Belly Dancing???
Well, ahem, yes. There’s that.
Chuck made a promise last week, to commit to Sarah forever. He’s not going to have second thoughts, will he? He’s not going to claim that he’s giving up his free-wheeling bachelor ways, Halo by day and Nintendo, Duck Hunt by night, is he? IS HE???
That’s preposterous!
Something tells me that he’s not going to miss them. The only question is how much fun is it going to be? With Team B on the loose in Morocco this week saving Roan Montgomery, I’m guessing lots.
Let us know what you thought!
– joe
amyabn
atcDave
Ernie Davis
Faith
joe
thinkling
Chuck This 
I’m planting a flag. People have teased me all week, well for two weeks, about the end of Duck. Coming on top of a Steelers drop to 6 and 2 in Superbowls it’s a bit much.
Tonight I expect we see the Droan (Dianne & Roan) side of the Duck dodecahedron. I hereby declare Droan as a trademark fully owned by ChuckThisBlog, and the official shipper concatenation for all Droan shippers, but it’ll never last. Droan versus Duck versus Charah… well at least Sham is over.
Here comes a new ship calling itself Droan
A juvenile amalgamation of Dianne and Roan
Duck and Droan are trying to create a Charah bedlam
Although truth be told it’s a lot better than the horrific Sham.
🙂
Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!
What was Chuck and Hannah? Channah? Can’t recall right now, but Droan will be Dianne’s Sham to Chuck’s Channah to Sarah’s … Nope, I’m lost.
Chuck and Hannah were Hack.
ernie, i mean this in a good way but you are one twisted dude.
Accepted and appreciated in the spirit it is given. 😀
All right Joe. A Stealers Wheel reference.
Ernie, when Dianne said her last word to Roan, I thought of you.
DUCK!
I liked suck sarah + chuck !
Ok, ball and chain is up there with I decapitated the bear as one of the funniest jokes on Chuck.
That was a funny scene!
Chuck: “Beckman was a dirty blonde!?”
I am LOVIN’ this ep!
If I had one request for this season, it was to see Field Agent Diane Beckman in action. And I got my wish.
“DUCK!”
That line (and what Diane was wielding) sent this right onto my list of Top Three eps for this season.
Nothing says love like an RPG…… Never mind Roan, if Diane was younger she’d be perfect for Casey!
Yeah, be more like Fringe…Yep, that works…
Dianne FTW!!!!
Lame, if you have an issue just come out and say it no need to dance around it.
wow ernie i never expected a comment like that out of you. it was almost as bad as when you told another blog their opinions were wrong and later after they confronted you about it you said you were sorry. TBH i am really shocked and disappointed.
Guys, it’s a joke. Dianne with an RPG FTW. Deal with it, it’s funny and I’m guessing wouldn’t happen on Fringe. 😉
I thought it was funny Ernie!
That was the most fun episode of the year, I laughed out loud several times, loved it.
Great episode. The only major flaw it had was the weakness of the introduction. It could have used a better hook in the beginning.
ok guys get ready to be shaken. i loved that episode. i laughed the entire time. beckman with the heavy weapons and getting boozed up at the beginning, just to funny. if they had chuck NOT go to morgan again for advice it would have been perfect. sorry but the morgan chuck thing bugs me.
Me, too, Army. The bearded sage just couldn’t get anything right tonight.
yep. when ever chuck listens to morgan he just gets in trouble with sarah. its starting to look more and more like they use morgan to set up the conflict instead of letting it just happen. the more it happens the more clueless chuck looks, that’s my only beef with this episode. everyone probably knows i am one of the biggest critics of how they play things out. as i said take out that one part and its perfect.
this episode had comedy to the max. it had a mission and a bad girl that was well defined and the reason clearly shown. the beckman / roan plot was started and ended well, again no loose ends, everything was explained. the argument between chuck and sarah was based on sarah’s fears and worries that are based on personal things. it wasn’t done heavy handed, yet not quite in adult way. this fits them both and they even joke about fighting on missions. we find out what the issues are and not left hanging. the lead in to future episodes about her past was subtle but there. we have a good reason why mary leaves not a contrived mission or something hard to believe.
when i see an episode that’s done this well it makes me wonder why they all can’t be as good or near as good? maybe that’s why i do complain so much. for me if i can have an episode like this one, why should i want to settle for less? when i see the responses so far it doesn’t look like i’m in the minority on how the episode was. for me on this blog, that’s a first and i’m glad to be with the in crowd.
SFC, I think the whole Chuck listening to Morgan is totallly a guy thing. I mean what is funnier than a clueless guy listening and taking advice from his best bud….who is even more clueless than he is.
paul, i agree it was funny, big word there is was. like any good joke it gets old the more times you hear it. that is kind of like what this has come to. the more he listens the dumber he looks. its run its course. let it end have have chuck learn on his own. he is a big boy now.
the only satisfying resolution would be for sarah to call chuck on his ooc behavior, and to settle things directly with Morgan, sarah seems to be able to set her and chuck’s priorities straight best thru Morgan, kind of holds true to how poorly, weakly, illogically Chuck the character has been written this season
In Chuck’s defense, he didn’t solicit Morgan’s advice this episode. Chuck appeared to be venting. Morgan offered advice because Chuck and Sarah eloping would preclude his services as best man.
very true. whether or not chuck asked for the advice is the secondary part of my issue. the primary one is, no matter how you try to coat it in chucks favor, he listened and took the advice.
That was an AWESOME episode! It had everything and the pacing was perfect…nothing felt rushed.
Ball and chain–ha!
Dianne “duck!” -double ha
The differences on to elope or not to elope was very much in-character for both of them..and Chuck saying he never says no to Sarah—well, yeah. And given the last scene…it looks as if we are going to get Sarah’s backstory—awesome.
Just thought this was a slam-duck—mean dunk—all the way around 🙂
I came soooo close to asking if Chuck was feeling the ol’ ball and chain in my intro.
Now I can’t believe I passed it up!
I can’t remember another episode in the past four seasons where I laughed out loud more than I did during this one. THIS WAS JUST PLAIN D**N FUN!! Even when I wasn’t laughing “out loud,” I was laughing.
THIS is the kind of CHUCK that I had hoped for. There was even a little light relationship angst – some allusion of “relationship angst to come” with the “If I’m going to be Mr. Sarah Walker, I should get to know more about you……,” and even a little bit of a more heavy angst (for Casey), but it didn’t dominate the episode or take away from the overall light hearted flavor of it. A lot of comedy and just enough drama and tender moments (loved Linda Hamilton as “grandma,” and the mother/daughter exchange between she and Ellie – and also Ellie’s “coming around” to the “maybe being a spy/hero is O.K.”).
I know we can’t have John Larroquette on every episode, (or have the Roan/Dianne story in every episode) but he sure was a GREAT addition. The line about the polyester Buy More shirt was absolutely hilarious – as were just about ALL of his lines. And Dianne hoisting that bazooka and firing it at Fatima was just a gut buster. KUDOS to the writers on this episode.
If I were introducing someone who hadn’t watched CHUCK to the show, this would DEFINITELY be one of the episodes I would show them. I know I’m going to watch it again and again. There were just so many funny moments – too many to list.
Next week’s looks like a lot of laughs, too (with of course, a little strife mixed in). Can’t wait. Whatever the ratings are, so be it. I’m going to enjoy the rest of this season.
And did you notice how many CAR commercials and CELL PHONE commercials there were on the show. They’re definitely going after the male demographic (basically those won AREN’T watching “The Bachelor.”)!!
There’s so much in this one to enjoy, it will take a few rewatchings to even narrow down my favorite parts of the episode, let alone pick a best bit. The horror on team Bartowski’s faces at all the baby and marriage talk, the “I’m not going to be dressing as a belly dancer at any point in the mission”, the worst spies in the world, ball and chain, Casey’s really bad seduction the list goes on and on.
Chris Fedak and Kristen Newman wrote this, has Kristen Newman been involved with a sub par episode yet? I think that I liked this one more than last week’s potential series ender, it was that much fun. I agree that if you want to introduce someone to the show this would be a good one to start with.
My favorite was the cut scene to Roan working in the Buy More, with Fernando obviously training him to work the register. Hilarious.
Agree entirely, this was a dynamite episode. My first thought though with Sarah belly dancing; Chuck will never get his way on anything, and he’ll be happy for it too…
For all the talks about Chuck being a wuss and whiny and unheroic…give the man props for being able to withstand the devious seduction of Sarah Walker LOL! And stand up to her: “no, woman!” Too funny.
Also the CIA is hard at work again. They really CAN make anything!
Yes, I now know what chuck’s super power is. He is no ordinary mortal man…
Great episode! It was really funny and really well paced. And my eyeballs nearly popped out of my head during the bellydance scene. My how us guys are easily manipulated….. 😛
Belly dancing scene? WHAT belly dancing scene? 😉 Funny thing is, I was just at Epcot last week and on Monday I went to The Marakesh restaurant – and was “entertained” by a lovely Morrocan belly dancer. Let’s just say Yvonne had most of “the move” down pat! She can do it ALL. Emmy4Yvonne!!
Great, great, great episode, if only because there were so many moments that made me laugh *so* hard. Every bit Roan was in was priceless. Field Agent Beckman with a rocket launcher? Why thank you! The Chuck and Sarah was much more fun and lighthearted (as it usually is) compared to the image stills we saw previously.
