Didn't see a topic... so... here we are.

I have to gather some detailed thoughts on this epi. I'll post those later.

TV.com says about this episode:

I'm sensing a drinking game is necessary for "gratuitous camera shots of Sarah." Because DAMN.

I liked that we had an entire episode about Sarah but really didn't learn much about her except that she doesn't like black olives. She's an enigma.

I missed a few minutes towards the end, did they get the diamond back?

Ask and ye shall receive! Although it should probably be changed from just Sarah to a more general "hot chicks"... because dayum.

Why aren't more people posting? :( I hope it's just because everyone is watching Heroes!
I liked this episode! It was kind of sad at the end, but Chuck is just too cute. He's really growing on me, he's looking hotter every week. I found Morgan a bit annoying in this episode and I wished we could've seen a bit more interaction between Chuck and his sister.

Who was the chick that played the other spy? Because, yes, she was hot. Very very hot.



Yeap, Chuck mailed it to Candyman.

I loved the end, when Chuck tells the goon to back off, he does so, only to say "So now what?"

You know, I didn't hate Morgan in the pilot, but now? I have to resist the urge to change the channel every time he's on-screen. Ugh.

Otherwise? Pretty good ep. The terrorist angle is overdone, but I'm glad Chuck found out about Sarah and Bryce sooner rather than later, and the scene between him and Sarah at the end was awww-worthy (Yeah, I knew before Carina did that Sarah was falling for Chuck). And that was way cool when Chuck mailed the diamond to Sarah and Casey's bosses (I especially loved Tony Todd's line, "You didn't!" Hee).

I loved the ep overall. Zach Levi is adorable, and Yvonne plays Sarah so well. At the end of the final scene, I was saying, "Just open up a bit, you ice queen!"

A little dissappointed because a lack of Casey. I need more snarky comments from him. :)

Wowie, zowie, we're off to an even slower start than after last week's epi! Damn you playoffs! Damn you, Heroes! Damn you, mysterious and unexplainable lack of Chuck viewers!


Comments this week:

1.) Real DEA Agents are SO not ninja spies. Another bit of pseudo-spy sillyness we have to swallow. Oh, well.

2.) Wow. FINALLY Sarah has a Weinerlicious boss! Who's around for all of 2 seconds of screen time. Oh wait. He gets two more seconds later on. Still, I like the fact that Sarah's fake job has some real world consequences, even if they are creatively brushed over most of the time.

3.) I think they found the only believable way for Chuck to learn, this early on, about Sarah's relationship with Bryce. It HAD to come out, and this was a relatively painless way to do it quickly. A real relationship between Sarah and Chuck had to have a big barrier established soon, especially since the "she's a killer" thing was kind of dealt with. So now its both Bryce AND Sarah's aura of secrecy.

4.) I love the idea that Casey has been caught with the SAME honey trap TWICE ("just like Prague"). And Casey in the elevator with the mom & kid was PRICELESS.

I wasn't expecting a more emotionally serious episode, but fortunately I was well-trained by Joss Whedon for shows that change tone on a dime. I liked this ep a lot. I care about these characters, and that helps keep the spy stuff fun instead of eye-rollingly silly. Well, it's still eye-rolling, but I'm rolling withit, not at it.

And now for the shallow end. Chick fight! Woo!! I haven't had a chance to rewatch yet, but there was a shot where I think we saw a nice portion of the backside of Sarah. Thank you, costume person, for that little bathrobe.

Adam Baldwin tied up in his boxers trying to talk through a gag? Hi-larious. The only LOL moment of the ep for me. Otherwise he wasn't in the ep much, but this was mostly a Chuck and Sarah show.

I was nearly holding my breath during the last scene. I thought it was almost emotionally perfect. And her middle name is Lisa.

Ok was that guy really that hairy or did they add to the hair?

And Morgan getting more play than Chuck is wrong.

Yes. Yes she was. And I must say, I am thoroughly enjoying this show's propensity for hot spy chicks in their underwear (while sometimes fighting.) That's just a wonderful, wonderful thing. And I'm sure if they publicized that a little bit more? The ratings would take a noteworthy upswing.


Hah. Agreed. That's definitely making it up on my favorite quotes list.

