the sexual tension with a knife!)
I think they can spend season 4 setting up the Dianne backstory and establishing her as the emotionally distant unavailable mother figure who doesn’t shoot him in the chest. Then season 5 is 22 episodes of all Duck all the time.
đ
YEBA!! Wow, spend a day away and see what I missed. This is fantastamagorical news.
Okay, NOW it’s time to celebrate! Throw that confetti! Who was in charge of renting out Times Square??? đ
I wonder if there’s a possibility for a two-hour episode as a closer for the season…It would be interesting to see an episode that is a little more detailed, rather than the one-hour rushes we’ve become accustomed to…It would also give the writers a chance to flex their story-telling muscles. A good buildup with a season ending cliff-hanger would be a good challenge.
I wouldn’t mind that at all, Dave.
It’s all too easy to imagine a full blown wedding episode that looks polished and feels like something you’d see in a theater. Two hours would be barely enough to contain all the possible Chuckiness in that!
Gary Cole & Mini Anden, anyone? Naw… we can’t invite Jordana Brewster – Dianne would be after her. (Ernie’s got the first dance with Dianne, of course.)
And for Chuck, we’d have to have C.S. Lee – Harry Tang back for a reprise.
back 11!! you guys think that’s what sarah and ellie were talking about so excitedly at the house party at the end? đ
i did a double take when i saw that. wish we could’ve heard what they were saying…
Wasn’t that nice to see, Steph? Brought a real smile to my face to see the two of them talking like that!
Ooohh! One more thing I want to bring up that really made me happy, too.
Did anyone else think that C&S looked like the ultimate spy-couple throughout? At Casey funeral, Chuck in a tux and Sarah in the proverbial little black dress, both looked like something out of a James Bond movie.
Better, back in Castle Sarah is busy ordering up a tactical force of 100 men. Chuck later decides when they will (or will not) be used – it’s like these two are the biggest deal in the CIA (which is as it should be, of course). They are the spy couple in charge of everything.
Yeah I love Chuck and Sarah in charge. Its nice to see our nerd getting some respect!
Same here. That’s the one huge thing I found satisfying. Both of them working as very capable partners. As Dave says, we need more of these missions where C/S kick ass as an awesome power spy couple. The stakes can be raised to more dangerous levels – no need for silly angst.
Well put, Genie. There’s power, as in handling half a dozen armed men in a hallway in the bowels of a Costa Gravan palace, and there’s power, as in ordering up a strike team of 100 men and commanding them!
These two have both kinds. Power couple, indeed!
And to top it all. We have the ever present benevolent eye of General Beckman – complimenting them in 4×02 and also dishing out praise for Chuck in 4×05. O Yeah!! The top brass is happy with them.
Another thought: What does the extra 11 episodes mean for the Mama B storyline. I am hoping for a scenario where she returns to the CIA and is a recurring character in the back 11.
Did you notice Sarah joking a bit there? While Chuck leads…even her “no we’re here now.”
Like I said the dynamic in this epi is one I have always hoped and spec to see and it was much better than I imagined. Now to have that with Chuck and Sarah relationshipy goodness hahaha. I want to have my cupcake and eat it too ;-).
It probably depends on if she survives the front 13!
I’m thinking she probably will survive and will be back; but that’s really only based on Linda Hamilton’s comments that she’d like to be around for a while. We really can’t know anything at this point. I bet Schwedak themselves aren’t completely sure yet what they’re doing with 11 more episodes.
Don’t forget Morgan — he had the power too, for a few seconds, anyway.
Chuck’s admonishment of Morgan reminded me of Cole Barker’s admonishment of Chuck: “Don’t ever do it again.”
@CN8 – Loved the way Sarah was joking. That’s the banter we need to see more often on missions. After all her comfort zone is with her(read Chuck). Are you satisfied with only a cupcake. I am a glutton when it comes to anything sweet – I want more.!!
@Dave – Hopefully, they haven’t planned on killing her because that could be a problem – oh wait , they could always bring her back.
@Genie
There’s plenty of European clinics and tissue regeneration machines just laying around.
wasn’t it the president who made Chuck a priority after his success lately (bringing down the Ring)
I noticed that, too, Joe. Wasn’t it great. They looked so normal at the funeral, probably the only appearance of normal.
Then the whole, “I want 100 men locked and loaded and ready to go on my command” … “This is agent Bartowski. Target needs assistance. Move in right now …” Yeah, what a team!
Haven’t had time to read everyone’s posts, but I’ll enjoy them later tonight. All I can say is, “It’s 5 p.m. SOMEWHERE, so it’s time for a drink – or two – or ELEVEN!! (Just Kidding!!) đ
“Celebrate good times, everybodym, c’mon!” It’s “CHUCK PARTY” time!
24 episodes of a 4th Season. It’s like heaven (almost)! đ
Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy everybody, and keep up the GREAT work and we just might get a Season 5 out of this.
Keep on Chuckin’ everybody, and PEACE!!
AND IN OTHER EPIC CHUCK-RELATED NEWS…
Moments after NBC’s super-sized order of 11 extra fourth season episodes, operatives in the employ of Volkoff Industries attacked a top secret government detention center in North Dakota. Among other prisoners released in the daring raid was former CIA superspy Daniel Shaw. Shaw’s current whereabouts are unknown, but experts predict he’ll show up in Burbank in early May…
eww
That’s like dropping a clump of maggots in a large cauldron of honey.
On a side note : With all the attention focused on Mama B and Volkoff, we have forgotten all about the other ruthless people in the Hall of Rogues gallery of the Orion Cave. If they wrap up Volkoff by 4×13 , they could do another big story line with Hydra, Corvus et al as the next big bad guys.
Godot, remember those torches and pitchforks we used to all talk about? Keep that up, and they’ll be out again, looking for you!!! đ
Come on. He is a great BAD guy. He just sucks as a good guy. I spent most of the summer watching Chuck beat him up, again and again and again…. and again. đ
It doesn’t matter if he’s a puppy…I’m emotionally traumatized from just hearing his name haha, kidding.
That’s an insult to vincent who is/was the greatest bad guy on Chuck.:-P
Vincent is still my favorite bad guy too, although Tommy was pretty good as well. Shaw, well I still have a viceral reaction when I see him on screen, and it’s not gee he was a really great bad guy, more like someone shoot him now, use all the bullets you have and then borrow your partner’s gun and use all their bullets too.
Herder, use the thank. I appreciated the tank. haha.
@herder – My sentiments exactly. By the time the finale came around it was like – can somebody please shoot this Log now.
@Godot – I can see a scenario where they can use Shaw and something to do with Governor again. The most I can bear him would be for an episode or two. As for a multi-episode arc – you can fully trust TPTB to turn those into the Story Of Shaw – so no thanks.
