Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Chuck Vs. The Tic Tac - A Super Secret Fake Insider Preview


Beard was great... but Tic Tac has some of the best moments yet.

First, before I get to the preview breakdown, have you listened to our latest podcast?  Clicky (ADULTS ONLY)!

You can also click on the "Chuck Me Mondays" banner to go to the Twitter account.  Anyway:

Acting: All the leads are great. Yvonne gets to truly shine.  She is cute, sweet, adorable, funny, dramatic, heart breaking, intense, and all around brilliant.  Is this her best episode so far?  I can't think of any other episode that lets her do as much stuff.  Adam gets to show a lot of pain, heart, and damage in this one and gets to say one of the more romantic lines of the episode.  Zac is his usual great self while getting to dive into a pretty dark place in one scene.  I was a little bit scared!

Action: Woah.  The final action sequence that involves all three of our mains in separate battles is, in a word, EPIC.

Directing: There are some excellent choices here.  I think the end fight sequence is very well done and superbly edited.  I actually stood up and screamed out loud watching it.  The super intense moment early in the episode is shot very well and framed for maximum tension.

Story: An extremely intense, fun, dramatic, and action packed story that one could argue is even better than the previous episode.

Drama: There are some very deep moments here and they are mostly very well done.

Suspense: One of the most intense moments ever is early on in this episode.  And then it is followed up with THE MOST INTENSE MOMENT EVER.  I was on the edge of my seat and literally forgot I was watching television.  I felt like I was in the room with these characters.  Wow.  I can watch that scene again and again and it never stops being insanely suspenseful.  And imagine... it starts with Chuck being really goofy and suddenly things get very, very serious.  Not many, if any, shows can pull that off.

Comedy: Not as big as Beard but still lots of it.  Some really great moments between Chuck and Sarah (team Walktowski)

Romance: There is not much of it in this episode but we do see that Chuck and Sarah have not lost their chemistry... and Shaw and Sarah are referenced as a couple.

Weirdness: None.

Funniest callback humor: A kiss...

Funniest line: Involves Sarah's response to Chuck wondering whether she has exercised enough restraint.  The line isn't anything spectacular but the situation is hilarious.

Sexy like a meow meow: Sarah... though, more adorable than sexy.

Budget cut awareness: None that I can think of... this episode is so dense (but fluid) that it feels like a movie.

Writing: Newcomers Rafe Judkins (who was awesome on Survivor, mind you) and Lauren LeFranc, get to sink their teeth into a great episode and show us that the writing talent pool is still deep.  They fit right in with the rest of the team (but we will miss Scott Rosenbaum FOREVER).

Weak spots: There is one moment that is supposed to convey Sarah's feelings about Chuck changing into a more capable spy that just doesn't work.  It lasts for about 3 seconds but is very cheesy.


Rating: Out of a possible score of 100, where 0 is the worst piece of art in the history of humanity and 100 is the greatest creative thing the world has ever seen... I give CHUCK VERSUS THE TIC TAC:

94.3 out of 100


282 comments:

  1. Magnus, Can we expect Sarah to bring up the name reveal stuff with Chuck in a meaningful way or have TPTB decided to sweep that under the rug and have Sarah act like she owes no explanation or remorse?

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  2. What name reveal? There was a name reveal? I... am not sure... I remember... it... you mean Sarah's real name? Wasn't it Whiskey Lee Gray Goose?

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  3. I can't believe they are just going to sweep the name reveal under the rug. Quick question, Magnus you say that SS are referenced to be a couple (urgh), despite this information, can I still believe that they are not sleeping together or will there be a refernce to that and I won't be able to continue to live in my fantasy land? LOL.

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  4. Kat, I think you can still believe that they are not sleeping together. I mean, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Sarah is traveling all over the world to be with a guy she is not sexing up nightly. It is even possible that they live together but don't sleep.... oh crap. ;)

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  5. How do you feel about Sarah's character? Do you feel the writers have hurt it in coming episodes? I mean not dealing with the name thing screams character assasination from my point of view, but maybe that's just me...

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  6. I think that if I was a drama queen who liked to walk around in high heels and paint my nails pink I might take it as a character assassination. But I am not so... no. I am just annoyed that the writers used her name as a cheap device. Am I going to let it bother me much? Nah. There is so much going on that is good that I will leave the worrying of that specific element to those who really want to ruin the show for themselves and are just looking for excuses to do it.

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  7. You mention a reference of Sarah and Shaw as a couple. Who makes the reference?

    V.

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  8. V, it is referenced by more than one character.

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  9. I will miss Chuck for a long time, but I will listen to the podcast.

    Hmm the last had a lot of girls, I liked it :D

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  10. Can you say if the reference is by either party in the relationship? I'm trying to test a hunch I have about the relationship and Chuck.

    V.

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  11. V, hmmm... I don't think either of them references it directly. But one of them is dealing with the references indirectly and directly and takes action related to those references. So, it is not a supposed relationship, misinterpreted by outside parties, if that is your theory.

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  12. Ah, I see. It's just with your comment about Sarah saying something in 3.11 and a comment from one of Zac's interviews that took place around the time of 3.11 shooting had me questioning if the relationship is really just what Chuck perceives it as, and the audience perceives it the same by association.

    They don't seem to put any emphasis on a Shaw and Sarah relationship, but more of a subtle, non-important vibe. Isn't Shaw supposed to help Sarah open up emotionally or give her character growth somehow? It seems like it's really all up to Chuck's transformation as the deciding factor of a Chuck and Sarah reunion. Is this why you feel Shaw is more of a plot device than anything? Someone for Sarah to pass the time with while Chuck becomes a spy?

    V.

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  13. In the Podcast you said Sarah and Chuck have a moment that made you start pining for them a bit in 3.10, but I noticed you didn't mention it in your blog under the romance section. Why did you leave it out? Not that big of deal? Thx-

    HJ

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  14. V, the Shaw and Sarah relationship is without a doubt real. At least real in that they are "dating" in the traditional sense. Does the show actually qualify it? Shrug. In its own way, I suppose. I think they want it to be up to the audience to decide because they do operate under the Sarah-rule where they can never show her sexing up someone (other than Chuck some day) for realzies.

    However, you will see Shaw's real function within the plot in 3.11-3.13. It is why I am not a huge fan of 3.07 and 3.08. They force a plot device that I feel wasn't necessary and feels awkward. But does it ruin anything for me? Not really. But, as I said about 3.08, I am sure some fans will use it as an excuse to crap on the writers and the show. And I will be proven right on that front in two episodes.

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  15. HJ, because it isn't a romance moment. It is a partner moment. But it shows that their chemistry is as strong as ever.

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  16. A random question but now that Beckman will be back in the picture, is she the team leader again or is Shaw still in charge? I would think the Castle being compromised would be a big issue in Shaw's leadership skills where Beckman is concerned. Also, will we find out why Beckman was almost pleading with Shaw in 3.03?

    V.

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  17. I don't mean to ambush you with questions, so I'll apologize ahead of time. This seems like a good time for Chuck and Sarah to have a mature conversation about past events, even if only on a friendly level. Do they talk about things or just focus on the mission?

    V.

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  18. V, if the specific Beckman/Shaw hierarchy is touched on in any episode, I missed it. I don't think I care enough to go back and find out. ;) As for the pleading in 3.03... I have no idea if it is specifically referenced in any episode down the line.

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  19. V, you should just put them all in one posting. ;)

    Chuck and Sarah will talk about a lot of things... but not all of those things will be talked about in 3.10. But I promise you, a real "adult" conversation is coming. Hell, I think we have already gotten 100 times more "adult conversations" in season 3 than we got in the first two seasons. But we will get a lot more in future episodes.