I'm so glad I tuned in here...Did anyone else notice Mr. "Kidney stoooones" from Friends??? I love that guy! And I have to say I liked this episode, even though more Morgan and less Captain Awesome makes me sad. I really enjoyed now proud Chuck was when they were getting debriefed (?) after the whole diamond fiasco was over. So cute. I think I love Mr. Levi. I'd definitely touch that!

Other than that, it was amazing that all Chuck learns about Sarah from Sarah was that she doesn't like olives. Even the whole Bryce thing is something that it still somewhat mysterious. Very interesting, considering this whole ep seemed quite Sarah-centric compared to the rest. I like it. Not too much is given away, and it's keeping me interested. Yes, I am also watching Heroes. That may be why not many posts have been posted yet (or so I hope - this show is, well, it's AWESOME!!).

I absolutely loved Chuck's plaintive, "You told me Peaches ran away" to his sister in the beginning. And Ellie's reassuring "She did" all the while glaring at Morgan. Who, by the way, if infinitely creeping me out by knowing every facet of Chuck's life down to details Chuck himself didn't know. Like, I'm sure Ellie and Captain Awesome didn't tell Morgan about Peaches' untimely demise. So how did he know???

My favorite part was definitely the whole scene where Chuck asked Sarah to say no to setting Morgan up with Katrina (or however you spell her name). But the other parts were definitely fun. I'm getting a little pissy at Sarah not recognizing the reasons for why Chuck wouldn't automatically believe her; it happened here and in Chuck versus the Helicopter. At some point, the girl's gotta learn that you've got to give a little to get a little. Chuck can't just be randomly placing all of his trust in these people! Especially not with the NSA wanting to have Casey kill him at some point! A little worrisome paranoia is a good thing for the guy! At the same time, I still do love Sarah, so the writers are doing a good job.

I also have a fondness for how Chuck knew about the security system -and why it is helpful that he works at Buy More and has a computer in his head. Go Chuck!

I think we definitely saw part of Sarah's "secret" in that bathrobe fight.
Loved the random Nerd Herder's "Isn't there a nicer establishment where the beautiful people can shop?"
Way funnier in delivery than on the page. Count me among those who are finding Morgan's schtick annoying.
They need much smaller doses of him.

So Mr. Badass has a libido. Absolutely loved that the duplicitous Karina got the (trou) drop on him AGAIN.



ROFL!

Great scene at the end - the way Sarah answered his question, but quietly, so that he couldn't hear. You can tell this keeping Chuck at emotional arms' length stuff is starting to get to her. And his little grin (again), when Karina told him Sarah was developing feelings for him. Awwww.....! Zach Levi is nailing this role, and I am so this show's bitch.

I agree with, sadly, the few of you that this show is starting to hook me. They are doing a good job of developing the characters without giving too much away. It makes me want to tune in next week.


That’s because it is “complicated”.


I loved when the Wookie said, “Give me the diamond” and Chuck held it out immediately only to retract when spy girl #2 said, “No”. Chuck is so cute. His expressions are priceless.

That's where I know him from!!

I liked the flinging of the plate and the elevator scene.

Where was the sister and Captain Awesome??

I think Chuck is just so yummy! I love this show!!

No but really. Katrina was really hot. I wonder if this show will have attractive women fighting every single week.

Morgan was really funny, I thought. My only problem was a lack of Captain Awesome.

I also noticed that Sarah's boss was Roger who was on one episode of Season 4 of the OC but had a hilarious exchange with some of the other characters.

I love this show! Chuck is endearing, Sarah is totally hot and cool, and I like the spy-lite, fun feel. I liked the olives thing, too, and how that's all we really learned about her. I am very intrigued by this show and am liking how the are giving us just enough, and not trying to cram in backstory too soon.

Morgan was annoying though. Less Morgan, more hot girl fighting please!

Yvonne S absolutely slayed me at the end when she couldn't (wouldn't?) give Chuck any personal info about herself. Also, this time I was kind of Sarah's side about the trust issue. Last time Chuck couldn't have known he was stepping on a sensitive topic and so it was kind of fruitless for her to yell at him. But this time we're four episodes in and he shouldn't have had a quiet little tantrum in the form of the diamond-giveaway because she didn't tell him about Bryce. Save it for later, Chuck, when national security isn't at stake.

