CHUCK season 2 - Page 2

I wonder if the characters notice how the location of the Buy More seems to have changed, and did Sarah change jobs, or did they just change the name of the fast food place?

She changed jobs. It was explained in the first episode that she has changed jobs from the sausage joint to the Orange Orange.

And I might be the only person who likes the new "work" outfit more than last year.

Of course, I love the show and me some Strahotski.

Not a bad episode at all. It's tough to hate something that uses The National's Fake Empire so well. So far the season is good, but I'm expecting better.

I do enjoy the show, but the writing is pretty mediocre... Bryce should be a pivotal character, but he's so bland that he's totally non-threatening as a romantic rival for Chuck, and the show dropped any ambiguity he had. Sarah clearly likes Chuck more (and apparently never loved Bryce anyway, since we saw she could 'take the shot' when it was him), Bryce stealing Chuck's girl in college was dropped, him getting Chuck expelled was shown to be a good thing, and we know Bryce is working for the good guys now. He has become a pointless character.

Even his updating the Intersect made little sense... wouldn't the government -want- Chuck up-to-date, since he's all they've got? Why would Bryce have to sneak it in in the sunglasses?

As for Chuck himself, his actions don't make a lot of sense either. The show has made it clear that he doesn't want the Intersect at all, yet has given him no reason to want to continue working for the government. He's never mentioned any sense of responsibility, and it apparently makes him miserable. The show has given no reason why he wouldn't just say, "Screw this, I'm quitting the spy game, quitting the Buy More, and going backpacking. See ya." This was doubly apparent when he 'broke up' with Sarah... He finds out the girl really likes him, and the only thing keeping them apart is his role as an asset. So he dumps the girl he likes for the job he hates... why?

Because otherwise we don't have a show. That's sloppy.

I like the character of Bryce, and the way he pops in and out of Chuck's life as if he is the older brother Chuck never had. Hopefully though, the break up will end sooner than later. What a great series, I am definitely looking forward to Sarah's HS reunion...it should provide many...CHUCKles.

I thought this episode was okay. They really have rushed through the whole Chuck-Sarah-Bryce thing. And, good lord, you could fit a Thanksgiving dinner in Strahan's grin. I look forward to next week's trip to Bizarro World where Strahotsky could be remotely intimidated by Nicole Richie.

Because Chuck doesn't want to be the Intersect anymore so why would he willingly subject himself to an upgrade, which would only extend his useful life? If anything, he would resist the upgrade and force the G to speed up work on Intersect 3.0.

It really is a Catch-22. The only way I can rationalize it is that he's staying on as the Intersect since it's really the only way he'll get to be around Sarah with any regularity.

A couple things, I think the Bryce took Chuck's girlfriend storyline will come back at some point. So they didn't address it in the shortened first season or the first 3 episodes of the second season. They will probably address it at some point this season.

As far as the intercept goes, Bryce has made it clear that he sent the intercept to Chuck so that it would be with someone who he believed actually had morals that hadn't been compromised by the system. Back in college he intentionally got him kicked out of school so because he didn't want Chuck to go through the whole CIA training process (I'd assume because Bryce new first hand how much it of your life it takes away).

I'd assume that there is some real reason he stole Chuck's girlfriend (she was also a CIA agent or a spy using him to get to Bryce or someone else, who knows?). And I'd think that Bryce is probably aware that once Chuck's intercept isn't useful that they would be planning on killing him anyway (only Sarah is wrapped up in him enough to deceive herself that they'll actually let him live with all those secrets in his head) so keeping it up-to-date is the best way to keep him alive.

I mean, there are lots of strange motives for various things in the show but I don't really have a hard time buying why Bryce does what he does. That doesn't mean I don't want him to get shot in the face but still, I guess there is some rationalization behind it.

Except that once he knew she really liked him, that stopped being true. His chances with her would've been much better by quitting than by dumping her.

My point was that it made no sense for Bryce to have to sneak the update in. The government should want Chuck to be effective, and we've seen that Chuck (inexplicably) feels he has no choice in the matter. So why not just call him in and tell him to take his upgrade like a man?

I know it's not a deep, serious show, but a little more efforts towards making sense would be greatly appreciated.

I thought gravedigger's explanation justified the 'sneaking' adequately that I didn't need to repeat it.

