OK, not every episode of Chuck can be grade-A material. "Chuck vs. the Cubic Zirconia" had its moments, but too much of it felt like the show spinning its wheels—something that got it into trouble last season. Call it a "bottle episode." Call it cubic zirconia-quality. Here's this week's report card.
Agents Bartowski and Walker: Both were confronted by demons—or, more accurately, adversaries—from their pasts, Chuck and Sarah fared pretty well. Sarah's story was the more compelling one, since her high school frenemy Heather Chandler (Nicole Richie) is way cooler than Chuck's meathead baddie Hugo (Steve Austin). (Come on, she's named after a character from Heathers. That's awesome.) I have few complaints about how Chuck and Sarah work as a team. I'd argue that their pairing—at least as spies—was this episode's high point. Still, it's hard to compete with last week's catwalk throwdown: The low-budget vibe felt too restraining.
Grade: B+
Agent Casey: Casey, Casey, Casey. I'm thinking we need a Casey episode, stat. I hate having him sidelined, and that's what I see happening. I get that the series wants to focus on the long-awaited pairing of Chuck and Sarah, but I don't like that Casey so often gets shoved to the backseat. And now he's faced with a mandatory vacation? That feels lose-lose to me. If they keep Adam Baldwin off the show for a couple weeks, we get less Casey. If they do show Casey playing dad to Alex, as Sarah suggested he do, then we get more of huggable, vulnerable Casey. Big guns and knives, please. The emotional stuff is a good reward from time to time, but I miss the old Casey.
Grade: B
Morgan: Sadly, Morgan got shafted in this episode, too. Last week, he finally got the respect he deserved when General Beckman took his suggestions to heart and appointed him General Manager of the Buy More. This week? He screwed things up royally. Sure, the Buy More plot was secondary to everything going on in Castle—more on that in a bit—but what happened to assertive, confident Morgan? It's not like he has a lot else going for him. Although Chuck let him do some spying in the season premiere, it seems as though Morgan's going to be relegated to Buy More duty for a while. It would be nice if he were at least good at that, instead of letting Big Mike clean up his mess.
Grade: B-
The Romance: Sarah can't settle down. She's a spy. Seriously, we're still talking about this? And the revelation at the end that she's not like Heather—that she can have her Chuck cake and eat it, too? Come on now. We've gone over this time and time again. There's no reason for the series to continue throwing problems at its central relationship. Because yeah, we get that it's difficult for Sarah to make the adjustment to girlfriend; doesn't mean we need to hear it on a weekly basis. There were plenty of cute Chuck/Sarah moments, but too much of the drama felt rehashed. And ending the episode on an accidental marriage proposal cliffhanger was way too bad-sitcom-cliché. Let's leave well enough alone, OK?
Grade: C
Awesome and Ellie: No Awesome and Ellie. Sigh. But the preview for next week's episode looks very hot doctor-heavy, so I'll let it slide.
Grade: N/A
The Buy More: I'm just not fond of Buy More stories that don't add anything to the plot. What I liked about the Buy More-CIA connection was that it provided an easy way to integrate the store into a spy story—ideally, without losing the humor. This week's customer riot was neither necessary nor particularly funny. If you're going to have Jeff and Lester stall an angry crowd, at least let them perform some Jeffster hits. The slam poetry fell flat. And, as I said above, seeing Morgan flounder did more damage to his character. I'm glad Big Mike is back, but having him as the ultimate authority figure returns things to the status quo. Where's the risk, guys?
Grade: C
The Guest Stars: Get rid of the Gretas. Please. If any of this episode's budget went to Greta of the Week Stacy Keibler—which it undoubtedly did—that was a waste. She was fine, I guess, insofar as she showed up and got knocked out. But she was superfluous, especially with Austin and Richie also on board. Speaking of, Austin didn't do much for me: He looks the part, but that's about it. That said, I kind of really dug Richie's return as Heather. She may not be the greatest actress ever, but she's cute and she's fun and damn it, I miss The Simple Life. Because she's been on the show before, it didn't really feel like stunt casting, which I also appreciated. I'd give her high marks. Another weak Greta drags the grade down.