All in all.. definitely an ep I’d use to introduce someone to the series. Granted since Chuck and Sarah are engaged..that’d be sort of spoilerish, but holy crap.
Also..mention of Sarah’s life pre-spy? Her dad? I thought it was taboo to talk about.
They are defiantely setting up some Sarah backstory…..but I don’t think it’s all going to be nice things from the ominous music and the concerned look on her face.
Well of course not. Stuff like that never is. Granted I don’t think that was contrived angst like 4×12 to 4×13 was (where nothing came of it), but I think it was Sarah’s realization that yes, she may have to reveal who she was before she was a spy, and her family outside of her dad. I, for one, can not wait to see what next episode and beyond brings. Oh, and that felt like the end of..what was the episode? When Chuck brought up ‘maybe we’re next’ with the marriage/baby thing?
Plus that scene was just too sweet with them all comfortable together.
Well Chuck and Sarah openly engaged is still blowing my mind a bit….especially seeing it playing out on the screen.
Don’t even think it was so much concern as more pain. I think that’s the reason why she didn’t open up to him more than she did, because it’s to painful for her to do that. Wonder what ever happened to her mom, this is about a lot more than just her did, this is about her entire family history. Can’t believe Chuck didn’t pick up on the why she wanted to elope sooner though.
Yeah, but then again, Sarah’s good at the whole spy thing so her keeping a secret from Chuck about the reason for eloping was to be expected.
I’m just hoping we see if Sarah really has a sister, and maybe hear about what happened to her mom. My perfect scenario has Sarah’s dad walking her down the aisle, and then calling Chuck “Schmuck” or something, Haha. That’d be outstanding.
Ofcourse the Sarah keeping it a secret from Chuck made sense, afterall this is Sarah Walker we are talking about, and talking about her feelings has never been something she’s been good at. And in all honesty, I was impressed she opened up as much as she did. I was just hoping that Chuck in all of his Chuckness would take a moment, stand back, and just think about why she wouldn’t want the big wedding. Afterall the guy is supposed to be famous for always thinking about other people. Shame he went to Morgan for advice, he really should know better by now, though it makes sense with them being best friends and all. I’ve seen the specs for this episode by a lot of fans, actually including that she wouldn’t want the big wedding because of her family. It makes all the sense in the world, the only time she saw or had contact with her family as far as we know was like two years ago when Jack Burton came to town. I suppose this gives Chuck a chance to try to find her family(going to be some search with him not even knowing her last name and all that) Ah well looks like we are getting some Sarah backstory, which will be Awesome.
It’s understandable that Chuck didn’t pick it up. Not only has Sarah spent her life knowing how to hide her feelings , she actually made it appear to him that it was his family that was the problem.
Her name is also an interesting possible complication. Even if you ignore the whole Sarah -Sam (who she only told to the man who later killed his father) thing , there’s the legality of her Sarah Walker name in a marriage and if her family showed up what name would they expect her to be married under and would they understand her being married under another name or would they think she was running some kind of con like her father? And if she married under her original name , what would they tell Chuck’s friends or hell even Ellie (who doesn’t know about the whole con artist history)?
I’ve had these weird theories ever since Balcony that Sarah’s maternal relatives might have been mobbed up or something similar. At the very least I think her mom may have been a mark of Jack Burton’s and that the marriage falling through and Sarah’s birth were both unplanned.
I think you hit the look Mess. I saw a lot of pain, and Yvonne nailed it. I also saw a measure of trust and safety with Chuck, something she’s never had before. It had a Cougars feel to it, when she was dealing with past hurt. This is a layer deeper, and he’ll lighten her load with this burden, just like he did the other.
I loved it that Chuck realized he should have been more intuitive, and that Sarah realized she should have been more open.
Given her comment about her family, I am highly curious as to how they play it out. Mother left Papa Burton with a daughter in tow? Or there really is no else except her father?
We haven’t even heard of Gary Cole coming back. My guess is we will meet mom.
Well, I guess the last scene answers all of our questions re: the story behind the story we don’t see. Apparently, Chuck is as much in the dark about Sarah’s past as we are.
I guess Chuck held true to his promise that he didn’t need to know about Sarah’s past…and Sarah apparently has made sure that promise has been kept.
And I think that puts to rest whether the name reveal has been discussed either.
Well yes and no. I think they discussed some things about her (like on the train in Honeymooners) but some things were likley “off limits” until she decided to tell.
Methinks that between now and the wedding (I am confident that it will be in 4×24), Sarah will start to open up more about her with each passing episode. Don’t you think it would be fun – waiting each week to learn something new about her ? We would all be Chuck’s co-travelers as he journey’s towards knowing more about Sarah 🙂
Yeah, I think we’ll learn a lot about Sarah Walker in the rest of the season. Wedding in 4.24 no doubt.
I think they might TRY to have a wedding in 4.24, but you know what TPTB said about cliffhangers happening….. 😉
i agree the wedding this season maybe 23 with 24 as the interrupted honeymoon. i agree the PTB love cliffhangers but with the wedding web page up and being filled in tonight, it would be a bad move to make fans hope it was coming this year and put it off several more months.
i’ll be honest, i’m like chuck used to be, i could careless about her past. saying that, if they do it like they did tonight or in the balcony, give out small but important pieces of her past it would work for me. i don’t want to see whole episodes dwelling on her past. i already watched her go from where she was in season one till now. i don’t need to see how she got to be the person in season one. because we already know her.
If they knew a S5 was guaranteed a wedding cliffhanger would be fine but to do that with just hope would be pretty terrible on their part.
I’m thinking that unless the ratings improve dramatically they won’t take chance with a cliffhanger. I’m sure we’ve all seen shows that got cancelled with an unresolved cliffhanger; but I think Schwedak and company have managed the cliffhanger situation quite well. At every season end they’ve resolved all major arcs and just left a few hooks for what was to come. Unless rating suddenly get a lot better they aren’t going to have any security at all by the time they’re done shooting this season. So I do bet we get the wedding this year. Army suggested maybe 4.23 if they have a particular honeymoon story they want to do (I agree that’s a possibility), but I think 4.24 is by far the most likely scenario.
nice episode – TPTB are more and more getting the hang of what I want to see, they don’t get every episode right, but most of them they get right. Might be the most laughing out loud I’ve done during a chuck episode.
I think I might have a new favorite S4 Episode!!! – Wow, Very Very solid work… Great timing – Great performances… What a great way to kick off the second half.
Gen. D B… into the Bottle – [ the dirty blonde!] what a howl!!!
Casey going to cut off his arm…
Roan – I hear the footsteps of 2 women and a large man…
Chuck – “…. Woman”…. [ and the look on Sarah’s face] priceless!
[I wonder if that was his reference from the award show earlier in the fall?]
the ball and chain – Sarah – “So now I’m the ball and chain?”
– “no, its clearly on the floor.” Isn’t he loveable when he’s spineless?
So many really funny moments.
I love this show…. just say’n!
I’m still hoping that there will be some Kathleen/Casey kind of convo at least in the future.
It looks like he recognizes that he burnt his bridges with Kathleen though. But if things don’t work out with the guy she was with (in a non destructive way) then maybe he can earn her forgiveness after she finds out he’s still alive.
Beckman was awesome though. I loved her telling Roan to duck and then using a rocket launcher.
Kind of like seeing Roan at the Buy More though. He really could use the humbling. Interesting thought though, it took one trank dart to knock out Roan, 3 for Casey and what 11 for Jeff? What does that say about Jeff’s alcohol consumption in comparison to Roans? Or is Roan just a lightweight for tranks? Or maybe they used a speciall Jeff caliber dart.
I think that scene at the end was meant to close the loop on Casey and Kathleen. Casey being happy for her that she has moved on and maybe found love again. I also would love for her to at least know he was alive…..even if it doesn’t go farther than that. But I doubt that will happen.
Yeah, my guess is we never see the actress again.
What I’d love to see is Kathleen running into Casey somewhere. Maybe the BuyMore and her going “Do I know you?”
I doubt the show will last long enough to get to this point, but if Morgan and Alex were to get married, what does Alex do? NOT have her dad present?
Interesting how this show in a certain aspect reflects societies. All (or just about all) families have “issues.” The Bartowskis definitely did. The “Burtons” definitely did. And the Coburns (or whatever last name Alex goes by) definitely do as well.
That’s life. Would be interesting, however to have the “Casey story” play out more than just that 30 seconds of “closure.” Oh well, maybe Season 7 😉 !
I was kind of hoping it leaves Casey free to have a love interest. I really would like to see Casey happy and in love. He deserves it.
I also wondered what Alex plans to do when she marries. She and Casey will have to eventually come clean. Although a couple in my husbands family had to have 2 weddings since mom’s family catagorically refused to allow any member of dad’s family to be invited. Dad was allowed to sit in the back. 😦
I think / hope (probably seeing what I want to see), that this arc is about chuck and sarah figuring out the balance between professional and personal life together. 4×14 seemed to set the table, with roan / diane, kathleen / casey, and even thru her stories mary / stephen all showing us the consequences of living a spy life on personal relationships. I am hoping this will be a recurring theme throughout this arc, one that gets resolved in favor of love triumphing over career in the end.
@Paul: Actually, that already happened … in Tic Tac.
I would say that Alex and Morgan have an even bigger reason to elope … at least as big a reason.
@Patty: I’ve heard of 2 weddings for civil and religious reasons, but not civil and … civil reasons. That’s sad.