Shaw sucked as a bad guy and a good guy. It would make sense to find out that he got to his position through political favors from his family , blackmail , bribery or a combination of the above.
As a good guy he got locked in a vault, gassed himself and Sarah because he didn’t use the previously shown containment chamber, tried to blow up teh country’s greatest intelligence asset over data discs that seemed to be ignored once they were retreived.
As a bad guy he called the other bad guys (who were in a open room full of other people sitting down to listen so thier leaving was very noticable) , made a villian speech confessing to a murder that the person he was doing it to already knew about and who was an electronics expert at the same time the conference with it’s large screen was in the same building, went after the good guys on thier home turf after being completely unmasked instead of running hiding and regrouping and then attacking when they least suspect it.
And then there’s his turning itself, he went straight into being a Ring agent after being shown that, there was no questioning as to whether or not his wife was set up to be the target of a red test by the Ring . Graham could have been a Ring member or she could have been framed by a Ring member or Eve could really have been a traitor. He just flipped instantly.And this was right after he ordered a Ring test himself though from what they said having that much info about the subject before they are made your red test is highly unusual. He probably had a red test and didn’t know anything about them . They could have made it interesting by having him visiably crack and start wondering who set her up, who betrayed them both, was his red test an innocent person.
Vincint , however , even though technically a henchman rocked.
The sad part is had they kept Shaw dead, Eve would’ve made an awesome and very sympathetic villain.
Shot and betrayed by her own government. Finds out her husband spent five years trying to avenge her only to be killed by the agent he was ‘training”. Who also happens to be the b/f on the woman who shot her.
Wow JC, that would have been great. So that just makes S3 an even bigger fail…
Of course Vincent is the best bad guy! Totally agree there! I was thinking a show where Chuck has to actually work with a bad guy for a mutual goal would be great. Love to see Vincent in that one!
Ahh the bad guy thread … such interesting thoughts. I agree that we should empty our clips and use the tank on Shaw. Why risk it when there are so many other options. Eve would have been a good option, but Shaw ruined that by association.
Not too fond of the return of Jill, either. Let her have her redemption and live anonymously-ever-after.
Vincent was good. He respected Carmichael (I’ve heard of you) and was professional. He could come back.
Colt was a mercenary. Don’t know if he would work for Volkoff or not, but I did like him as a bad guy.
How about a reunion with some of the Undercover Lover Ruskies? That would fit.
The torture lady from Beefcake. She and Volkoff would probably hit it off.
Other than that, I’d like to see some of those files in the basement yield some interesting villains.
Torture girl injected herself with enough toxin to kill an army. Don’t think she’s coming back.
Well, duh! Brain cramp đ
hey, a little thing like death never matters on Chuck!
It usually has more to do with important stuff like actor availability.
That looks like a potential guest list at the Bartowski/Walker-Burton wedding, Thinkling. Not that they were all actually invited, you know…
đ
@Joe: lol That would be a fun list to come up with. Can you imagine the guest interaction, from the Woodcomb’s to Jack and Carina to the Russian mob partiers to Colt to Vincent. And the confusion about Carmichael v. Bartowski. Who’s on first?
Heh! And we’d need to also bring back the two boys from the pilot.
“Whoa! Computer emergency!”
Thanks for the follow on twitter, Aimee!
@Thinkling
Yeah I know Eve as a villain wouldn’t work now but I can’t help but think how great it could have been.
It’s cliche I know but what about another Bartowski sibling as a villain? We all speculated that Dalton was MEB’s Bryce or Shaw. Maybe Orion had his own Jill? An enemy agent that had his child but he never knew. She was raised by her mother to hate the Bartowski’s. Think of the stunt casting, Mary McDonnell as the mom and Eliza Dushku as the daughter.
Very creative, JC, but not very “Chuck.” Orion’s Jill would be fine, but I wouldn’t bring in a half-Bartowski love-child turned hate-child. As to the stunt casting, I’m not the one to ask. I just enjoy the end result.
I’d also seen that they were bringing in an M1 Abrams that will be testing new experimental wood piercing rounds.
I think Shaw is a perfectly viable villain. And with intense pressure now to do 11 more episodes with a thin budget, exhausted cast and stretched writing team, it would be a logical potential: You bring in a character with a known backstory. Moreover, Brandon Routh knows the show and how it rolls. He could step right in to a multi-episode arc.
And, atcdave, to your point about clip shows, you could wrap a two- or- three-episode Shaw/Volkoff arc around a clip show of Chuck and Sarah talking about the “Shaw era.” That could be a fascinating clip show done with a wraparound of Chuck and Sarah preparing for the showdown mission against Shaw.
Since I’ve always assumed e13 would be a Chuck-Sarah engagement, I also suppose you could consider the May sweeps episodes a wedding arc, with a liberal use of clips.
The point I’m trying to make is that from a TV-practicality standpoint, there is some fancy dancing that will have to be done. It’s pretty clear that they had no plans to bring back Papa B (they said he was definitively dead in the IGN interview). So where else are you going to go when you now have to essentially create 11 more episodes with very little advance planning? You go to the wedding, with clips…or you bring in Routh to reprise Shaw.
Or you create an actual credible villain played by an actor who can emote in two episodes with none of the baggage Shaw brings to the show.
I think a clip show in conjunction with an engagement is a practical option. If they have any notion of “fixing” the Shaw arc in any way is another option. For the record, I’m not really a fan of such episodes, but there are reasons why they get done, and an exhausted cast could be a good one.
Shaw certainly is viable as a villain, well from a story telling perspective. But I would bet money they don’t bring him back. Too much bad history with too big a chunk of the viewership.
@JC – that’s why I am eager to see if they explore the ruthless enemies of Orion. As for actors – well, TPTB can always stunt cast.No worries there.
@Genie
Same here, in concept Shaw should have been that villain. But alas they made him look like an idiot through most of S3. So even though he’s evil he’s still an incompetent buffoon.
James Marsters, plays a great bad guy and he’s got the Buffy geek cred.
The problem with that is whatever good faith TPTB has gotten with the return of fun, they take back with the slime of what was (I want to say largely unfavorable but I’ll stop at “was”).
It’s possible to bring him back in a flashback capacity but for my money I would much rather see a flashback of Scott B than any sort of PLI mess that may be manufactured or revisited.
Think of it this way, while the “joke” about the Tiffany earrings was just that a joke…it was still very unsettling for a large percentage of the fanbase. Some even go as far as to emphasize a feeling of distaste/lack of meaning to the bracelet following that joke. Now I don’t personally subscribe to that theory but I know some that do. And to add, even just the memory of that event was distasteful.
