What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 6 “Chuck Versus the Curse” (B+)

This show seems to really be entering fatalistic mode, putting all of its characters permanently on the run under extremely tentative circumstances as if its universe is aware that it’s ending. The setup of this episode, with the rarely-featured, especially lately, Awesome and Ellie going out to dinner and deciding to pretend to be spies, was slightly forced, but it ended up being quite entertaining, as both thought the other was responsible for their wild adventures and promptly panicked upon realizing that neither had orchestrated it. Rebecca Romjin made for a good villain as the torture-loving Robin Cunnings, and with Sarah and Casey’s help, Chuck seems to be dismantling his enemies one at a time. Beckman’s help has been quite useful, and there are few things I love more than some well-communicated Morse code. Her bonding with Casey over their dark hours, otherwise known as the Clinton years, was quite amusing. Morgan’s search for Chuck’s P.A.N.T.S box was great because it gave him a chance to reconnect with Alex, who may just forgive him and fall back in love with him now that she’s seen their photograph front and center in his P.A.N.T.S. box. Sarah’s fervent desire not to let Chuck get bogged down by the notion of a Bartowski curse is sweet, and they should be able to accomplish anything together, though the outbreak of the Omen virus is definitely going to be an obstacle they’re going to have to deal with in the very near future.