I wasn't as big fan of this episode. How many times is Sarah going to betrayed by Chuck's lack of "trust" when she means something by "trust" that's very far from common usage?

Morgan just annoys. He should be background like the rest of the nerd herd. If we need Chuck background, I want more of the sister and Captain Awesome or flashbacks.

Wow, Chuck is all kinds of awesome. I decided to stop watching Prison Break because it was driving me insane, and guess what other show shares the same time slot? That's right, CHUCK.

Four episodes in and I'm already addicted and if they cut this show, I might ACTUALLY seriously cry.

Man, it'd appear I missed a lot of good lines, I'll have to go back and rewatch this.

Sarah was wearing flesh-colored underwear under her robe. Which you cannot really see at full speed, so it totally looks like we're getting a free show. Excellent work, director.

In all seriousness, there is some nice camera work. I like the shots where Sarah sees Carina in the chrome. I also didn't really notice the first time the shot where she picks the olives off her pizza, which pays off in the last scene. The chick fight was shot pretty well too. Best to keep to the quick cuts and shakey camera, the better to hide the fact that Yvonne throws punches about as convincingly as Sarah Michelle Gellar.

I am loving this show and thought tonight’s episode was very enjoyable. It seemed to have it all: funny, heartwarming, sexy, and action. I was dying with Casey in the elevator. The look on the mother’s face was priceless. I like how many elements are being interwoven and we are learning little bits at a time. Good character development. Ditto to all who need Morgan in small doses – it would save the Urkelness of his appearances.

I talked this show up at work today and hoping to bring some new viewers for next week.

Oh damn. I'm really beginning to like this show (and shows I like tend to be ratings challenged). They'd better not cancel it before Chuck and Sarah hook up.

I really like how they are shooting the fight scenes- some really nice editing going on there.

Casey is hilarious, and oh I hope Chuck finds out a little more about Sarah Lisa. Although, wouldn't he know all about her since he has that database in his head? Or is this a plot point I should let slide and just enjoy the show?

Well, I missed this episode because I off at an event. I could have swore that the previews for this episode said it would be in two weeks from episode 3. Now, I am regret going to the event. Must go to ratings and schedulings to ask a question.

Something's wrong when you see Casey handcuffed to a bed, and what you think is, "Hmmm. That looks like the same headboard you liked at West Elm."

This is easily my favorite new show of the season. Probably my second favorite of the last 2 seasons. It's just so breezy and fun.

Yvonne and Zach have great chemistry. It is hard to make the typical 2 people who want to "hook-up" but can't thing work on a show like this and they just do it so well. The scene at the end was great. Hilarious seeing Adam Baldwin cuffed to the bed in boxers. Nobody mugs better than Adam Baldwin.

Oh, and yes, hot spy women fighting is a very nice bonus. Seriously, hope NBC sticks by this show for a while.

I think I may be hearing things but I swear Sarah said "shit" as she was changing into her Wienerlicious uniform.

This is the first episode of anything this season that I actually feel like going back and rewatching. I think the tone that they're striking is exactly the right mixture of plot, character, and camp. I'll cry if they don't keep this show.

Never thought I'd ship another set of spies (damn you, Alias), but I'm so loving Sarah and Chuck!

I thought I heard that too but I rewound and she said "shift."

I went through the same thought process as well. I feel a little bit of The OC injected today.

Okay, I'm hooked. After watching the scene where Chuck accidently drops the Fedex package in the chute, I knew I was adding this show to my tv lineup. So hilarious! And I love Adam Baldwin, he brings such great snark. Oh, and the music selection is awesome (I loved their use of Spoon, one of my favorite bands). This show is just such great light, fluffy fun compared to the usual angst and drama I watch.

Someone getting into a trouble is getting a bit tiresome, I mean if they are this good of agents how come every week Sarah is held at gunpoint? That is starting to grate, but the end scene. Damn. Her whispering her middle name so queitly was very poignant.

I agree completely.

And I'm definitely noticing the high amounts of hot girls in skanky outfits fighting eachother on this show... I hope the boys watching this are enjoying it. I know it's kind of sexist, having women dressed in practically nothing, but I'm actually okay with it (as a female). I like how strong the female character(s) are, and intelligent. Watching them kick ass is great entertainment for me.

And I'm female...