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  20. I'm sorry about that. I don't see an 'edit' button and I only thought of that second question after I had posted and read HJ's comment. :/

    Will the indirect/direct references and actions be what leads to the 'Sarah...Shaw...implausible' statement? I'd guess something along the lines of wanting a normal life again, which Shaw doesn't fit. Or will it be out of left field like 3.08?

    V.

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  21. Magnus, Last question of the night buddy, I swear.... Can I have faith that Sarah finds out some reasoning of why Chuck kicked Hannah to the curb? Thx-

    HJ

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  22. V, what I was referring to when I said that Sarah would not have chosen to be with Shaw as she did in 3.07/3.08 will be covered in 3.11. I am sure the writers did not intend to leave the massive hole in the story. But in writing the reason's she gives for [redacted] she makes it a tad puzzling why she is with Shaw. Is it about a normal life? Not really. You will see. But it plays right into 3.12 and [redacted].

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  23. HJ, if they even utter the name "Hannah" ever again, I do not know. They may in the next few episodes but I either don't remember it or am not hung up on that storyline as much as you are and didn't make a mental note of it. There is sooooo much going on in these episodes that it is easy to miss the little things.

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  24. I remember the really obvious line of 'the safest guy' in 3.07, which we know is a complete lie. For all we know, Team B now has targets on their backs by the Ring for just being associated with Shaw. Is it this 'head hunted' aspect or maybe something that Shaw does during Chuck's red exam that causes the line?

    V.

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  25. Aw, ok. Last question for the night, I swear.

    Do the actions of Casey's back story from this episode pick up in 3.12? I remember reading or hearing about it continuing. It kinda seems like a redemption episode for Casey, especially with the title.

    Thanks
    V.

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  26. V, the actions of the next few episodes will affect everyone for some time. Nothing from... this point on, is swept under the rug.

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  27. So you think this is better than vs the Beard. Is Morgan in episode ten? About the Chuck-Sarah thing, you said you think that Sarah is with Shaw just because she is not with Chuck. If the Shaw-Sarah thing ends, do you think Sarah will be hesitant? Or she will choose Chuck because Chuck is Chuck and Shaw is nothing, for her. (If there is a choice).

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  28. On a scale of 1 - 10, how satisfying would you rate the romance arc from 3.10 on? Are viewers both casual and hardcore alike going to have qualms about how fast it's going to move (I'm assuming that by the end of 3.13, they're going to be together) or is it all reasonably paced?

    J

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  29. Sarah, I think Colonel, Beard, and Tic Tac are all really close to my favorites... as are Lethal Weapon, Best Friend, Three Words and so on. So, right now Tic Tac is my favorite. As for Sarah being hesitant or not... well, since I know the answer I can't speculate with you.

    J, many of you are going to be severely disappointed if Chuck and Sarah are not together in episode 13... and you have only yourselves to blame for jumping to conclusions.

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  30. You make it sound like the writers want to tell a story but don't have the guts to tell it. If that is the case I 'd be very disappointed in the show, I m not too fond of cop-outs.

    PS I don't care about the Sarah rule nor am I a shipper, I prefer Chuck and Sarah as coworkers with some sexual tension on the side.

    Josh

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  31. to me, sarah has been reduced to shaw's lapdog, hovering never more than a few feet from him, moving when he moves, speaking only in response to his words, obviously shaw is not in 3.10 & it sounds like sarah regains her mojo in 3.10, how about in 3.11, lapdog or mojo laden hero?
    JA

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  32. JA, you have the worst analytical skills I have seen in a while. Bravo on being the best at what you do so terribly.

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  33. This sounds awesome. I can´t wait. I missed Sarah and Casey being in the thick of it so much in the last ep. Morgan and the over the top BM stuff is just not my favorite part of the show. I still enjoyed it, but this ep sounds much more like my cup of tea.

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  34. Does Captain Awesome get his mojo back anytime soon? I mean nervous bad liar Awesome is funny but I feel like it's getting a little old.

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  35. Well I guess though rumors about Routh being on set filming recently might have some truth behind them.

    So for my real question.

    Any Terminator 2 jokes or references?

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  36. My comment got crazy messed up..

    let me try this again:

    Whoaaaa. Are you saying Chuck and Sarah aren't together in some form in 3.13? I'm taking your "only have yourselves to blame" remark to mean people have jumped to the wrong conclusion about that. All I'll say is this--I think Fedak and Co. are wrong if they think what they are putting fans through this season on the C/S front is going to be tolerated beyond 3.13 by a large number of viewers.They are nuts.

    One other question--when you said Sarah is traveling all over to see Shaw, is the supposedly cut comment about going to DC together in 3.9 going to come up again in 3.10? In other words, will we know she has been to DC to see Shaw? If so I guess I wonder why they cut it at all.

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  37. TS, I think "something big" will happen between Chuck and Sarah by episode 13. I'm just speculating, of course. But I don't think that if "something big" happens it has to be: Chuck and Sarah together. Besides, I don't think Shaw is the problem here. I think there are other things that could keep them separated. Even after the "something big".

    "As for Sarah being hesitant or not... well, since I know the answer I can't speculate with you."

    You're right. But do you think it is handled in a good way? I trust you, because you love the show, but if something bothers you, you are sincere :)

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  38. You know reading your blog and your comments has done one thing for me. Gave me clarity.

    This comment alone has me loising faith fast.

    J, many of you are going to be severely disappointed if Chuck and Sarah are not together in episode 13... and you have only yourselves to blame for jumping to conclusions.

    I feel I was mislead by Yvonne, Josh etc. Yvonne said that Shaw was a little bit of a love interest. Well since she is jet setting to see him. I am going to say that is more than a little bit of a love interest. One could even say the Sarah rule has been broken quite alot in that time. Gasp!

    Now Zach says that he gets pissy in 3.11 for what he percieves is going on between Sarah and Shaw. What is there to percieve. They are a couple. Sigh...

    Also Josh planned the season for 3.13 said the WTWT will be resolved and we have Wendy telling us to stay the course etc but you are telling us to not get your hopes up for a Charah coupling.

    Logic dictates that they did in fact change the original sotryline and I feel what is the point. I feel like Chuck in season 1 I cannot trust anyone anymore. I always thought there was a payoff to the angst now it seems like there is none on the horizon.

    Thank you,

    It is good to know someone is being honest.

    ACE

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  39. Seems like someone else is a fan and he is not happy that Sarah chose Shaw over the man we think she is in love with?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31xMI-SXUXM

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  40. I just think the Shaw/Sarah/Chuck stuff is a major distraction, and simply takes away from what could be a fantastic story.

    If they had tried somthing other than the formulaic plots concerning the relationships it might(?) have been better. This plot has only made the choices they took seem weak and unnecessary.

    That being said, the spy story up until now and I hope after hasn't been that strong either. So it is really easy to see how people can get lost in one aspect of the show.

    Hope springs eternal, I hope.

    ac

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  41. Dear ACE:

    I let your post stand because I want to be able to reference it some day as an example of the extreme knee-jerk reaction. I just told you to not set yourself up for disappointment if they don't end up together in episode 13. What if they end up together in episode 12? Or episode 15? What about 19? Will that mean Josh, Yvonne, Zac, Timmy the Mouse who lives in your kitchen and threatens to kill you in your sleep, and Wendy all mislead you?

