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TVLine has an interview with Chuck co-creators Chris Fedak and Josh Schwartz answering a few questions about the final episodes, plus teasing some extras on the upcoming DVD!
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
TVLINE | What did you always suspect would be in the series finale did in fact end up in the finale? Was it Sarah losing her memory, Chuck getting the Intersect back…?
CHRIS FEDAK | When we were working on this season of the show, we knew that the beach scene, which echoes the beach scene from the pilot, would be there. And we knew that in this case it would be Chuck trying to help Sarah. We were always heading in that direction.
JOSH SCHWARTZ | And the idea this year of taking the show back to basics – in the sense that it was going to be Chuck without the Intersect, and returning the show to its roots in that first season. That beach was the place where Chuck and Sarah first forged their bond, so it seemed like the perfect way to bookend the series.
TVLINE | After screening the finale, I made a point to rewatch the pilot, which of course brought somuch stuff into focus. You had the callbacks to the Mexican restaurant, the Wienerlicious, the tangoand “Irene Demova,” and you did a veritable shot-for-shot remake of the Bryce escape/fight sequence. Were there more-subtle callbacks that people maybe didn’t catch?
FEDAK | I didn’t even realize this, but when Sarah wears the Wienerlicious uniform, she actually has a little necklace with a hot dog on the end of it. I only now realize that it was there all this time.
SCHWARTZ | The score that plays when they’re at the Mexican restaurant together is the same score that played in the pilot.
FEDAK | Another thing is that throughout the run of the show, Chuck and Sarah have had a cue that [Chuckcomposer] Tim Jones created – a very emotional, kind of warm-hearted cue that we use in scenes where its just Chuck and Sarah talking about their relationship. It’s always been an open-ended cue, and in the final scene Tim closed it off. That’s a beautiful, delicate moment.
TVLINE | Was that the same beach?
FEDAK | Same beach, same spot. Everything was the same except the weather, which was bad [for the finals shoot]. [Laughs]
TVLINE | You did a really nice job with closure for all of the characters, including Ellie and Awesome. And you turned Jeffster! from the usual novelty into the most unlikely of heroes.
SCHWARTZ | I think that in their own mind, they’ve been heroes all along, so it’s just the rest of the world catching up to the potential that Jeffster! has. Them becoming a successful rock act in Germany feels pretty inevitable, doesn’t it?
FEDAK | Having Jeffster find out about the spy base and having them save the day was something we wanted to do. And once we knew that this would be the final episode, for our fans who love these characters so much, we wanted to give them closure. Act 5 was the one we really didn’t mess around with all that much. It was the one we knew that if we were going to have to take time out of the episode, you had had to keep Act 5 protected.
TVLINE | Any behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the finale shoot? I have to imagine landing a helicopter on a street can go sideways fast.
SCHWARTZ | [Laughs] Well, you don’t want to mess around with a helicopter. We did a lot of amazing stuff in those final two episodes, and one of the reasons this show is possible is because of the amazing production team we had. Robbie Duncan McNeil, who was our in-house directing producer, is featured in the episode — he is the other commando inside the helicopter with John Casey. Robbie was an actor on Star Trek: Voyager, and this is his first time on TV in many years, so it was great to see him up there.
TVLINE | If I gave you an extra hour for the finale, what would you have done with it?
SCHWARTZ | The original [cut] was almost an extra hour longer.
FEDAK | It’s true. Chuck episodes sometimes come in a little long — not this season as much, but this one came in quite a bit long. We actually got it a little bit of extra time from NBC for it.
SCHWARTZ | Some of the additional scenes will be on the DVD.
FEDAK | That’s right, we actually have a longer version coming out on the DVD.
TVLINE | Simply extended edits of scenes or also new entire scenes?
SCHWARTZ | You’ll have a couple of entire scenes. It will be eight minutes longer. And there are extended scenes within Act 5. It will be nice.
FEDAK | So even after tonight, there will still be the opportunity to see some new Chuck.
I thought the ending sucked. Swartz and Fedak extended their need for teenie bopper angst to the bitter end. I will not watch another production by either of these guys
thats my opinion : so sad and disappointed that sarah hasnt gotten her memory back. The Show is all about Chuck and Sarah and their relationship and now they’re messing up with all of her memories even if she looks like to remember small parts witht he wienerlicious and the virus…It was all about what they’ve gone through together and now..kiss me chuck… its ok but i would have been much happier if that scene was 5 minutes earlier and we would have been able to see what that kiss have done to them.. how they are happy together again and maybe even how this kiss restored sarahs memories again..
but that are just my thoughts on the end. I guess lots of u guys are pretty satisfied .. im happy for u 🙂
I’m not satisfied and I completely agree with you kev. Very disappointed with this end, 🙁
i definitely agree, chuck and sara and the main characters yet the only ones without a definitive ending. i thought they had time and definitely put their relationship back, give them the picket fence and the dream home and maybe a kid, something. i didn’t like the ambiguity for the two main characters alone.
