What I’m Watching: Chuck (Series Finale)

There are certain things that you can expect from a series finale, especially one that has been given ample time to prepare for such an event. Usually, one hero finds him or herself in a state totally unlike normal, and often a minor villain from the show’s history becomes a major player to defeat in the show’s final hours. That was the case here, with Sarah unable to remember her past and Quinn suddenly identified as the number one threat against humanity. What’s sad in some ways is that Sarah still isn’t herself by two-hour-episode’s end, which is somewhat sweet since Chuck is working so hard to make her remember but also disappointing since their fairy tale home doesn’t happen in the way any expected it would. It was endearing that Chuck put the glasses on one last time so that he could save Beckman, but it really should have been used to restore Sarah's memory. There was also a strange reference to futuristic technology, much like the Intersect itself, actually, with Morgan’s discovery of the invisibility cloak at DARPA, which was fun if not rather unprecedented on this show. Ellie crashing the car with Sarah in it and Casey telling Beckman to shut up because they were saving her were amusing moments that had probably been building for a long time. This finale did exhibit other welcome telltale signs of characters being aware of the end as Ellie and Awesome were wooed by a Chicago hospital, Morgan and Alex moving in together, and Casey heading off to find Gertrude. Jeff and Lester’s fate was particularly fun, as they got to prevent the bomb from going off by making horrible music, resulting in a visit from a VIP that forced them to consider leaving the Buy More. And, though it will be a long time before they’re back to normal, Chuck did get the girl, and a few choice flashbacks to their important moments were sweet. As a finale, this was a fun episode, though maybe not the greatest one the show has ever produced. I’ve enjoyed this show thoroughly throughout its five years, and looking back, I’ve actually reviewed almost every episode (with a few missing) since the pilot, way back on September 24, 2007. A retrospective feature could well be in order for this show that hit its high point in the middle but never slipped back down after that. It’s been a great five years.

Series finale: B+
Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Yvonne Strahovski
Series grade: B+
Series MVP: Adam Baldwin
Best season: Seasons 2 & 3
Best episode: “Chuck Versus the Colonel”

What I’m Watching: Chuck (Penultimate Episode)

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 11 “Chuck Versus the Bullet Train” (B+)

With only the two-hour series finale left this coming Friday, this series shows no signs of letting up, with an action-packed hour that involved pretty much every series regular in a major way. I’m perhaps most impressed by the episode’s incorporation of Jeff and Lester, whose similar dreams permitted them to remember that something was afoot, and whose creepy lurking natures enabled them to be just the assets Casey needed. I loved Casey’s switch to Colonel mode when he charged them with the mission, and nothing was better than Lester’s reaction to hearing his country needed him, “Canada?” Morgan and Awesome really were terrible spies, and I’m glad that everyone is now on the same page, fully aware of what’s going on with no secrets to get in the way of their relationships. That comes with one major caveat, of course, as Sarah, whose memory has deteriorated, has now been tasked with killing Chuck by the man she thinks is her CIA handler. Her dorky bonding with Chuck over how cool the Intersect is was short-lived as she started flashing too much, an interesting reasoning for why the Intersect messed with her mind and with Morgan’s. I’m not sure that the resolution of this series will give Chuck and Sarah exactly the happy ending they’ve always wanted, but I have a feeling that it will be a fun and fulfilling conclusion, so long as neither Jeff nor Lester becomes the Intersect.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 10 “Chuck Versus Bo” (B+)

With just three more installments left after this, it’s about time that someone besides Chuck got serious about getting out of the spy business. Exits are never easy, and preparing officially for “one last mission” is never as simple as it seems. Offering Casey Ronald Reagan’s office space is a smart way to convince him, but what really needs to be resolved is this seemingly endless supply of Intersect glasses lying around. I guess that Morgan and Alex needed one more clarification that they really do love each other, with minor hiccups presented by Dale, Bo Derek, and talk of rainbows. It’s fun to have a guest like Derek, particularly for the mockery it inspired from Sarah after hearing about his poster. Morgan heading to the Buy More in Colorado was entertaining, which of course made Casey’s efforts to get rid of the creepy cousin in the family all the more difficult. The subplot of Jeff and Lester tailing them was amusing, and I’m glad it ended simply and smoothly with Casey and Morgan finally figuring out how to steer them wrong after two failed attempts. Letting the bad guy get away, however, didn’t do them many favors, as Chuck has now been captured, prompting Sarah and Casey to go in guns blazing after him. Sarah’s decision to put on the Intersect glasses was almost unavoidable, and, while it seems that everyone has been turning into the Intersect lately, Sarah is much better-equipped than anyone else to have it, with a perfect blend of serious spy skill and heart.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 9 “Chuck Versus the Kept Man” (B+)