    No one is being "honest" or dishonest for that matter. It is a TV show and we are not going to spell it out for you so that the voices in your head can calm themselves down long enough for you to find some new thing to complain about. So, TOO BAD, you are JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

    Love,

    Me.

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  42. TS, I have no idea what cut comment you are talking about. And I think people will continue to watch even as they threaten to quit. Most of the time when people quit something, they don't declare it. They just do it.

    JC, I don't remember any references but I am sure there must be one or two.

    ac, a healthy mentality to have. :)

    Sarah, I believe SW's heart makes more sense than her decision to be with Shaw. Cryptic but I won't say more than that about it.

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  43. DR,

    Thanks for giving us this advanced review.

    Good to see that team Walkertowski will be fighting together again.

    AC

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  44. That being said, the spy story up until now and I hope after hasn't been that strong either. So it is really easy to see how people can get lost in one aspect of the show.

    I'ma dope.

    Yeah, this didn't make sense,I meant the spy story has been weak to this point and I hope it gets stronger soon.

    ac

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  45. ac, I take back all the nice things I said about you.

    AC (same person?), word.

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  46. Come on guys, I think that from now on we'll have a great season. By the way, people complain just because they love the show. They have all the right to be upset (I am/was too), of course. But if you are still watching (after a couple of not so good episodes, and a couple of bad scenes, imo), why stop now? Now the great part begins :)

    "Sarah, I believe SW's heart makes more sense than her decision to be with Shaw. Cryptic but I won't say more than that about it."

    Thanks :) It's possible that we'll see Chuck and Sarah fighting back to back, like she did with Bryce, in this episode? :)

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  47. Ahh Mangus, thank you for what use to be.

    yes, ac, same person, or I'ma dope, dip stick or..whatever. I answer to most.

    Love your blog and your lively comments.

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  48. Sarah, so you want C/S to do the same thing B/S did? Doesn't sound very special.

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  49. Dip stick, my name is Magnus. :)

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  50. So sarah will be traveling all over to be with shaw? Also sarah's heart makes more sense than her decision to be with shaw but you say but you say her reasons for being with him don't make sense to you.So maybe she's with shaw because he is safe choice? completely wrong I know. By end of shaws arc does sarah come to see chuck as being the same person and a spy?

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  51. So there is a 4th season of Chuck? If so awesome and also I think Captian awesome should get done what happen to jeff and john casey getting jeff liking morgan

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  52. Greg, there has been no announcement of a 4th season. So, right now, there is no season 4.

    Anonymous (come on, sign your comments), the reason Sarah is with Shaw may be that he is "the safe choice," or at least that is what I think the writers would say, but... we can talk about what my problem is with that notion after everyone sees 3.11.

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  53. "Sarah, so you want C/S to do the same thing B/S did? Doesn't sound very special."

    No. They have to do it better :)
    By the way, I guess the kiss (funny moment) is not between them :) Maybe an awkward kiss, during the mission. To cover something during the mission :) Ok the kiss is not a Chuck and Sarah kiss, and even if it was you wouldn't tell me. And I don't really want to know. Well I'd like to know, but if you say no... Ok, I'll stop. Sorry :)

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  54. Sarah, it is not a kiss in the episode. They talk about a kiss from another episode. It is really cute. :)

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  55. See, if you say cute I guess they are not talking about the Chuck-Casey kiss :)

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  56. AV
    Sorry forgot to sigh my bad. So you think she is with him for another than what she says or writers give? Also by her heart making more sense does that mean that her actions show something else than what she says?

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  57. Thanks for the preview! I'm excited. =)

    Have you seen the CS fight sequence? If so, is it better than the Bryce/Sarah one in every way possible? (you should know, few fight sequences can top that sequence for me. <3)

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  58. Have you been to ask anybody if certain situations on Chuck this season have been affected by the writers thinking they ony had 13 episodes

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  59. I can't wait to see how that scene with the tiger ends up. What episode is that from?

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  60. Sarah, you didn't think the Chuck and Case kiss was cute? ;)

    Burkey, if I answer that, then I tell you if there is a Chuck and Sarah fight sequence in the next episode. ;)

    AV, no clue what that question means. And when I say her heart, I mean what the Sarah character would truly feel not just what the robot in her brain tells her to do via the writers. ;)

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  61. See I told ya.

    Dip Stick here. Nice to meet ya Mangus.

    Some times I read stuff and it makes me a little nauseous. I don't know how you do it.

    ac, not BIG AC, just little ac. or Dip Stick.

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  62. Hey, DIPSTICK! MAG... NUS. MAG... NUS. Now, write it 100 times right or you are in detention for good.

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  63. Well I tried. =P

    Happy to hear about the Chuck/Sarah interactions, do you feel the episode is the start of them reconnecting? Emotionally majorly, because I worry about that.

    (Not to bash on the other writers at ALL, because I love them, but I've always felt Ali Adler penned episodes have more emotional depth. But this episode is written by the newbies, right? How are they with writing CS themselves?)

    (Also, the chemistry has always been there, just not taken advantage of. ;) Which is quite sad, because this chemistry is not the type to be wasted)

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  64. What's your take on the new rumor of 3.16? Spoiler or foiler? I'd expand but this isn't the blog section for it.

    V.

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  65. Burkey, the "newbies" do a great job with every element.

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  66. V, I don't read forums or even fan sites so... I don't know what rumor you mean. You can post it and I will just reject the comment and then answer.

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  67. Thanks again for a nice preview Magnus....

    Some thoughts I've had about people not liking this season... I get the feeling that everyone is looking for the 'same old Chuck story' even when they say they don't want the same old story.

    The way Season Two ended was a major reboot, like it or not. And I think Season 3 is saying, things are different now, things have changed dramatically and what happens each week directly relates to this fact. It's supposed to be different.

    People should realize that in the previous two seasons, the goal was to get the Intersect out of Chuck's head, so he could be normal. That's not the goal anymore. HELLO!! The whole tone of this season is to show that the characters are in uncharted territory and they have to adjust to that.

    Chuck has the Intersect 2.0 now. He has chosen to live with it and become a spy. He's not looking to remove it from his head anymore.

    Chuck's main problem, he thinks that Sarah has always been saying that spy equals a hero. Totally NOT true. A spy can be a hero or a spy can be a douche (Shaw). A hero has to have that Chuckness, that caring about friends and family. That's what Sarah is missing. And now that Chuck has Morgan back, and he's crawling out of that hole, well growth can happen on Chuck's part.

    Sarah's going to see that one can be a spy and a hero, and maybe spies don't fall in love, but spies that are heros do. Or something like that.

    It's the unsaid things that end up being the big pay off at the end of the season.

    But, of course, I could totally be talking out my arse too :)

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  68. PS: Totally looking forward to awesome fight scene and lots of Casey story!!

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  69. Even though she gives reasons for being for being with shaw in 3.11 do we get scenes that show otherwise and get some sparkage between chuck and sarah?

    OTTER

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  70. Otter, I never said she gives reasons for being with Shaw. You will have to watch to find out the rest.

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  71. "Sarah, you didn't think the Chuck and Case kiss was cute? ;)"

    Maybe :) But I prefer a Chuck and Sarah kiss :) And she has my name :) Ok, now she said her real name is Sam, but for me she's Sarah.
    Well, maybe Chuck and Sarah won't talk about a Chuck and Sarah kiss. But can't a girl dream? :)

    Thank you Magnus. I love your Blog.

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  72. V, where did you hear this (about 3.16)? As for whether it is accurate... it is semi accurate but also wrong. :)

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  73. Wait a sec...Sarah/Shaw live together Magnus? Or are you being sarcastic in that last reply to me when I asked if I could continue to believe that the Sarah rule has not been broken?