How does she not get her memories back? Over time she remembered more and more. Her reactions to Chuck’s stories were clear, and don’t forget: Morgan got his memories back. They just didn’t come out and say the words “She has her memories back.” Really surprised so many people didn’t like it.
While I would of preferred a different ending, I really did not have a problem with the ending. I completely agree with Mel and especially Mo Ryan’s review of the episode.
I will sure watch the additional scenes on the DVD cause i felt like something was missing tonight, at the end of the finale. But I loved the ending and I love Chuck and I hope there will be a movie 🙂 i don’t know why Bill said he wouldnt watch another thing by josh schwartz or Chris fedak cauz these guys are good 😛 what they have done in 5 years is amazing and I will sure watch my 4 DVD hundreds of times before the 5th one goes out. I will always remember CHUCK 😀 the best TV show ever made.
I agree. I’ll never again watch anything by either of them.
That ending was their middle finger pointed directly at me.
I’m sorry you guys feel that way. I hope eventually you’ll be able to look back on the last 5 years with fondness.
Oh, but where’s your positive outlook on how things could work?
Actually, I called this exact line of events down to where the ending would take place and I feel SICK about it. Holy crap I’ve never wanted to tar and feather a guy more than I want to do so to Fedak. 🙁
I couldn’t agree more. I watched the ending and thought they gave the fans the middle finger. I also fely like I never want to watch anything either of them do again. The whole series was about the growth of the two main characters and in the end they robbed both of them of that growth and left them in a bit of a lurch. I was soooo disappointed. I feel like in the end they only did this to try to pry a movie deal later. Instead of ending the show gracefully I feel like they were selfish to the end.
I knew it’d be a finale I wouldn’t enjoy based on spoilers I read in the Boston Herald, so I didn’t watch. Glad I didn’t. I will erase the tape too. My finale is S4 right Chuck and Sarah get married. Season 5 non existent for me. And right now, so are Fedak and Schwartz.
That’s too bad, Lianne. You’re missing out on some good stuff.
You’re probably right on some things, but I do know I would’ve hated the ending.
So stop the tape 5 minutes before the end. 🙂
Hahahahaha!! That actually made me laugh!!!! Thanks for that!!
Its definitely worth watching. Like all the spoiler reviews have said it is satisfying. It highlights all the times throughout the years that made this show great. I cried the entire time(even the end which is what most people arnt so fond of) and I never cry during anything. It may have not been the greatest possible ending but it was left in a way that assures you things will work out. I enjoyed the episodes and will rewatch the finale in the morning followed by a series rewatch after that.
The finale screwed up the whole season, the whole series. I would love to watch Chuck season 1 2 3 to “bring my good memory” of Chuck back. I m very disappointed. This season 5 ruined not only Sarah’s memory but also mine. Never thought Big fan like me would miss couple of episodes and feel upset about the finale.
5 years of watching…is it too much for me to ask that MY memories get erased now too? One of the most unsatisfying endings I can remember. Thanks a lot…
I have to admit that I would’ve liked to have seen Sarah with her memory back…but in truth I think the ending they came up with was so much more imaginative. Good job Chris and Josh…thanks for the show.
I actually liked the way they ended it. Thought it was great. Just (somewhat rightfully) ignored one question. Did Chuck keep the intersect? I would’ve loved one more fight scene with the intersect.
What about the picture they drew together on the train? Would have thought that would have had some significance at the end. Even as Sarah was losing some memories she said she could never forget that picture.
I AGREE!!!! Ever since the start of season 3 it seams like they set up great storylines only to leave them unfulfilled!!!
I thought it was a good finale just with a not so good ending. There was really no need for the ambiguity….It was unnecessary…This was the story about Chuck and Sarah…we should have gotten the most perfect ending possible for these two, not something sort of sad and tragic…It doesn’t help that this whole episode basically was all about “hoping” Sarah would get her memory back…so as a whole, it makes the last three episodes sort of….weak…
But overall I enjoyed this season, I liked the finale and I love this show. Unlike Lost I will rewatch this show again and just fully believe that yes Sarah got her memory back(despite HATING that we don’t know for cheap, lazy, uninspired reasons) and I’ll enjoy the perfect 2 seasons, and the great season 3 and 4….
And there is no doubt that we have five years of a fantastic cast lead by the excellent Zach and Yvonne, who, no one can deny were just AMAZING in this episode.
So yeah disappointed by in no way is my love for Chuck gone….I just wish writers didn’t feel ambiguity was necessary…It’s bad writing…
well put, Josh. I agree. I wish the writers could’ve added a little more closure for us who have faithfully watched for 5 years.
well put, Josh. I agree. I wish the writers could’ve added a little more closure for us who have faithfully watched for 5 years. I’m not going to dump the whole series over it, but wish I wasn’t walking away feeling disappointed in a show I love.