Now that was a great episode! I was rolling with laughter through pretty much the whole thing. I loved the opening sequence with Chuck’s family freaking out ALL of Team B! And of course, Roan was fantastic, but Beckman saving him with a rocket… that was a very good touch. Of course Sarah’s reaction was meant to make us wonder what Chuck is going to find out about her that could have an adverse affect on their relationship, but I’m not really worried. I have to rewatch this tonight. Sarah said something at the end of the opening sequence that had me howling, but my ancient mind can’t remember right now. And Sarah belly dancing… got to admire Chuck’s fortitude in saying “no” to Sarah’s attempt to get them to elope.
Yeah, I wouldn’t sweat what Chuck could find out. Heck, everything he’s been through with her, and to have Sarah worried about her family scaring him off? Haha.
Still.. the prospect of some more PapaWalker, finding out his little girl is engaged? I’d pay to see this.
Okay, just rewatched… the line was Sarah saying, “I’m actually sweating. The last time I sweat there was gunfire infolved.” That was the first of many lines and scenes that had me howling throughout the episode. While I wouldn’t say I liked it better than Honeymooners, it was pretty close.
I’m just loving seeing Sarah get freaked out by normal stuff.
Another thing that made this episode so excellent – I think as much as WE love John Larroquette as Roan, I think the cast of CHUCK loves working with him on set and the writers love writing for his character. John Larroquette is just too talented to NOT be back on the tube. Actually, I think I heard something about him appearing on Broadway in the not too distant future. Whatever he does, he’ll be great at it. Hopefully, if we do get a fifth season, we’ll get another “return of Roan.” I think a Chuck/Sarah wedding wouldn’t be the same without him! (and who else would Dianne bring??).
That’s 2 for the Bride’s side.
The guy we saw in her bedroom getting ready for bed, maybe.
Its episodes like this that remind me why I fell in love with the show.
Chuck standing up to Sarah, be still my heart.
Sarah’s expression after the “”I said no, woman!” comment was priceless
Snarky Sarah returns with her comment about Chuck over packing
The belly dancing scene melted my brain
Roan in the BuyMore as punishment, wonder if that’s the point of the Greta. A CIA time out of sorts.
Loved the fight between C/S felt completely real unlike some others.
Felt bad for Sarah about why she wanted to elope, I’m cautiously looking forward to them exploring her past.
Kristin Newman has been the gem of this season like LeJudkins was last year.
Felt bad for Sarah about why she wanted to elope, I’m cautiously looking forward to them exploring her past.
It was a sad moment when she did verbalize the true reason as to why she wanted to elope. And like you I am cautiously looking to what they do with her past. Does she consider her old spy buddies to be part of her family – sisters she never had?
We’ll have plenty of time to speculate about that, Genie, and about Sarah’s family.
You know how the feeling is – you just have been teased with something you have always wanted to know about (Sarah’s family) . Excitement/anticipation is logical. 🙂
@Genie
Yep that was one of Yvonne’s subtle and strong moments on the show. What made it even better was she realized she should have told Chuck her reasons. Even more character growth from Sarah.
I think Carina would be considered family in a way, they play her like the younger sister that always pushes Sarah’s buttons.
Agree JC. I loved that scene, especially Sarah’s chiding herself for not just telling him to begin with. But it’s obviously a sore spot. It is supposed to be the bride’s big day.
It was perfect the way she outed herself. Who am I going to invite? Who’s going to come, and who’s going to walk me down the aisle? All at once you really feel for her.
Yeah it was kind of a call back to Santa Claus when she had no one to call. It will be interesting to see how they play it out for the actual wedding.
Maybe Beckman should give her away… (I bet Ernie would like that!)
the very last 5 seconds where she didn’t talk, reminded me about the same time in season 3 when she did not reply ILU to chuck.
New spec for me, if Jack ‘kidnapped’ Sarah from her family & they had a restaurant, how about sarah’s mother’s family a Mafia family? Would explain why Sarah will not contact them, she is on the run from them?
Some sort of organized crime could work; not too many Polish mafia (I know we’ve never been TOLD Sarah’s ethnicity; but seriously, she looks about as Polish as possible).
She could be the real white sheep of the family; what a disappointment.
Nothing to back this up just spec but I always thought Sarah had a normal family on her mother’s side. They just didn’t want anything to do with her because her father was a conman.
That would certainly lead to the more “heartwarming” version of the story; you know big family reunion sort of thing. I’m thinking we’ll get a better feel for which way they’re going to go quickly.
Part of me is thinking that if she is that estranged from her family, there’s nothing that says she has to contact them. So there must be something in her that wishes her relationship with her family was warm like the Bartowski’s.
I can’t help remembering her view of the Mary/Ellie talk in FF. Makes me think it’s something with her mom. I mean Chuck already knows about her dad, and she was on somewhat warm terms with him. He can be charming, and no one would know he was a conman. So it’s gotta be mom. I don’t think she has siblings, unless there was a split and mom got one, and dad got the other. It’ll be fun to see where they take it.
I agree. I was a little surprised when she said “who will walk me down the aisle?” Chuck didn’t say, “Sarah, I promised Ellie I would find my dad to walk her down the aisle and I will find yours for you.” I actually was hoping he would but they were placing the emphasis on Chuck’s not looking at the big picture. Coupled with the fact that we saw them mention her mom for the very first time in Balcony makes me think they might be going there.
Maybe the issues is that Sarah chose to go with her father as a little girl because she had a fight with her mom and has not spoken to her in 15 -20 years that frightens her. Add that with a possible meeting of her mom and dad at her wedding is ripe with possible drama. All in all this is going to be a great arc as we have no idea what the mystery is of Sarah Walker.
What is it with Casey ang walls and how does he get inside them?
Him shooting and aiming through bullet holes in the wall was cool.
Totally fun episode. I have no doubt we’ll find some things to nitpick, but this is completely the show I love. More please!
Ah! What an episode. Loved everything. I have a big goofy grin on my face right now. 🙂 The belly dancing scene combined with Sarah’s voice – HOT DAMN!!
Two other scenes I found noteworthy:
Casey outside Kathleen’s house alone and finding out that not everybody stays alone. Very poignant scene.
Sarah mentioning her family in the final scene – does that mean there are more people other than her dad? Is it a set up to introduce her mom in the season finale? I am thinking that Chuck contacts her old team to come cheer her up because he couldn’t find anything more about her true family and he wants her not to feel alone.
And last but not the least – “Duck was immortalized by Dianne herself. If that’s not a ringing rejection of Droan I don’t see what else is. 😉 🙂
I just rewatched the whole thing, no fast forward, no skipping scenes and it is just as good if not better on rewatch. The look on Sarah’s face as Chuck says “Woman, I said no” is priceless, normally Sarah belly dancing would be the highlight of the episode, but there was so much other good stuff that it doesn’t standout above the rest of the episode. I will say that who ever made the choice to allow Yvonne to do comedy rather than be the perpetual straight man did a wonderful thing for the show. Oh yeah, I love the joke about apoligizing for “accidental touching” of Casey while changing.
One thing, in the promo it looks like they blow up Sarah’s Boxter, say it ain’t so. If the next episode is anything like this, I can’t wait for next monday.
I want to see the disclaimer:
“No Boxters were harmed in the making of this episode” before next week!
Sarah’s Boxter RIP . 😦 I wonder if it’s blown up by in spite by one of her old buddies. But no worries though , she is going to get a van like the one Mr and Mrs Smith had. 🙂
Isn’t it amazing they pretty much went until before 3.14 before Yvonne first got to even do comedy on this show? And its almost not fair that she’s so good at it; her comic reactions and timing are fully as good as her dramatic skills.
Emmy4YvonneEmmy4YvonneEmmy4YvonneEmmy4YvonneEmmy4YvonneEmmy4Yvonne
She deserves it completely. It would be a minor miracle if she even gets nominated, but she is an amazing actress.
It’s almost unfair how beautiful YS is when her character is being portrayed happy/settled. It’s unbelievable.
Also that belly dancing scene was a bit of twist. Who knew the master was schooling the novice on the art of “yes” with sex in the air. LOL. Love it.
I was totally faked out.
By the time 10 minutes had passed, I thought I was looking at a lightweight episode. I mean, Chuck and Sarah frighted by the Bartowski Clan plotting a wedding? Really? That’s been done – how many dozens of times (not to mention once before on Chuck; yes I’m talking about Honey!).
But then I noticed that I was laughing. A lot. At nearly every line. And Diane was back at Castle right where she belongs. and Diane had dirty blond hair and shoots a bazooka and I’m in hysterics.
Okay, much fun, despite the bickering. And the impossible seduction is not Casey and the guard! Is it Casey and Kathleen? It’s not Roan and Fatima, or even Roan and Diane. It’s Chuck trying to seduce Sarah, and Sarah trying to seduce Chuck. Wow!
Then those last five minutes. Mary Elizabeth with Clara and Ellie – Ellie thinks she was wrong about Chuck? Are these guys reading this blog? Diane’s anger at Roan was – blowing over? And they were friends again? YES!
And Sarah has a family. She has something beyond Jack, her con-artist father, more of her story that we are going to learn about.
All of a sudden, this episode doesn’t seem so lightweight any more.
Totally agree, Joe.
It was a perfect combination of action, hilarious, poignant (Casey/Kathleen), and touching (both final scenes).