This episode was admittedly a little silly, but I enjoyed it, especially for its focus on Casey, who didn’t know what to do with all of the affection that Gertrude was throwing at him. The gift of the cashmere sweater was amusing, and so was his reaction to the improper dining etiquette showcased in “Downton Abbey” when he was watching it with Alex. Sarah telling Casey that she’s never complained about putting on outfits for clients, throwing in one personal example by mistake, was probably the best scene of all. Chuck and Sarah both spiraling about having kids was a fantastic subplot, and I like how they’re coming closer and closer to realizing that they need to settle down and have a family. Casey and Gertrude managed to leave things in a good note, and Casey calling her his girlfriend to Alex was sweet. Jeff’s realization that Chuck, Sarah, and Casey must be spies led to an entertaining subplot which allowed Awesome to pretend to be a spy so that Morgan could have a good laugh. The revelation of Awesome’s secret workout lair was clever, but not as superb as the episode’s surprise ending. The newly coherent Lester still had some good wacky wisdom left in him, explaining that it’s not always easy to trick a mental patient. The discovery of Castle by the two least productive Buy More employees is certainly a major event in this show’s history, and something that had to happen eventually, and I can only hope that it ends well.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 8 “Chuck Versus the Baby” (B+)

This show doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of letting up as it hurtles ever closer towards its finale. The baby to which Shaw was referring turned out not to be a child in utero of her own, but instead the heir to a dynasty whose life was put in danger because of her relation to her family. The opening with Sarah carrying the child and the guns was very reminiscent of “The Matrix,” ironic mainly because of the recent appearance of Carrie-Anne Moss on this show. I was surprised and delighted to see Tim DeKay, best known these days as FBI handler Peter on “White Collar,” as the highly villainous Ryker, Sarah’s former handler and a generally not nice guy. This episode really underlined how the team came together, with Sarah’s mother suddenly coming into the picture as Chuck and Casey raced to Sarah’s aid. Ellie and Awesome’s time spent in Castle with Morgan and Alex was entertaining and generally amusing, if not a bit peculiar at a point when they were simulating spy life to rather detrimental effect. They did prove extremely useful in convincing Alex and Morgan that they should be together, and I’m glad to see that they’re finally on their way to being reunited. Now the show has just a handful of episodes to help the team wrap up whatever obstacles continue to stand before them, and Chuck and Sarah can finally find the happy ending they deserve, even if it’s not exactly the perfect home that Chuck has in mind.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 7 “Chuck Versus the Santa Suit” (B+)

I plan to remain a staunch defender of this show until its dying day, which sadly is exactly one month from today, especially if it continues to deliver enthralling episodes like this. Shaw is officially the man who won’t die, causing plenty of mayhem for the Bartowski family and their friends in seasons past and now escaped from prison to wreak more havoc on Chuck and Sarah’s lives. His plan to download the whole CIA computer database into his brain to become the Intersect 3.0 and be reinstated as a spy was cool, and it leaves me with one very pertinent thought, which is that I hope the real CIA has a much more secure network of backups and such things protecting its data from a similar type of hacking. Shaw really seems to have it out for Sarah, but fortunately some clever teamwork from Chuck, Morgan, and Casey helped to save the day. I enjoyed Casey’s usage of the electronic bear to free himself, and the flash of the Christmas movies when Shaw lost the Intersect were amusing. At the CIA Christmas party, I was pleased to see a Stan Lee cameo, and it’s nice to see General Beckman let her guard down for once. Morgan is getting closer and closer to getting Alex back as she continues to be a part of the family, and even Casey found the right words to tell her how he feels about her. Unfortunately, Shaw doesn’t seem to be done creating problems for Chuck and Sarah, dropping a big, sensible bombshell: Sarah’s pregnant! Fortunately, this is the one show taking off absolutely no time for the holidays, running new installments each week straight up to a two-hour finale on January 27th.

