Chuck (7.5): Emotional Constipation and Fake Fish...

There were two episodes of Chuck on Thursday night, and they were the last new episodes we will have until the Writer’s Strike ends. Given that fact, I am kind of upset that they aired both eps on one night, and not even Chuck’s regular night (Monday by the way). There were so many good things about these two episodes I think I might end up writing a novel here.

“Chuck vs The Undercover Lover”

Before I say anything else: all male strip poker? That was not what I was expecting.

I think that in this episode Morgan really came into his own. I like Morgan, but he became more than just Chuck’s best friend in his self-appointed role as “retail therapist.” Lester (Vik Sahay) and Jeff (Scott Krinsky) are just enough random/weird comic relief for the show, so I’m happy that Morgan is developing into a more independent character.

Since this episode focused on Casey, Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski)’s involvement was mitigated, and I think is a better balance than some of the other episodes. A huge part of the show is the romantic plot between Sarah and Chuck, and since that relationship won’t really change/move forward for a while (Writer’s Strike or not) the show could easily become pedantic. But by equalizing Sarah and Casey there is less of a chance for that.

I do have a criticism. The Casey/Ilsa story was fun, and Chuck’s determination to give it a happy ending was really sweet. It is a testament to what a good person Chuck is that he wants Casey to be happy. But having Casablanca actually playing during the first parting scene was overkill. Anyone watching who didn’t know what the plotline was based on, or the Ilsa reference, wouldn’t understand based on the snippet showing on a screen in the background, and those of us who understand are offended that the writers think so little of us.

Question: why were all of those Russians so short?

“Chuck vs The Marlin”

Woo-hoo for Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Awesome (Ryan McPartlin)! While I can’t personally understand why any woman would want to marry a guy like that, I am so happy for Ellie because now she doesn’t have to get drunk and sleep in the same bed as Morgan ever again. And Chuck knows that someone is always protecting her, so he has less to worry about. A very good think for my little Chuck, who just has too much on his plate.

And again, my slight problem with Sarah. I like her because Chuck likes her, but as explicitly stated in a previous episode, Chuck doesn’t actually know anything real about her. He knows that she is an excellent CIA agent, but his feelings for her seem odd to say the least, because they don’t have any honest emotional connection. Her desire to protect the life Chuck leads, separately from protecting his life as the Intersect, makes me like her more, but she hasn’t won me over yet.

There was something missing in this episode, and I just can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it is just knowing that there won’t be new episodes for the foreseeable future, or that the format was different (trying to follow a single thread from multiple perspectives). I don’t quite know, but I have a vaguely disappointed feeling.

Shout Outs:
Little Things to Know that Make Watching Better

Casey’s ex is Ivana Milicevic, better known as skank-bag extraordinaire from Love Actually, Casino Royale, and Just Like Heaven. Her standout performance for me was her appearance on one episode of Buffy tVS Season Six as Riely's wife. I knew I was in for something good when she appeared.

The TV Girl