Man, I just LOVE this show. Everything about it. It's easy on the eyes and the jokes are there, some drama, and great action sequences. They could have used more Casey today though. He hardly got a line in today.

Oh, and Zach Levi...? Adorkable. Morgan, however, not. Whatever haircut (or hair colour treatment) the actor got makes him look weirder, and not in a good way.

I was waiting for the ever obvious kiss that should have happened in the last two minutes, but it never came. Of course. I assume they'll milk the 'romantic' storyline as far as they can, and I'd recommend they do. Keep revealing the secrets slowly every week, not TOO slow but slow enough to keep us watching.


I'm sure you boys loved it!

I'm definitely hooked. The best campy spy show EVER. If they cancel it there will be a protest!

I totally thought she said "shit" too. Thanks for clearing that up.

I am loving this. I'm so glad I decided to give up Prison Break so I don't have to wait to watch Chuck.

Her name's Mini Anden. Apparently she's a Swedish supermodel to boot. I have to commend the casting folks on this show... they sure are swell at their job.

I have no problem with the show being formulaic as long as the characters remain compelling. I loved that they used the diamond storyline, which is a classic cartoon plot. I'd rather see them poke fun at the spy world than try to make it realistic.

I LOVE this show! Every character is perfectly cast (with the exception of Morgan, who's only tolerable in very small doses) and it seems to hit just the right mix of comedy and action-adventure. Most importantly, the show has real heart to it and the central characters are endearing. It seems like the perfect lead-in to Heroes, and I feel as though it should be attracting a bigger audience than it is. I really hope ABC gives it a full season so more people can discover it... it's a perfect little gem of a show, and perfect for a Monday night escape.

On rewatching, they cleverly used the game with Ellie & Captain Awesome to work in Chuck's backstory with Bryce Larkin from last episode. They really work at emphasizing memes and catching people up with the show.

That would explain the slight lapses in accent. Hardly noticeable unless one were looking for it.

I think I found the ratings problem.

It is on NBC.

redbirds said it all.

Oh Morgan is perfectly cast too. He's SUPPOSED to be that annoying.

I find I have a much greater tolerance for him than most. Not because I like him more, but because I think I've gotten over any impulse to have to like every character I see and kind of see the benefit of having an irritant that the other characters can play off of. I compare him, of all people, to classic "irritating" characters like Charley on that classic bad sitcom "Empty Nest" (aka "David Leisure" aka "Joe Isuzu"). Not that Morgan looks or acts like Charley, but he serves the same overall purpose--to be kind of a leech where comedy is milked from those leech-like qualities.


Because being Swedish, she's already bound to be hot... so they have to pile on with her being a SWEDISH SUPERMODEL.

The cheekbones are incredible.

Yeah so I am totally watching Heroes but I'm taking a break to say how much I love Chuck. I'm a happy nerdy girl and I've always liked the nerdy boys and Chuck, if he were a real man, is my dream date. I love the tension between Sara and Chuck and the campy atmosphere. It's reminding me of the Greatest American Hero from back in the day, and I loved that show too. Loved the wookie references. More Casey! Prison Break - you probably aren't getting me back either.

BTW in Canada the show is on City so the network curse doesn't hold north of the border.

I don't want to ask how you figured this out, do I?

OK, I'm calling them Charah and I love them! The tension between the two of them is so well played and well acted, especially that scene at the end. Oh, it hurt my heart. My other favorite ship right now is Jam on The Office, but the thing I love about Charah is that, unlike Pam and Jim, they both KNOW there's this tension between them. They KNOW they are attracted to the other person and the other person is attracted to them [based on various hints] but there is no third wheel person standing in their way [Roy or Karen on TO]. It's only this IDEA that they can't be together. I'm sorry, but an idea is alot easier to wish away than a significant other. Despite that, I think the show is doing a great job pacing this relationship out and I really hope they don't blow this tension away too early.

As for Morgan, I know I'm in the minority, but I loved him tonight. You have to remember that Morgan is the one that grounds Chuck in the non-spy world. Face it, if it weren't for the spy thing, a Chuck would be left with a Morgan and no Sarah. And yet, here was Morgan, Casanova of the Buy More sales team getting a date with a girl that breaks his heart. Ugh. I just felt for poor Morgan. [but he does need a haircut and that beard needs to be tamed. Make-up!]

