Chuck: An Advance Review of Season 3

WARNING: Minor spoilers ahead! If you don’t want to know anything about Chuck before you watch the episodes, go get your next mission from Zac and Josh instead.

I’ve seen the first five episodes of Chuck‘s third season, and they are a…mazing. You thought I was going to use that other “a” word, didn’t you? Rest assured, Matt Mitovich, I’ll observe the moratorium.

Chuck, Sarah and Casey return January 10
Chuck, Sarah and Casey return January 10

NBC’s decision to air the first three episodes over two consecutive nights (January 10 & 11) is brilliant and serves those episodes well. Episodes 3.01 and 3.02 almost play like a single, 2-hour episode, while 3.03 ends with a cliffhanger that should persuade viewers to return the following week. Those who do return will be treated to more of what Chuck does best: intertwine action, drama, and comedy into 42-minute packages of pure entertainment. But enough of the generalities, let’s talk specifics. Or as specific as I can get without getting a phone call from any studio lawyers.

What struck me strongest after watching just the first two episodes was how much more mature Chuck has become, both the character and the show. From the writing to the acting to the characters themselves, we’ve reached a new level of confidence and honesty. Don’t assume this means Chuck is Mr. Suave, though. He’s still our lovable Chuck, but he continues to grow and develop as a person rather than stagnate as sometimes happens with television characters. Zachary Levi balances the new Chuck with the old seamlessly, giving us glimpses of the nerd we first met as well as the man he could become, all without sacrificing the character’s likability. It’s a fine performance that I hope will draw more critical attention this season.

Yvonne Strahovski also shines as she navigates Sarah’s tangled feelings about Chuck and this job that has been her life for so long. Just as Chuck’s world is expanding, so is Sarah’s. Which leads us to the Chuck/Sarah relationship. Don’t expect puppies and rainbows, but do expect a level of honesty and a desire to communicate that has been missing so far. It’s a refreshing change of pace, although not a promise of a smooth ride. I am impressed with the direction the show is taking regarding these two, opting to take the path toward real intimacy rather than “oooh, sexual tension, let’s hook up!”

Even the wardrobes receive an upgrade this season.
Even the wardrobes receive an upgrade this season.

Speaking of maturity and honesty, even Chuck’s wardrobe gets an upgrade this season. I know what you’re thinking, “With all the exciting things she could talk about, she’s going to discuss clothes?” Yes, yes I am. My eye is drawn to the nuances of wardrobe, and Chuck’s attire this season provides us with subtle visual clues to his character growth. The slightly disheveled, rather lackadaisical style of old has been replaced with better tailoring and, on occasion, a tucked in shirt. I know, right? The Nerd Herd uniform hasn’t retired completely, but is no longer Chuck’s uniform outside the Buy More. Instead we see Chuck sporting casual button-downs and polos, all beautifully fitted, when he’s not undercover. Even when we see him in a suit for a mission, it’s better tailored and he looks more comfortable wearing it. Chuck no longer needs to hide behind his Nerd Herd/slacker uniform; he’s beginning to reach for his potential as an adult and it’s reflected in his wardrobe.

Chuck isn’t the only one with a changing wardrobe. Have you ever noticed that Sarah’s clothing is generally designed to allow her to engage in “kick butt-ary” at a moment’s notice? Even her attire at a black tie affair, which we’ll see a few times in these early episodes, features either a short skirt or has a high slit. All the better to roundhouse you, my dear. This season, however, her off-mission attire gets softer, a bit more casual, a little less tomboy. These are miniscule changes, yet they underscore the overall character development.

Worried that all this maturity and honesty means the show has lost its sense of humor? Fear not! The geek references and inside jokes are plenty (including the “spastic colon” bit we see in the promos), as are the grunts from Casey and the comedy surrounding Chuck’s new skills and Devon’s integration into his brother-in-law’s double life. The Buy More also presents ample opportunity for levity, but exercised with more restraint than the broad comedy we saw previously. In addition, the Buy More storylines are better connected with the primary stories, making it much easier to effectively include the Buy Morians in the show.

And now, some bite-size morsels for you to chew on:

  • We’re given several quick references to happenings in the latter part of season 2 that help tie up some loose ends.
  • Carina’s return in 3.02, the standout in a collection of excellent episodes, is most welcome. I hope she comes back again soon.
  • Casey gets to go undercover as someone other than a waiter in 3.02, with very amusing results.
  • 3.03 is a combination Devon/Casey episode. We get glimpses into both their pasts, which develops into the mission. Looking back at the structure of the episode, it’s pretty clever how the writers orchestrated that.
  • Angie Harmon in 3.04 is terrific! Excellent casting – she owns the role of Sydney.
  • We meet Shaw in 3.04 and the context took me by surprise, even with Ausiello’s first look photo.
  • Kristin Kreuk/Hannah’s entrance into Chuck’s life is much more organic than many fans have feared.
  • Sarah demonstrates a skill I don’t think we knew she possessed and which adds to her reputation as a first-class spy.
  • The writers experiment with structure in these first few episodes, keeping the show fresh. They also pack so much into each episode, it’s hard to believe they’re only 42 minutes long.
  • If I hadn’t been told ahead of time that there were budget cuts, I’d never have guessed.
  • I hope you get iTunes gift cards in your stockings, Chucksters, because you’ll want a playlist of songs from each episode.