I hated the series finale. The writers did an excellent job with giving Ellie, Devon, and the rest closure but they did an injustice with Chuck and Sarah. I for one feel hurt that since season one I have been a huge Chuck fan I even spent money on Subway sandwiches to save the show and have both Fedak and Schwartz reward us like this it just hurts that I participated in all the campaigns to keep this show on the air for this. NBC should have cancelled the show last season at least it ended with the marriage of Chuck and Sarah. The writers should have ended with Chuck and Sarah getting their “Dream House” especially for Sarah because of how she was before Chuck and how it took her to become normal and erase all of that it’s just too sad. Fedak and Schwartz ruined an amazing show both should be ashamed of themselves for doing that to us fans who fought tooth and nail to keep this show on the air.
Weinerlicious, Irene Demova and the carving in their dream home. Her memories are already steadily coming back. To top it off, she came to the beach spot instead of leaving because she “knew” it was important. We also don’t know how many memories Chuck’s story stirred in her. Clearly it was effective because the “spy-mode” Sarah laughed and cried repeatedly. Throw in the passionate kiss during the final seconds and you don’t even have to have much of an imagination to know what happens next :)… All Fedak and Schwartz showed us was that regardless of the circumstances they were always fated to be together. Remember that and be happy. Great series, great finale. Thank you.
Thank you for this comment. I was getting upset reading all the other ones. But I guess everyone has their own take on the finale. I just happen to agree with yours completely. 🙂
i was satisfied with that ending, although i would have preferred seeing chuck and sarah in that house happy.
there are a lot of people showing a lot of anger which i can understand given the emotion that this show carries given everything that we have been through as a worldwide family. all i will say is people can be angry about this and make the last 5 years mean nothing or remember that the show is about a guy called chuck who changes whilst still remaining the geek that we all love.
dom
(chuck fan since the beginning and will be forever)
thank you chuck for the memories
I agree with you Josh that this endind destroyed Sarah’s character that Chuck and Sarah fought all season long to have a normal life with children and just end it like this its just disappointing I just feel that I wasted five years of my life.
I just watched the final 2 episodes , and i am really dissapointed.
It just feels like i’m missing something , that it isn’t over yet ,
Like..
-Are they going to be together?
-Are they going to live in that dreamhouse.
-Are they going to have kids.
-Will sarah have her memory back?
-Etc.
If they put in some flashforwards ,then it was so much better.
I don’t like that they threw away 4½ years of Sarah Walker(From cold hearted spy to a Loving women) Away , and try to put it back in 5 minutes….
No …..i don’t like the finale at all!!! , i hope that there are some hidden scenes or something on the dvd…
The chuck show is getting a 9½ until the Sarah memory lost part….
From that part to the finale a 6…..
(i’m sorry for the bad english ……english is not my first and not my second language)
Hey I feel the same way.. There Is still so much we didn’t get to know… Just like you say, I think we deserved to see what happend to the Dream house and If she ever became pragnent!
Sorry for my bad english!
I loved the entire finale– except the end. It was so well done by everyone- Sarah- hard core again; chuck- still all heart (but wiser than he was when sarah 1st met him); casey- gone soft but trying to shrug it off ; morgan – always loyal even if bumbling etc., etc.- so great!
But as much as I love this show and all of the characters, and as much I loved the finale, I can’t make myself like the ending. I really want to, but I can’t. I can see the reasoning for it. I get it. It’s very creative to end where we started, but flipped, etc. Great writing. But one of the things I have always loved about the show is it’s feel good nature. It has provided a strange source of comfort for me from the real world like no other show has. So I really wanted a feel good ending to the series, and I do not believe I got it (based on the fact that I am not feeling good but am instead saying “huh”).
Even if we could have had Sarah flashing memories during the kiss at the end in the same way the memories flashed on screen when they were taken away- that would have done it for me. There would still be plenty of lingering questions to be answered like what happens now that chuck has the intersect? What will they do now that Casey is gone. Will they keep spying? Will they be able to stay out even if they want to since the intersect found chuck again or will they be spy parents like chuck’s parents- but do it right, etc. etc. But to not know whether Sarah will be back to the person she was after 5 yrs of character softening and growth and for the question to be whether she will remember just how much she loves chuck and what they have been through together or whether she will have to fall in love all over again (b/c how could she not) is just unacceptable to me. It messes with the core of the show too much. It would be like ending snow white or sleeping beauty with the prince kissing the princess and not seeing her wake up. We would assume she does because it’s disney, but we need to see it.
As creative as the ending was, I did not want a pensive sopranos/newhart/lost type of ending, i wanted a Chuck type of ending. I wanted a feel good ending.
That being said – loved the show. Will miss it so much. Will have to get by with rewatching episodes over and over.
This. I thought the same thing. A little touch to end on a MUCH better note.
Tadbitobsessed- After rereading all the comments, and writing my own (couple spaces below you), I feel you put my thoughts about the ending into words the best of anyone. So thanks. Maybe that will give you some “feel goodness”.
Thanks Paul. It does a little.
well put, cant agree more
Have not seen episodes, but these reviews doesn´t sound good. Really sad if all Sarah´s development has missed. Because it really was needing a good closure for both of them. Chuck as a spy and Sarah as a normal person, because that has been the direction from season 1.