Grade: B+
Overall Grade: B-
Follow TV.com writer Louis Peitzman on Twitter: @LouisAtTVDotCom
There hasn't been a great/fantastic show since season 1, or whenever Scott B was on
They totally dropped the ball on the whole spy fight at the Buy More while the customers were on the verge of rioting over a video game about fighting. Did it seriously not occur to them to move the spy fight down from the roof into the store proper? When Hugo and Chuck went downstairs I was sure they were going to go fight out on the sales floor with the near-rioting customers thinking it was some kind of live demonstration of the game.I understand the reason why they gave Big Mike all the Buy More glory, but I don't agree with it. They needed to have a reason to bring him back, and they wanted to do it in a way that shows how important the character is. Really though, we know he's important, but now it's Morgan's time to shine. I would have given Big Mike a much more lowly role (store security perhaps), but he would remain Morgan's mentor and would advise him in this capacity.moreless
you guys just need to calm down
with the last episode .. i also expected Jeffster and somehow someone comes through with the games for the customers or for the mission to come out to the sales floor as a "simulation" since it was a spy game
As it kills me to admid this but I have to agree with you on those facts that you writed. I don't what's happening with this show. The second episode was fantastic and I finally felt like Chuck was back on track(because the first episode Chuck Versus the Anniversary didn't quite do the trick for me) but then THIS HAPPENED. This third episode felt flat again for me, just like the first one did. What has happened to this show? It's lacking something! And it irritates me that I can't figure it out what it is that is missing. I really loved the third season of Chuck and watched that season's episodes over and over again, but this one. I just don't know. I'm trying so hard to like this show now but it's starting to feel so forced. I love Chuck and Sarah together and I love the fact that they have some drama to their relationship too(so that it doesn't get boring) but something is still very much off...arg..And I totally agree that this episode's Buy More storyline was boring and unnecessary. And and I just think that Chuck(the character not the show) feel someway different. He's so serious nowdays and he feel very stiff and I don't know, I just can't explain it. He used to be more goofy and even more funnier the last season...so maybe that's what's off.... I don't know, I don't know...All I can do now is hope that this show would get better and I would get that same vibe and feeling that I've gotten in the past seasons which is funny, action-packed, some flirtatious and sexual tension between Chuck and Sarah and all the old things that made me fall in love with this show in the first place!moreless
I love the show, but I am inclined to agree with pretty much everything in this review. The second episode was pitch-perfect, but this one could have been a lot better. When Chuck is more mature than Sarah, there's a problem. Let's get back to them as an effective but funny team.And yes, a Casey episode would kick ass. If he took out a whole paramilitary team from that wheelchair, I'd probably die from a geekgasm.
ok, Chuck has not had Grade A episodes in a long time!This just has to be the last season for everybodies sake!And enough crying about the Mom that left, or how the sister took care, or all the other suffocating stuff that detracts from this.They have lost me except when there is absolutely nothing to watch!Chuck is such a Wussy!
From the moment they brought the bad guys into custody I was expecting an escape followed by a chase and a big fight in the Buy-More that everybody would just think was a promo for the big game release. It would have joined the two threads elegantly and been way better than the stupid riot and the slam poetry.
I liked Chuck and i still do. But i cannot shake the feeling that the show still on just for money now. DOn't get me wrong i haven't been able to stop watching, the show still as funny as it was. And the characters i love are there, but it seems that every interesting thing has already happened, everybody knows about chuck, chuck lying to Ellie seems so forced to me, i don't know i guess the storyline is not interesting enough for me. As long as it is funny i keep watching but it does not feel like chuck for me anymore, is he still a nerd?
My Grade of you work: D -
Once in a while, i really disagree with a TV.COM staff writer and then i'd whish you guys grew a pair and let us garde you. Not in comments whcih will get drown by others but with a simple Thumbs up or down ...