I’m okay with Shaw as a pure villain, but Shaw revisited in “Living Dead” was almost worse than the first time around (they made “plausible deniability” more difficult). I don’t really trust TPTB to handle Shaw with any measure of respect to us ‘shippers.
JC: Brainiac! Awesome. To echo Alladins, I’m very intrigued by the idea of revisiting Orion’s old nemesis as villains. Yes the storyline of MamaB as family will have reached its end point but evil never dies. And the ramifications of not having an Orion in the world could very well be the end of it!
Having said that I think they’re best leaving the villains to this vague, long-reaching episodic/arcing evil. The buildup of the Ring was too much, and it subsequently led to failure.
@CN8 – I blame Shaw for the fact that the Ring turned out to be nothing more than 5 commoners caught in a stairwell – oh! wait, this isn’t the ‘I Blame Shaw’ thread of the NBC boards. But honestly speaking,the focus on Shaw affected the Ring credibility as a credible threat.
I don’t care if Shaw annoyed some fans or pleased others. He and Justin were simply boring villains. That’s why I don’t want to see them come back. If the show wants to bring back past villains, it can do better. How about Tommy or Vincent? Or even that guy from “Fat Lady” who was never captured? (Seriously, that gaping plot hole still irks me to this day.)
notice how the moment shaw was mentioned, the good will formed by the great news and the great episode last night turned sour, his return will do the same thing to the show.
Jason lol. Good point. Shaw is the gift of bad mojo that keeps on giving.
That is funny Jason.
And Merve I do agree about there being other, better villains to recycle, if they must. But choosing such an unpopular baddie as Shaw would just be bad business sense. And I don’t mean to suggest they never will. But I think there is still too much ill will; it never makes sense to upset your customers, and TV is a business.
I dont ever want to see Brandon Routh on my TV screen again. Very ordinary as Superman and almost a show killer as Shaw. Mr Routh himself seems like a lovely guy – but he’s 0 for 2 and about three grades out of his depth.
No mention for my favorite villain? The ever imposing Mr Colt. Funny. Intimidating. And respectful enough to ask Chuck to get properly limber before he kills him.
No worries. Breaking news ahead.
The so called “super spy” Daniel Shaw’s body was found dumped in a muddy ditch on the side of I-007 in Burbank. He had been shot thrice in the head with a .22 caliber automatic (used in typical assassinations). Police are investigating the matter and the only clue they have is a cryptic note left on the body. Anonymous sources leaked out that the note had only one sentence ” Nobody messes with Frost’s family and lives to see another day”
Whoa. Badass.
LOL. I likey!
While we’re at it, have that same time happen to Jill…except this time it’s Sarah that did something. Hey she meant it when she said, “if you hurt him, I swear!”
OMG. 11+ means return of favs! FTW!
Now Jill could be a fun villain to bring back. But they seriously need to wait until after Chuck and Sarah are married.
But Jill wasn’t a villain by the end of First Kill, that was her redemption episode.
I like this plan. I wouldn’t mind this plan being enacted with an addendum about how Eve was set up by the Ring director who showed Shaw the tape or found out that Eve was a Ring agent all along and had married him on orders.
My favorite though is that Eve faked her death with Graham’s cooperation to get out of her marriage to Shaw so she’d never have to see him again.
I think you guys are missing my point. I’m talking strictly TV-practicality. Shaw, I thought, was a credible enough villain. Routh knows the show and how it works. He could step right in.
It’s no small task the showrunners now how ahead of them: 11 more episodes with a tight budget, tired cast and thin writing crew. And they literally have to start storyboarding these 11 extra episodes NOW since they have probably already written 11 and 12 and started on 13.
Shaw is a logical place to go. The backstory is there, the actor knows the show. Besides, maybe you could even throw in a Shaw clip show. You know, Chuck and Sarah talking about the “Shaw era” as they prepare for the “final showdown” episodes.
sorry for the double post, crazy internet today…
I think we get it Godot. In many practical ways Shaw would make sense; I wouldn’t mind seeing another of his nefarious schemes get derailed by TeamB. But I think he was such a PR disaster they are unlikely to go that route.
I like Shaw too. Especially given his background with Chuck and Sarah. Perhaps if he came back played by another actor a la John Woo’s Face Off.
On a slightly different topic, speculation as a result of what we have seen on the last episode. Mama B is Volkov’s “problem solver” he has a problem, he sends her, no more problem. What if the proplem she is sent to solve is Chuck, he is on Volkov’s radar as the super spy who expertly uses public transit, he has infiltrated Volkov’s headquarters, he foiled Volkov’s revenge against Heather Chandler and he captured one of Volkov’s sub-teams.
This would account for Mama B saying that she had a job to do and now it’s time for her to go and the, presumably staged public shooting of Chuck. She also knows that he has been searching for her for a while but hasn’t acted until now. Chuck not telling Sarah about the staged shooting would be a pretty good reason for a first fight (shades of Bryce not telling her what he is up to), and if Mama B disappeared after it could be a reason for him to go on a rogue mission rather than face Sarah, after all she is probably correct and Chuck is in the wrong.
All feasible and good guesses there.
My take – Mama B stages a fake killing of Chuck. Later she decides to go back to where she came from i.e to Volkoff and leaves. Chuck wants to go after her, but Sarah is now convinced that Mama B is totally bad – ensue C/S argument at the end of the episode, after which Chuck quietly leaves the house on his rogue mission.
But in 4×05 they have set up a good reason for Chuck to go rogue later- he is afraid of putting his family in harms way and he had decided to give up his search for his mom.Now, what can he do when trouble (Mama B) itself calls and sets up a meet.Hopefully the C/S fight is about the dangers of Chuck running into mortal threats to help his mom and not about trust.
after all she is probably correct and Chuck is in the wrong.
Hmm. But right now it looks like Sarah is all for giving Mama B the benefit of doubt while Chuck has already decided that she is bad. This will no doubt change – it will be interesting to see how it comes about.
There’s also that pic that Josh Gomez tweeted of him and MEB from 4.07. Its looks like she’s in an interrogation room add that to Mel’s mention of MEB being in handcuffs and I think it’s safe to assume MEB is arrested or turns herself in by the end of episode.
I still think Chuck’s rogue mission is about proving his mother’s innocence.
Hmm. But the scene mentioned by Mel had Timothy Dalton and Anna Gasteyer (playing the Russian spy) in it along with C/S. So, that is not from the Castle – maybe a secret base where Mama B is being tortured by Volkoff’s agent because of suspicions regarding Chuck’s supposed death in 4×06.
And IMHO, the Twit Pic from Josh Gomez was around the time they were filming 4×08 or 4×09.
I wasn’t saying that those two scenes happened in the same place.