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.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 5 “Chuck Versus the Hack Off” (B+)

Who knew Chuck was such an awesome hacker? I loved the way this episode incorporated terrific, exciting music and plenty of highly relevant, hilarious references to Chuck’s behavior while in the zone. Guzzling white wine was one thing, but hearing that the movie “Swordfish” was based on Chuck was an entirely more terrific revelation. There’s nothing more impressive than when the team comes together to help out one of their own, and the operation to rescue Casey was no exception. Gertrude’s involvement in the mission made it even more fun, as she posed as a guard and then had some significant heart-to-heart conversations with Sarah about what it’s like to be a part of the spy life. When Chuck was thinking about turning Carmichael Industries into a computer company, I couldn’t believe that neither he nor Sarah thought of public relations as an appropriate position for her. Lester’s stint in jail and the power he got from getting everyone free cable was great, and Danny Pudi’s speedy guest spot was pretty funny as well. Guest team members seem to produce deadlier results, as Gertrude decides that she’s not willing to hand over the virus to Decker and instead plants a bomb in his hands, something which is sure to cause future problems for Chuck and the gang. It may have solved the issue of Casey being incarcerated, but with Decker out of the way, the good guys may be after Chuck without any hope of a true defense, which is sure to prompt plenty of missions and shenanigans.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 4 “Chuck Versus the Business Trip” (B+)

It’s a bit of a strange idea to have the Intersect not be a part of this show, but this installment indicates that the show is capable of functioning just fine without it, though the direction that we’ll now be headed in its remaining nine episodes is unclear. I’m somewhat perplexed about Chad Decker’s role in all this and his publicly professed glee for the fact that there was still a hit out on Morgan, but it did provide a good setup for a fun and somewhat unconventional episode. Chuck and Sarah have gone undercover together before, but there was something about this time that felt different, partly because they were actually thinking about whether this could be their real life. That’s the theme of this season, and if it weren’t for bunny-loving partiers, strangling-prone bartenders, and duplicitous would-be friends, they might actually have a shot at peaceful bliss. It was a treat to see Catherine Dent from “The Shield” as the Viper, and I would have enjoyed seeing her in a recurring role. It seems, however, that lifelong spies Casey and Sarah have managed to handle that problem swiftly and immediately, enabling everyone to have a few moments of rest and relaxation as they gather together at Awesome and Ellie’s place. That would be the case if not for one of two major arrests at episode’s end, which found Casey being taken into custody for murder by Chad and Lester arrested at Jeff’s suggestion as well. In an episode full of action, the supporting humor involving Casey’s movie recommendations provided some nice comic relief.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 3 “Chuck Versus the Frosted Tips” (B+)

This was both a fun and productive episode, which featured some unusual interactions and changed characters. I think this installment proves that Morgan being outfitted with the Intersect was a strong plot element, since it enabled Joshua Gomez to create an entirely new personality and to underscore the serious of the threat being leveled against everyone at Carmichael Industries, mostly by Decker. What I love most about this show is that Chuck was able to resolve everything by going back to pantsing, both performing the act and helping Morgan recall their mustache-laced seventh grade revenge. Seeing Morgan as an instructor mercilessly taking out his students provided a gateway into how this show could have been entirely different, if the Intersect had been abused like that by Chuck. The helipad-set confrontation between Gertrude’s people and Chuck’s was very funny, resulting in two makeout sessions and the target surrendering himself because everyone seemed crazy. Gertrude and Casey really are a great pair, and the mutual attraction makes a lot of sense. Back at the Buy More, Awesome’s boredom with babysitting his daughter led to a likely unprecedented checkup on Jeff, which, following his cessation of sleeping in the van, seems to have turned him into a frighteningly normal human being, much to Lester’s horror. I’m more actively concerned, however, with Beckman’s warning about Morgan being marked for death, and that bomb he’s about to set off which could theoretically send this show towards a very tragic end if the Bearded Bandit doesn’t survive.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 2 “Chuck Versus the Bearded Bandit” (B+)