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  74. Kat, was I being sarcastic? Hmmmm.... good question.

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  75. Someone mentioned it on a fan site. I don't really want to point fingers to get anyone in trouble.

    Can you say what is not accurate? Or a possible hint? Is it the profession? Or the feelings part?

    V.

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  76. V, point fingers and I will answer your question. :)

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  77. LOL--if they live together, I will quit--and yes, you can say it and then do it as well. :-)

    As for being some sort of crybaby :-) if they end up together in 3.16 or 3.19 vs 3.13--I think it was originally a 13 episode arc and alot of people, me included, think enough is enough. It has been seriously implied they were owning it in the original 13. It's like every time Fedak gets a few more episodes they decide to bully the fanbase some more--and yes that is what it feel slike to me this seaon. "We dare you to stop watching". To drag that ridiculous keep them apart nonsense going any longer is a bad move imo and also threatens to wreck the coupling or potential coupling more than they have already--imo again. So I get the guy saying he will disappointed if it's not ending on a happier note by 3.13. Let's move on already.

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  78. Jason, goodbye. Don't let the door hit you in the arse.

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  79. I am guessing, but reading between the lines you seem to have an issue with the reasons Sarah gives Chuck in 3.11, in their "adult talk", why they can't have a relationship. I think you are saying that Sarah says she wants something real..which would make sense given the whole season 3 arc.

    But you seem to be suggesting that this makes the whole Sarah/Shaw arc a giant plot hole. I think because we will have a situation where Sarah is apparently saying "I cant have a relationship with you Chuck because I want something more; something real... but I can have a fling with Shaw"

    Well maybe I am a delusional crazy shipper but that only works if you assume that Sarah is pursuing a relationship with Shaw. I agree it doesn't make sense. So maybe that isn't what is happening.

    I think Sarah is using Shaw as someone to talk to. Yes they are dating but it is Shaw that is doing all the pushing.

    3.08 showed us that every time Sarah talked with Shaw it was about Chuck. She has found a sounding board in Shaw and that is what she is using to find her emotions. The wooden acting by Shaw, the vague relationship, the whole 3.08 story, I think are all devices by the writers/directors to show that this is not a relationship that Sarah is into in any depth at all but one that she is using to sort out her feelings.

    So why do we all want to believe so much that she jumps into bed with him. If there had been big suggestions of sex at the end of 3.08 we would be extrapolating that ad infinitum. So why aren't we extrapolating what we were given, the talking and the tenderness with Shaw. That is why I believe the writers put them together.

    TPTB have told us that Sarah is in a different place from Chuck. I think we will learn that she is discovering her emotions and clarifying what she wants; certainly the early episodes this season showed that she was going through a lot of hurt. I am sure people will think what they want. We have had that in this show from the beginning.

    If it is relevant to the story they will show that S/S have slept together, and that would be, I suspect to indicate that they have gone from dating to relationship to indicate that it is more than just talk. I just don't think that is going to happen. Not because of any Sarah Rule but because I don't think that TPTB have left a plot hole of the proportions that you are talking about. I think people want to misinterpret the story because they want to.

    Sure the writers will use opportunity to up the angst against Chuck.. unfortunately they cant help themselves.. but I do not believe that that is the story they are trying to tell and I do not think they would leave that large a plot hole.

    I really enjoy your blog Magnus but sometimes I think trying to bait crazy shippers is doing the show a big disservice as it colours our perception of what the writers are trying to say and that has always been hard in this show we need every bit of help we can get LOL, which is why they have created the Chuck Notes on the NBC site because I think they realise that we are misinterpreting a lot...JH

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  80. Jason, thanks for clarifying what V meant.

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  81. So it's not true, but it's not false either? Is it more positive than it sounds? Seems like 3.16 is just way too long for the relationship to start, especially given that there's only 3 more episodes left to showcase what season 4 would be like.

    V.

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  82. Crazy shippers keep saying it is not right to play with their emotions, yet they wouldn't be crazy shippers if they weren't so motivated by people playing with their emotions. :)

    V, it is not accurate but it is not outright false. I would say this, if the person has a piece of the script, ask them to tell you dialogue or anything specific from the script. If they can't, then they are lying.

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  83. I hope C/S never hook up just so I can keep reading peoples crazy overreactions to every little tease you make. God I love reading this blog.

    I'm still praying for an episode with Cole, Shaw, and a magically resurrected Bryce all vying for Sarah's affections. Just to see some shipper's heads explode.

    - DD

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  84. AV
    Yeah that was put on the strahotski board by someone named zerobubble. I put it on chucktv.net forum because it didn't sound like complete garbage.

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  85. I remember reading about a set visit and they said that 3.13 was, basically, the episode that 'shippers' have been waiting for. That just contradicts that happening in 3.16.

    Is Shaw's departure a mutual, happy event or is he played on the audience's sympathy like a tragic hero?

    V.

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  86. Not happy and not tragic. Does that make him a bastard that no one will miss? lol.

    V.

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  87. Duh,Sorry MAG...NUS, I'm um dyslexic, or maybe bi-polar (no that's Sarah, or so I've heard), or just stoopid.

    I love Chuck.

    ac

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  88. Magnus do we get an answer to Shaw's question why the Ring did not try to kill him at the hotel/resort?
    In an off topic question it appears you live near New York City. Can you recommend a good place to eat near Madison Square Garden? EG

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  89. You had mentioned that you were looking forward to Shaw's real arc, 3.11-13, which I gather is a spy arc. What I am wondering is about the supposed increase in his appearances from 6 to 8, was there a real increase or was he always going to be there for 8. I say that because the first two were supposedly shot before this extension, the "love parallelagram" was planned prior to comic-con so those are 2 and 3 episodes respectively and the "real arc" is the last 3 to total 8. So where would the plans have been changed to add him?

    km

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  90. Does the Orion wrist gadget ever come back this season

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  91. I think I get the references you are talking about Magnus. Shaw's hotel was compromised so he went to live in Castle and then Castle was compromised so he has had to find somewhere else to live. I suspect that he has moved in with Sarah.
    It is the same ploy the writers used in Breakup when Bryce came back.
    They have to sleep in the same room for the job and draw your own conclusions..
    What a cheap trick by the writers....

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  92. "Jason, don't let the door hit you in the arse."It is this kind of attitude that has cost us approx. 1.7 million viewers from Season 3 premiere. I realize that being in the "know" must be thrilling to you DR but please don't become shrill to the fans like Old Darth. You are the one "Chuck" superfan that I (and I hope many others) have always felt "got it" about this show.
    I realize it must get sickening to hear supposed fans say they are going to quit "Chuck". That being said, I don't know how it helps a show you champion to challenge it's viewers to quit watching it.

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  93. Is Shaw still living in Castle? Will we ever find out just what was so important on those discs?

    I've always been waiting for Orion's wrist gadget to show up ever since he gave it to Chuck. That's poor continuity, IMO.

    V.

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  94. So anybody think with Papa Bartowski coming back and it coinciding with a flashback to young Elle and Chuck, that maybe it will deal with Mama Bartowski.

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  95. So you think you now can accurately judge why we lost viewers from season 1? Because we have MORE viewers in season 3 than we did during the second half of season 2. Anyway, I CALL IT LIKE I SEE IT.

    I don't sugar coat my feelings. If someone threatens to quit the fan base, I WANT THEM TO QUIT. Idle threats are for children... and children don't help us in the demo and won't bring the show back for a 4th season. Poisoning the waters does more harm than a swift kick in the arse.