Classic Chuck.
Faith just tweeted that she sees the path of 4.5, and I agree. Sarah’s family, Casey and Kathleen, Mary Elizabeth being the perfect grandmother.
For all the laughs, I’m heartwarmed.
If (perish the thought) we’re nearing “the end” of CHUCK, then they’re definitely saving some of the BEST for last. This episode just had everything – and everything in the right portions. It was like the perfect “CHUCK” recipe. (and I say that knowing that there wasn’t even a “pinch” of Jeffster 😉 ).
Can’t wait for the next episodes and the rest of this season. A “Sarah reveal” theme and a focus on Casey would be excellent – and most fitting at this stage in the game.
Bring it on!!
I loved how it was perfectly fun with just a little tooth. Sarah’s reasons for eloping were perfect and fitting. Loved the dueling seductions; Sarah was better, duh. (but Chuck still caught on; the whole time Chuck was getting advice from Roan I was thinking, “Sarah had that class.” too funny)
Oh gee, I didn’t think of that! Sarah went to “seduction school” too. 😉
Obviously Sarah’s seduction was better, but in Chuck’s defense he never had a chance to start at all and at the first glimpse of Sarah he surely forgot everything for a little while. 😉
Emergency rooms across the country are filling up with melted brain cases about now.
I’m thinking Chuck likely forgot his own name for a few minutes there (except for something like “I’m the luckiest SOB on the planet”).
Nnuh, nng….goo goo gah Duck?
I’m terribly sorry, we’ll keep Mr. Verkan away from the keyboard until he recovers.
Thanks so much.
@Joe, I think they’ve been setting up all along that Ellie is eventually going to give Chuck her “permission” to be a spy in the end.
I am now going to spam this page with my twitter wall…hey I’m too lazy to be repetitive 😉
http://twitter.com/#!/jemjoven/status/34835965604270080
http://twitter.com/#!/jemjoven/status/34836708214185984
http://twitter.com/#!/jemjoven/status/34838243614662656
http://twitter.com/#!/jemjoven/status/34839523896737792
Kristin Newman is definitely the strongest of the current batch of Chuck writers. She brings a versatility and a strength in emotion and dialogue that rivals the best that the Matt Millers, Scott Rosenbaum, Ali Adlers have created combined. I love her.
@faith – it seems quite a few fans don’t like mary (or LH, not sure which), but I thought she again was strong, she gives the show some edge other than the CS relationship, which the show needs…
If this show pays sara Lancaster and josh gomez anything close to the same money, they should give them the same screen time, I love ‘ellie’ so much, and morgan, not so much.
On rewatch last night, in spite of loving the ep, all morgan scenes got FF’d, he has over stayed his welcome, although I love he has alex, this way he did not ruin the A plot, which was so much more fun with casey, chuck, and sarah there without morgan. The Casey versus Chuck and Sarah humor is so subtle, so fun, so deft, when morgan is involved, it is all about morgan, no interaction or give and take, just Morgan being an idiot and everyone else rolling their eyeballs.
I saw things similarly last night Jason. But instead of Morgan, I thought of Jeffster. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not taking a “no more Jeffster” approach (I think there is need/a fanbase dedicated to their antics) but it felt to me last night how much more the show is with Sarah Lancaster versus Jeffster. Less silly and more poignant. Definitely more dramatic but not necessarily less funny.
I do agree Faith. I’m not completely anti-Jeffster, but a little goes a long ways. I would much rather see the Bartowski clan every week. Especially if it means a freaked out Sarah…
If you get a chance, pause the picture where all the Bartowski’s are making baby faces. You have the men at the back; Awesome, Chuck and Casey, the women at the front; Mary, Ellie. Sarah, Alex and then Morgan, not with the men but with the women. I don’t know if it was intentional directing or coincidence but it struck me as funny.
W0w what a great episode. Finding it interesting, and a tribute to how good it was, that if I looked carefully no one here or over at the ChuckTV forums mentioned the ring. I loved how they positioned her hands in such a way in the scene in Castle that it picked up the sparkle from the lights as if to say “Her you go fans she’s wearing the ring!!”. Nice touch and hopefully it ends all that discussion.
I loved the scene at the end. Those are the kinds of C/S moments a cherish in this show. And it is great when Sarah is so comfortable now to be that vulnerable. Can’t wait to see more of her story now. Also loved that when they zoomed out through the blinds she gave the classic Sarah Walker eye close look from Wookie and DeLorean. It is one of my favorite expressions she does and loved the callback to it. It just screams so much.
I’m on west coast time so I’m late in commenting, reacting etc. but yeah I had ring watch all the way through :). In fact I almost posted that twitter status with the rest up there but it was getting to be a huge block of me and I’m not that narcissistic 😀 so I took it down. Only one scene tonight…which was odd at best but at least we saw it. That’s good.
All I can say is what a fun episode.Enjoyed every minute of it.
lite, warm, family, fun, yet at times implausible & over the top (Beckman’s missile launch to save her man, and ‘duck’), a ridiculous parody of a spy mission rather than a dramatic one, no jeffster, no angst, no epic, game-changing, serialized mythology …. didn’t they try this with the honeymooners last season, how did that work out for them?
Not that I need to actually say this, but I will. Kind of gives us a reference to how far (or not far) in advance these episodes are shot. The “Casey stuck in the wall” segment where he says that he’s going to have to cut his arm off HAD TO be a veiled (or not so veiled) reference to that James Franco movie – 127 Hours (which I haven’t seen yet, but which supposedly had people passing out in the theater during the arm cutting-off scene). The part that made it funny is that with Casey, it wasn’t the “last, no other possible alternative.” It was like the FIRST solution he came up with. “I’m going to have to cut my arm off!” Even in the “grossness” of his solution, they managed to put in subtle humor. That’s another thing that made this episode so dang funny. Even the subtle humor was great. Again, KUDOS to the writers. As Monty Burns would say, “Egggggggggcelent!”
Even if it wasn’t a call out to the movie, the actual events happened just a couple years ago; so yeah I’d definitely say it was a call back to that situation. One of the many good laughs last night!
I had a funny feeling during the scene between Mary and Sarah…. I found myself completely doubting what Mary was saying…
– Like she was trying to convince herself of this new purpose in life….
A woman that could lie to a would be suitor for 20 years – could easily tell her daughter [ mother of her new granddaughter] what she wanted to hear…
She’s been in the spy game for such a long time – you really think she can just turn it off so easily? – guess only time will tell….
Well considering how she had taking care of Clara down to a mission-like schedule, I don’t think she’s doing too well in turning it off.
I really liked this episode. I had everything that I like about Chuck. My only quibble is that Chuck persists in seeking relationship advice from Morgan. Has that ever worked well? In this case it did set up some good scenes later with Chuck saying “no” to Sarah when what he really wanted to do was say “yes.” But, Chuck, you are better off getting advice from Casey.
I loved the belly dancing scene. If I am Chuck I am having Sarah pack that outfit along with her bikinis and I am eloping with her. Sorry, family. Speaking of family, who exacting would attend a Bartowski wedding? It seem to me the primaries were all in the room at the beginning. Were there any other Bartowski’s at the Ellie/Devon wedding but Ellie, Chuck and dad? Seemed to be Devon’s family and Ellie and Devon’s friends. Surely, Chuck doesn’t see the Boy Morons as family. Please not another Jeffster moment.
I thought Sarah’s question near the end “Who is going to walk me down the aisle?” to be pretty sad. I took that to mean that she didn’t want a “big” family wedding because she didn’t have any family to invite–that the bride’s side of the church would be empty. I would think that Chuck would be sensitive to that. But the last scene with Sarah and Chuck cuddling in bed sent a different message–that there is family, aside from Jack, lurking out there after all. I am curious to see what they do with that.
Good comments Tom, I agree with all. I’d have to say, with Sarah in that belly dancing outfit, I can’t imagine denying her anything! (I’m such a wuss). Good thing Chuck’s made of tougher stuff!
My first thought on the perfect compromise was just a small fast wedding. As you were suggesting, just take the crew from the opening scene with you to Vegas and be done with it. But of course, the real issue is Sarah being alone in the world. I hope we meet more of her extended family in the next few weeks; should be a lot of fun.
What I don’t want if for them to make her family a big issue. Go ahead and have some fun with it but don’t make it divisive. The same goes for Sarah’s real name–does it really matter? Chuck fell in love with Sarah Walker. He has known most of her real name for a while now, but she is still Sarah to him.
I’m hoping the name is a complete non-issue. If Sarah’s legal name was changed to Sarah Walker at any point in the last ten years, there is no need to even discuss anything else.
Divisive probably not…they haven’t really tangled with anything divisive since they went all in in Honeymooners. But I do think her family will be an issue. It’s funny because it really shows how completely Sarah has become part of his life and really the show that it’s not just about (will be about) his family anymore, it’s about them, together and two becoming one in a sense. Mr. Sarah Walker was quoted for fun, but there’s some grain of truth in there :D.
I’m not quite certain how this will fit in with the spoilers we’ve read re: upcoming guest stars but I do think like Joe pointed out the upcoming themes have been set. Not just in terms of Sarah and Chuck (though admittedly that’s the biggest one), but Casey and MamaB as well.
TVBTN – don’t have the link, but chuck & harry’s law – 1.7M, the cape 1.3M, seems like Chuck may be limping away from the Bear, at some point, the Bear will be gorged full of NBC shows, and unable to devour more – maybe just as it is ready to pounce on Chuck???