This season’s second installment demonstrates that this final year is going to be full of fun guest stars, plenty of action, and a whole lot of plot twists. Chuck, Sarah, and Casey pitching Carmichael Industries at the security conference was a fun introduction, though of course Carrie-Anne Moss’ Gertrude Verbanski put them to shame with her company’s presentation. I almost didn’t recognize Jeff Fahey, a.k.a. Frank Lapidus from “Lost,” as Karl Sneider, the client knocked out by Morgan before being offered muffins by Casey. I’m glad to see Justin Hartley getting work following his role as Oliver Queen on “Smallville,” as his younger brother, and I liked the surprise of finding out that Karl was actually trying to kill his brother, who was in witness protection, rather than break him free from kidnappers. Sarah calling in Gertrude was a smart move, even if she was obnoxious about it. I’m glad that both Sarah and Casey didn’t end up really considering working for Gertrude, but that opened the door for a sidelined Morgan to go in for an interview. Most concerning, however, is the fact that Morgan can’t recall who Luke Skywalker is, meaning that there are some seriously adverse effects of the Intersect. I thought of Awesome to be the face of the Buy More before Mike did, and it’s hard to argue that he’s not the best spokesman in the world, citing his status as a heart surgeon while describing the plethora of things he buys on a regular basis from everyone’s favorite store.

What I’m Watching: Chuck (Season Premiere)

Chuck: Season 5, Episode 1 “Chuck Versus the Zoom” (B+)

There’s something very bittersweet about this show’s return, since it’s the last time we’ll get to start a new round of episodes of this show. Five years isn’t a bad run for a series, and at least this one will be able to go out with dignity. Clyde Decker’s closing speech helps aid the sentiment that this is truly the last hurrah, proclaiming that they are going to bring Chuck’s saga to an end. For now, however, let’s enjoy the final thirteen episodes while we still can. The big test of this premiere was to see how Morgan worked as the Intersect, something that could have translated into a monumental failure. Instead, the results are actually rather productive, with Morgan coming in strong only at the very last minute, and then occasionally faltering after that, even trying to make flashing something individualized, renaming it zooming. Most importantly, his newfound abilities make Chuck feel like the odd man out, prompting a great realization from Chuck that he is the glue that holds the team together. Trying to keep his plan for the perfect house secret from Sarah was sweet, and I like how the episode opened with their observations before panning back to reveal their predicament. I didn’t even recognize Mark Hamill, best known as Luke Skywalker, as Jean Claude. I enjoyed Morgan posing as Michael Carmichael, partially because of the hilarity of that name, and I do think that this privatized spy business could be a blast, though they do have to work on ironing out the kinks, like Casey’s bedside manner.

What I’m Watching: Chuck (Season Finale)

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 24 “Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger” (B)

There’s something awfully odd and reassuring about coming to the end of a season of this show knowing that there’s more to come. The series was given a thirteen-episode final season order by NBC last week, which is actually perfect, because the show has gone on for a while and can now properly wrap itself up with more than enough notice. This fourth year has marked the show’s longest season to date, after thirteen, twenty-two, and nineteen episodes, respectively. While I might say that this has been the show’s weakest season, that’s not to say that it was remotely bad, just that the second and third were both awesome. This is one of those instances where twenty-four episodes might be a bit too much, and a shorter, more succinct season might have been more beneficial. This season has been about Chuck and Sarah getting closer together, Casey and Morgan building a relationship with Casey’s daughter, and Chuck and Ellie finally getting their mother back and trying to take down Volkoff. I liked seeing some of Hartley in this episode, especially since Volkoff, for all his speeches and shenanigans, wasn’t all that evil, and it’s nice to think that there was a kindly scientist in there all along. While Chuck was inevitably going to save Sarah, it’s still fun to see it play out, complete with tons of Russians to give Casey the creeps. Richard Burgi is a terrific addition to any show, and I’d be intrigued to see if he recurs in some fashion in the next season. The last few minutes are always the most crucial in judging a season finale, and while the revelation of a meticulous conspiracy to have Chuck become the intersect isn’t such a shocker, having Morgan download the intersect is. It’s a bit corny, but it makes sense that Chuck’s furry best friend would put on a random pair of sunglasses to celebrate his good fortune. That last line is amusing, and I’m eager to see how season five starts out, though I do hope that Morgan isn’t the Intersect for long, since that really wouldn’t work all that well. See you on Fridays in the fall!