It’s okay. Some people just can’t draw conclusions on their own. Really surprised so many people didn’t like it. Don’t see how you could walk away and not think Sarah gets all of her memory back. They just don’t say it out loud.
I think that was the problem. They wanted it said out loud. They wanted no ambiguity. It’s perfectly ok to like the finale, but it’s also ok to be disappointed with a finale that leaves things between the lead characters open ended.
I knew Yvonne didn’t like the ending herself, and used the oh so passionette word “NICE” when asked to describe her feelings about the ending. I understand that maybe the creators wanted to get really artistic and innovative with a Grande Finale. They were for 99% of the finale. But, I feel they intentionally mislead us with the main theme of “Chuck” which is the Chuck and Sarah love story. In all the past episodes we saw references to pregnancy, family life, babies, the picture Chuck drew, a home, no spy life or Intersect. They threw all that away. They scammed us with the ending. The ending was creative, but unpleasant.
Don’t think Zac liked it that much either but was better at being diplomatic about it. When you say the finale may not be tears of joy, but of love, that tells me that it’s not the ending he expected either.
The second to last episode where Chuck and Sarah are in their dream home, and Chuck is saying how they had their first kiss made me cry. It was so sad to see Sarah not remember anything they built up in the past 4 almost 5 years. I didn’t really like the ending and I will definitely see what they have for us in the dvd.
Man, people, where is the loyalty? Really, you jump ship that easily. Where is the fight and thankfulness for being entertained for 5 years? I agree that I would have liked the feel good ending, but the show reflected the emotion that those of us who have stuck with the show are feeling. And I think it left an opening for new story lines just in case on some crazy off chance somebody decided to do something else. I don’t think that will happen, but I thought it was very creative to allow us to create our own ending of a series that we obviously love. You have taken the time to get on a website and talk about a TV show, not many shows inspire that type of connection. I have never done it in my life.
With that said. Thank you to the writers, to the cast and all others who worked so hard to produce something that has been entertaining, engaging and emotional all in one package! I am sorry for what you are going through too! I own the DVDs and our family was talking about tonight how it has been the most watched DVDs in our household and I would bet will continue to be! I pray that each of you will find success in your future endeavors. My family will miss our weekly Bartowski adventures!
It’s weird and sad to say this, but it’s somewhat satisfying to see almost everyone highly disappointed by the finale.
The show deserved better, Chuck and Sarah deserved more and most of all the fans deserved a better ending.
With all the teases the show did to the house, baby, desire for normalcy etc during the season, the final 2 episodes felt purposefully cruel… it destroyed all that and 5 years of character development from Sarah.
Definitely NOT a love letter.
jmc.. thank u man!
it seems like we’re always having the same opinion…
One word about the ending:
Disgusted.
Did enjoy Finale. Yes, I missed the resolution of a flash by Sarah that fixed everything. But….. Isn’t this what this show, Chuck & Sarah and their family and team have done from the beginning.
1. Beat the odds. (so why would they quit doing that)
2. Fight for each other, and come out stronger in the end.
3. Continue showing us their story and regardless if it is on TV, in a movie, in a book or in fan internet literature this ending left lots of room for growth and story.
Chuck has the intersect, Sarah may have her memories and the intersect (if Quinn didn’t suppress her memories, what else did he fail to suppress), what are Casey and Gertrude doing, Same for Ellie and Awesome. I would have liked resolution, but is it really what my imagination and love of this show needs in the long run. Or do I need the same mystery, hope, family and fairy tale possibility that attracted me to the show in the first place.
So thank you actors of Chuck for the first show in 43 Years I have ever been hooked on. Thank you CHUCKTV AND CHUCK VS THE PODCAST for the first website I checked almost every day, first podcast I ever listened too, To all of you fans that had been there in season one and two and fought so that I could see season three and fight with you for a fourth and fifths season thank you. And this my first post to a discussion anywhere. Thanks to all of you and God Bless. Nite Kevin
I have to agree with some of the previous comments, although I loved the series in its entirety and this final didn’t spoil it for me. If there was any show that needed an ambiguous ending Chuck wasn’t it. For a show that was always on the cusp of being cancelled, except for the clamoring of the fans to keep it on, it made no sense to not give the fans a more satisfying ending. All the character development of Sarah, the Dream house, the picture of them and the baby was pretty much all for not. What would have been wrong with knowing that Chuck and Sarah are okay somewhere, happily married with a child? I’m hoping that the producers are doing a George Lucas and saving some pivotal scenes for the DVD so as to encourage people to buy it, otherwise that ending was blah at best for five years of being a loyal fan of the show. No wonder Yvonne in an earlier interview said that she was expected something different from the final, yeah and ending that actually didn’t suck. I just felt like there was nothing really resolved, in all honesty if chuck had ended in season 4 that would have been perfectly fine, as season five seemed to really not be needed looking back on it. Chuck at it’s heart is a comedy and yet a show like Friday Night Lights which is supposed to be a realistic drama, has a more satisfying ending and sense of closure than Chuck, how in the world does that happen? I’m thinking my DVD collection of this show will be stopping at season 4.