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  96. Magnus,

    Really enjoy your podcast and your blog. Thanks for doing them.

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  97. So shaw and sarah are going to be living together going by comment on this blog.

    OTTER

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  98. anotherfan named jason, a shipper too, but I will not quit the show, will watch to the end, but realize this, the flume that stokes the crazy shipper flame, blows softly in the average fan's heart too, and if those Chuck sarah sparks in the avg fan base go out this show will be in trouble - if 10 thru 19 fix things, the flame will burn bright - I am still hopeful, albeit much less naive about getting the show I wanted - make sense?

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  99. Jason, I don't think we have anything to worry about on that front.

    OTTER, I only suggested they might be living together. MIGHT being the operative word here. :)

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  100. so has the season wrapped filming yet, if not which episode(s) are they still to film

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  101. Filming ends in less than 2 weeks.

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  102. You don't have to take every word Magnus says as a mistery. He is not going to give us spoilers. Not the big ones, for sure. He just answers to our questions. And ambiguously. Do Shaw and Sarah live together? Magnus is not giving away spoilers, so he won't say No. He won't say Yes. So, "they might". Is that a spoiler? No. Chuck and Sarah might make love in episode ten eleven twelve and thirteen. And during a mission too. Is this a spoiler? No. It's a non-answer.

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  103. Buster, I think it is cute that you think you know me and my methods. :) But it isn't as simple as that. Try again.

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  104. How is it possible that you are able to watch future episodes?

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  105. AV I heard last day of filming is the 19th thats from guy who plays fernando.

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  106. It is even possible that they live together but don't sleep.... oh crap. ;)

    I think that is a pretty clear spoiler :-)

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  107. I believe he was saying the 19th is his last day of filming. I was told the 22nd is the final day of filming for the season.

    "How is it possible that you are able to watch future episodes?"

    Ummm... I am a super secret fake insider. How else would I see them early?

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  108. I don't understand so the references you talk about suggest that she is going to fly to DC to be with Shaw or that they are living together, or both? You only mentioned the DC thing on the podcast.. ND

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  109. Will Chuck's drinking come back again this season like at the end of Nacho Sampler?

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  110. "Will Chuck's drinking come back again this season like at the end of Nacho Sampler?"

    How come no one ever asks if his eating sandwiches is going to come back? Or his having sex with Jill? Or his tango skills where he only does the girl parts? Just because Chuck did it in one scene in one episode, that doesn't make it a problem peeking its head out over the horizon.

    So, no.

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  111. Magnus you said in another post that the Sarah rule isn’t broken and yet it seems that they might live together and so it will be. Okay I think I just need to stop putting Sarah on this pedestal, so I hope they sleep together and that they show it too. I’m tired of worrying about these petty things and worrying about CS (who are clearly endgame, even if the road to that point will be annoying sometimes) LOL. Being a CS fan right now is way too stressful; so not worth it and I can’t imagine how the writers will make it up to us shippers. I’m just going to go with the flow from now on. I always loved this show for being so laid back but the angst is just too much now. But unlike other shippers I’ll watch no matter what. Still it does bug that Sarah would get together sooooo fast with Shaw. Poor Chuck never got this far with her and he has known her for years now. It’s all moving along way too fast, she better have a good reason for this.

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  112. I love this blog :) You could call me a "shipper" but not insane. Chuck and Sarah have been called the heart of this show, so what the frak is everyone so worked up about?

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  113. It's kind of silly to say that the reason ratings aren't great this season is because this season sucks. If you're going to go by that logic, Versus the Colonel is a mediocre episode because it got 2.3 demo (less than Fake Name) and 6.05 million viewers (less than any episode this season...about half a million less than Mask!). S3's ratings are trending better than S2 did after House moved to Monday.

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  114. AV
    Hey magnus in the latest ask ausiello he says that shaw is going to be around longer than ep 3.13. what do you know about this?

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  115. AV, I think it is a great answer by Ausiello. :)

    Gwindor, that's what I said.... but people want to desperately find any way to qualify THEIR dislike for something and so they make up stuff. Silly crazy shippers.

    Kat, right on. Take Sarah off the pedestal! Though, get ready to put her right back on it sooner or later! ;)

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  116. hey magnus
    just curious - what episode have you seen up to?
    Im from Aust and have to watch all the episodes over the internet - so frustrating!

    - Maddie

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  117. Maddie, I have seen up to episode 12 of season 7. My time machine is AWESOME.

    P.S.

    Downloading the show illegally is wrong. Not judging, just saying.

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  118. Trust me alot of us UK fans downloading is the only way we watch Chuck.

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  119. Wow, season seven. Lol. Is the entire cast still there? :)

    "Hey magnus in the latest ask ausiello he says that shaw is going to be around longer than ep 3.13. what do you know about this?"

    He didn't say that. This is what you wanted to understand :)

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  120. Sarah, bingo.

    Anonymous, I don't trust anyone who says "trust me." :)

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  121. magnus - why not a whole season of 3.10? your own analysis proves it, let the big 3 fight bad guys, let the B plots have fun with the 'franchise' (Chuck/sarah), and let chuck & sarah worry about what happens when the lights go off - again - when I read your words about zach, adam, yvonne's performance, this show is easy to run, if you don't make it hard - a wisconsin football term from the 90's called out-holmgrenning yourself applies to chuck season 3!

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  122. Jason, I think that if the writers wanted to take the easy path that they could do that. I also think if the show was doing well enough to secure itself a full season pickup every year, that they would probably play it safe like that. But that is not what is going on and they are going to push the story forward. We might not always like how they do it but at least they are not going to stick with the predictable... well, for long. :)

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  123. "Romance: There is not much of it in this episode"

    Sigh :(

    But I can't wait for this episode. Is it Monday already?

    Time to save the day.

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  124. When the heck is Chuck gonna finally kill someone, I doubt he can rely on tranquilizers his whole spy life.

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  125. one last ? as part of the easy path issue - you were instrumental in last year's 'save chuck campaign' - since these 13 were written with no future in mind, how would your feelings be right now if 13 was likely it without a major fan led salvation?

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  126. Jason, episode 13 has a pretty crazy plot and thankfully we won't have to go into the season/series finale with only that. But had it been the finale, I think people would have been very satisfied but needed more.

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  127. "I think that if the writers wanted to take the easy path that they could do that. I also think if the show was doing well enough to secure itself a full season pickup every year, that they would probably play it safe like that."

    While I agree the writers have to take some risks, this season so far has not worked out for them. Sorry. I got to be honest. They kept TB pretty much apart all season, to build up tension presumably for whatever payoff is coming but the payoff itself doesn't make up for the fact they came out with 8 disjointed episodes. That's half their run. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan and I 'll keep watching, but it's difficult to keep non-fan friends interested when the show, at times, makes 0 sense.

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  128. Awwww... look, someone has an opinion. How adorable. Out of the 9 episodes that have been shown, only two didn't work for me. The rest have been pretty good to great. And of the others I have seen, they have greatness attached to them.... as do future episodes. But you probably won't like them either and call them "disjointed" because that's just the kind of person you are.

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  129. I feel like two episodes (1 and 7) are the main culprit of most of the negativity that has been directed towards this season. To be honest, I didn't really mind either. Almost every episode this season worked perfectly for me. Many of them were very funny, had very sweet moments, and drove the plot forward in a big way.

    Actually, if I were to pick my least favorite of the season it would be First Class. It just didn't work for me for some reason.

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  130. And in my entire comment I failed to touch on the actual preview... I'm totally pumped for the fight scene at the end! I adore that kind of stuff.