No matter how you try to justify his actions, Bryce is a fucking asshole. What if Bryce is wrong about what would be in Chuck's best interest? He's just so arrogantly sure he's doing the right thing. Asshole.
I hope they introduce an actual recurring antagonist soon. I love most of the one-shot villains, but an archnemesis would be nice.

That's why I said this:

From Bryce's point of view, his actions make sense. From a normal point of view, he is a jackass.

As far as recurring antagonist, there is supposed to be the shadowy figure at the head of Fulcrum or whatever. He just doesn't show up in every episode.

And for some reason I keep hoping for a Chuck/Burn Notice crossover. I know it's fan-wank but send Adam Baldwin's character to Miami for an episode. It would be awesome to see him and Bruce Campbell and Jeffrey Donovan play off each other. Although I guess having having Yvonne Strahovski next to Gabrielle Anwar would just hurt their carefully crafted illusion that the character of Fiona is supposed to be hot.

Another thing I was thinking while watching the latest episode- does this show operate at a budget surplus? They must be bringing product-placement cash in hand over fist.

Not to be fleed or anything, but it came to me that Terence Stamp has not yet appeared on the show. This must be rectified.

It should be illegal for Yvonne Strahovski to exist. She is far far far too gorgeous.

Loved tonights episode, wished they got someone better as Sarah's high school rival (maybe someone who could choreograph a fight?) but at least the skanklike casting was spot on, eh?

I just want to reiterate, one more time. Yvonne Strahovski + working out = yum

I worship at the altar of Strahotski.
Interesting to see that Sarah's background is as a con artist's daughter, and thus all of her life has been an artifice.
There were some great Casey moments, especially when Chuck asks where Casey is, and Sarah points to the stage, where Casey is the D.J., and getting REALLY INTO IT. And the Buy More antics weren't as dull as usual. The swordfish falling apart as Lester fled Big Mike's office was classic.
The promos say that Chuck might get to save the world in an upcoming episode, and hint at some sort of bomb. Awesome.

Great episode. That's why this series is my guilty pleasure.

Loved the Baldwin. Being the good cop? And the DJ.... wow.

The Buy More scenes were ok. Not too distracting.

Sure, Ritchie was kinda pointless, but the real fun was seeing the Chuck/Sarah interaction. And more TONY TODD!!!!!!

And yeah, Strahovski is ridiculously hot.

Chuck is great. While it is a pleasure to watch...I wish people would never feel guilty watching it. The Strahovski / Richie fight in the schools gym was a terrific ending to Sarah's worst nightmare...her HS reunion. It was also a blast to see her become the reunion queen. I also enjoyed seeing how Tony Todd convinced Jenny Butler to become a CIA Agent.

That was a charming episode. If you can't get past her "being famous for doint nothing" I thought Ritchie was fine in this episode. Looks like secret agent Carmicheal is here to stay, and I'm good with that.

Yeah, I love that Chuck's cover is that he's actually a decent spy. It creates some great situations. Speaking of spy stories though, I think it's interesting to compare My Own Worst Enemy with Chuck. The shows seem similar in a lot of ways (fish out of water spy show). There are obvious differences in tone and the focal point of the show but I'm surprised that not only is one network carrying both of them, they're carrying them both on the same night.

I know NBC did this before with 30 Rock and Studio 60 but why would you intentionally do it again? It's just kind of a strange approach. And Chuck really makes the joylessness of My Own Worst Enemy stand out.

Every show should have a soundtrack that good and Ben Savage. This is my favorite lightweight show on TV.

I'm totally in love with Sarah/Jenny. And I mean Kabong level of in love.

She smiles and i just go "aww". The episode was great. Was that really Nicole Ritchie? She looked hotter.

And obviously her dad will escape out of prison at some point.

Holy shit, that was Ben Savage? I was wondering why he looked so familiar. Haven't seen him since I last watched Boy Meets World some 15 years ago.

And I'll also throw my hat in with the Strahovski love. She's just stunning.

Prediction: Sarah's father is the head of Fulcrum.

That got a raised eyebrow.

Nice one.

Admiral Shark, If Sarah's Dad is the head of Fulcrum, as your thesis states...Terence Stamp should play him.

I thought this was the best episode they've done yet (although the one with Casey and his ex-girlfriend from season 1 was pretty stellar, too). The fights are better, there's more dramatic weight to the stories, which makes for better audience involvement, and there's a decent balance between Buy More bullshit, Chuck's spy life, and home life. The Sarah thing was well done, and the scene at the end left the episode resolved yet still brought up new questions.