I have to agree with what was said about being disappointed with the ambiguous ending. I mean at its heart Chuck is supposed to be a comedy and yet a realistic drama like Friday Night Lights has a more satisfying ending than Chuck? What gives? The producers have to be pulling a George Lucas and saving some pivotal scenes for the DVD, at least I hope that is the case. Other than maybe three episodes this year, season give was a waste. My DVD collection will be stopping at Season 4. Still a great series and I’m glad I watched it, just didn’t like the Sopranoesque ending. I do have to say though that tonight was the finest acting job I’ve ever seen Zachery Levi do and Yvonne wasn’t far behind.
Overall…I would have to say satisfied.
Were there lose ends? Yes. But, even with the ambiguous ending, I have to agree with KEVIN. Even though most people wanted Chuck and Sarah to end up with the American Dream, ultimately when circumstances were overwhelming, the ending demonstrated that Chuck and Sarah would always beat the odds, fight and come out stronger, and provide us with more opportunity for further story and development…even if they had to start at square 1.
I think if this was going to be the kind of ending Schwartz and Fedak were going for, it might have been better handled if they had more time. I still think, and forever will think, if “Chuck” had to end this season, it should have been given at least a full season and allowed 100 episodes. More time would have given the audience a chance to process the story, instead of coping with the final two episodes. As it is, we had a lot shoved in half a season.
But, yes, part of the show has always been to appreciate the positive. This finale ultimately demonstrated that with the right attitude and perspective, come what may, we can safely assume that everything will turn out well for our favorite spy couple.
AND COME ON!!!!….WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE “CHUCK” DOWN THE LINE BECAUSE OF THIS SET-UP!!!! Think positive people! 🙂
I am new here so i felt after reading the posts here and watching the 2 hour season finale, I was definitely dissappointed in the ending of the show. I have watched CHUCK from the beginning and on occassion watched ,many episodes from all the series seasons but loved the ending of Season 4 the most with Sarah recovering and CHUCK AND SARAH finally getting married. In my opinion, the producers should have ended the show right there! with clips of chuck and sarah finally getting that dream house pickett fence..yet, when season 5 rolled, i figured alright Morgan’s got the intersect-okay, another angle to go on-then their moneys gone and they had their own industry to work out of BUY MORE.then Chucks life was threaten until Casey got rid of that awful dirt bag and his team..maybe Chuck and Sarah -an incredible team couple filled with love and happiness for each other would start their lives with the new house and planning for the future . Even midway thru season 5 the show should have closed properly..with sarah pregnant -baby on the way-but we had more crap-with Morgan flashing the powers of intersect and mingling with an old and waste of viewing time BO DEREK (who cant act and i guess needs the money badly and ugly Quinn)-Then we get the bullet train episode and the destruction of poor SARAH’s memories and turning her into the Terminator-the first hour of series finally..a bad-a$$ chick out to kill chuck and everyone in her path..then to the final hour where we are left wondering what are these producers smokin leaving us with SARAH and partial memory but still not fully restored-so that she remembers her marriage to chuck, her love and life with chuck, their future..to have them on the beach reflecting, his telling her he will always be there and help her..then she asks for him to tell her a story..so we see her happy and laughing,,then he pops the idea of a kiss. so they kiss and kiss more passionately..what are we to make of it but leaving us with blank faces or questions…DOES SARAH GET HER MEMORY BACK because of the magical kiss and chuck and sarah are back as husband and wife with love for each other-or more her love for him is restored…and then we are to assume they are in their new house-happy and free..
so many unanswered questions.
I cant believe that the ending we got. That to me was not a love letter to the fans but a big F you to us. Sorry but right now i not going to go into it cause i so mad right now. I feel like I have been cheated.
I completely agree with you Curtsi!!!!! They have a strange definition of what is a love letter, 🙁
I agree with what Bill said earlier. May have been in this thread, may have been in a different one.
Tonight felt like a middle finger pointed straight at me tonight.
Sarah & Chuck’s story should have ended, in there dream home, planning their family. How could they end this show with Sarah’s memory gone & she & Chuck starting over? How is that a “Love Letter” To The Fans? How could they leave Chuck & Sarah being together & happy up for debate, or something we have to decide in each of our own heads? That just sucks.
Why is it that every other character can be wrapped up with a little bow. Yet, the main relationship on the show, has to be screwed with, right to the very end!
You could’nt give us the Obvious Happy Ending (Yes, Obvious) in the last freaking episode!
Makes me wonder why they gave us the marriage in season 4, if the plan was to do this. Newsflash guys! The relationship between Chuck & Sarah was a big reason why many of us loved the show!
Thanks for messing with it! Yet, again!
Like Bill said. I felt like I got the middle finger from S & F tonight!
I would have watched this show in DVD re – run until the day I croaked if they would have just ended Chuck & Sarah, Married, In Love & Happy (Even the Shaw Episodes!) Not sure I can do that now.
Thanks, Mr. Fedak!
How could you end the story of the best couple & romance on TV, like that?
This show ended with Chuck & Sarah’s wedding in Season 4 for me
I am so hurt & disgusted!