It just makes sense to me that MEB would be in CIA custody by the end of 4.06. By the end of episode Chuck believes his mother isn’t bad, Sarah doesn’t. Which leads to the standoff between Sarah and MEB. This causes the fight between Chuck and Sarah.
In First Fight, MEB either tells him or he flashes on info that leads him to Timothy Dalton. Also looking at that pic that was released of him and Chuck. It looks like a bank vault. Most likely its some MacGuffin that the two of go to retrieve. Gasteyer is sent by Volkoff to get the it too. By then Sarah finds out about what Chuck is doing and goes after him. This leads to Chuck and Sarah’s fight about trust while fighting off the bad guys.
The way I see it, the meeting/stand-off in the park will be at the beginning of next eps (phone call tells Chuck where to meet her). Que stand-off and Frost is captured/surrenders to C/S. Que the quick promo clip of Frost in the car saying she would do things differently if she could do it again. Which leads her to Castle and the interrogation room. She tells Chuck her orders to take him out and the only way to get him off of Volkoffs radar is to “kill” him. Chuck agrees and they stage the shooting. Chuck doesn’t tell Sarah that particular detail and that is what the fight is about (which is ultimately a trust issue). Frost returns to wherever she came from, C/S are pissed at each other, leading to Chuck’s rogue mission in eps 7.
FYI, rewatch for Couch Lock is in 8 minutes! đ
VOTE CHUCK ONTO THE COVER
http://tvinsider.com/coverpoll/
It’s sort of irritating that the Chuck picture only shows Levi, while Castle and Bones have both the male and female lead and HIMYM shows the entire cast. It would be nice if the picture used to represent the show were swapped for one featuring all three main characters.
they don’t really know CHUCK. Outsider without a real chance they think…
…still voting …and voting …and again
Actually that isn’t the cover, just a picture to represent the show from what Schwartz tweeted. The real cover involves bikinis…and Jeffster. đ
bikini?!? where??? OK, you got my full attention, ears and eyes , and the tank, of course đ
Vote and vote again! And being from Chicagoland, I can tell you that you’re also allowed to vote for any of your deceased friends and relatives. I mean, you know if they watch TV in heaven, they are CERTAINLY watching CHUCK. So BE THEIR VOICE and vote for them, too, and let’s get CHUCK on the cover of TV Guide. FINALLY, let’s get on the cover of one of these entertainment magazines.
Actually, I can’t believe that CHUCK hasn’t made the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Especially with the great story that it is – the show that just won’t die!!
I think they’re going to leave Chuck apparently dead at the end of First Fight, leading to the tense standoff in the park between Mamma B and Sarah. The look on Sarah’s face evinced enough desperation to suggest she thought Chuck was dead. That leaves a good cliff-hanger for the short break.
Alternatively, it could be Chuck who breaks up the stand-off, whispering from the bushes “Sarah, hey, I’m not really dead, it’s just a red herring for Volkoff!” leading to the first fight, because Sarah would be, rightly, really pissed. In which case the show ends with Chuck sleeping alone, either on the couch, or with Sarah haring off somewhere.
standoff in the park between Mamma B and Sarah
it’s an impressive scene. I remember Yvonne talked about it. She was obviously impressed about this scene.I re watched the Long Promo 402-406 and Sarah looks really desperate. Perhaps you’re right and Chuck dead is a cliffhanger…
Dunno. I’m really think that the stand-off is at the beginning of the eps.
Chuck faking his death without talking to Sarah would certainly be grounds for a major blow-up. I hope he isn’t that stupid. Its really hard to say what’s going on from a jumbled preview; but we did hear their first fight was about mamaB, not about a faked death.
Alas, after watching the spoiler clip, I can kiss that bit of speculation goodbye…It would have been pretty cool, though…So apparently the fight has to do with Sarah’s suspicions about Mamma B. Chuck is accepting that she is who she says she is far to easily, and Sarah isn’t buying it…
Well, from the spoilers, Chuck is a bit leery too.
Another really FUN episode. Chuck makes me laugh out loud, makes me smile, and warms my heart. What’s not to love?
Chuck vs. The Couch Lock = Fun + Death & Clarity; Relationships & Family.
DEATH & CLARITY; RELATIONSHIPS & FAMILY
Nothing like a glimpse of life through the lens of death to help us see things more clearly. Things like how our choices affect other people; or if the pursuit of things we want has caused us to undervalue all that we have; or if our accomplishments are really all that. It settles the question of what really matters … who really matters. So, as the mission leads our heroes through eulogies and confessions, alleyways and warehouses, dumpsters and deserts; amid the adventure and hilarity of it all, there’s a little soul searching about life and what matters.
Casey has faced death countless times and, as Sarah kept reminding us, has been through much worse. But he’s never been to his own funeral, never faced the cold truth that nobody came, except people who wanted him dead. Maybe there’s more to life than missions and battles. Maybe people matter more than he realized. Hey, Casey’s going to get the hang of this family stuff, if it kills him.
After his own brush with death, Morgan realized that Alex mattered more than Casey’s objections to their dating. Add in Casey’s funeral and Morgan sees that you need to spend time with your friends while you can, and that if you want people to come to your funeral, you can’t wait until the last minute to work on the guest list.
I should mention that Ellie had a change of perspective as well, catalyzed not by a brush with death, but by the presence of new life. As the prospect of motherhood becomes more real, she finds the courage to unpack her memories and to face the truth about her mom. It’s a wonderful step that sets her on a path of healing. [Of course, I’m sure she thinks that Chuck is looking in San Diego and Fresno, not Tangiers and Moscow … and that his new lead will take him to, ummm, New York or Canada, not Iran.]
Near death experiences aren’t new for Chuck, either, but never before were they the result of his own decisions. Never before did his personal agenda put Casey and Sarah at risk. Beckman’s praise, intended to encourage Chuck, sowed a seed of doubt instead, which takes root when Casey is captured and he and Sarah are about to die from yet another bomb. Sarah is great here. She diffuses his doubt with a shot of sarcasm, “You should have told me before I crawled under those lasers;” and a healthy dose of truth, “Chuck, you’re being ridiculous.” Doesn’t he know by now that she is with him because she chooses to be … that what matters to him matters to her. The various aspects of this mission — doubts allayed, information revealed, and near-death for everyone — coalesce into a Chuck epiphany, long over-due. “In order to find the one person who left me, I’ve endangered the lives of everyone who would never leave me — Morgan, Casey, you.” … “You guys, Ellie, Awesome — you’re my family.” Our boy is finally becoming a man … emotionally.