    Do you think 3.11 holds up to the same quality as this and 3.09?

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  131. Hahaha, You're hilarious, Magnus! :D ;)

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  132. "I feel like two episodes (1 and 7) are the main culprit of most of the negativity that has been directed towards this season."

    Yeah, I think some complaints about this season are people basically projecting the flaws of a few weaker episodes onto the whole season, which isn't really fair. Maybe it's because Mask came before the Olympic break. Like people say this season is all about relationship angst, even though episodes 3-6 had almost none of that.

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  133. Magnus,

    What happened to the 3D Chess and the trapezoid? I must have blinked and missed it. So far it looks like it was BS and they put Hannah with Chuck to give Sarah a reason to be with Shaw. The trapezoid has turned into a triangle and this timeSarah has moved on and is probably breaking the Sarah rule quite frequently. The mystique of Sarah being the prize is kind of ruined I guess. I mean Shaw got her real name and slept with her first. What does Chuck win now. Even if Chuck does sleep with Sarah and that is the original end game, the specialness is not the same.

    Funny that the show creates these rules makes the fans believe in them and then in one season show us that Chuck was right. The Bryces and Shaws of the world get the girls. This show loves to dump on it's hero and after some time it gets old. Sarah with Shaw in a full blown relationship is just kicking Chuck when he is down.

    Hopefully the hero comes out on top soon because my patience is wearing thin.

    Tired fan.

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  134. A couple of questions:
    1. Does Morgan know that when he bagged Carina he got it on a with a super-spy? Imagine the reaction.

    2. If Chuck and Sarah aren't together by 3.13, how big do you think the Shipocolypse will be?

    3. If Shaw and Sarah are living together, how big will the Shipocolypse be?

    RC

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  135. HATE double standards.

    Chuck should also be a virgin when he marries Sarah... ;)

    BB

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  136. IMO--Season 3 doesn't hold a candle to 1 or 2. It's not a few weak episodes, it's several episodes with poor writing, poorly executed. 7 and 8 will go down in Chuck history as the biggest WTFs ever. Unless there is more to come. I think if 3.13 is not as EPIC (haha) as promised on the C/S front, if all the hang in there was for naught, there will alot of fans, not all, but alot, who aren't happy. Count me as one of those.

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  137. Magnus--I disgree about the risks this season being the way to insure pick-up. I think they have done the opposite this season. I say this from MY feelings--and knowing they are echoed in others. I used to love Chuck and had only happy, puppy thoughts about the show--my enthusiasm knew no bounds. Now I am actually on the internet trying to figure out what the heck has happened to the show I loved--not just C/s not being together yet--but the complete failure on so many levels in terms of storytelling.
    Some good moments yet--but it used to be the good moments outweighed the bad. I wanted to forget I ever watched the show after The Mask and Fake Name. The fact that I have the blahs about it doesn't mean all do, but it means some of the precious audience does. They wasted an opportunity this season. They should not have wasted so much time on nonsense angst and written the adult C/S storyline that was there to be written-move their obstacles to another level--not the WTWT level. There's a whole frontier out there for them to write beyond that with C/S--get them together and move on!

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  138. Wow Tim--well put. The specialness has worn off. They don't have to show SS in bed together for it to be obvious, SS are adults in an romance that is going beyond one kiss or two kisses since it is going on for several episodes. I couldn't figure out how to say it and that's it. :-)We have been cheering Chuck on wanting him to get the girl first.

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  139. GP, I respect that opinion even if I think it is stupid.

    Chuckster, yeah, I agree... you should quit the show now. Please.

    JJ, you are a chauvinist pig like all the other guys who think Sarah's "specialness" has worn off now that she is "unpure." Where is the anger over Chuck sexing up Jill and Hannah? Sarah has not acknowledged sleeping with anyone since she got on the show while we have been shown evidence of Chuck bagging two brunette hotties. And yet because Sarah MAY HAVE slept with her boyfriend it is no longer special? People like you are screwed up in the head.

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  140. The fact all you people are commenting on the show, here and on various fora, means they got you interested. Even those that say Oh I m quitting the show, it's not special blah blah ... they 're not really quitting, they 're trying to blackmail writers to give them the story they want. If they wanted to quit they wouldn't go post on fora and random preview blogs, they 'd switch to House or whatever ;)

    Show's fine, they took some decisions, not all of them were right obviously, not all of them were well received by everyone but bottom line, judge the book after reading all of it, not just the prologue and chapter 1.
    ~ethan

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  141. magnus - every heard of the 'iceberg effect' - a business term, for every customer complaint you get (above the surface) there are thousands who will never speak up (unseen under the water) - funny - I know you like to mess with the shippers, but because you are somewhat willing to tell the truth, you have sort of become a focal point for moderate shippers, I am sure it is a role you did not expect or seek - I think a large portion of the fan base could use a little encouragement right now - LOL

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  142. Ethan, you are clearly intelligent and do not bathe in hyperbole.

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  143. Jason, the ease with which one can communicate dissatisfaction has caused the dissemination of mostly negative comments to be the Internet's function. You know what is most illuminating when it comes to true consensus? Ratings. And currently, they are HIGHER than they were last year. So, please, anyone who feels the show sucks now, QUIT. I am willing to bet we won't notice even a tick in the overall ratings when the season is over because Internet complaints represent the tiniest minority of the general viewer.

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  144. As for the fan base needing encouragement, just read my previews. There is your encouragement. The episodes rock. Enjoy. If you don't enjoy, then you don't want to and it may be time to quit the show because if it makes you miserable, WHY ARE YOU STILL WATCHING?

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  145. Hey Magnus do you have any ideas about how confident the cast and crew feel about coming back a 4th season.

    Kyle

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  146. Kyle, I am not really at liberty to say what the cast and crew may feel. However, I can give you my opinion. I think the chance is so-so. I have heard through other sources that things look good for another season but that there may be big budget cuts. I also hear that we may be waiting a while before we hear anything definitive.

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  147. Big budget cuts? Great...I've seen rumors on tvbythenumbers that a new season would mean losing 70% of the cast and I was hoping there wasn't any substances to that.

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  148. Do you think Sarah was a virgin when she met Chuck? Besides she is also an assassin, even if she kills the "bad guys" (or whoever the CIA thinks is the bad guy in a particular moment). She is not an angel. Chuck knows all that, but he fall in love with "the real Sarah". I can understand that question in your mind:
    "Why Shaw? Who is this guy?"
    But even if she is sleeping with him (and I don't think she is)... this doesn't make her less special.

    "I have heard through other sources that things look good for another season but that there may be big budget cuts."

    No, please. No more budget cuts.

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  149. Gwindor, TVBTN reported that? I have not heard 70%. Not that the number sounds out of the realm of possibility, it just sounds rather large.

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  150. Other than more viewers what the heck else does Chuck have to do to get more backing from NBC. Isn't it NBC's #1 rated show

    Kyle

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  151. Okay forget my mini rant about Sarah's vows of celibacy.

    I would like to know where is trapezoid and 3D Chess? I have yet to see it.

    Were we all duped by Josh & Chris?

    Tim

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  152. Kyle, I am actually planning on writing a blog that explains this but.... no, CHUCK is not NBC's #1 rated show. It WAS NBC's #1 rated hour-long SCRIPTED show but has lost ground to SVU. It is nowhere near NBC's #1 scipted nor its #1 hourlong nor its #1 all around.