BMB
Watched it in Germany now and I´m torn apart. Still hope my English skills are too bad and I missed something important.
The episodes were brilliant, I was hooked, there was so much in it… but in the last minutes I always checked how long to go, afraid that there will be no time left for the happy end. Now after 10 minutes to cool down (emotionally) I´m not sure If I liked the ending….I think at least they could have given us some memory flashes in the ending titles….just to make sure. But one good thing, it´s all there for a follow-up….By the way, the end reminded me of “Inception”, and even there, I thought, the writers were to cowardly for a real solution, that, or just cynical….okay, probablyI I didn´t liked the ending…
huh markus.. it was 100% the same thing with me.. the last 15 minutes i always took a look at the clock and thought : oh my god just 10 minutes to go..
im going to explain my opinion why sarah did regain her memories, and I think it makes a lot of sense. the idea popped up in my head when ellie said, ’emotions spark those memories’.
in season 3 we learn that the intersect is faulty when combined with emotions. emotions make the intersect not work as planned.
in season 4, after chuck’s intersect is suppressed, he tries to use a powerful emotion to ‘lift the boulder’ off of the intersect. he uses fear, and he gets very close. i remember seeing how very close he got to getting the intersect back, on his last almost flash.
now fear is a powerful emotion, but i like to think the strongest emotion is love. so in sarah’s case, to unlock her memories she used love. if you think she couldnt feel love since it was locked inside of her, then remember that the memories were inside of her. Not only that, but she also had chuck’s clear love to help her.
so it could all be a coincidence, but really, this show has been based off of the mythology aspect. Chuck, was close using fear to get back the intersect. Morgan used no emotion to get back the memories he lost, since he had no drive. Sarah on the other hand, she had motivation and emotion.
so no doubt, she got the memories back.
a few other notes, i was confused if chuck got rid of the intersect. im guessing that will probably be in the dvd.
i also loved general beckmans. ‘if you want to save the world, you know where i am.’ i feel like that was left in there, for the slight tiny chance they might do a movie, or some other short film.
overall i loved it! great series!
It’s completely obvious she’s going to get her memories back… Anyone who didn’t like the ending is crazy. That’s right, crazy. She remembered Wienerlicious, the carving on the wall, Irene Demova and at the end went to the beach instead of leaving town. As Chuck was telling her the stories she was laughing and crying, and at the end she asked Chuck to kiss her.
The ending was like the ending of Inception with the top spinning… except not. In Inception you were left completely hanging as to whether he was still dreaming, but in Chuck, the hints I mentioned above made it obvious that she is going to remember.
Avid you’re right, and so while it is sad we didn’t get to see the happily ever after, when do you ever? We know the future is Chuck and Sarah happily together with their family, because thats their dream and Chuck deserves and is going to make sure he lives his normal dream, normal just simply isn’t what we see on t.v. The ending for me is exactly where all damn tv shows end with the resolution of the story just achieved, Chuck and Sarah have achieved the ability/got into the situation that allows them to have a normal life together, the have been set free from the spy world and while they can choose to go back as Beckman said, they never will . So thinking about it, for me this ending was as satisfying as any other I have ever experienced with a tv show, Chuck was always trying to get back to normal from the when he got the intersect and he finally got that without any conditions, except yes a little time needed for Sarah but that he will work out. So you can be angry all you want, but being happy is so much more fun =D
Thank you Mel for the website over the years =D
Avid you’re exactly right. We saw Chuck and Sarah begin their normal life at the end of this finale. The story ended where all stories do when the resolution was achieved, the resolution of Chuck, is him getting the girl he wants and getting to live his normal life how he wants, exactly what Chuck the character wanted from the moment the spy life intruded, which incidently is when we first met him and most of the other main characters. An yes we were shown the story began earlier but we only got snapshots of the history. And yes it is sad we didn’t get some sort of snapshot of the future of the happily ever after. But really when do you ever see this. You don’t, love stories, okay fairytales at least end as soon as the protagonists have got together and free to have their happily ever after but we don’t see it, no we simply get to imagine it.
So while i can understand this ending being unsatisfactory to most all viewers, I after thinking about it like it and easily understand it as the ending we got with how this season panned out. And while yes many people hate the entire season, i’m just happy that i got to enjoy five seasons of Chuck, because hell when did any ever think this show was going to make it. Ultimately i have to be happy with what the writers gave us because they are the ones who created it, and hey if you angry go write some fan fiction t tell the world how you think this should have gone. i am just going to be a lover not a hater because its just so much more fun. =D
Thank you Mel for the website and sharing all the news over the years, I have appreciated it greatly =D
You´re right, ”inception” was much more open, it´s just that I want them to be happy now and actually see it, not just guess it…but compared to other “open-end-movies/series” (something I definitely don´t like) it was a good one, it was just not satisfying enough for my taste…especially without a follow-up.
Maybe the kiss at the end did the trick? 🙂
So many glorious shout outs in this last episode.
