CHUCK 4.20: the Family Volkoff - Reactions

So what did you think of this episode of CHUCK?  Were you excited?  Did you love Timothy Dalton returning to the show?  Was Sarah hot or super hot in her little snow bunny outfit?  How about Chuck in his Archer getup?  And what about that prenuptial agreement?  And what about the weapon?

Discuss!  Or don't.  I really couldn't care less (which, mind you, is the correct way of saying it and not "I could care less" since that means the opposite of what you are trying to say, numbskulls).

Oh and here is the TV Guide thingy... go to he 3:54 minute mark for CHUCK:

Dear DR: THE FINAL FIVE!

This should be the last Dear DR of season 4 unless something nutty happens.  Fans asked questions and I answer them.  If you don't like the questions, blame yourself for not asking them.  I have over 20 questions and some big spoilers.  I will start off with these and update this posting daily, sometimes more than once per day.  Return often.

Dear DR, will we see Mama B again? If so, in how many episodes? -- Mamemimomu

She returns in 4.20 and will be around for three of the final five (until I hear differently). -- DR

What are the odds of CHUCK getting another season? -- Shervaan

A source puts the odds at 50/50.  That is up from 30/70 a few weeks ago. Take that for what it is worth. -- DR

I 'm just wondering, will Chuck's life be in danger (being shot etc)? -- esozcanesk

Members of Team B will find themselves in life or death situations, some more than others. -- DR

I know that Sarah's dad is coming back, but other than that will Sarah have some interesting stories in upcoming episodes? -- Harku the Creeper

She gets an awesome NEW CAR!  Is that an interesting story? -- DR

Are they ever going to reveal Sarah's real name? -- nena

Her real name is Sam Lisa [something].  You should know that. -- DR

Oh Mighty DR, in 4.22, is Agent X someone close to Chuck (like Ellie or Devon)? Also, in which episode does Sarah have her bachelorette party? And does Chuck have a bachelor party too? -- TS

Answering your first question would likely reveal too much but your second is easy.  4.22 is the bachelor and bachelorette parties for Chuck and Sarah, respectively. -- DR

Dear DR:

1. The decline of CHUCK's viewers in the Male 18-34 group has been discussed in the ratings podcast. Is there anything ahead that may interest that group?

2. Is the stuff with Ellie and the laptop actually leading to an interesting story this time?

3. We have the bracelet. We have the ring. Is there any other jewelry for the crazy shipper to obsess over and is Zales getting any product placement in the show? -- dkd

1. Yep.  There will be hotness (though I can't promise it will make the final cut) 2. Yes. It will lead us to the finale. 3. I can't think of anything. -- DR

Dear DR, does Kathleen find out who Casey is and do they actually get to interact? -- Cor

Yes.  Though, don't expect it to go on for many episodes.  -- DR

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the finale cliffhanger? -- J

Zero. -- DR

Anything you can tell us about how Jack Burton finds out Sarah works for the CIA? -- uplink

He steals her wallet (edit: or purse, whatever, I'm a guy, what do I know?). -- DR

How much does the NFL lockout have to do with CHUCK getting renewed? I seem to recall reading that a long lockout would mean the show gets a fifth season. Is that true? And if so, how long would the lockout need to last? -- BC

However long NBC feels they need to wait to know.  -- DR

How do you get to be so handsome? Obligatory compliment over and now onto my question: Are they going to kill someone off CHUCK (as in at least a recurring guest star like Bryce or Papa B)? -- Michael

They are certainly going to try. -- DR

What's this relationship curveball (in the 4.20 synopsis) all about? Should I be worried? -- Anonymous

Not as worried as you should be that your parents named you Anonymous.  The curveball (a baseball term most of the world won't understand) is related to a prenuptial agreement and Sarah's conflict over Chuck's attitude. -- DR

Of all the great songs up to this point on the series of CHUCK, can you give me a list of your favorite songs that appeared in the show? -- Patrick

There are just too many to name them all but my favorite use of a song has to be Signs by Bloc Party (2.16).  I also loved Young Blood by The Naked and Famous (4.13) and Feeling Good by Nina Simone was pretty epic (3.14).  Not to mention all the uses of Bon Iver on the show.  But if I were to make a top 10 list of my favorite songs on this show, it would take me a week to pick the perfect songs.  No show has had a bigger affect on my love for music. -- DR