All that, and it did a very good job at making me feel very, very old.

I will forever worship whichever supernatural deity can get this to come to pass.

Was it a continuity error or did she go back to school after having gotten a new name from the General? Im pretty sure she got the new name the same day her dad got arrested but everyone makes fun of her for it having happened while knowing her as Jenny. I wouldnt think after having had a half dozen different names Sarah would be too concerned about finishing high school with her Jenny alias given the misery she experienced there.

I actually think Val Kilmer would be a better and more in tune with the show pick as Sarah's father. Terrance Stamp, awesome as he is, is a little too old.

Val Kilmer would be super crazy amazing, too.

NBC already employs him, so why not?

My thoughts exactly. If not the head, someone very high up at least.

No kidding.

I loved the episode but it's still all I can do to keep from fast forwarding through any Buy More scene that doesn't involve Chuck, Casey, or Big Mike. Even though they set up Richie's abilities by saying she takes tae kwan do I didn't didn't really buy her being able to get the upper hand on Sarah. I mean, if you slo-mo the training scene in Sarah's apartment, like, 37 times you'll see she's in amazing shape and actually has some weight to her.

I'm actually liking the Buy More stuff better this season than last season. I still hate Morgan, but now he's balanced out by Big Mike and the Nerd Herd as series regulars. This, however, seems to be at the expense of Ellie and Captain Awesome, which is...unfortunate.

Both actors are better that the entire B-More staff, there's some charm and chemistry there. Sadly most of their recent appearances involved Morgan too. I skip all the Buy stuff like gravedigger.

And Sarah is amazing.

Lester's steady descent into madness has been entertaining, though. And is it just me, or is Morgan becoming less and less douchey every episode?

This one was my least favorite episode of the series so far. It felt rushed(no pun intended) while also being plodding and dull. Im in the group that feels the less time spent in the Buy More, the better, though having Buster Bluth is awesome.

And speaking of the Buy More, now that Chuck has his Stanford diploma what possible justification could they have for keeping him at a ten dollar an hour job?

It is a nice "hidden in plain sight" occupation for Chuck to have. If he had a higher profile job, he might draw unwanted attention to himself.

Although, a lot of bad guys do happen to walk into that location.

I thought it would have been nice to let Jeff have his moment but who can argue against Rush?

Any Tony Hale joining the show? Hell yes.

Clearly, Chuck saving a lot of Califiornians lives by winning...Missile Command was very cool indeed.

Working at the Buy More gives Chuck a lot of leeway in doing what he needs to do Intercept-wise.

Oh I get the plot device of him working there originally but now that he has gotten his degree the reasoning seems pretty flawed for keeping him there. How would you explain to your sister why your still working in retail after having gotten a very expensive diploma? Maybe working for some sort of CIA front company(like in "True Lies" I guess) which would still let him go on his missions or something. Perfect idea? No, but I just made it up on the fly and it sounds more interesting than continuing to stretch the current job into more sporadically funny side stories. It just seems like the Buy More cover has run its course and its time to move on.

I wouldn't mind it if by season's end (if it makes it that far, or even gets picked up again), they have Chuck quitting the Buy More and flipping the script with him working somewhere better as a cover.

On tonight's episode, while I liked all the fan-service they gave with pretty ladies in skimpy outfits, it seems that the writers have been dipping into that well every episode and it's now simply become a deus ex machina each week.

Not so much deus ex machina as lazy plotting. OR:
Writer 1: Uh...so how the hell are they gonna get into Atari HQ?
Writer 2: Urgh...too tired to think...*drools* Uh...? Spin the Plot Device Wheel?
Writer 1: But....THE PLOT DEVICE WHEEL? Only Kring's crew is allowed to use that.
Writer 2: Ugh, fine, let's just use the Hot Girl Device again. *passes out*

All right, so I laughed at the Zoon jab and I thought it was funny when Chuck was concerned the distraction wouldn't play because Sarah didn't know how to fix a computer.

Same here. Chuck ain't The Wire, and it's not aiming to be, but I'll be damned if it's not fun. Loved the crack at the Zune, Casey's smile when Tony Hale announced his crackdown and the use of Rush as a world-saving plot device.