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/08/tv-ratings-monday-the-chicago-code-disappoints-chuck-stays-down-the-cape-harrys-law-fall/81804
The GOOD NEWS is that we didn’t drop below last week’s 1.7. Maybe we’ve “hit bottom” and can start inching our way back up. If we start getting to 1.6 and below, then I think the writing’s on the wall – but not at this point.
Can NBC cancel EVERYTHING? It seems like except for the “fat” shows and the Thursday night lineup, most everything else ranges from mediocre to bad ratings wise. Of course, they can and will bring back “Sing Off,” but that’s not a long term solution and I think they know it.
Think it’s going to take a fan campaign of some sort to hopefully get us some kind of 5th season. I tell you folks, keep “re-watching” the episodes, especially on NBC.COM or HULU – but give NBC.COM first try. They actually promote watching their shows on their web site.
If anything, a 13 episode order of CHUCK could be kept in their “back pocket,” because, honestly, if they cancel everything that’s low-rated, they’re going to have a LOT of new shows – and they’re not in one year going to have an amazing turn around and have all these new shows succeed. Your going to have shows with The Outlaw, Undercovers, Chase and The Cape type ratings again. That’s when the network execs. say, Oh, well, we can fill in with CHUCK.
Worse case scenario is “this is it” with Season 4 – but it doesn’t have to be. BE COUNTED any way you can! Re-watch the episodes ad nauseum. I don’t have any figures, but I would bet that with the exception of the Thursday night shows, CHUCK is probably one of the most re-watched shows on NBC.COM and HULU (in comparison to other similarly rated shows on NBC).
If and when it comes down to “it’s either THIS show or THAT one,” they’re going to look at EVERYTHING – web site hits/watches included. Otherwise, why would they bother promoting web viewing at all?? I doubt “Harry’s Law” has more web views than CHUCK on NBC.COM. If it did, I’d be surprised.
It ain’t over til it’s over – so we keep marching on! If we go down, we go down fighting!!
My concern is with the half hour numbers, all year we have lost significant numbers of viewers as the show runs, last night for instance there were 5.75 million viewers at 8 and 5.09 at 8:30. Personally I don’t understand, the episode was so good we should have gained and not lost viewers. This has cost Chuck probably a 0.2 on it’s average demo, which could be the difference between renewal and cancelation.
I’ve always assumed the half hour loss is because of the reality shows we’re up against. Alot of people will wait to tune in because of the typical filler at the beginning of your average reality show.
luckygirl, you may be right. the bachelor went from a 3.0 at 8 to a 3.3 at 9.
That may be it, but I seriously don’t get how you can switch away from Chuck. Especially one as funny as last night’s.
dave it’s simple but because of you love for the show it makes no sense. they like the bachelor more than chuck, plain and simple. they use chuck as a place holder then they switch. i’m not sure this is the reason but it makes sense. i do it all the time with sports. my team plays at 830, i watch a half hour of a show i kinda like at 8 then at 830 i go to the game. so for me its not so far fetched.
I guess that’s what’s going on Army. I’ve really just never started a show I didn’t intend to finish (in one sitting). If its 30 minutes until kickoff I’ll watch a Simpsons or read, not start something I can’t finish.
But then I can tell you where I had lunch today simply because it’s Tuesday too. I am completely anal.
dave what you just said makes sense as well. but remember our chat about DVRs and VCRs. those that turn away don’t have to wait as long to see the end. they just DVR the show and pick it up where they left off later that night or the next day. knowing that it also makes sense why people could start a show and switch. another thing i saw with the ratings was the cbs 8 o’clock show draws 3.3 and the 830 was 3.8 i think. so they pick up even more. plus house drew strong this week at 4.3. i think that number is up as well.
If viewers did turn away just temporarily you would think we would get those numbers back up in the finals, or at least the +3. Hopefully we’ll get a little bump back up. But obviously loosing numbers is concerning.
dvae agree 100% losing viewers is a concern. the bigger concern for me is keeping the ones that are still there. i’ll wait till i see next weeks numbers. if the numbers stay the same it will cement my next point, if they go up again i will retool my thinking. my feelings tell me that the 4.11-4.13 did the final damage to the fans that were sitting on the edge of the fence.
from listening to what is said here about season 3, maybe the fans that were giving it a shot again (numbers at the beginning of the year were up over the end of last year) left. if i remember the numbers last year prior to the big collapse were around the 2.1-2.3 range (close to the beginning numbers of this season). then went down hill slowly. the numbers of the last 2 weeks are close to the end of season 3. i believe the ratings were about 1.7 over the last few episodes of season 3. looking at just those numbers, it makes sense.
this may be a guess, but numbers tend not to lie. im just plugging them in to make a point. BTW if any number are off. im doing this from memory. my mind ain’t what it used to be.
I choose to see the 1.7 as a glass half full. It held on despite full competition and promotions for Fox’s lineup during the Superbowl. Let’s see if we get a little bit of a bounce next week before sweating too much about it.
The last time I sweat like this there was gunfire involved! 🙂
Yeah, I think Jason called it limping away from the bear. Seems about right; everything else tanks while Chuck holds steady. Or like they say, you don’t have to outrun the bear, just outrun your buddies!
I’ve watched every ep of the cape, harry’s law, the event, undercovers, and chuck, to me, the pecking order is quite clear, harry’s law and chuck are heads and shoulders on top (Grade A), the event is a clear 3rd (B-), and undercovers is way below the event (D+), finally the cape exists in some plane of reality so low (F–), that simply applying a rating to it does not do a service to the show. I say that because when the event does reappear, the lineup of chuck, the event, and harry’s law is the night’s best chance to improve.
I bring this up, because of how easily Human Target, another 1.7M type show, got a 2.4M on Monday night week, it simply assumed the rating that the network always gets. You honestly think Mike and Molly would win monday’s at 8 if they were on NBC????? I don’t think so.
My point is, Chuck needs some help from the other shows with it to climb into the low 2’s, my opinion is a 2.0 Harry’s Law and a 1.8M event, will help Chuck become a 2.2M show, conversely, the 1.3M “The Cape”, is hurting things quite a bit right now.
jason good point. its what i have been saying for months. the monday night line up on the other networks is to strong to draw viewers away from. in the fall add in MNF. what age does chuck go after? 18-49 males. its just a guess but football may be more attractive to them. its easier to drop in to a comedy after the season than a show you need to follow. strong shows after chuck would help as well. NBC just can’t find a show that works. i think chuck stands a good chance at renewal simply because there is nothing else that seems to give the steady viewers on monday.
Since I’m depressed about the ratings, and streaming can only go so far…here are some Chuck reviews. Makes one think about what we’re fighting for/rooting for 🙂
– Sepinwall: “Well, that was a lot of fun, wasn’t it?”
loved his reference to Seduction (2.2) and what it brought with it, contrasted to this one.
Also agree with this: “(*) This one was co-written by Chris Fedak and Kristin Newman, a new addition to this year’s writing staff who was also responsible for the Sarah-centric “Chuck vs. Phase Three.” I think it’s safe to say she knows how to write for the Giant Blonde She-Male of Thailand. More quippy Sarah, please. ”
– IGN: “All in all, ‘Chuck Versus The Seduction Impossible’ was one of the most purely enjoyable episodes of the season.”
Found this of note as well: “scenes with Mary and Ellie felt like a bit of an afterthought, but unfortunately, that may have to do with the fact that Mary Bartowski hasn’t quite gelled in a way characters like Steve or Volkoff have.”
– TVSquad: “I can’t remember one that desired nothing more than to simply and completely please its audience at every step along the way.”
– LA Times: “On a long-running show like this, bringing back a character who was fun at one time is just a nice way of acknowledging that, for our favorite characters on our favorite shows, life does go on. Old friends sometimes stop by, and they’ll often have some new problem taking up all of their time. Or, put another way, Chuck and Sarah may have grown since Roan last visited them, but he’s stayed, enjoyably, the same.”
Chuck too was worried about the things he cannot control, Faith. 😉
In the mean time, thanks for providing this link. Ellie has invited us all to sign the guest book.
I’m torn on this Joe. On the one hand I feel like it’s out of our control, but on the other…Save Chuck, eat a subway finale taught us we’re not completely powerless.
Either way I’m both bracing for the worst while hoping for the best…and thinking of ways to do my part.
And yes, that site is all sorts of Awesome :D. No pun intended re: Mrs. Awesome.
I don’t know how she can say that wedding planning isn’t high on Chuck and Sarah’s skill set especially if they get an assist from Casey and a special ops team. Her second wedding was fantastic. 😉
the complete tv squad write up echoed my sentiments not only about this episode, but about the show in general
If anybody uses Amazon for music they have a free $2 code ( VDAYMP3S ) good until 2/14.
Thanks and much love ikalways! My ipod also thanks you :).
You’re very welcome. I always love when they put those out. Although I do miss the $3 ones they used to put out. Poor college students can’t be choosers though.
I know that the ratings have not been good but why do sites like spoilertv, tvbythenumbers and certain critics have to keep saying that the show needs to be cancelled or is on borrowed time, etc, etc, etc. We all know that chuck has basically been on borrowed time for 3 seasons now, they are not exactly telling us something we do not know! I just wish they laid off! Well anyhoo a very very good and funny episode, I love how Kristin Newman has made chuck such a sensitive soul in two of her three episodes: he likes to cuddle, he over packs, he wants a big wedding and likes to talk things out! Oh chuck we do love you just like sarah does, never change!