‘Chuck’ is a comedy; sooner or later Sarah would get her memories back on her own or Chuck and Ellie will build a doodad to help her with the Intersect/medical knowledge. Casey will be off in Dresden having a wild, passionate affair with Gertrude and JEFFSTER will be the next Euro-pop sensation.
well well… i’d also have liked a cheesy ending with c&s having a family BUT… come on, this one leaves everything open in such a nice way, e.g. for a much anticipated movie. remember the episode where c&s proved themselves up against the older spy couple? and those guys saying something like “we started over many times”? that’s exactly what each one of us can imagine now in every way we want to… plus there were a thousand hints sarah’s on her way recovering her memory completely. it’s been such a fun ride anyway!
Great finale, not too good the ending.
But i hope on that extra minutes from DVD will tell what will happen after that kiss. Is Morgan true or not ? Is it a magical kiss or what?
And i wish that extra minute tell us about they got their dream house, kids maybe and sarah memory is restored….
If not, well i think it just my bad day…
Whether the kiss worked or not really doesn’t matter. Whether she got all her memories back from the kiss or one year later, it’s clear to me that she was going to.
Such a BITTERsweet ending,they should give justice to Chuck and Sarah having the dream house and Sarah’s memory back.What a cliffhanger for Chuck and Sarah relationship……!!!
One word: Nostalgia.
Never has come a show more full circle. Chuck Vs Sarah hit more on the tears but Chuck Vs the Goodbye:
Oh my god, I didn’t cry but my head felt like it was about to explode and I was gasping for air the whole time because it was so emotionally overwhelming. All these great flashbacks and revisits of the past were just amazing.
Both episodes were made me lough out loud and there were some pretty unexpected twists.
People who didn’t like the series finale will probably realise some time later that it’s like the perception of music. At first you don’t understand it but then it really grows on you.
Speaking of music: I had to rewind back because I relaised that I also participated in the piece the orchestra was playing, so my ears coudn’t hear the dialogue. 🙂
In the end I can say if you think that the approach of this show in the beginning (because I especially love the beginning) was somehow life guiding or changing, this show and its end meant a lot to you.
Reminiscing in memories CHUCK makes you realise that the journey is the reward.
Farewell Chuk, Sarah, Morgan, Casey, Ellie & Devon, Alex, Jeff & Lester, Big Mike, Gen. Beckman and all you Villains.
To new beginnings, fresh starts, coming full circle and believing in you!
I freaking loved you!
well well… i’d also have liked a cheesy ending with c&s having a family BUT… come on, this one leaves everything open, e.g. for a much anticipated movie. remember the episode where c&s proved themselves up against the older spy couple? and those guys saying something like “we started over many times”? that’s exactly what each one of us can imagine now in every way we want to… it’s been such a fun ride anyway!
My dissappointment began with Chuck vs. the Bo and I am sorry to say that it increased with the final two episodes, especially Chuck vs. Sarah. After 5 seasons of character development, how could TPTB possibly think that a devoted fan of Chuck would find this entertaining. A “love letter” to fans? Really? Chuck vs. the goodbye was somewhat better, but the ending was not satisfying at all. Back to square one with Chuck and Sarah? Really? This ending was suppose to make us feel good about the show after everything that came before it? It boggles my mind that TPTB would think that this story line was a good idea.
GOOGLE- Go back to that interview with Josh and Chris. They are asked which part of the show do they like best? I believe it was Chris who answered emphatically: “the scenes where Chuck and Sarah are alone and close”. Josh mentioned the motel room scene when Chuck and Sarah first got physically close. They both mentioned how they realized that the growth of the Chuck and Sarah relationship had become the focal point of the show for viewers, and them. Now, there may be a couple of viewers out there who would argue that that is exactly what we got at the end. Alone together talking and growing.
But, I think that is a cop out. How could they recognize that the best part of the show is when Chuck and Sarah are together, and then in the most important episodes of their careers, and the fans/viewers “Chuck” viewing experience, put out a show with 119 minutes of no Chuck/Sarah, and 1 minute with Chuck and Sarah together. It makes no sense to me. It goes against what Chris and Josh feel.
The fans want to see Chuck and Sarah suceed in their quest for a “normal” life. That is what the show has been building to. In the end, neither Chuck or Sarah, or the fans got what they wanted. Such a waste considering that Josh and Chris recognized why fans had flocked to, and stuck with “Chuck”. I believe Chris and Josh wanted to do a maximum effect ending that no one would forget. Well they did. I won’t forget it.
Never thought I would write on this site again but here goes. The ending was horrible. Memories do not equate emotions. When Sarah saw her mission log, she saw herself and yet told Chuck she didn’t feel it. If she was such a dedicated spy, why didn’t they have Beckman speak to her. She had grown up without love and now she wasn’t able to love again. If she really was getting her memories back, why wasn’t she the one coming to Chuck to say let’s work it out? It was bull, the series jumped the shark last year and got progressively worse. Ruined a beautiful love story. TPTB are losers, and you guys are right, it was the middle finger. Have a nice life all.