After tonight's show, I just wanted to invite Morgan and Chuck over for dinner, make them a nice casserole, and have a Dr. Mario tournament with them on my old-school Nintendo.

PS -- Thank you, Wardrobe People, for bringing back the maroon t-shirt. Oh, and I like the blue one now, too!

I really enjoyed the pilot, thought the second episode was pretty good, and loved the third episode, but this one was just bad. The DEA agent was the main problem. She pushed the already high T&A quotient to an absurd level. The actress gave a bad performance; I'm normally terrible with accents but it was hard to miss her sudden shift halfway through the episode and that was the least of her problems. And the already confusing take on American national security agencies -- they don't just argue, they literally fight and try to kill each other -- was made worse when Sarah and the DEA agent fought at the beginning of the episode for no apparent reason (seriously, can anyone explain that? that made zero sense to me). I also agree with the other people who noted the logic problems involved in Sarah getting angry at Chuck again for not trusting her. Worse, the last time it happened Chuck had a good reason to listen to Casey and not trust Sarah, but this time it felt more like Chuck made the decision because the writers needed him to so there could be dramatic conflict between Chuck and Sarah.

If I sound harsh it's because I've really enjoyed the show so far, and in a season filled with few notable newcomers, it's definitely stood out. There were still lots of well done and fun things in this episode, ranging from Chuck's ingenuity mailing the diamond to the scenes at the Buy More to Sarah whispering her middle name at the end of the episode (well played by Yvonne Strahovski). The cast is great and Zachary Levi is giving a breakout performance. Even the action scenes, while not spectacular, are cool when everyday objects are used as weapons. The show has a lot of potential, but as it goes forward it needs to avoid the problems that plagued this episode. I wonder how much of it is network-mandated; a lot of it felt like "we need another hot babe!" and "we need a third kick ass action sequence!" and then having to write around it. I hope next week is better.

I imagined the final olive scene was going to play out like this:

Chuck & Co. are having another game night. They have pizza again. We see Chuck in the kitchen preparing. He hazards a look toward Sarah, who's chatting with Ellie. He hands out slices and Sarah notices hers has no olives, but everyone else's does. She looks to Chuck, who doesn't notice her gaze. She gives him a short peck on the cheek and turns her attention to the game. Chuck turns to look at her again and touches his cheek. His expression clearly says, "That couldn't have had anything to do with our cover."

I must admit that the aired version works better into the plot of the show.


I don't really find him that annoying. He's fine in his Buy More scenes or those at Chuck's apartment, except for every scene where he interrupts Chuck and Sarah during an intimate talk. He always screws up a scene that could be just as effectively interrupted by Ellie or CA or Casey. It could become a recurring theme, with a different person each time. It would drive the audience crazy.

I missed Captain Awesome, too, but I don't want him in a scene unless the writers can come with a new, creative way to work his use of the word "awesome" into the scene.

Hey, writers, here's a bone:

CA walks in to Ellie's apartment, wearing something outfit declaring he's come back from an extreme sport. Several characters are present.

CA: Hey, everyone, [snowboarding/skydiving/whitewater-rafting/etc.] was...
Everybody: (drolly) Awesome.
CA: Yeah. (strolls to his room, unaffected)


Unfortunately, that was a perfect occasion for a lame Casey excuse ("This isn't what it looks like..."). Cut to Casey with a grin-worthy Casey-esque expression, and back to the mom. Instant laughter. I wish we knew how far Casey got with Karina before he was tricked. I can't believe he was stupid enough to let himself handcuffed again without least making it past first base. Because in all honesty, I would let myself get handcuffed for getting past first base.


The real names of agents and their personal information would not need to be in the intersect computer between the NSA and CSI.

ETA:


I'm with you. It was 100% gratuitous. Sarah had a reason to attack, but Karina had no reason to prolong the fight. They could have injected some credibility into the scene had Karina taken a more defensive stance and finally just pinning Sarah. They could have ended with two lines of dialog that would make it more believable.
Sarah: Karina? Why didn't you just say it was you?
Karina: What's the fun in that?
There: personalities preserved, logic maintained.

Also props on Morgan's Tyrell Corporation messenger bag. Loved the shout out.

I'm so glad there are people on the board who notice those things. I saw the Tyrell bag and couldn't place it. So annoying.

You geeks are good.