We Discuss CHUCK Versus The BEARD.
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AV
ReplyDeleteHey magnus good ep and podcast. I agree about what you said 3.08 in light of this ep other than chuck mentioning that he broke up with hannah it was like that ep didn't happen.Also felt very business like between shaw and sarah which felt weird in light of last ep. What did you think of that?
AV, the content of 3.08 is only lightly touched upon in future episodes. It just feels like they played it and mostly abandoned it. I think that is lame. But I love the next few episodes so... I don't really care anymore.
ReplyDeleteAV
ReplyDeleteSaw on WHAT THE TREND that chuck trended about a hour ago I didn't notice and I've been on twitter since 7:30pm.How long did it trend?
CHUCK and CHUCKTASTIC both trended at different times. But the Twitter gods clearly hate the show and quickly deleted both.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, though I was not very confident after the last 2 but:
ReplyDeleteThis is easily one of the best episodes of season 3 so far (even with Shaw in it). But I can't say this is on my favorite list.
I can't say much more, if what happened in 307/308 will have consequences in the coming episodes. It was like "wait a week to find out..."
Great podcast. The ep was okay but I miss the Chuck/Sarah interaction. This one really was more for the “bromance” shippers.
ReplyDeleteKat, you mean this was only an episode for everyone but people who only watch it for the Chuck and Sarah fauxmance? If so, then I agree. So, 84% of the fan base will love it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you say this is kind of a farewell to the old Chuck (the show, not the characer), I hope this doesn't mean the Buy Morons are on their way out as a major part of the show?
ReplyDeleteI agree that the PLI's were a mcguffin from the getgo. Why bother. They really need to move past that as an obstacle. I also agree with the blog on Hitfix that Chuck keeps having the same revelations over and over. Didn't he figure out he loved Sarah in 3 Words? In last week's episode? And again tonight? The show has always had some plotholes and the SS status is another one. Who knows what they are, so why bother hitting us over the head with them last week. I find it interesting that some guys have to beat down the C/S story to seem tough. :-) You know you guys want the nerd to get the hot girl.
ReplyDeleteI really don´t watch for the Chuck and Sarah romance only. I loved 3.08.
ReplyDeleteBut I must admit, that I watch mostly for Sarah. I hardly get any of the nerd references and I just don´t connect that much with Chuck and Morgan.
Don´t get me wrong, I do love them. I just have a hard time identifying with them.
So I really enjoyed the ep, but it definitely isn´t one of my favorites. I need more Sarah in any episode that I would count amongst those.
It was a fun ep, but a little light and for me there was too little Sarah and Casey in it. But at least for Casey the end promises some meaty stuff to come. I am looking forward to that.
Gwindor, I did not mean that the BM is going anywhere. It will be there for at least the rest of the season. You will understand what I mean in episode 11 and on.
ReplyDeleteYes that’s what I meant Magnus .
ReplyDeleteI agree awelle, I also mostly watch for Sarah so not my fav ep either, but I did still really like it.
I thought it was a great episode. Zachary Levi did a wonderful job and how awesome was Morgan Grimes.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the future episodes bring, but I'm excited for them.
Looking forward to next week.
ac
btw guys, I'm pretty sure he was going to activate Castle's self destruct function, no fighters required :)
ReplyDeleteI read the review from Daniel Feinberg at Hitfix and I think that summed up my issues with this ep better than I could.
ReplyDeleteI didn´t so much miss Sarah as I missed the drama part of the ep. Sarah is just usually involved in that.
While the Morgan/Chuck storyline was dramatic in content it wasn´t really played that way. And that was perfectly in character for Morgan. But I missed the unique blend Chuck usually offers. This seemed a little like two Buy More subplots regarding the tone.
I think the drama/comedy blend has been a little off this season. With the last eps it was the lighthearted tone that felt short and I felt that in this one the dramatic tone fell a little short.
I think you alluded to that in your preview, but I wasn´t feeling that much suspense either. We all knew that Castle wouldn´t be blown up and I didn´t feel like the ep was played very suspenseful.