Will Alex have an opportunity to show off her fighting skills again? -- Lucia

I am sorry to say... no. -- DR

With CHUCK's ratings dropping to a 1.5 what is the chance that Fedak and company will change their mind to end the season finale on a cliffhanger? -- Poopmonster McGee

I don't see how they could avoid it at this point.  It feels like the ending is geared toward this cliffhanger.  So, as much as I wish they weren't doing it, I would be very surprised if they don't.  But please, show runners, surprise me by not doing it.  -- DR

Dear almighty DR, just wondering about a comment Chris Fedak made in an interview about Morgan and how he is now doing the Chuck journey all over. Does he just mean learning about how to be a spy or will it get more dark for him - ie shooting a gun or getting in way too over his head. Or will they keep him the happy-go-lucky character? -- Maddie

Morgan is definitely going to find new and exciting ways to get in way over his head.  But if there is going to be anything super dark in his future, it will not be this season.  -- DR

Dear DR, does Jill make an appearance in the final 5? -- Larry

Sadly, no. -- DR

Dear DR, is Agent X going to be a big thing and is Ellie going to be in some fighting scenes? -- Canadian Greg

I hope Agent X is a big thing.  As for Ellie doing fighting scenes... I guess she could be if she is an Intersect, if that is to what you are alluding.  So, no. -- DR

There was this sentence in CHUCK season 4 DVD review on Amazon - "In the second *finale*, Chuck and Sara [sic] must escape the revenge of the Volkov [sic] family long enough to bring off their own wedding. " Does this guy knows something we don't? -- Harku the Molester

Very generalized supposition.  So, nope.  -- DR

CHUCK gets the same Live+7 ratings as FRINGE (2.2). CHUCK is now getting a 1.5 on Mondays because of DWTS. Obviously Fridays is not such a wasteland with the FRINGE renewal. What are the odds that NBC looks at Fox's model and renews CHUCK to Friday's. It surely could do just as good as FRINGE right? -- UC15

Moving CHUCK has been discussed but whether they will do it or not is beyond my source's ability to know right now. -- DR

Question related to both original 13 and Agent X story: was Chuck to remain intersect-less until episode 13 and was the whole Agent X storyline supposed to be in the original 13? -- Siemon

Definitely not. -- DR

Could you say that Chuck and Sarah's wedding will be paid for by the CIA or will Chuck have to work at the Buy More forever? -- Sadie

Neither Chuck nor Sarah will be paying for any wedding.  By season's end, Chuck will pretty much solidify his desire to be a Buy Moron forever. -- DR

CHUCK fans are awesome and I know they like to give to charity, is there anything going on where I can donate? -- Awesome Chuck Fan

YES!  Our Princess Bailey is doing another fundraiser with her school and needs your help!  Click the link and donate as much as you can.  Thanks: http://www.mymathathon.org/BaileyB -- DR

Dear DR, I really enjoy your spoilers and I am wondering will they EVER have a mission-free episode? Like for the season finale, because I really do not want a mission on their wedding day! And are the bachelor/bachelorette parties going to be wild or is it going to be ANOTHER mission episode? -- Jade

4.21 is the closest you will get to a non-mission episode. 

Chuck's bachelor party (in 4.22) goes all wrong with some hilarious results.  Sarah seems to get a more traditional bachelorette party with hot male strippers all up in her personal space. -- DR

Dear DR, CHUCK won the Hulu and TVLine best show on TV polls. How much will that influence NBC when it comes to renewal? -- Andreas the Little Girls

It will have no impact.  Internet polls are virtually ignored by network executives.  It is too easy to set up auto voting bots.  100 people can vote tens of thousands of times.  There is no way to accurately judge their legitimacy.  The only thing that may have any weight is the USA Today TV survey and even that is a stretch.  But polls are just ways to get fans to hit a website over and over.  Whether you want to believe it or not, they are meaningless.  Plus, if you notice on the Hulu site, the mention of CHUCK winning isn't even on the first banner panel and they misspelled "Winner." (and if you don't believe me, read what Zachary Levi said about it) -- DR

Jeffster has appeared in the climactic scenes of the last two season finales, will they make it three in a row? -- Anonymous

I don't remember them being in the Intersect room in season 2 or Papa B's basement in season 3.  If you mean to ask if they will be playing during an action sequence, then I am pretty sure they won't.  But anything could change from now until they finish the episode. -- DR