Pure and simple, site hits. Those sites know that Chuck fans are active on the web and will go anywhere they talk about the show. So especially when you talk trash about it more people will visit the site and you can use those page view increases for generating more revenue.
i agree to a point. those sites deal with all channels and all shows not just chuck. they also do reviews, and announce ratings.
Actually, TVBTN has been overall pretty CHUCK-friendly. Now a number of people who post on the site are NOT. But the site itself hasn’t been ant-Chuck. I’ve been following it religiously (no pun intended) and posting on it for the past couple of years.
I STILL say that somehow NBC is making money off of CHUCK – even if it stays at a 1.7/1.8 rating. That’s what people don’t take into consideration when they jump to the conclusion that it’s going to be cancelled.
With that being said, I think realistically, even if we do get a fifth season, it will be the last. ALIAS did 5 years and ended. Lost – as big as a phenomenon as it started out to be (popularity that CHUCK has never even been close to attaining) only wnet 6 and called it quits. I think if CHUCK goes 5, Zach and Yvonne will be primed and ready to move on to other projects.
I’ll be happy with four seasons, especially if this season ends well, and if recent episodes are any indication, it looks like a good possibility. Now FIVE seasons would THRILL me! But even getting four, we’re pretty fortunate. Most bubble shows aren’t perrenial bubble shows – and CHUCK is. So even if it ends this season, I won’t complain. I’ll have had four seasons of pretty good entertainment.
Oh also I am a sorta slightly a little bit of a casey and chuck shipper…..I have always loved their banter (nacho sampler laser pen scene and best friend before they go to the car show room scene, both come to my mind as great banter)….did anyone notice how casey grabbed chuck’s arm gently before the went into the tent….oh casey who hates touching maybe just easing up a little bit! All together now AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
I also think we should see more Casey/Chuck interaction. Casey has been a mentor for Chuck and I love their friendship.
I re-watched the episode again tonight and each time I love it even more. Just a fun fun ep I can watch over and over again. It follows the pattern of what makes a great enjoyable and entertaining Chuck episode. A fun story, some great comedy, some great action, great relationship stuff and ending with a wonderful Chuck and Sarah scene. To me that is the key ingredient that they took away in season 3 and a lot of the enjoyment with it.
But I watched that scene a few times more and what I love about it is that now that Sarah has agreed to marry Chuck she has begun to realize all that comes with it. The complete opening of herself and her story to the man she loves. Allowing herself to become completely vulnerable like she has never known before. Trusting him completely and knowing that his love will always comfort and protect her. It is in a way a throwback to the fountain scene in Break Up. What Chuck told her then was they could not have a future because that wall around who she really was, was not ready to come down yet and he would not accept less. To have that future that he has always wanted with her she had to take it down and she wouldn’t back then. Now Sarah realizes that it has to as well and though she is probably terrified of it, she knows she wants to and she needs to in order to fully realize the life they want to share together. Its all or nothing, no secrets, no lies.
I give Chuck a lot of credit because he still won’t settle for the fake. The family wedding is who he is and he won’t settle for less. But he got too focused on his own family and forgot to think about the big picture. Sarah was more than willing to allow him to continue that way and blame her desire to elope on the pressure of his family thereby not having to confront the real issue, her own. But Chuck still stayed true to the real in his life and when he does see the big picture she realizes she should have told him in the first place and confronted the issue instead of deflecting it. It is another example of the great growth in her character. She is terrified yes but she is ready for it. She knows he will be there for her, supportive and will have her back. All in all one of my favorite Chuck/Sarah moments.
I agree.I think by the end of this season,we are gonna see a Sarah we never thought possible in s1 &s2.The way she has opened up all season is impressive. She is scared but she knows she has too.She owes it to herself and Chuck if they are going to be happy.I think somewhere down the line we are gonna have a Sarah and Mary talk.Who better than Mary would understand what she is going through?Ellie knows Chuck but she doesn’t know the spy life.Yvonne is going to take Sarah to a whole new level and I cant wait.Emmy4Yvonne!!!!
FANTASTIC!
A couple of points, since you brought up one of my single most favorite scenes on Chuck: Break Up. The speech goes…
“Sarah you’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re beautiful, you’re smart, you laugh at all my stupid jokes and you have this horrible habit of constantly saving my life. The truth is you’re everything I thought I ever wanted and more. And for the last few days all I can think about is our future together. About what it’s going to be like once we’re finally together, for real, no fake relationship, no covers, no lies. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that you and I could never have a future together. I fooled myself into thinking we could but the truth is we can’t. Because even we had a real relationship it would never really be real. I’d still never know anything about you. Your real name, your home town, your first love. Anything. And I want more than that. I want to be able call you at the end of a bad day and tell you something funny that Morgan did and not find out I can’t because you’re somewhere in Paraguay quelling a revolution with a fork. I’m a normal guy, who wants a normal life and as amazing as you are Sarah Walker, we both know you will never be normal.”
So let’s examine that:
~ once we’re finally together – yes
~ for real – yes
~ no fake relationship – yes
~ no covers, no lies. – no, yes
~ I’d still never know anything about you – Role Models, Honeymooners, Delorean, Suitcase
~ your real name –
Fake Name, Cougars, Wookie, Cubic Z (Sarah is her name now, and don’t you forget it ;)) etc.~ your hometown – Cougars, Suitcase
~ your first love – ?
~ anything – Phase Three and TBD.
~ I want more than that – Broken Heart, Lethal Weapon, Colonel, Ring, Pink Slip, Honeymooners, Role Models, Coup D’Etat, Phase Three
~ I want to be able call you at the end of a bad day and tell you something funny that Morgan did and not find out I can’t because you’re somewhere in Paraguay quelling a revolution with a fork. – they’re living together. And Morgan is sharing the apt lol. Not to mention they work together so they can quell the revolution hand in hand. Literally with Honeymooners.
~ I’m a normal guy, who wants a normal life and as amazing as you are Sarah Walker, we both know you will never be normal. – Chuck is also NOT normal. And he proves it daily. But now he knows he isn’t, and he recognizes he can be more.
So in essence since season 2 (and before) it’s been this gradual breaking down not just of her walls but that which separates them more than just he’s an asset, and she’s a spy…but the real roadblock to them and being ready for a real relationship and now marriage. That’s part of the reason why I really loved Suitcase in particular from this season because it’s a clear indication of growth and love. With this development of finding her family and delving into all of that, it’s a complete destruction of that which held them back in Break Up. We started out with her being a hot mystery, one that needed Chuck to not need to know who she was (Cougars), to one that not only opens up, finds a home, but one that actually realizes that her past shapes who she is and that her past will have some measure into their future if for nothing else than something as simple as standing up for her in marriage.
Thanks Faith. Loved your point by point analysis of what I was trying to say. After several rewatches I think this is definitely one of my top Chuck/Sarah moments ever. I love Chuck being supportive of her and wanting to help her family. I love that it seems the final walls around Sarah Walker are coming down. Especially since it is now she that is taking them down. She tired to use her best skills to avoid this issue of her family one last time but Chuck being true to who he is and never accepting the fake made her realize that it was wrong to do it anymore. That to fully become who she wants to be, Chuck’s life partner, she has to give all of herself to him. No secrets, no lies.
What is so great is that she wants to do it. She wants that life because she trusts him completely and feels safe and comforted with him. She likes this new Sarah Walker and wants to be her. It is such a great progression even if you include the regression that happened last year. She has stepped way beyond that now into a life that has made her even more engaging, more exciting, and more beloved by the viewer. Much of that credit goes to the writers but much of it also goes to Yvonne. She is brilliant and has never been better on the show that this season and in this episode she shined once again.
Breakup was an amazing scene and the look of loss on Sarah’s face said volumes. And what is amazing is that it didn’t break up anything, in fact it brought made her love him even more after it, the Jill arc included. Sarah now has what she wanted back then but didn’t really know how to get. Chuck has stayed true to what he told her back then and it has helped her in enormous ways. They now are at the realization of that moment that was unattainable back then. The symbolism of the Berlin Wall event with Roan and Diane is not insignificant as Sarah Walker has now taken down that last wall around herself.
I love this list, Faith.
I’ve been struck this week by how much we *still* don’t know about Sarah Walker, even though we thought we did. I’m not sure anymore we can say with confidence what Chuck&Sarah have talked about off screen.
We don’t really know as much about what’s happened between them as we thought, when they were out of our sight, and that’s probably for the better.
From a story telling perspective I understand why they made it out that they really never talked about Sarah’s past or about her in general. But it does strike me as odd and weird in a way that it never came up before a proposal.
Another 1.7 rating, not good but I read the other NBC shows fared even worse on Monday night. When the season ends they will be at 78 episodes, 22 needed to reach
syndication. NBC refuses to move the time slot, it doesn’t really promote the show.
Undercovers is gone with The Cape, Chase, The Event, Outsourced, and maybe Harry’s Law not far behind. The main star of The Office is leaving at the end of this season. The usual NBC mess with the Comcast takeover getting closer and closer.