    Tim, did you miss the Hannah liked Chuck, Chuck liked Sarah, Sarah liked Chuck, Morgan liked Hannah, Shaw liked Sarah, Chuck liked Hannah, Sarah liked Shaw, Morgan slept with Carina stuff? I know it was so easy to miss it makes sense why you did.

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  153. "JJ, you are a chauvinist pig like all the other guys who think Sarah's "specialness" has worn off now that she is "unpure." Where is the anger over Chuck sexing up Jill and Hannah? Sarah has not acknowledged sleeping with anyone since she got on the show while we have been shown evidence of Chuck bagging two brunette hotties. And yet because Sarah MAY HAVE slept with her boyfriend it is no longer special? People like you are screwed up in the head."

    As I said before I am a crazy/insane shipper, but I completely agree with what was said. It's amazing what some people think. Only Chuck can have some "fun". Really amazing.

    You believe if I say I have heard words like "replacing" Sarah? I'm not loving the 3rd season (shipper POV), but some people are out of their minds.

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  154. I remember TPTB saying that they put the PLIs into the story at the same time for a reason, but I never saw that idea come to fruition at the same time unless you count the last ten minutes of Mask and the first half hour of Fake Name, and that was only for Chuck. It seemed like only after Chuck made up his mind about dumping Hannah did Sarah finally give in to Shaw's advances. I don't see a trapezoid, but more of a constant stream of PLI movement. Now, with Hannah gone, all I see is a triangle with S/S/C, which is something we've seen time and time again. Unless I've interpreted some of your past comments wrong, you said that we don't really get a reason why this triangle exists in the first place.

    V.

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  155. Magnus, all true about the ratings situation. But I would say Chuck may not be setting the world alight in the ratings, but it's not a disaster either. Monday night has been a massacre this year for NBC. Every show has cratered. Heroes, Trauma, now even L&O is somehow doing worse than it does on Fridays.

    I'm sure the question will be at NBC would any new show do better than Chuck in that slot? Until House starts declining in popularity and Dougie Howser moves on I can't really see anything establishing itself in that slot. We'll see. I just hope Chuck can maintain and hopefully tick up slightly. 2.3 makes me edgy.

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  156. I find it hillarious that you are avoiding any questions with regards to the 3D chess. I know you won't post this but it is interesting that you are avoiding the question. ;)

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  157. Anonymous, if that even is your name, are you "special?" Did you attend classes where everyone used crayons? I only ask because I answered the question. I have no reason to avoid it.

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  158. Regarding the ending of Versus Beard; I can't believe that the writers would not see such a massive plot hole. What if Casey wasn't there to pick up the phone, how did they even know Casey would be the one to pick it up etc..

    But then I thought to myself maybe the Ring agents planted bugs or cameras in Castle before they were defeated or am I thinking to much into it and the Chuck writers just made a goof.

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  159. V,

    I may be way off on this but the way I think it was originally supposed to go work was that the two alternate Love Interests would parallel each other but be out of sinc by an episode. In 3.08 Chuck ditches Hannah after his realisation that he's losing himself and lying to everyone. In 3.09 Sarah follows through with her name reveal/wanting something real moment and ditches Shaw when he wants her to leave with him to DC or whatever, because it wouldn't have been real or words to that effect.

    I think at the moment we've got this plot hole where what happened with Sarah in 3.08 makes no sense with where they are now taking the plot after extending Routh and getting the additional episode order. How does Shaw equal real for Sarah? He's the least real character on the show. As Shaw/Sarah originally wasn't supposed to go beyond 3.09 to me it doesn't seem like they have done a great job of smoothng out the plot wrinkles of the adjustment for Routh being extended. They obviously really liked the name reveal and that whole scene so kept it in but as Magnus has mentioned a few times it may seem increasingly out of place.

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  160. NBC can do a spy double bill on Mondays, Chuck leading in to that new JJ Abrams show, especially now that 24 seems unlikely to be renewed.

    But I m sure they 'll wait to see how Chuck maintains with DWTS on in a couple of weeks.

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  161. So the grand plan of this season and the 3D Chess is just so Carina, Morgan, Chuck, Hannah, Sam and Shaw could get laid. Wow and here I was thinking there was a game being played etc. But nope just set up the "3D" chess so each of the players can have sex. Please tell me there is more to it than that, because that is sad. That is not in the Chuck standard we know to come and love. I need to be blown away with some plot not just some weak Gossip Girls plot line.

    So now that everyone is good and sexed up can we give Casey some love. He seems to be the Fat Kid again.

    Tim

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  162. Well it wasn't TVBTN officially, just a commenter who said there would be huge cuts to the cast. I know, take it with a grain of salt, but he's predicted things correctly in the past. I'm kind of afraid that we'll lose Jeff and Lester (at least) if there's an S4.

    And what's this about 3D Chess? I don't recall the show promising that to us, nor do I think it would be very interesting.

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  163. Gwindor, well without seeing the comment I can't tell you how accurate it is. 70% sounds high to me but it could be right. Maybe he just meant 70% of the cast will be taken out of the opening credits and become reoccurring (that would save money). I can't really say more about it because then we start getting into season spoilers.

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  164. I want to jump in on the Sarah "specialness" and the idea that this referred to her sleeping with Shaw and no longer being pure. I think we all know this isn't a virgin guys. Whereas Chuck can sleep with any gf and not catch flak. I didn't interpret it that way at all. As a woman, trust me, I bristle at any double standard with men vs women. I think what he was trying to say is, the appeal of Chuck has been, this dorky guy working as a nerd herder, college dropout, with his life stalled out, no girl no real career, has his dreams come true. He gets his dream jo, dream girl, and even that pesky college degree. He is a secret agent, with a hot blonde secret agent gf, kicking ass and taking names. We all loved cheering for Chuck as he has claimed hero status time and time again, went toe to toe with the bad guys right along with the toughest dudes around, in his own Chuck way. This season, they set it up so someone else is getting his girl as he put it. Not just someone made a move on her, Sarah is having a relationship with another spy. Chuck has never maanged this with Sarah. Chuck has had fleeting kisses with Sarah, yet some other guy, one of those spys Chuck is always competing with, for now, for this moment, has the girl and was told her real name. She trusted Shaw before Chuck. There has always been a double standard built in in terms of time spent on each of them, since the show is called Chuck. He gets the most screentime and storyline. I guess as a result he's had more PLIs. I think we all felt Chuck had finally gotten the girl at the end of season 2 and they went and gave her to another girl. I get it. I felt that way too and it wasn't offensive to me that he said that, and I didn't think it meant only Sarah having sex. I think one night with Cole would beat several eps with Shaw. They are making us feel Sarah is trusting Shaw more than Chuck.

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  165. MaryJ, you are naive if you think he didn't mean that Sarah was now damaged goods. You would maybe understand it better were you male. Men know what he was saying because WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS behind your back. :)

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  166. Great comment "Anonymous" but you cursed and children read this blog so I don't allow that. I always warn people before there is cursing. It is like giving out spoilers... but for children's eyes. ;)

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  167. If Sarah got touched by Shaw in naughty places then she would be useless to Chuck, that much is OBVIOUS.



    I posted a comment yesterday about loving to read this blog for the crazy shipper overreactions, and I would just like to reaffirm my stance on that today. :)


    I like the C/S relationship as much as anyone, its my favorite thing about the show, but when people go nuts thinking the show is being ruined just because Sarah and Chuck aren't currently together and that Sarah should not be allowed to move on and do her own thing (after her and Chuck have already had a conversation about trying to move on)...the mind reels.