Season grade: B/B+
Season MVP: Adam Baldwin as Casey

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 23 “Chuck Versus the Last Details” (B+)

Even if the sudden infusion of the recently relatively absent Mary into a mission just before the big wedding feels a bit random, it’s good to keep everyone on their toes at this point, especially considering the level of activity the last time a Bartowski got married. It’s also fun, if a bit light, to have Chuck tested in terms of his manliness and devotion to his bride-to-be by having to beat Casey up in front of an enemy guard. Sarah seems almost indifferent to the situation, but she does think that her guy is sweet for trying, which is nice. I’m most pleased by the spotlighting of Chuck’s abilities as an unconventional spy, someone who is able and ready to point out to Vivian Volkoff that she’s not this person and that she doesn’t have to be evil. It’s hard to resist when you have Ray Wise whispering devilish thoughts in your ear, though, and now that Vivian has decided that she wants to take Sarah away from Chuck, there’s no turning back. I too thought that it might be a minor character like Mary who, like her husband, could easily be killed off and leave a dent in the show without truly transforming it. Sarah, on the other hand, would be a significant loss, and I’m curious what Chuck and his crew are going to do since he’s never quite been in a situation of having to save her from certain death. Next week marks the season finale, and on that same day we’ll learn for sure whether or not the show will be back next year.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 22 “Chuck Versus Agent X” (B+)

Just because I saw the end of this episode coming from the start doesn’t mean it wasn’t still a lot of fun. Several seasons ago, I correctly predicted that Jill was an agent of Fulcrum, and now, the situation is completely opposite. I like the fact that Volkoff, an already complicated character, has this secret past, and that this scientist and Chuck’s father were good friends. I very much enjoyed the presence of Hartley’s mother, who instantly bonded with Casey after she told him that he’d be feeding her rounds for a gun to fend off enemy attackers. The bachelor party confusion with Las Vecas and later Renaux was decently amusing, and even if it was only one joke, it’s still fun to see everyone paired up, be it Morgan and Casey, Chuck and Awesome, or, most entertainingly, Lester and Big Mike. The use of Kesha music to score some of the scenes was fun, and I’m proud to report that I couldn’t actually identify the artist since I had only heard mockeries of her name and didn’t actually know which tracks to attribute to her. Seeing Sarah squirm at the idea of having to relax at Ellie’s boring bachelorette party was funny. Speaking of Ellie, it seemed strange to me that she still didn’t know and Chuck was making such a big deal of it, but I have to say that I was wildly impressed with the reveal of his abilities to her, which really made him seem truly formidable and, well, awesome.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 21 “Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner” (B+)

What a blast this episode was! After I expressed my doubts last week, it’s so thrilling to see a fantastically creative episode that so completely circumvents the storylines that have been holding this show back in recent weeks and still manages to address enough of them to drive the plot forward appropriately. Starting with the flashbacks to a young Sarah and her piggy bank was smart, and it was cute to have her father leave it for her at the end with plenty of money to pay for the wedding. I loved the setup of this episode, with Chuck and Sarah’s wedding planner revealed to be a con woman. This caper was so much fun, and it was hilarious to see Chuck and Sarah try to create a fake mission, complete with Chuck’s inability to fake a flash and Sarah’s impression not turning out to be too much better. Morgan and Alex both trying to convince Casey to talk to Alex’s mother was fun, and it’s enjoyable to see the two of them displaying such similar physical mannerisms. This show is succeeding so well in crafting two wonderful couples, and it’s a pleasure to see them trying to pull off their respective goals. The Bat Mitzvah-based mission was great, and I really liked the trajectory of this episode. Awesome meeting Sarah’s dad was fun too. My favorite line from the episode, hands down, was all in the delivery, conveying Sarah’s lack of knowledge about some of the smaller things in life: “What is a Super Shuttle?” More episodes like this, please!

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 20 “Chuck Versus the Family Volkoff” (B)

I’m sad to be appearing to lose faith in this show since I’ve always been a staunch supporter of it, especially after Chuck and Sarah officially got together as a couple. For starters, and this should be obvious from my episode grades, it’s nothing like some other shows such as “Desperate Housewives” or “Smallville” which have almost completely lost me, winning me back only occasionally and briefly. Instead, it’s just a bit less engagement with the storyline. I still like seeing my favorite characters, but I don’t feel that their current overarching plotlines are as strong as they’ve been in the past. Namely, Volkoff, his daughter Vivian, and normal Mama Bartowski just aren’t as awesome as Shaw, the Ring, or a number of the episodic villains we’ve seen over the past few years. It’s still a whole lot of fun, and I particularly like how the music continues to be incorporated excellently into the show. The relationship drama also works rather well, and it’s sweet to see Chuck attempt to write a prenup that necessitates a promise never to get divorced or stop loving him. It’s fun to see Casey try to step into his role as a father, awkward hug at all, and I’d love to see him get some romance if Alex’s mother finds out that he’s alive. Alex is definitely a great character, and I’d love to see her showcased more on the show, and maybe even involved in some sort of mission since it’s always fun to bring in the fringe characters for the action.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 19 “Chuck Versus the Muuurder” (B-)