The incompetence is truly unbelievable but maybe that is what just might save Chuck
for a 5th season. The show is steady and if NBC is still making money on it, Comcast seems to like the show and Zach Levi, if the sponsors hold, if the ratings don’t get worse, if Warner Bros. offers a sweet deal to reach syndication-a lot of ifs I grant you,
NBC might order a final 22 episode season to wrap it up which is the most that could be hoped for. On the other hand NBC might decide enough is enough and try something different. Will be interesting to see how it all turns out.
I liked the episode. A shame more people don’t watch as the last 2 episodes remind me
of the good old days of seasons 1 and 2. The producers are trying hard but it might be
just too late-the damage from Season 3 might be not repairable in the end. Will have to wait and see.
The ending was a little different. They seem to be hinting at an arc regarding Sarah’s family. Would like to see that but it also could be an omen, they may be getting ready
to wrap things up? As usual the Chuck character managed to be annoying in the final
scene. What is with this Mr. Sarah Walker stuff? I didn’t like it, not one bit, but then
again the character has no real consistency week to week. That ‘s all I’m going to say.
Ellie came off looking like a fool with her comment about “making” Chuck quit the spy
life. She’s right about him eventually getting out of it, but for the wrong reasons. Should be fun to see her reaction when she finds out our hero has not quit at all and her husband kept the truth from her. Will she spank both of them and send them to their rooms without supper? Will she make them take timeouts and send them to a corner?
Only time will tell, stay tuned……
I think part of the point of Ellie having a baby is to allow her to move her hyper-maternal instinct away from Chuck and onto Clara. Ellie’s attitude towards Chuck and danger does not play her the fool. It plays her as an overprotective mom (which in essence she became for Chuck). And everything she’s seen up till now in the spy world has only confirmed and reinforced that.
As for her not knowing, I think part of it is she is in denial. You don’t see what you don’t want to see.
This episode convinced me that Chuck needs to stop doing several things:
1) Stop making Chuck look like an idiot. I can’t buy this guy as a spy if he can’t hold in a sneeze or if he’s compromising a mission by saying “no” when he shouldn’t.
2) No more Chuck and Sarah bickering. It was funny for about 30 seconds of “Role Models.” It hasn’t been funny since.
3) Stop going international. The sets often end up looking cheap. Plus, not only does it make Ellie, Awesome, and the Buy More irrelevant, it also makes Chuck seem unconcerned about his home life.
4) Stop keeping Ellie in the dark. It doesn’t even make sense anymore. At this point, she seems like the stupidest doctor alive.
5) Stop making this show all about Sarah. She’s an interesting enough character to drive some of the plot lines, but focusing on her journey takes focus away from Chuck’s, and unless the show is willing to give him reduced screen time, we have to watch Chuck not really doing anything.
Overall, other than that, a decent episode. I enjoyed Casey in a wall and Mary telling ridiculous spy stories to Clara. Plus, I can’t hate any episode that features Beckman as a dirty blonde.
Merve – Definitely some legit points. Bickering for bickering’s sake CAN get old, but I thought the idea of having Chuck “stand up for himself” with Sarah by saying “NO” to things was funny – and maybe even necessary. Let’s be honest, he WORSHIPS her – and I still believe that he harbors an inferiority complex regarding Sarah (like the balcony proposal – “I feel like I should be James Bond standing here….”), so the learning to say “NO” and “wear the pants” in the relationship I think was important – and they were also able to interject humor into it. Now if they keep bickering just to bicker, then that will get old/stale quickly. I’m hoping that the understanding that they seem to have come to, especially at the end of the episode, will eliminate what you’re concerned about.
Also, I think some of the things you have issue with are where they’re trying to make the show “fun” and have Chuck maintain some “quality” of “nerdiness.” I mean, if he actually BECOMES “James Bond,” then the show ISN’T “CHUCK.” I thought the “sneeze” scene was actually pretty funny. Again, we’re talking about a “regular guy” here. He may be extremely intelligent – which he’s proven – and he may be naturally adept at some things in the “spy world,” but in other ways he’s still “out of his league” or at least still in the minors when it comes to the spy life.
As Chuck becomes more adept at the “spy life,” they’ve had to turn more and more to Morgan for the comedic aspect – and truthfully, THAT is something that we could do with a little less. Same with Jeffster. I was THRILLED to NOT see them in this last episode, even though they were used farily well in Push-Mix. An occasional helping of Jeffster is enough, thank you. So finding ways to still make Chuck the butt of a joke (rather than having to resort to Morgan or interject Jeffster is O.K. with me).
Definitely agree about the “non-international” focus – but without Morroco in this episode, there wouldn’t have been any belly dancing 🙂 . They would have had to go to Hawaii and Sarah’s seductive belly dance would have become a seductive Hula dance! Having a light bulb go off over Ellie’s head is also an excellent idea. And actually, having Awesome stop being such a puss (especially for such a macho guy) would be a little refreshing. I know that, like Morgan, they’re using him as a comic foil, but enough’s enough already. He is after all an adult and a doctor. We need the “Awesome” from “Vs. Santa Claus” back, thank you.
I understand your concern about too much “Sarah-centricity,” but actually I’m kind of looking forward to finding out more about her past. Some of the best episodes – or at least some that I’ve enjoyed the most – involved Sarah’s past (i.e., vs. the Cougars, especially).
For me, and I may be in the minority on this, although the show is called “CHUCK,” it’s always really been not just about “CHUCK” but “Chuck AND Sarah.” It’s been a “hero’s journey” and a – I don’t really know how to put it – “spy’s journey,” “woman’s journey to wholeness,” whatever – somebody much more eloquent than me could probably describe it better. Does that make me an “ubber-shipper?” Not necessarily. But I think that as much as this show is about CHUCK – and it SHOULD always maintain it’s “Chuck-focus,” it’s also been about Sarah. I know this may be a stretch, but the analogy that comes to my mind if Forrest Gump. The story wasn’t just about Forrest – although it was Forrest-centric – it was also about “Jenny.” (just realized that one of Sarah/Sam’s aliases was “Jenny,” just an accidental coincidence). The story focused on Forrest, but it also had its “Jenny-centric” aspect, which detracted nothing from Forrest because they were essentially in it “together,” like “peas and carrots.”
Love reading your posts – see your point and agree partially/totally on some, not so much on others. But that’s the fun of the show and of being CHUCK fans. Keeping fingers crossed that we get to keep doing it next season!
Now back to that pile of paperwork and to writing that homily!! 🙂
Agree Rick. The bickering will get old if overused, but used in moderation its quite funny. I can never get enough of Sarah focus on the show, generally I see her as more interesting than Chuck. Its like I see the world through Chuck’s eyes; but mostly that means watching Sarah! (Especially after she faded into the background so much in S3, we’re due for more about her).
merve –
we often spar about this show, I am 5-5 on yes, agreeing with each of your itemized points. But, I don’t think it matters. Unless something fairly miraculous happens, I think the ship has plotted its final course for this show, they are shooting 18 or 19 or 20, probably have written up to 20 or 21 or 22, and my guess is 23 and 24 are cemented in already in terms of story, I think we are all in for more of the same.
16 – like 4×6 – introduce the players, end with a slight cliffhanger
17 – 4×7 – introduce the first conflict with the new players
18 – 4×8 – end terrible, all hope is lost
19 – 4×9 – either chuck or sarah is going to really step up to the plate
20 – 4×10 – holding pattern
21 – 4×11 – will give all hope of something great, end terrible
22 – 4×12 – move the pieces around the table, like the beginning of the end of a chess game when u start trading pieces, end bad
23 – 4×13 – wedding
24 – 4×14 – honeymoon
by the way, season 3×7 thru 3×14 followed the same exact pattern
Always open to the possibility of a miracle! 🙂 How can I NOT be?
🙂 🙂
Merve, interesting thoughts but I’m only going to comment on #5. I could not disagree with you more. Sarah Walker is THE reason I watch this show first and last. She is the most important character and the most multi-layered. Also for me at least Yvonne is the most talented actor on the show and besides being incredibly beautiful she is a joy to watch in her performances. She is in a league of her own. So if you want to take screen time away from anyone do not take it away from Yvonne. Get rid of the BuyMore, lessen Morgan, lessen anything but never ever take any screen time or story time away from Sarah Walker please!
BTW Phase Three of #Emmy4Yvonne is coming in March!! Get ready!!
Ditto all Uplink!
I don’t know if I would have stayed with the show this long if not for the “Sarah” part of the CHUCK story. Don’t get me wrong – I love Chuck’s story, but there is something in me that always roots for the person that’s had a – and there’s no other way to put it – shitty past with a lot of pain to boot. Maybe the thing I was struggling to express earlier is that the show is about Chuck’s “journey” and Sarah’s “healing.” The wounds in Sarah run deep – and Chuck has in many ways helped bring about the healing she needed.
If the show DOES go to a fifth season with Chuck and Sarah married, I have no problem with a “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” type approach – but it will obviously have to be a M and M Smith “Chuck-style!”
Yeah Rick that’s what I hope for too.
As I said above; I think I watch the show from Chuck’s perspective; but that means I watch Sarah through his eyes, and adore her as he does.
Roger that.
Success!!
When I first posted here, I asked for your advice on how to get people back to the show who had walked away during season 3; today I got 2 of those friends AND my niece and her husband into Chuck. What did it? The 1-2 punch of Push Mix and Seduction Impossible.