    - DD

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  168. Who cares who slept with who? Just cause u sleep with someone doesn't mean u love them. I for one give Sarah credit she didn't hook up with someone earlier. Seriously, how long could she go without getting any 'attention'? All the main characters already had their hook ups so good for Sarah! Didn't see Chuck wait around for her.

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  169. LOL Magnus about conversations behind our backs.

    Anonymous: What makes you think Sarah never "got any" before now? You don't get "marks" to let you closer as a woman by saying no. When Sarah came out of that pool at the start of the season with the sleazy mark sitting poolside, did you get the impression they were just friends? I have always thought it was pretty clear that Sarah or Carina or whoever did what it took. Do you think that guy who Carina was engaged to asked her to marry him without sleeping with her? Yeah, he looked like the chaste kind of old fashioned guy. I called the show out on the no condom interruptus last season b/c there is no way a woman such as Sarah that has to seduce men, who at any point could be taken prisoner and raped, isn't on birth control. Yes, yes, safe sex you are screaming. Of course, we want to preach safe sex. But do you really think Chuck is giving up that opportunity b/c there's no condom when there is absolutely no way Sarah isn't on birth control? Anyway, I've never thought she was some chaste being. Like I said, a one nighter with Cole would be understandable. A full-on fling with Shaw is making no sense and has nothing to do with sex.

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  170. In the real spy world, a covert operative is considered compromised if they sleep with a mark. They are quickly pulled out of the operation when that happens. See, the covert ops community believes that once an operative as sexual relations with a mark, that they become JUST AS SUSCEPTIBLE to manipulation by the mark.

    Sarah and Carina would have learned how to get what they want via the PROMISE of sex but not through the use of it. Spies would consider sleeping with a mark a failure. Now, have their been spies in the real world who had to sleep with marks because they were deep undercover? Sure. But that tends to only be allowed when the mark is of a major priority and the agent is never told or asked to sleep with the mark.

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  171. "I for one give Sarah credit she didn't hook up with someone earlier. Seriously, how long could she go without getting any 'attention'? All the main characters already had their hook ups so good for Sarah! Didn't see Chuck wait around for her."

    Well said. Go Sarah! Think about yourself for once. Fun show. It still entertains.

    BB

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  172. The poster over at TVBN is said to work at an NBC affiliate, but not sure if he does or not. He has mentioned seeing rough cuts of episodes. He seems to have been very accurate. He has been warned about giving out spoilers there.
    But he did indicate the 70% cut and also mentioned the show would be very different than it is now.

    ac

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  173. ac, I can't really comment about it more. He gets to be anonymous, everyone knows who I am. :)

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  174. 70% seems beyond ridiculous though. That's like cutting out the entire Buy More AND Ellie and Awesome. That would be removing whole dynamics from the show.

    Magnus, is the 'tic tac' the nickname of the pill or is there multiple meanings to the title?

    V.

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  175. V, no reason to work yourself up over something that hasn't happened yet. Hell, the show hasn't even been picked up yet.

    And the "Tic Tac" refers to... the candy of the same name.

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  176. I'm wasn't getting worked up, just stating my opinion on that comment. That's all.

    The Canadian promo shows the pill and it looks like a tic tac. Are you saying that it's just coincidence and someone pops a tic tac somewhere during the episode, which would seem rather random by the way, or is there an important scene involving a tic tac candy? lol.

    V.

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  177. You will just have to watch to find out.

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  178. * 'I wasn't getting'

    Dang it.

    V.

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  179. Thanks Magnus and I understand. Besides,the responses you give to the likes of myself are entertainment enough.

    ac

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  180. Does anyone have any idea why NBC will post more previews for certain episodes than others? Just curious about how they make their choices.

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  181. Well - when I started to type this - you had 183 comments - Whew.
    What's your record for most comments from one blog posting?
    Anyways - I think I saw one of your comments posted someplace about Shaw as the Anit-Chuck...
    Bang On! That makes so much sense.
    I'm looking forward to the plot development for both the characters and the story as a whole.
    Love your comments - and opinions.
    PS - you need to be more vague when you give out hints where the story is going ; )

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  182. Canadian, my latest Dear DR got over 400. And how do you know I am not being very vague and just leading people in the wrong direction? ;) Or, I might have already spilled the entire season. You never know until you see the episode. Mwuahahahaha.

    Anonymous, if that even is your name, they make those choices depending on the wind speed of a specific piece of air at around 53,000 feet above NBC HQ.

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  183. Hey Magnus can you give any chance of a hint that Chuck will get close to actually killing someone this season. Thats one storyline I'm really looking forward to seeing how the writers handle it.

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  184. Anonymous, if that even is your name, Chuck's ability to kill (or inability) will continue to be tested. In fact, it will play a pivotal role in moving the story forward at least three times this season. Will he ever be able to kill? And if he does kill, will that change him? Or will it make him even less likely to kill again? Stay tuned.

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  185. Thats good to hear, I was getting a feeling that maybe Chuck's ability or inability to kill wouldn't come up this season. Then the show would get cancelled and we would never know.

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  186. Dear Crazy nutbag shipper, aka the King of the Craziest of Shippers:

    If you want to write the dumbest, most mind numbingly ridiculous post attacking those who mock your religion of pining for Chuck and Sarah with an unhealthy level of obsession, then do so with a real ID and not anonymously. Then I will be happy to let you post it.

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  187. Oh boy did I hit the nail on the head,
    and the fact that you wont publish proves it, the ability to laugh at yourself is not something people with deep insecurities or narcissistic tenancies have
    Crazy Nutbag shipper

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  188. Crazy Nutbag Shipper, like I said, go create an account and tell us who you are in the fandom. Don't hide behind your anonymity. I will be happy to take you on.

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  189. Challenge my arguments not my name, or are you not capable. What has anonymity to do with critical thinking and argument..How does publishing my name change my arguments..Go on publish my post let the people decide.

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  190. ps I don't have a name in the fandom, I guess in your own way you have tried to label me, but I am not a crazy shipper. Crazy Nutbag Shipper not..

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  191. I don't believe for a second that you are no one known in the community. If you believe this, then put your name on it. What have you got to lose? My name is on my opinions.

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  192. By the way, to anyone reading this, this genius goes on a reverse psychology kick about how there are deniers and haters and blah blah. It sounds like the nuttiest conspiracy theory ever. It is laughable, actually.

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  193. Anonymous, if you believe in your post so much, then just create a freaking name so he'll allow the post to be published.

    Deniers and haters? On what?

    V.

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  194. Poor thing is too afraid of using their real name. Because they have no confidence in their argument. Poor baby.

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  195. V, this tool thinks anyone who attacks crazy shippers is delusional and denies that the majority of fans are "crazy shippers" (no facts support this, mind you). Then attacks shippers who don't agree with the crazy shipper mentality. It is really cute and conspiratorial and also tries to inject third of a semester of psychology into the argument that anyone who barely paid attention in class could destroy.

    I want them to use their name... I sure hope they do. It will be fun to destroy their argument point by point. Hell, I will even invite this genius on the podcast where they can remain anonymous but will have to defend their argument in real time. BRING IT ON. :)

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  196. Wow.

    Crazy shippers are actually the fewer than the many. Usually it's the same 'crazy shipper' that just goes all out and posts with a vengeance. Will I agree with fans being Chuck and Sarah fans? Sure since it's really the only romantic couple that needs rooting for, especially with Shaw in the way. I will say that it's definitely not the only reason that fans watch the show.

    Come on Anonymous. No one is asking for your name, address and phone number here, just something to call you by.

    V.
    V.

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No flaming, baiting, trolling, expletives, or racism allowed. And NO DISCUSSIONS of the actor's personal lives ever.