This wasn’t my favorite episode. I like this show when it’s simple and normal, and having a slew of guest stars like this just wasn’t necessary. Generally speaking, however, it was harmless, though of course it contained the severest body count I’ve witnessed in a long time. This feels much more like an extra special episode of “Psych” (for the record, not as good as a regular episode) than an installment of this show. Additionally, I think part of the problem was that none of the featured guest characters were all that interesting, and I’d like to have things back to the way they used to be when it was just our team. I did like how Director Bentley and Chuck seemed to bond in the final moments before her ultimate sacrifice, and she’s a character who became much less annoying and far more useful just as she made her exit from the show. The Kevin Bacon Largemart plotline was okay, and I enjoyed recognizing David H. Lawrence XVII, also known as Doyle the puppet master from “Heroes,” as Marvin, in a role that really suited him. Having Ellie work on the computer and seem so into it and tuned out from the rest of the world, as I said before, is a good use of her, and I’m hopeful that the latest turn of events, following Awesome and Chuck’s unsuccessful attempts to halt her research, will bring her into the main plot in a way that gets her involved and doesn’t put her directly into the crosshairs of one Vivian Volkoff.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 18 “Chuck Versus the A-Team” (B+)

I remember that there was an “Alias” episode back in 2006 with a brilliant title: “There’s Only One Sydney Bristow.” The reason I think of that is because this episode demonstrates that, above all else, there’s only one Chuck Bartowski. He definitely earns points for the most creative and life-saving use of a juice box since the pilot of “Jericho,” but it’s more than that. Seeing the two Gretas flash was a far less satisfying experience than seeing Chuck flash, and that’s not just because the bursts may have been more exaggerated and made to feel sharper than those Chuck has. Chuck calculates and digests information in a different way, one that prompts him to think about using salt water – via sodium in apple juice – to diffuse a bomb and not simply shoot someone because you have a clear shot. It’s no surprise that General Beckman and Casey came to the realization that Chuck is not replaceable, and it’s a good thing it didn’t take long. I would have loved to see Summer Glau return as one of the Gretas in this episode, and maybe she can join up full-time now that NBC sister series “The Cape” is pretty much dead. It’s interesting to see the Ellie computer plotline brought back somewhat out of the blue, especially as Director Bentley is the one who gave her back the computer. I think this is a fantastic way to get an underused character involved in more of the plot and, hopefully, the action, and a good direction for the show to go as it approaches its final episodes of the season.

What I’m Watching: Chuck

Chuck: Season 4, Episode 17 “Chuck Versus the First Bank of Evil” (B+)

There’s nothing like a great guest star to help a show bounce back from a bit of a slump. Having two in one episode also helps, and therefore it’s a thrill to see Ray Wise and Francois Chau joining the cast. I immediately recognized Wise’s voice before I saw his face, and it’s great to have him back in a role almost as meaty as the one he had on “Reaper,” pulling the strings of his selected puppet like it’s his business. Chau will be familiar to any “Lost” fans as Dr. Pierre Chang, also known as Dr. Marvin Candle, and it’s fun to have him simply for the use of his voice as the bank manager. One moment of this episode I didn’t quite buy was his falsely dramatic “you have….passed our test!” Fortunately, everything else worked well. Having Ellie help Sarah start to get excited for her wedding was a nice way of reincorporating the new mom back into the storyline, and I loved how Sarah turned into a monster bride-to-be. Morgan’s search for a new roommate was predictably wrought with difficulties mostly perpetrated by Jeff and Lester, and I enjoyed how a nervous Morgan managed to blackmail Casey into letting him stay with him. On a larger scale, it seems that we’re getting back to an overarching multi-episode thread just episodes after the takedown of Volkoff with his daughter, and I think it’s quite fascinating. Positioning Chuck as an agent required to lie to his asset helps to give this show an appropriate and compelling dramatic backbone.