I hope they will find a way to balance the drama and the comedy better in future eps, because I do enjoy both. But the dramatic part is usually what makes the story feel more real and connectable to me.
I did like how the story played out and liked the developments, but in no way was this one of the episodes that makes Chuck so unique and great for me.
What an amazing episode, OH MY GOD. It was just chucktastic, the lines were chuckalicious, everything about this episode was right!
ReplyDeleteMagnus you were so right about his episode, especially because I love Morgan and Chuck together, this episode is just way up there. I think that for me, this was probably the best 42 minutes of tv/film in my life!
The entire episode I had a huge grind on my face, loving every second of it! I mean nothing is perfect as in perfectly perfect, but this right here was the next best thing.
Anyway I'm gonna listen to the podcast now, let's see if the podcasters agree with me.
I liked this episode just fine, but have one question, because this episode left me a bit confused in one matter :
ReplyDeleteShaw/Sarah didn't have that much screentime this episode, but what they had was entirely professional, similar to what their relationship was in episode 5, with slight difference that this time she had some influence over Shaw decissions. So my question is, will the relationship between those 2 be explained in future episodes and do you think it's done in satisfying manner (ofc no need to go into details).
Kisku, their are references in the next two episodes... and depending on how you want to take those references, one conclusion or another can be determined.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very good episode, but definitely not in my top 5, probably not in my top 10. This season alone, at the minimum I enjoyed Three Words and Operation Awesome more than this one.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was the elevated expectations, but I agree with the above poster that the drama aspect wasn't quite there this week compared even to 3.7 and 3.8. Don't get me wrong this was a better episode than those, but meh, I'm not a 'bromance shipper'.
The 100% lack of info on SS was surprising (as was said, as if 3.7 and 3.8 didn't happen). And hoping that Awesome/Ellie don't really go to Africa :D
But the Casey episode for next week looks hard core to the max. Can't wait.
Anyone who says this was not one of the best is not wrong... just INSANE. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteA great episode. I really like Morgan, and I think that with him in the know of the secret, the show will have more funny moments. It was one of the best episode of the series, but I missed Sarah. I miss Sarah. Sarah is my favourite character. Now it seems like she is just Shaw's shadow. I guess we'll see Sarah in the next episode. What can you tell me about that, Magnus?
ReplyDeleteIt was great, don't get me wrong, if the intention was to bring the (in my opinion bad)drama flow in the series. In that respect I liked it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wasn't ecstatic about was that parts were a bit too over the top, but as a comedy relief episode to break up all the silly angst it was great.
Mark
well i think it was definitely an overall amazing episode seriously top 10 for sure ! but as you said i didn't like how chuck had to Realize that he was still in love with Sarah i mean that was sorta weird it should have been a statement and not a self questioning thing ... and now i bet morgan is going to be pushing chuck to speak to sarah so yeah thats it !!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the episode but tend to agree with Daniel Feinberg at Hitfix.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have a real problem with is the continuity from the previous episode 3.08. It just felt like I was watching a different show with a different storyline. While 3.08 was very powerful all that drama is totally lost if the episode is just left hanging there and not followed up in later episodes.
I am really not liking what you could be hinting at for "future references" in 3.10 and 3.11. To me it looks like a loose loose. I am a bit of a shipper so if you are hinting that the relationship between S/S is going strong I will *gulp* have to bare it, but at least the story will be consistent.
However, if the hinting is suggesting that there is nothing there than while the shipper in me will be happy I will really start to wonder what the writers were on when they thought up 3.08.
It just seems to me that season 3 is really about trying to invent any and all reasons to keep Chuck and Sarah apart in any way possible because the writers cant cope with Zach and Yvonne's on screen chemistry. JH
Magnus, you said that the content of 3.08 is only lightly touched upon in future episodes. What does this mean in regards to the "Sam" name reveal. Do Chuck and Sarah talk to each other about it at all?