Do you like this next story arc? (The cliffhanger aside, of course). -- Mamemimomu

They all have potential.  4.20 has all the makings of a classic badass episode with a couple of very funny bits.  4.21 could be a new fan favorite with Sarah's back story getting some much requested focus.  4.22 sounds to me like an episode built to maximize on the comedy.  4.23 is a big setup for the finale with some cliffhanger elements that will definitely elevate concern for our characters.  And then 4.24 is a massive episode that has a movie's worth of story to tell in 43 minutes.  So... as I often say, execution is key, but I plan on enjoying these final five episodes as much as possible. -- DR

I am sure everyone is going to ask about a wedding, but is there a funeral in the finale? -- Amrit's Puppet

Yep. -- DR

Dear DR, what is the most significant unresolved plot thread/story element that would lead into Season 5? -- Gringo Chuck Fan

This season ends on some significant game changers that the writers could do away with in one episode, or could decide to use to go in an interesting direction next season.  It all depends on their desire to be interesting or predictable. The season ending cliffhanger will at least frame the 5th season.  Also, (it is possible that) a new element is introduced to the grander story that fans will sit around discussing for a while and demand an answer to for the next year.  -- DR

NEW

Dear DR, will we see a wedding in the finale? -- Hellen

Let me put it this way, the finale is not a wedding episode.  It is a hero episode.  Whether or not you see Chuck and Sarah married is up to you to find out while watching.  Though, I strongly suggest that anyone deeply invested in seeing that temper their expectations and enjoy the ride. -- DR

EXCLUSIVE! Has CHUCK been cancelled?!

Best fan created poster ever.

15 May UPDATE: CHUCK RENEWED.

Nope.  Not even a little bit.  What?  TVByTheNumbers does this every day.  Why can't I?

Now, click here and ask questions for the next "Dear DR" blog.

Also, check out the last couple of CYT podcast episodes (explicit content).

CYT63 & CYT64

Chuck You Tuesday - Episode 64 (Adults Only)

I do the episode solo and talk CHUCK 4.19, Vs. the Muuurder and briefly talk ratings.

This episode has ADULT LANGUAGE.  Do not listen if you are sensitive to harsh language.

Please RATE and review this podcast here. You can post anonymously.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking this link.

Music used in this episode was written and performed by TOOL (in order of appearance):

Ticks & Leeches

Intolerance

4°

CHUCK 4.19: The Muuurder - Reactions

Chuck, Sarah, and Casey search for something -- Property of WB

You just watched the episode now discuss it.  Did you love it?  Hate it?  Both?  Will Sarah ever not be pretty?  GO!

CHUCK C2E2 Video

Here is a fan shot video of the C2E2 video shown at the Chicago convention on Saturday, March 19th 2011.



NEW VERSION (Thanks Mamemomomeimsmseeoo)

Chuck You Tuesday - Episode 63 (Adults Only)

We discuss Chuck Vs. the A-Team and other stuff. This episode is BARELY edited so you get a pretty raw podcast this week. I am lazy.

This episode has ADULT LANGUAGE.  Do not listen if you are sensitive to harsh language.

Please RATE and review this podcast here. You can post anonymously.

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking this link.

CHUCK 4.18: the A-Team - Reactions

As Chuck fights, Sarah gets hotter -- Property of WB

WARNING! EXPECT SPOILERS (so if you haven't watched, don't read!)

It has been TWO WEEKS since a new episode and you were all itching for more CHUCK! So, what did you think? Did the Greta stuff live up to the build-up? Did you like the Chuck and Sarah as B-Team storyline? What is the deal with Ellie? How will Captain Awesome react? Is Robin Givens getting hotter? Speak your mind!

Oh... and did you vote in the poll on the right side?!?!

Want to SAVE CHUCK? Here are actual things you can do.

This pic has nothing to do with this article. I am male. -- Property of WB

I see so many people on different sites talking about what can be done to save the show from cancellation.  I haven't really wanted to get too involved in it since I already spend way too much time on this fandom (poor widdle me), and was heavily involved in the season 2 into season 3 "save CHUCK" movement.  Not to mention the whole Chuckfest charity stuff (which still has me feeling shell shocked).