Chuck returns Sunday, January 10 with back-to-back episodes at 9/8c, followed by a third episode Monday, January 11 at 8/7c on NBC.

Hulu Plus Free Trial

About Mel

Check Also

Chuck vs the Goodbye: 10 Years Later

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Chuck series finale. It feels like a decade …

21 comments

  1. Thank you for this review. Your attention to the details makes it the best I’ve read so far. I didn’t think I could be more anxious for the season to begin, but I am! Thanks for the early Christmas present!

  2. Great Write up Mel,

    I really enjoyed reading it. I am excited to see Chuck grow into a man. I liked the Chuck of old but sounds like I am going to love this more mature Chuck.

    I am excited to see the intimacy and communication from Chuck and Sarah. It will be a welcome change, instead of the teenage angst. That is very encouraging. I wouldn’t expect it to be puppies and rainbows and I am sure it will be hard at times but seeing them both mature will be exciting to watch.

    I am now even more excited for season 3. 🙂

  3. With apologies to Matt MItovich I will gladly and freely use the ‘A’ word – Awesome! writeup Mel.

    You sure writing reviews is not your thing? Sure fooled me.

    Just under 3 weeks to go. Cannot wait.

    • Thanks, Lou. Sounds like that Master’s in English and several years of writing about pop culture served me well here. 🙂

  4. Completely agree with this review. As I have been saying, these episodes do not feel like 42 minute episodes. They feel like 2-hour movies. We used to complain about how in Season 2 the episodes just flew by. Well, now I realize why. It was because the show was mostly just touching the surface of these characters and scenes. This time, they pay more attention to the details which seems to slow things down to a perfectly entertaining level.

    • Definitely movie quality visually with the luxury of time to really dig deep into our characters and the mythology.

  5. No mention of Ellie or Morgan? These are my two favorites after Chuck and Sarah. (Casey rounds out the top 5!)

    Hopefully Ellie and Morgan are featured in these episodes as well.

  6. Thank you very much for sharing this with us hardcore CHUCK fans, Mel. Your write up sounds both intriguing and SO exciting!! And by the sound of it, I think I’m gonna enjoy this season A LOT! January 10, here we come!!!!!! Love CHUCK!

  7. Thanks Mel It was nice of you to provide us your thoughts Curious what were you favorite of the first 5. You gave us some great food for thought Thanks

  8. Mel,
    THANK YOU Thank you ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou!

    My excitement and anticipation knows no bounds.

    Is it Chri^h^h^h^h Jan 10th yet???

  9. Nice Review Mel. Thanks for taking the time during the “busy season” to enlighten us on what sounds like an excellent season 3.

    The entire Mediocre clan can’t wait for the premiere. The youngest is counting “sleeps until Christmas” and “sleeps until Chuck”.

    May you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

  10. Well, I said it all along! “In Ali We Trust!” has been my mantra for months. It sounds like she and the rest of the writing crew haven’t let us down. Thanks Mel! and I thought waiting from April was hard. The next three weeks are going to be interminable!!

  11. I keep gettin’ more and more excited about S3. Its going to be AWESOME!!! 🙂

  12. Wow, everytime I hear new things about s3 I get more and more excited. I’m about ready to explode with excitement.
    I have one question for you Mel. After you watched the disc – did it self-destruct?
    If not, I hope you have them locked up in a vault at NSA headquarters, otherwise rabid Chuck fans might be tempted to ransack your place, just to get their hands on it.

  13. Gah! Season 3 looked so good before and now??? Woah. Only thing is, I am outside America/Canada- so I won’t get to see Chuck again for I don’t know how long!!! I do have one thing to ask though, if on Chuck vs. the Podcast you could announce when Chuck season 3 will be coming to other countries, e.g. Australia/U.K? I don’t know if you can get that information, but I would really appreciate it!

    Great review, really appreciated and as said before – an early Christmas present!!

    Thanks

  14. You have my compliments for the article.

  1. Pingback: ZACHARY LEVI FAN - YOUR RESOURCE FOR "CHUCK" STAR ZACHARY LEVI

  2. Pingback: If I Know This Crew « Chuck This

  3. Pingback: Chuck & Echo: Building Superheroes in the 21st Century : NiceGirlsTV.com