What about Sarah? She is in a good place from her own recent realizations. She is settled (unpacked), confident in who she is, and committed to the man she loves. Maybe it’s my imagination, but I think we see a more confident and relaxed Sarah, comfortable with herself and her life. Is it mere coincidence that she and Ellie enjoy an animated chat at a family gathering? I don’t think so. We can’t hear what they’re saying, but they are talking and clearly enjoying it. đ Sarah’s teasing, “Is this the part where I’m supposed to ask you what you’re thinking about?” Odd. On second thought, not odd at all considering Chuck’s big todo about communication exercises. She listens. She gives him hope, “We don’t know what side you’re mom is on.” She doesn’t want him to abandon his search. Priceless Sarah, no?
Sarah, though, is not to be denied her own sweet epiphany, which is tangential to Chuck’s. Knowing that he finally understands that she will never leave him warms her heart. But the happiest revelation of all (one that dislodges Chuck’s carelessly spoken words in Best Friend) is that she is his family.
*I’m trying to get these thoughts out while they are fresh. So I’ll do the FUN part later … after I explore all the rest of the fun from the blog.
I enjoyed that Sarah’s shout-out to the fountain scene cliche.
Yeah, I hadn’t actually thought of it that way. Good call.
Always love seeing your FEW comments Thinkling, great review as always. You failed to mention Casey being rescued by Jeff and Lester! To me that was the best laugh out loud moment of the episode. Absolutely loved the bomb defusing scene, and I am completely pleased with the new funny Sarah Walker we see this season. Make that funny and (apparently) happy. Calling Chuck out for being ridiculous was perfect, and I was quite pleased to see another fountain scene.
But I guess for all that, the one thing that didn’t impress me was the “lesson learned” from Casey’s funeral. Because of the way they didn’t make it a public announcement, the people who would have really come didn’t know; like none of his friends he was with at the end, and none of the Buy Morons. It was kind of a forced situation and not one to draw serious life lessons from (not that Morgan’s words still wouldn’t sting a little…)
I don’t know about that. After Casey’s funeral Morgan, Jeff and Lester all came to Casey’s aid in a big way when he needed it. Sarah and Chuck did their best to try. I think that underscores the difference between Casey’s old life and his new life. His old life ultimately left him with a funeral attended by enemies and strategically placed agents. In contrast his real funeral would have been attended by his partners, daughter, Morgan, Chuck’s sister and bro-in-law and the Buymorons.
Not sure what you’re taking issue with Weaselone, maybe my wording was confusing; but I thought I said exactly the same thing.
plus alex’s mom, karina probably, goya and his wife, and probably the entire state of costa gravis
And I’m guessing Ilsa Trachinka too. đ
Of course, we’d have to pry our own Caseysgirl off his casket…
You’re right, of course, Dave. Casey’s funeral wasn’t what it would’ve been had it been real. I was playing along with the way they played it. Casey has come a very long way in 3+ yrs. I can well imagine that the Casey of the pilot would have a funeral just like Couch Lock.
And Jeff and Lester to the rescue was hilarious. The only thing more disturbing than Jeff waking up in a dumpster is his *knowing* that it’s one of the best dumpsters in town. Can’t wait ’til the book comes out. Jeff’s Guide to LA’s Best Dumpsters. How does one rate dumpsters … is a 5-rat dumpster better or worse than a 4-rat dumpster?
I meant that the funeral underscores Casey’s life as it was vs. what it is now. Casey’s still resisting that new life and its attachments. As such the contrast between cases two choices was poignant and powerful, made all the more so because he is still clinging to his old life in many ways.
Okay, I can see it as a metaphor for his old life.
And I forgot to mention how much I loved the mental image of Casey playing Magic with the Jeffster crew!
@Dave: I love funny Sarah, too … pure gold. They couldn’t have known what all they were getting in Yvonne. Her understated humor is the perfect foil for Chuck’s more physical and overt comedy. I hope TPTB realize how much better the show is with funny, happy Sarah and empowered, happy, bantering spy-couple Chuck & Sarah.
I loved watching Chuck and Sarah during the eulogy. Chuck coaching from the front pew, and Sarah’s face showing what we all now know: It’s a little early for Morgan to hang out his shingle as “The Eulogy Guy.”
many of you are way to young to remember the dick van dyke show, a gifted physical comic with an unknown very young actress who started off quiet and scared in early eps and ended up the star of the show, CS work in that dynamic pretty often – chuck as dick van dyke, and sarah as laura (Mary tyler moore), awesome and ellie as their neighbors (jerry and millie I think), and casey as rob’s boss, morgan has a perfect role too (buddy the quick thinking wisecracking jokester), only person missing is sallie, who was a female version of buddy (ok, beckman actually could do that role pretty well) done – Fedak – make it happen
Hey Thinkling I don’t know if you ever saw some of the bonus features from the S1 set; but in one interview Fedak is talking about the difficulties in casting Sarah (mainly trying to find someone who could play sweet and tough equally well). He does throw out that Yvonne’s ability to do comedy was a nice bonus. But I remember watching back before S2 even premiered thinking “Sarah’s always serious, they never let Yvonne do comedy anyway (well, except in the blooper real she is a hoot).” Makes me wonder if they envisioned way back then “much later in the show Sarah will be more relaxed and happy, then we’ll need Yvonne to be funny.”
So Jason are you suggesting after Chuck finishes its run we could be treated to “The Yvonne Strahovski Show”?
@Jason: You don’t know how many times I’ve almost commented that Zach reminds me of young Dick Van Dyke. Same lanky build, same physical comedy, facial expressions. Really similar. I just didn’t know if it would mean much to anyone. (When I watched these shows, they weren’t re-runs.) I suppose it would really stretch things to mention Danny Kaye. And before you gasp, some of those were reruns.
@Dave: I don’t remember the comedy reference, but I saw something on youtube about casting Yvonne. Definitely a very hard bill to fill, and she does it unbelievably well. She is tough as nails and never comes off seeming or looking man-ish, even in combat gear. Not too many police woman type leads come close to pulling off what she does, let alone the expressive face and comedy.
I don’t remember the exact line, it was something along the lines of Yvonne having great comedy credentials.
Excuse me if I gush too much here or something, but I’ve always thought she was a remarkable find. like you, I grew up in another era. I’ve always loved action/adventure themed shows; but when I was a kid women didn’t do those sorts of things, and it was a new BIG deal that girls were just then being allowed to participate in a lot competitive sports in school. So it was a pretty new thing when shows like Bionic Woman and Charlie’s Angels came along and women got to be the heroes. But speaking as a young guy at the time, it always bothered me that these heroic women ran/threw/hit like girls. No offense intended, but they never looked very athletic or dangerous to me; certainly not in the way my men heroes of the time did.
This has changed over the years; I think a lot of it has to do with the girls who were now participating in sports all through school. Our expectations of what an athletic woman ought to look/act like changed a lot. But I think often we’ve seen over-compensation. Many heroic women roles since the 1990s go to actresses with excellent physical credentials who no longer seem pleasent or feminine, at least not in the ways that appeal to me. Maybe it has a lot to do with the darker entertainment that has generally become popular in the last few years too.