ReplyDeleteIt was very enjoyable, but hardly epic. That said, it was really nice to see Chuck and Morgan reconnect. Morgan was so adorable. But continuity was off. That really bothered me. I also didn't like Chuck realizing (once again? lol) that yes he LOVES Sarah.. Meh. Too heavy handed and plain cheesy by now in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteDespite all that I really like it, and all the actors did a fine job, but to me Fake Name was so much better than this. LOVED that ep. I guess I prefer the more dramatic and darker stories.
Star
It was epic. Anyone with half a sense can see that.
ReplyDeleteAwesome episode. Don't think they could have brought in Morgan in a more satisfying way. What I think the problem is that too many people spoiled themselves by watching spoiler clips. Head and shoulders over last weeks episode, which I agree looks increasingly strange in retrospect.
ReplyDeleteLoved the podcast as usual.
Heh, easy Magnus, I know you're probably not entirely serious, but referring to people in that derogatory manner (Me: "insane", and Star: doesn't have "half a sense"), just because we didn't like the episode quite as much as you, isn't cool.
ReplyDeleteYou probably reject comments that show this sort of attitude (e.g. if someone said the writers are 'insane'). Heck maybe you'll reject this comment too, which would be disappointing. But anyway, just had to say it, and I imply nothing more than exactly what I said (blog and podcasts are consistetly fantastic).
Snowy, the only comments I reject are the jerky comments about how the show has jumped the shark because Sarah is still with Shaw and blah blah. Go to a forum to act like an idiot.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I will continue to express myself fully on my own blog. Don't like it, go create a blog called "DR is a jerkface" and you can talk about what an insane idiot I am. :) Or you can do it here. I don't delete those comments. I rather enjoy them.
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteThought it was an EPIC episode. I have watched the confession scene over and over. Great stuff.
Also, awesome podcast.
Btw. loved the "Mommy Where's Fluffy" reference during the outtakes. Thought "The Prince" was gonna kick in. ;)
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteI've just found your site and I've gotta say I really like it. Now for my question. Since all of the episodes have been written and we don't know about how the rest of the season will go ratings-wise. With what you know about the end of this season,will most fans be happier with the third season as an end to the show than the second season. Especially with Chuck and Sarah in mind?
Lee
I liked the insane, I'm one of them :)
ReplyDeleteThe episode was good, if the season had started with an episode of that level would be perfect. But nevertheless, I also thought the episode out of place. The positive side is that reduce the angst of 307/308.
Congratulations for the great work.
Hola Amigo - I must say - you're batting 1000.
ReplyDelete3.08 wasn't quite as bad as you made it seem -
and 3.09 wasn't quite as good... well nearly.
[ There was just too much hype]
It needed more Chuck and Sarah moments to be in the 'awesome' league.
Actually - if you dropped this EP in at the end of season 1 or mid season 2 - I don't think it carries as much weight. Not that season 3 has been bad - just different.
Do you think the writers intended to create a Shaw character that nobody would care about?
No personality... not loved or hated...
he just fills a plot purpose. uuuuh -
the Ring guys had more personality and charisma this week!
Loved the return of Chuck and Morgan.
Loved the Buymore gang.
Loved Ellie and Awesome as the decoys.
Loved the fact that Shaw and Sarah weren't really doing much of anything.
I expect now that Chuck is getting his balance
... kind of standing of level ground for a moment - the roller coaster is about to begin!
Vlad, I thought about kicking it in right there. :)
ReplyDeleteLee, the end of season 3 will be 10 million times more satisfying than the ending of season 2 would have been had it been canceled after that. Though, only from the perspective that we will have more progress on the story front. But it will be just as living-room fire setting bad if season 4 never happens. You will want to know what happens next. It will truly suck if we never find out.
Canadian, not every episode needs to move the Chuck and Sarah story in some way. In fact, I rather like episodes that don't.
Do you believe they will film an alternate ending to the last episode in the event cancellation is a possibility?
ReplyDeleteEG
"It was epic. Anyone with half a sense can see that."
ReplyDeleteNo, it wasn't. It was good, very good, but not quite epic. VS the Ring, Colonel and even First Class felt epic, IMO.