From now on, I’m not going to mention “Shaw” or “trust”, it is going to be “Fun” and “Baby”, I’ll just point them to these two shows and watch their faces. I know that two households doesn’t mean anything, but this is really satisfying for me; my friends were so bitter after season 3, I thought they’d never come back. I’m so relieved, I don’t even mind that loser Roan Montgomery getting time with our RPG-wielding goddess DIANNNNNE!!! Much.
The only down-side is that I had to loan my season 1 & 2 dvds to my niece. But..but, that’s ok, they’ll be back soon. It isn’t like I’m ADDIKTED or anything. I’m a grown mann, I kan put this sHow dowwn anYtime i wanttt?!!
Ahem. Now, if you will excuse me, teddy and I are going over to NBC rewind for some quality time.
Thanks for the advice, folks.
Really glad you had some success with former viewers Verkan. Hopefully we’ll see more of that in the weeks ahead!
@all i got this from magnus blog posted by dkd i think. its NOT a spoiler! just a good bit of information on how ratings work and what networks look for. didnt know where to put it but since this bit was about viewers i figured it go here. feel free to move it if ya want.
http://blastr.com/2011/01/the-truth-about-tv-ratings-online-viewing-and-sci-fi-shows.php
Gray Jones tweeted that article some time ago and I found it really interesting.
It IS possible to “recover” viewers. Hey, we’re a country that believe in “second chances,” so at heart most people are willing to give someone or something a second chance.
The problem will be if we’re dealing with people who have ALREADY given CHUCK it’s “second chance,” and STILL not liked what they saw. Unlikely they’d be willing to give it a third! But can’t hurt to try!
One thing I CAN say. I don’t know a single “Nielsen family.” But I DO know a number of people who NEVER watch “CHUCK” on TV – but they do watch the episodes on NBC.COM or HULU. So even thought they don’t contribute to “Nielsen numbers,” they DO contribute to SOME kind of viewership number (on-line) even if that’s not nearly as important as Nielsen.
Basically, what I’m saying is it’s better to count for SOMETHING than for NOTHING. That’s why I STILL encourage everyone to watch and re-watch until you can’t take it anymore, episodes of CHUCK on NBC.COM or HULU. It counts, even if only in a small way.
I’m exciting about the potential of Sarah’s backstory but it worries me a little. I really hope they’re being careful about this, and don’t throw out nonsense just because they find it fun or because it serves the plot.
Ditto that, Crumby
I’m all for some Sarah backstory, preferably family oriented, but I can’t help the feeling that it has “name reveal retcon” written all over it. I’ll be the first on to get in line and say that I totally wish that that little bit of idiocy never happened and truly wish that there was some way to fix it. But I think it’s best to never mention it again. As Crumby stated whatever they do, I hope they do it justice.
I’d be fine with learning Sam isn’t her real name! Even apart from from that, her birth LAST name hasn’t yet been revealed. Perhaps Chuck will be the first to know her real full name.
But even so, I’m thinking Sarah Lisa Walker should be her full current legal name; and Sarah Lisa Walker Bartowski will be her real name for the rest of her life.
I love that the folks at this site have already declared that Sarah Walker is her real name because she told us so in Cubic Z. I’m all for a little retcon in there but you are right they have to do it justice or they should stay as clear of that as they have of he who should never be named.
BTW I did my homework tonight for monday. Watched Wookie and Three Words. Wookie is a great episode and it is where the show started to find its legs. Where Yvonne really started to shine and the chemistry between she and Zach really exploded. It was there from the Pilot certainly but it really took on a new quality to it in this episode. Probably my #2 from season 1.
I watched Three Words and watching that episode is such a bittersweet thing. I really like it a lot and was so excited that Sunday evening that after the reset of Pink Slip the first hour we were going to see them realize how much they cared about each other and work to make Chuck the best spy he could be because he had chosen the honorable path, the Chuck path and Sarah saw that he was in fact still the man she loved. I was really anticipating season 3 to be something great after that episode even with the mysterious stranger talking to Beckman. The ending is just perfect. Chuck and Sarah talking about “cleaning it up” Carina’s gift to Sarah and her realizing that Chuck loved her and she still loved him.
But then it all came crashing down. It was forgotten and treated like it never happened. They went in a direction that spat in the face of that episode. I ended up watching Seduction Impossible afterwards even though I hadn’t planned to so I could get rid of that feeling of melancholy. It really is such a shame that what could have been a great story even with a temporary breakup ended up being so poorly done with such disrespect for the characters they created.
I’ve been suggesting Sarah Walker as her legal name since Cougars. And the discussion has been ongoing since Fake Name; it’s seriously hard to figure how to ever fix that fubar.
I agree with your take on Three Words. I don’t think I could watch it again now; they made it a lie and I’d prefer to forget it.
I’m with you, Dave. Chuck has always known her as Sarah Walker. He fell in love with her as Sarah Walker. She has “become” Sarah Walker (like does Elton John still consider himself Reginald Dwight? I doubt it!). So he marries her as Sarah Walker because that’s who she is.
Here’s one from “left field.” Considering how many different names she’s had – and the fact that Langston Graham was “cut off” before he could actually say the name that was on her birth certificate – what if even SHE doesn’t know her actual “real” name? We don’t know when “Mama Walker/Burton?” disappeared from the scene – or if “Daddy Burton” took her from mom? From the time she was a little girl – maybe age 3 for example, if “Daddy Burton” started calling her Sam, that’s the name she’s going to remember!”
I’ve never applied for a marriage license, but I would assume that one thing you would need to have is a copy of your birth certificate. Maybe she’ll actually “discover” her REAL “birth name” for the first time – and discover it wasn’t “Sam” after all. Remember that “Daddy Burton” always referred to her as “angel” or “doll face,” NEVER by any kind of actual name. “Sam” may have been just another one of the many names he gave he along the way – and if she was young enough, that may be the “first” name she remembers.
I know it sounds far-fetched, but it’d be one way for TPTB to cover their ***** and have Chuck and not Shaw actually be the first one (outside of “Sarah/Jenny/Sam” herself) to know her real name.
But with that being said, my hunch is that they’ll stick with “Sarah Walker,” the person that Chuck Bartowski fell in love with – and who fell in love with him.
That is a fun possibility Rick. Although if memory serves, a variety of legal documents can serve. So whatever her legal name may be would work for a marriage licence. And of course the marriage licence is a legal name change document itself, so once she becomes Sarah Bartowski she truly will be that.
I wasn’t even thinking about her name to be honest.
After DeLorean, you kind of expected Sarah’s family to be just her and her dad. Role Models reinforced that sentiment.
Suddenly she has a mother who has a whole family, even a family restaurant. I’m completely fine with that, obviously she has a mother, but if they’re going to bring her back in the picture, it better make sense. Same thing if suddenly Sarah has siblings.
Because as much as I love Linda Hamilton, the 20 years excuse is lame, and having her back into Chuck and Ellie’s life so easily is weird.
I was wondering if having Morgan meet Alex’s mom was a bit of forshadowing or something. I mean it is the normal thing to do, you get serious and you meet the family, now that Morgan has done that will he start to push Chuck to do the same? Maybe there are parallels too, in much the same way Alex Coburn is dead to Kathleen which causes problems, maybe Jack Burton (or what ever his real name is) is dead to Mama Walker.
After you watch an episode for let’s say THE TENTH TIME, you begin to notice certain “little things.” During the “flashback kiss” between Roan and Dianne when the Berlin Wall was tumblin’ down, there was a song playing in the background – one of those 1980’s power ballads. I couldn’t tell you the name of the song, but it SOUNDED like the group “The Scorpions,” who – if memory serves – were FROM GERMANY. If that’s the case (and that’s what I’m looking for – one of ya’ll to confrim or not for me), then that was a crafty little touch by the writers to not only play just ANY power ballad – but a GERMAN-BASED one.
Does anybody out there know if that WAS a “Scorpions” tune or not?
It was. The song is called “Wind Of Change”.
Isn’t the song known in the US? I recognized it immediately. It made me life right away. And then Beckman was a dirty blond… 🙂
It was supposed to be “It made me laugh right away.” Sorry.
It was, that tid-bit of information was at the end of Sepinwall’s review “…cheesey german hair band….”.
Thanks, all. The song I most remember from The Scorpions was “Here I am, Rock you like a hurricane.” And I seem to remember that although the lead singer had really long hair, he also had a receding hairline in the front, so it looked – in an era when hair of rock bands already looked bad enough – even worse.
Now – if only SOMEWHERE in the future we could mix in a little Skynyrd, Allman Brothers or Bad Company into a Chuck episode!!
Oh my! I though *I* had musically dated myself!
Confession time, Fr. Rick! I have *all three* of those groups represented on my iPod.
Joe, when you have GREAT musical taste, you have GREAT musical taste. Nothing to “confess.” Only to ENJOY!! So many possibilities for insertion into a CHUCK episode from one of these groups looooooong list of excellent songs!!
Now, I STILL don’t own an IPOD. I’m going to “hold out” and resist giving into it. It’s CD’s for me, brother (or sister)! I’d like to “help the cause” by downloading CHUCK episodes from itunes to “something,” but since I DVD record each episode, it doesn’t make much sense for me to download them to my computer.
Heh! And I resist owning a cell phone! Such a Luddite I am. I gotta say that the *only* reason I can get up the energy to do my running is because of that iPod, and the music trapped within.
And now I want to point out, to those who haven’t discovered it yet, Faith’s technical magic and genius. Please check out the bottom of the page; While you’re reading and adding to these comments, enjoy the ChuckThis Playlist.
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