Bottom line is, women characters in the sorts of shows I enjoy, are generally either tough or appealing. I can think of very few who manage both. Yvonne Strahovski manages both like no other I can think of. I really saw it as an exclusive choice prior to the premier of Chuck. I even remember talking to friends about this back early in S1; I have NEVER seen an actress who can be sweet and tough at the same time like she does. In the action adventure genre she is an amazing find.
Haha, Dave. We agree again. You said it perfectly, about the lead women hitting like girls. No offense taken. (I was one of the girls, back in the day, fighting to play every sport there was, and I did NOT throw like a girl.) My point is exactly yours, that Yvonne is the perfect balance of tough and appealing … she doesn’t throw like a girl or walk like a man. Case in point, the rooftop in Hong-Kong, or this week, simultaneously flirting and diffusing a bomb in combat gear and being totally believable as a spy and a woman, 20-50% sexier b/c she is diffusing the bomb.
She is indeed unique and amazing.
I love the way you write thinkling. I was hoping your comment.
I agree with you about the time of Sarah, she is really happy and touched to be included as a member of the family of Chuck.
I thought of Sarah as family of Chuck, but has that little moment, so meaningful, that makes it clear that she needed to hear it. She is a little like Chuck here, the intentions are in the air, but the certainty comes only with the declaration of the man she loves.
At the end of the ring II, Chuck tells Ellie that she is right and there is nothing more important than family. (The interaction is only between the two). Then he says he loves her, and she replies that loves him too.
For me, the scene is repeated in couch lock. As you mentioned, Chuck establishes a new family, but the intonation of talk about family is particularly directed to Sarah. Soon after he says he loves her, and she replies that she loves him.
Thanks Joanna, for waiting for (esperando?) my comment. Sarah did look ridiculously pleased about the family comment, didn’t she? I loved that moment for her. You’re right she has been included in lots of family things for a long time, but for Chuck to out and out say that she is his family holds special meaning. It was a really sweet scene. Of course, it may mean even more to her now that she knows she would say yes to a proposal. I think that’s part of it, too.
That little line from Chuck about family confirmed what fans have been saying since “Operation Awesome” (or even before): Chuck, Sarah, Ellie, Casey, Devon, and Morgan are a family. With that in mind, I hope that we get to more of some infrequently-seen character interactions. Sarah needs to spend more time with Ellie, Devon, and Morgan. (Also, based on “Nemesis” and “Colonel,” I’d say that Casey and Devon are an untapped well of comedy gold.)
I agree completely Merve, some of those odd pairings would be a total blast.
And oh yeah, before I forget, I know that I don’t comment much about the romance aspect of things, but I think it speaks volumes about how Chuck feels about Sarah that he includes her in his “family.” It’s especially meaningful (or at least more meaningful than anything that happened between Chuck and Sarah in the previous 3 episodes) that he includes her in the same group as Ellie and Morgan – the two people who have been by his side for pretty much his entire life. It must be incredibly meaningful for Sarah too, to be not just the “girlfriend,” but also to be a member of an actual family, something that she seemingly didn’t have before.
I love it when this show focuses on family. Rings and eloquent declarations of love are nice, but for me, it’s the little things that count. Sarah and Casey being a part of the extended Bartowski clan is the new status quo, and I like it that way. I like the idea that family is everyone’s anchor to normalcy. The world around them might be insane, and I expect that the Mama B plotline will come with its fair share of emotional hardship, as it should, but at least they all have each other. And even if two individuals in the group have their differences, the family unit will still remain intact.
(I’m in a super-positive mood right now. It must be something in the cookies that I ate earlier today.)
Merve, quite a change from Best Friend when he said “Before you got here and long after you have left, Morgan is my family”. Also a bit of a contrast to Ellie’s statement to Awesome in Suitcase that he and Chuck are her family.
TPTB have said that season 4 is all about family, they seem to be contrasting the different types of family, the one you are born with and the one you make and comparing how they pull against one another.
I expect further statements of who is family from Sarah, Casey, Awesome and again from both Chuck and Ellie. It will be interesting to see how Mama B defines family and what it means.
@Merve – That’s so well put! And to Herder too, I have to say that I made that same connection – to the scene in Best Friend, also.
I knew I was going to be pleased when I heard that S4 was going to be about “family”, but I didn’t realize that I was going to enjoy it this much!
Merve I agree almost entirely. I would only add, that’s the whole point of the ring, it makes family. I’m sure many of us know the sentiment of calling close friends family, and in some ways its true. But the ring is special, it goes beyond even blood. At least that’s what it means to me, and I’m sure I’m not alone.
@Merve: The family call back is one of the most meaningful this season. Sarah’s face tells us how much. So, I really love the extended family that is emerging as something overt and confessed rather than implied.
You’re not alone, Dave … surprise, huh. And well said. The ring symbolizes a unique union that is innately and legally permanent. Without it family has no abiding place to put down roots
Yeah I was pretty sure one person would agree!
seems like a general consensus was formed on this board that 4×13 was headed for some sort of positive CS theme (marriage or engagement the leading choices I would guess) – how much has everyone changed their thinking? I have two main directions off the top of my head, one would be to regress back to wt/wt and angst, one would be to charge forward toward marriage at 4.24. Certainly I would love for them to charge forward. The one thing the show is missing right now from my POV is a second lady on team B, I was thinking Alex, Carina or bringing in a new character, but if linda H wants to stay, maybe she would fit the bill … mama b and casey as a superspy couple, wow
Don’t know about everyone else, but I honestly don’t have any feel for what might happen next. I’m not even sure I know what I want to happen next. I’m guessing Schwartz & Fedak are only dealing now with about 20 possible alternatives in the story line.
Why, they could even go with the first 13 episodes exactly the way they’ve been story-boarded and make with the typie-type for the back 11 as if it were a whole new season. That is, if they planned to have C&S engaged, that’s still on. If there was to be a new, awesome character weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz (named Greta?), so be it. No changes necessary.
All I can say is that they’ve gotten a lot better with the leaks than they have in seasons past! At least, it feels that way.
joe – I think greta is a cool idea, but I am almost sure I know what the baby’s name will be – ellie will not deliver in a hospital, awesome will be too scared to deliver, so in steps the show’s newest superhero, to deliver the baby, and become the baby’s namsake – morgan – you heard it here first
Joe – What happens next?
How about Sarah’s mom?
My Greta (a cat) has gotten a little chubby for that role. I’ll have to put her on a stricter diet to get her back down to a trim 8 lb 2 Oz. đ
Oh my! I tickled a funny bone! đ
My 2 cats, BoĂśtes and Cassiopeia (Boo and Cassie, for short) were last referenced in the Orion Cave, right after Fornax, and have their own file for Chuck to peruse.