Star
Star, lacking taste isn't something you are... lacking? ;)
ReplyDeleteEG, I doubt it. They would have to rewrite the whole episode to make it fit some series finale and they are going to shoot it next week.
Is it true that if Chuck comes back next year 70% of the cast will be gone and this will be a much different show?
ReplyDeleteCB
CB, was that posted in an article somewhere?
ReplyDeleteI thought the episode was very good and finally made it clear that Chuck needed his overload of emotions to make the intersect work when he needs it and I felt like he understood it too. So this whole intersect drama can be soon resolved I think?
ReplyDeleteAnd I was happy there was no Sara/Chuck drama... I mean, all this back and forth for 3 seasons is getting ridiculous. Almost as bad as Danny and Lindsay from CSI:NY.. ;D But in retrospect, it was indeed weird that Shaw and Sara were so platonic and professional though I guess they had to make it more about Morgan then them. It kills the continuity but ain't that the problem of most TV shows?! (I don't even recall if we know whatever happened to Chuck's father at all.. did he just vanished again?!)
Anyways.. Amazing podcast :) and it's always nice to hear people discuss so passionately about Chuck :D
Hi Magnus, thanks for another great podcast.
ReplyDeleteWas just reflecting on the Chuck/Sarah relationship, and one of the reasons (IMHO) that it pulls you in at the beginning of season one is because it seems so genuine. Sarah in full spy mode does not expect to fall for the asset, _and_ doesn't normally go for the nerdy type - but in spite of everything seems to be falling for Chuck.
So my point...
Chuck is now able to boost his spy abilities through flashing - kung fu, languages etc. So he is developing, but developing away from Nerdy Chuck into SuperSpy Chuck. Is there a risk that the longer the writers leave the Chuck/Sarah hook up, the relationship is "cheapened" somewhat?
Chuck may have always liked Sarah, but will she (finally) fall for him because he is now more of a super-spy, not because of that first connection? I imagine the writers will have to work pretty hard to set it up so it doesn't look like that.
Just a random thought I had after watching the episode.
Hi Magnus, thanks for another great podcast.
ReplyDeleteWas just reflecting on the Chuck/Sarah relationship, and one of the reasons (IMHO) that it pulls you in at the beginning of season one is because it seems so genuine. Sarah in full spy mode does not expect to fall for the asset, _and_ doesn't normally go for the nerdy type - but in spite of everything seems to be falling for Chuck.
So my point...
Chuck is now able to boost his spy abilities through flashing - kung fu, languages etc. So he is developing, but developing away from Nerdy Chuck into SuperSpy Chuck. Is there a risk that the longer the writers leave the Chuck/Sarah hook up, the relationship is "cheapened" somewhat?
Chuck may have always liked Sarah, but will she (finally) fall for him because he is now more of a super-spy, not because of that first connection? I imagine the writers will have to work pretty hard to set it up so it doesn't look like that.
Just a random thought I had after watching the episode.
I am going to go ahead and say something most people will not like. I'd like to see chuck embrace the dark side (meaning letting himself be the intersect and lose all emotion)at least for 1 or 2 episodes. Let me now explain why: Having sarah finally save him would be the ultimate love act which would make our chuckfan hearts totally burst with emotion to the verge of tears. Point is: an easy love story is never a good love story.
ReplyDeleteI know most of you guys love chuck being him all nice and caring, but doesnt he deserve to be given a shot at being the bad guy for a while so he can flush out all the frustration and issues he has so he can finally be with sarah? hasnt he been messed with enough?
Hey Camilo, I think you may be on to something there. That would be a very interesting journey.
ReplyDeleteCamilo,
ReplyDeleteI think he needs the emotions to trigger the intersect or am I wrong here? When he tries to make abstractions of them, he just doesn't flash at all. I don't want him to be the nice guy all the time but I think he needs to learn *when* to be the bad guy and the episode with Manouche (sp?) showed that he tried once. Will it happen again? I hope so.
And I agree that he's been messed with enough already lol