But there is so much misinformation and disinformation around, mostly from well meaning people, about how we can keep the show going that I felt I needed to once and for all point out what WILL make a difference.  So, put away your flash mob signs and your plans to march on NBC and start doing these things:

1. This first one is the MOST IMPORTANT but can only be accomplished by about 1% of US dwellers and likely 1% of people reading this right now.  WATCH CHUCK LIVE... especially if you are a NIELSEN FAMILY MEMBER.  If you are not one, or don't understand what that means, don't worry about it.  You are not one of them.  You don't need to know what it means.

But if you are a Nielsen family member, here is what you have to do to make sure your viewing of the show counts, and counts for as much as possible:

• DO tune into NBC early (at least a minute before the episode begins).
• DO have your button nearby... and click it when it blinks.  Click it every time it blinks.  Have friends and family over and have them click their buttons.  Give guests their buttons and teach them how to use them.  Remember, the ratings Nielsen wants is from people 18-49 (18-34 is even better), so if you have to lie, then your guests are males between the ages of 18 to 34.  Not that I recommend lying... but hey, SAVE CHUCK!
• If you don't have a button, then you are wearing your device.  So, ignore the button pushing part.
• DO record the episode onto your DVR (if you have one) while you watch the episode live.  I will explain why this is important to do in a few steps.
• DO NOT switch channels during commercials.  This is extremely important.  If you do, then your view will not be counted.
• DO NOT pause your live viewing (for those with DVRs) and then fast forward through the commercials.  If you do, then your view will not be counted.
• DO leave the damn remote alone while you are watching CHUCK on NBC LIVE!
• DO, I say this again, click your damn buttons when they blink, every damn time!
• DO, and this is really important, watch CHUCK again, once the live viewing is over, on your DVR.
• DO NOT, and this is really really importanter (I am just making up words now), fast forward through commercials while watching it on your DVR.  Treat it like you are watching LIVE.  
• DO watch the episode on your DVR before 3am if you missed a live viewing, while not fast forwarding, since viewings before 3am WILL count toward the overnight ratings.
• DO watch several more times within three days WITHOUT SKIPPING COMMERCIALS. In fact, if you only watch the commercials and you watch them several times, you will count towards the C3 every time (thanks dkd).  

Let me just explain that third to last point a bit more.  It used to be that if you watched the show twice (live and then on your DVR) that it was only counted once.  But Nielsen is now counting multiple viewings, provided that those viewings include all commercials without fast forwarding through them (called time shifting).  So, if you are a very dedicated Nielsen viewer, please do that.  You will make a big difference.

2. Go to WeGiveAChuck.com and follow through with the letter writing campaign.  Sure, executives at NBC might not read every letter, and they might not even receive all of them, but they do get some of these and someone reads them, and that still means something to the network.  It means a lot more than online petitions and most other fan efforts.  Hand write your letter if you can.  It means a lot more to them if you do.

3. Watch CHUCK episodes on NBC.com and not on Hulu (if you can).  When Comcast acquired majority holdings in NBC, they had to give up controlling interest in Hulu.  That means NBC makes their online viewing ad money from NBC.com.  It may not be a lot of money, but when you watch it there, you do help offset some of the cost.  This helps whether you are a Nielsen member or not.

4. Go to RewardTV.com and create an account.  Then, on Tuesdays, following a new episode of CHUCK, play the game(s) related to the episode.  Make sure to PAY ATTENTION to things in each episode and to the commercials.  This site is owned by Nielsen and is used to qualify audience engagement with ad related events throughout the show.  So, try to answer every question correctly.  Anyone can get involved.  You do not need to be a member of Nielsen.

5. Follow @ChuckMeMondays on Twitter and do everything you are told to do without question!  If you don't, then the show is cancelled.  So do it! (update: at least one brilliant mind didn't get that this was said humorously, so check out the comments section for that one and giggle mockingly)

6. Buy CHUCK gear from the official NBC Store.  And while you are at it, follow @NBCStore on Twitter.

7. Watch CHUCK On-Demand on your cable system.  It should be a free viewing with commercials (you usually can't fast forward through them).  You don't need to be a Nielsen member to have this matter.  Don't know how to do this?  Call your cable company and ask.  That is why you pay the big bucks, so make them teach you.

If I think of something else, I will add it to this list.  If it doesn't end up on this list, then it is a waste of your time.  Now, go spread the word.  If this article doesn't get 200,000 hits by the end of this month, then we are all doomed.