The problem with Chuck is suddenly the writers have quickly decided to add some drama into their relationship. The relationship overshadows everything else going on. Episode 3 was a prime example of that.
They could have spaced out their issues out a few episodes but didn't. Who gets down on one knee to pick up something off the ground? Corny ending...
The Gretas are sucking up the budget. BRING ON THE CASEY!
arg!
I think you've got the definition of a bottle episode wrong. It's when an episode is super cheap to make--generally to save costs for another episode. I don't think this one was one of those, when you take into account the guest stars and some of the action.
Too many guest stars already... and Chuck recycles storylines so much that I think I actually see a polar ice cap reforming. Chuck looks for his dad--Chuck looks for his mom. Is he good or bad? Is she good or bad? Will Sara be able to get over her old persona and settle down with chuck? This is getting old really fast!
I'm also not loving the romance storyline between Sarah and Chuck. It's getting too repetitive and cheesy plus what's with the accidental proposal at the end. I hope they do something aboout the romance, so it doesn't turn into a soap.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh
Nicole Ritchie makes me puke, Stacy Kiebler doesn't. Steve Austin was looking pretty old. Chucks disjointed babbling with Sarah? We're way past that now. He makes love to this beautiful woman, but still talks to her like he hasn't made it to 1st base yet. Testing their relationship every week? Ridiculous! Casey the mushy daddy? Give me a break! Morgan on his knees? Did we just flash back to season 1? Chuck discussing their relationship in the middle of a mission while distracting Sarah yet again? PLEASE! Chuck finding mamma? Fine, so long as he at least ACTS like he has learned something from his previous missions! I'm tired of Chuck acting more like a woman than a man. Sarah clearly wears the pants, and needs Chuck to assume that role sometime in the future. Casey out of service? Great! Now who is gonna shut Chuck up as he babbles inanely through the missions?moreless
Yes, we need more Casey! He's underused, lately. I also agree with what you said about the Chuck/Sarah romance. They've just became an item, no need to rush them to the altar or to the baby carriage, yet!
I would really like to see more of Richie's character. She did a great job again.
I disagree too! To me it was the best episode of the season, simply put. I just happen to love Big Mike and the Buy More action too much. The only thing I agree with is that we don't need relationship problems every week. It's clear that they love each other, let them be ok for a while.
Wow Chuck episode 3 was great! So I totally disagree with you. I got no problems doing that, you miss The Simple Life so that confirms you don't know what your talking about.
Wow, surprised to see so many people angry at Chuck,, I thought it was everyone's favorite underdog. I haven't seen this weeks yet I but I really liked the last one. I guess Casey's getting a little soft but I think they know what they're doing with it.Also, I don't really see the point of saying get rid of the Greta, not only should they be done filmimg but an entire season's worth of their casting has already been announced, talking about it being a bad idea now is pretty pointless.
I've almost all but given up on Chuck. I couldn't bring myself to watch last seasons finale, its still sitting on my hdd 5 months later. I really wish season 3 had been the last. At least then it could have had the chance of ending on a strong note instead of what it has degenerated into.
Mmmm. The previews showed Casey will be back in some semblance of action next week. I agree about the Gretas. Where were all the Federal Agents during the riot? Was Greta the only one left (and she was unconscious)? This ep wasn't as strong as others, but I still love this show.
Sorry, Chuck has lost me! He is a wussy, Baldwin is getting the same way.I think this show has seen better days. It is moved way down on my must watch list!Quite frankly, much of this show is getting unwatchable, except when I have exhausted all my other downloads.
Wish Stacy Keibler was on longer, that's what I was excited for this specific episode. She did look hot in a Buy More skirt though.
I get the impression that this is the last season and everyone knows it. I really don't expect it to last past 13 episodes this season.
Ditto on missing Angry!Casey. If he doesn't start firing machine guns into crowded rooms I'm going to be very disappointed.
I didn't think it was that bad loved Richie too but Austin was really creepy and annoying
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