Morgan as Ellie’s ultimate hero? Gotta be! But certainly, no mother would name her little girl “Morgan!”. No, I’m guessing – Cobra.
Joseph, you have me wondering about Mama Burton, now. Is S4.5 too soon to work in another “looking for mom” arc in the show? I’d say it is, but really, that will always be the case. Somehow Mrs. Burton will have to be introduced is some other way, and I have no idea how. There’s been 0 set-up for that.
So I’m guessing that arc (if it is a proper arc) won’t happen until S5 or 6. However, I really hope and almost expect Gary Cole to come back. đ
I’d like them to deal with some Sarah backstory too, but I think they’ve pushed the abandonded by parents you now need to find theme enough. I’d prefer they handle Sarah’s mom fairly simply with the return of her dad where they maybe just mention her death in passing rather than do the search for a parent thing again.
I don’t think Sarah looking for her mom will ever be a major arc. Goes back to my theory of I just don’t think TPTB see Sarah as being very important. We may get a single Sarah centered episode in the back order; but whether that means the return of Jack or some new detail from Sarah’s past I don’t know.
As for me, I am not that keen on a story arc that involves Sarah’s mom. As Ernie said- if a passing reference in an episode where Gary Cole reprises his role as Jack Burton would be cool. If they do opt for a Sarah back story I vote for two – one involving Jack Burton and the other involving Sarah and Carina on a mission – like the one where she saved Carina’s life in Pakistan. And IMHO, Jack Burton and Carina, each deserve at least a two episode arc.
As for Bryce in flashbacks – I dont know how that could work – IMO,a flashback or two for an entire episode is a waste since Bryce is dead. One way it could work though- Chuck and Sarah go on a mission where Sarah draws on her experience from a similar mission she had been on with Bryce in the past. Maybe then Bryce can be utilized throughout the episode via multiple flashbacks from Sarah’s POV.
morgan a girls name – evidentily honey’s (morgan fairchild’s) mom thought so (assuming that is really her name), I actually coached a girl’s basketball team as a volunteer a few years ago when the head coach got ill for a season, had 3 girls on the 12 girl roster named morgan, I have never coached a boy named morgan, except tom morgan, one of the best PG’s in my area a couple of seasons ago – anyhow – I googled it. my coaching gut reaction was right, Morgan ranked 56th as a girls name in 2009, 457th as a boys name.
I like the idea of some Carina/Sarah history, or at least the return of Carina for an episode or so.
If I were to do my wishlist of the backorder I’d say seeing Carina back to pass judgment on Chuck and Sarah’s new relationship and consequentially toss a monkey wrench in Morgan’s by mentioning her affinity for giving nerds a thrill would be pretty close to number one.
Gary Cole back might compete with that if they have a decent story to go with it.
One I’d like to see them deal with at some point is the prospect of one of Team B being offered a promotion and the choice of staying or breaking up the band. Obviously if it’s Chuck or Sarah they’d be leaving together, enough of that angst, so I say give Casey a shot at General and see what he decides. It’d be his Coup d’Etat episode where he finally decides what he wants out of his new life.
Somewhere in there, just for fun I’d like to see the Sarah pregnancy scare, just because I want to see Sarah truely freak out for once and start babbling like season one Chuck.
Well,The Fornax Bread Company is located right down the street from me. Occasionally,I like to fantasize that my $3 baguette goes to help finance a evil global enterprise bent on world domination. đ
@Jason I stand corrected! Morgan it is! đ
Wow Ernie, I love all of that. Carina really NEEDS to return. As you put it, to pass judgement on Chuck and Sarah. I’d love to see Sarah defend her decisions to Carina; it might be like arguing with her own past.
I would love to see Bryce back in any capacity, but I think its highly unlikely at this point with Matthew Bomer committed to White Collar (which will likely outlast Chuck).
@Ernie: good ideas. Carina and Jack are favorites. I can see both of them back for the wedding. I don’t see Carina passing judgment so much as observing to see how things are. She was actually pretty supportive of Sarah’s feelings in 3W. I would love to see Jack get caught up in a Chuck/Sarah/Carina mission, preferably one that his shenanigans have created. Carina could see how far Chuck has come and how happy Sarah is. Jack could get an eyeful of his “some kind of cop” daughter and the spy-schnook she’s about to marry.
The Sarah pregnancy scare would be great. Sarah could call Chuck and ask him to pick up a pregnancy test on the way home. I’d pay extra just to see the phone call and him finding and purchasing said item. A mission could interrupt the reading of the results and prolong the fun and drama.
I could see them getting Bomer for a cameo when the show is wrapping up. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jill come back either. She’s an interesting character, a redeemed villain who Chuck loved. It doesn’t have to be played for angst but I’d to see her and Sarah have to work together.
Love the idea of Sarah and Carina’s first meeting. I mentioned in my one my comments that I’d love to see their first mission together. They just need to do more back story for Sarah. It doesn’t have to be some major revelation about her past. But the more we learn even minor details makes her a more well rounded character.
And Ernie’s idea about the pregnancy scare is great. Like he said a major Sarah freak out, babbling Chuck, Casey one liners and the opportunity for this line “Stay in the car Sarah”.
Thinkling, Carina was supportive, true, but Sarah was also obviously suffering. If Sarah were in a good place I get the feeling Carina wouldn’t hesitate to have some fun taunting her and her Chuck.
Oddly a wedding and engagement aren’t very high on my list. I think they settled all that to my satisfaction in Coup d’Etat.
There’s a few things on my wish list if TPTB were talking suggestions. One would be that they play with structure a bit, (Firefly’s “Out of Gas” is the first thing that comes to mind, or even Seinfeld’s Indian wedding episode), with a few glimpses of backstory or alternate POV. There was a little of that in Nacho Sampler.
Another would be a Casey/Chuck mission, because those, IMO, always produced gold – as in Undercover Lover, First Kill. And then turn it into a two-parter, where the mission goes south and they need a Sarah/Morgan extraction.
Finally, I’d really really like to see the Buymorons finally notice how many strange things happen around their store, and nearly, but not entirely, figure it out. I’d love to see Team Bartowski’s activities over their shoulder.
Just saw on twitter that White Collar finished shooting on S2. So if Bomer doesn’t have any movies maybe they could get him back for a flashback episode.
Of course, wouldn’t be it kinda cool if Sarah’s “sister” showed up at their doorstep….? đ
I don’t know if there is a general consensus Jason, we’re kind of all over the place. What I expect and what I want aren’t exactly the same, but for now they’re close enough I’m a very happy viewer.