I know it was a bittersweet end, but a liked it. No like a typical one. Sarah remembered writing on the wall, Irene Demova and the beach; so she got her memories back. Also they end up together. ¡Viva Chuck!
Fan from Venezuela.
I get it now, why they said the end would be satisfying and never spoke of it as a happy ending. I wouldn’t say it was disappointing or even horrible, but for me it’s a sad end and somehow a break with the show. I mean, after all the fights and the hard work on their relationship, they’re still not done. In fact, they have to start again.
I think it is out of the question that Sarah will regain her memories, but for me the ending implies hard work from them in order to get there and thus no moving on, but going back. They deserve better: “We as a people deserve BETTER!” ( I think Lester nailed it there^^)
So the end doesn’t end anything…
I tend to agree with most people here. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. It kind of undid what the previous 4 seasons of chuck built up. And I also think that whilst one can assume that the writing was attempting to lead us down the path of Sarah’s memories coming back, for mine, that went out the window as soon as Chuck re-uploaded the intersect. Futher, I think Sarah’s recognition of the carving in the house was more a recognition of her handwriting than the event….
All in all I would have preferred to have had the ambiguity removed but in the end it is what it is and there isn’t a whole lot that can be done about it. It is still the most entertaining show I have ever seen and 91 episodes shouldn’t be forgotten about because we think it should’ve been five minutes longer…
Sorry, but this ending was not that much better than past failures of series finales such as Seinfeld and the Sopranos…. and those two were atrocious finales imo.
This finale should have been done about two years ago, somewhere in season 3 or 4… but not as the season finale, more like the mid-season finale. The balance of that season could then have been balanced on missions, rediscovery, and reawakening the lost memories and/or creating new ones.
Sarah getting mind-wiped by a buggy Intersect (with help from a bad guy, who, btw, was the least impressive villain I’ve seen on this show in quite some time, again my imo) is, to me anyway, actually, a good idea with plenty of possibilities in storytelling play, but the timing stunk beyond a skunk spray.. This should not have been a series finale. Again, season 3 or 4 would have been better. Actually, Shaw should have tried this to get Sarah further into his camp — THERE’S some storytelling complications to try and work out! (Keep in mind, I have never, ever cared for the Shaw character at all, not in the least bit, I’ve considered that character and the story arc with him in it a major mistake from the moment he set foot on the stage, so for me to suggest this should hint that this might have made him a more interesting and dangerous villain that I might have actually enjoyed seeing what he was up to next and the joy in seeing him getting his due thumping).
Chuck deserved a better ending than this. It’s too bad.
I think at the end Sarah remembered Chuck she just needed time and spending some time alone at the beach did the job. Chuck telling her their love story it reinforced her feelings for him because when Chuck told her about Morgan’s theory Chuck thought it was stupid but it was Sarah who told him to kiss her like she did in vs. the Other Guy at the end. She was herself when he was telling the story she was laughing and being playful with Chuck.
I would have liked a true feel-good ending, from this series. A final laugh and the whole gang (family and friends) together, around the supper table, before heading off in separate directions. The “family and friends” dynamic was as important to CHUCK as the Sarah-Chuck love relationship.
What we’d like, and what we get, are not always the same things, right? (sigh)
I would love to see Zac’s idea of a follow-up online movie. CHUCK is loved around the world, and I’m sure that alot of us would pay a few dollars to see the characters continue their journey. Who needs NBC?!
I was satisfied with the ending. I didn’t LOVE it, but I didn’t think it was nearly as bad as many people have been saying. To me, there were two huge questions that needed answering. One – Does Sarah get her memories back? This one wasn’t answered unfortunately. I would have liked more closure on this, but the ending is frustratingly ambiguous. Yes, she does remember bits and pieces (Weinerlicious, porn virus, etc) but there is no for sure answer. I would have liked the kiss to work, and as their kissing we see flashbacks to all of her happy moments with Chuck, the last being the picture of the house with them and the baby. Yeah, it would have been extremely cliche, but it would have made me so happy. The second question – Does Sarah love Chuck? To me, this one was answered with a resounding kiss. No one can tell me after watching that passionate kiss at the end that Sarah doesn’t love Chuck. For this, I thought the ending wasn’t too bad. I knew that Chuck won her over yet again because Chuck is such a lovable guy. After spending hours of story time on the beach with him, she realized that she did love him. Unfortunately, we don’t know if her memories ever fully come back. That’s my take, and I really hope the S5 DVD gives us some extended scenes that provide definite closure.
I cants stop crying. I so disgusted and hart broken over this ending. It reminds me of the Lex ending in Smallville. I know it just a show but I am so hart broken after this ending. I want to say thank you Josh and Chris for screwing with your fans who kept the show going. I so angry right now. Season 4 and even season 3 had a better ending. I now wishing they never got a season 5
sorry for double post just wanted to say thank you to all you chuckters out their for the great memories. I bid a farewell to all of you and hope you have full lives. I so mad at how Chuck ended I done not only with NBC but everything Chuck. Yes that extreme and I may being a bit of a drama queen but i dont care I feel cheated and I sick all over. So i out and i bid you all a farewell. Thank you