I expect an engagement towards the end of the original order; either 4.11 or 4.13. And I expect 4.24 (maybe 4.23 AND 4.24) to be the big wedding episode.
I really don’t expect any prolonged tension between Chuck and Sarah this season. I’ve been saying no more than one episode on a down note for them; with the big back order I’ll say maybe two such episodes (and physically together is another issue, they won’t end every episode in the bedroom!). But I think they’re unlikely to do anything more than that, and I’m betting NBC’s extended order specified this as a couple themed show. The audience is happy and excited this season, which is much better for the network than hostile. I know Schwedak like upsetting us on occasion, but I think most such cases now will be resolved by the end of the episode. Maybe I’m just being too optimistic, but I would honestly be surprised if I was very wrong.
Maybe with the new back order you could have a Valentine’s day engagement. They could even go back to look at the suburbs afterwards.
Dave – as per usual, I’m our “ways of thinking” concur. It would be logical to end the first half of the season with an engagement – then end the season with a wedding. This way, if S4 IS in fact the FINAL season, it ends nicely and in a way “wrapped up.” If CHUCK goes onto a S5, then you start the “next chapter of the book” with the spy MARRIED couple, Chuck & Sarah.
Not exactly, but sort of what like Undercovers is trying to do, but not so successfully.
What I’m taking comfort in is that there’s a way to end this season “as THE end,” but which also leaves open another story arc for a fifth season.
Hopefully your way of thinking (and mine, too) is similar to that of TPTB. BELIEVE ME, I think they really learned their lesson – and let’s be honest – we ALL learn things by trying different things, seeing what works, what doesn’t, etc. – that you don’t mess with Chuck and Sarah once you put them together. Have them deal with what you’d expect – all the difficulties and complications that come with being in a relationship while both being spies (and all the other “surrounding” complications in “Chuck and Sarah” land associated with other characters on the show).
But it seems like we’re finally done with the angst-driven “on/off,” “will they/won’t they,” and WHY THE HELL DO THEY JUST NOT HAVE AN OPEN, THOROUGH, “HEART TO HEART” CONVERSATION. They’re finally starting to do that and it’s progressing nicely.
The engagement and the wedding would make perfect sense to bring Season 4 to a close – and then let the chips fall where they may in regard to Season 5.
For those interested an advance review of 4×06 can be read here. Thanks to iheart over at the NBC boards for the link.
http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2010/10/mother-of-all-fears-advance-review-of.html
Thanks for the link.
Sounds good although I’m hesitant because when it comes to this show he’s more of cheerleader than critic.
heâs more of cheerleader than critic.
Hmm. i didn’t know that.
We have all these use of big words – “communication breakdown” in 4×03, “what is Chuck willing to sacrifice” in 4×05 that in the end turned out not so bad as they sounded. So, maybe the “wedge” and “splinters” used in the article are also words that may sound bad but turn out to be not too bad after all.
Might also refer to only a subset of team B. Sarah, Morgan and Casey know about Mama B’s potentially less than savory spy background. Ellie and Devon do not. If Chuck is distant and possibly even hostile towards his mother and lurks about protectively while she is with Ellie, the splintering could occur between Ellie, Awesome and Chuck.
IMHO,I dont think Mama B is going to pay a visit to Casa Bartowski in this episode. From the promos, I believe she will meet Chuck in a park (the same one where Sarah and Mama B have a showdown) and I also think her safe house? shown in Anniversary may come into picture. So, I am guessing a lot of Mama B vs Chuck, Sarah and Team B dialogs and action.
Yeah I don’t see MEB visiting Casa Bartowski until at least 4.10.
My question, is this or First Fight when Beckman finds out. The same goes for Ellie.
Beckman finding out must surely play some major role further on- I will go with 4×07. Some time back,during the filming of 4×07 there was a Twit Pic of Sarah and Casey posing with an assault team. So,Chuck goes on his rogue mission in 4×07 – Sarah and Casey follow – with reinforcements. at the end Beckman learns the whole truth.
So I have a question since I’ve been busy and haven’t fully stayed current with Chuck news. I remember a rumor that there’d be a break in the episodes for a week or so. Do we know that and when?
SPOILER: BTS material 4×06
http://bit.ly/cdOTEz
youtube
OK. I’ll note two things that don’t really give anything away.
1. Sarah/Yvonne looks really good in less than optimal lighting situations.
2. Best Chuck line of the season.
Really great! There are a lot of good lines in there.
Can’t wait!
I’m really glad I watched that, I am sooo excited. That looks like a great scene. Also answers some burning questions about Chuck including Sarah in things. Loved the “slow” line and Chuck’s introductions. Very fun.
That was my burning question, too. And I am so happy about that part. I was kind of hoping for a bracelet, but c’est le Chuck.
Yeah, and an engagement ring. But it still looks like fun.
Almost forgot the ring đ
Fantastic fun!!
watched it, first, would not recommend those wanting to be spoiler free to watch as it might just ruin your week or month or even year it was so bad (mubaaahhhaaahhhh), second, loved linda H’s POV about the show, I suppose because it seemed close to my own, third, levi must just own the show during shooting, that is the one thing all guest stars seem to comment on, phrases like in command, star, nice, fun, etc – 4th – i might be kidding about point #1
so guys. these clips and lines are so genius. we really should discuss it… right??? ok???
Oh, that’s funny…
The epks…complete with bts, scene, promo-ish interview/clip and interviews:
http://nbc.epk.tv/view.aspx?request=episode&show=chuck-season-4&episode=chuck-vs-the-aisle-of-terror&showEpisodeID=956&clip=chuck-vs-the-aisle-of-terror-bts-story
A little bit better in terms of legality haha. Kidds…
P.S. I love the scene with the MamaB and Sarah guns blazing battle…even more now than I did earlier.
sorry that was me. WordPress.
faith – do you know the schedule for the next few weeks, i read somewhere that the 2 week break might not be, and that episode 4.7 is indeed next week? Assuming CS are in a bad spot in 6,7,8 a lack of break would be a great break for the show I would guess?
Yeah if 6/7/8 are going to be the main tension episodes strait through would be much better. I know so many viewers (not just Chuck viewers, I mean anyone watching TV) who really dislike “to be continued…”
I’ll find out for sure on Friday. But as far as I know there is no planned break in the next coming. First fight (4.7) is slated for 11/01/2010 and that’s official.
thx faith – pretty soon NBC is going to start sending you screeners – then you can give us cryptic clues about upcoming eps – wouldn’t that be fun
Thanks lol but I get the feeling my squees (heard from here to Florida) will cancel out the clues haha.
@Faith – Really? Florida? You are underestimating your squee power. I believe the Chuck fan(s) in South East Asia will hear them too.
LOL Alladins. Not to mention Nick in Australia!
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