Season 3 Episode 8: Chuck Vs The Fake Name

[Valmy]

Great Casey Episode, it seems to set up a nice story arch for him in future episodes.  This season needs more Casey.

I am with those mafia guys man I hate those will they or wont they things.  Fortunately, though I love when Yvonne Strahovski gets emotional-nobody does emoting like she does-I am totally cool with whatever they decide to do with that relationship.

I have been sitting here wondering what Chuck was thinking dating a girl who couldn't know he was a spy.  He has definitely been a little bit in denial this whole season and hearing what Sarah...er. .Sam and Ellie said woke him up.  They will need a lady spy to get him a LI in the future.

Not really that interested in Sarah and Shaw, the actors don't seem to have much chemistry to me even though they are both incredibly good looking, but good for Sarah's character for moving on.

I guess it is pretty obvious but I bet Chuck's feelings for Sarah are what keeps him from flashing in the next episode.  We  will see.

[klindsay]

Wow, I expected more fervor over here.

Hubby and I loved it. The only cringe-worthy part was Chuck breaking up with Hannah while her parents were sitting 10 feet away. Very douchey. Although I see why it worked, it's another way to show that Chuck has become a new person. One that knows what he needs to do, and if it means hurting someone to keep them out of harm's way, he will.

I thought the two name reveals were very cleverly done. I can't wait for more Casey already, and even though Sarah / Sam revealed her name to Shaw, Chuck learned it at the same time. *ring ring* Chuck Bartowski? Wake up call!

[bobesb]

I agree that that was a big part of the reason why he ended it, but I think still having feelings for Sarah played into it as well. The two things are related anyway. He could have never told her the truth about what really happened between him and Sarah either.

Maybe - but I hope not.  It was good to see the caring part of Chuck still there (if not in the spy world) then with innocent by-standards.  I think  that the lying-as-the-reason comes out when talking to Ellie

[dzeims]

I agree that that was a big part of the reason why he ended it, but I think still having feelings for Sarah played into it as well. The two things are related anyway. He could have never told her the truth about what really happened between him and Sarah either.

Agreed.  I also think with the theme of Chuck getting hit with the realization of just how much his life is negatively affecting the lives of those he cares about, he probably never thought it would have such an impact on Sarah.

[Valmy]

I must say the new Chuck before his wake up call was a cold blooded SOB.  I was wondering how much longer they were going to keep that going.  Now what?  He is sort of committed to being a spy but is only now starting to realize the cost.

Oh and Shaw is a dead man.  The Ring is going to take him out this season.

[dammersr]

Stupid Chuck for leaving the phone for her to answer.

Implausibly, unutterably stupid Chuck for entering on a relationship where he inevitably couldn't even begin to be honest.  A silly plot twist that seriously damaged the show's charm.

[Atlee]

I actually think that he ended it because of the lying - and not because of Sarah.  Nice self-awareness - I like.  Goood that Sarah got to get out of angst-mode - and have a little fun.

It's both in equal measures.  One, Chuck deep down knows he still loves Sarah.  Two, moving forward with Hannah would be a living a huge lie. 

[Valmy]

Implausibly, unutterably stupid Chuck for entering on a relationship where he inevitably couldn't even begin to be honest.  A silly plot twist that seriously damaged the show's charm.

Yeah I was baffled by that from the beginning her character entered the show.  I sort of chalked it up to denial...but it really got bizarre when Sarah never even mentioned it could be a bad idea...even when she was struggling with jealousy.  Huh?  That made no sense on so many different levels.  Then she actually encouraged the relationship and it seemed that her character was totally honest in that...she was not even setting him up to fail.  Weird.

[Valmy]

It's both in equal measures.  One, Chuck deep down knows he still loves Sarah.  Two, moving forward with Hannah would be a living a huge lie.

That and it almost killed Hannah once...and then she answered a phone call from dangerous mobsters.  Frankly she is lucky to walk away from that relationship alive.

[Texski]

The show will take some heat over this episode, but I hope it's not over-the-top. Some good things, some not so good things, but overall, it wasn't a bad episode.

Some quick, random thoughts:

- Hannah ends up being a non factor spy-wise. I guess that was her secret.
- Liked Chuck's impersonation of Rafe.
- Liked that both Chuck and Sarah are struggling with identity issues.
- Didn't like the name reveal.
- Didn't like the sex - both real and implied.
- Loved Casey taking out Rafe.
- Was disappointed in Chuck not being able to flash at the end. Obviously that's a setup.
- Was disappointed in how Chuck broke Hannah's heart.
- Thought the little 'talks' to the Chuck/Sarah fans was pretty amusing.
- Loved Ellie's understanding of her brother.

I'm sure I'm missing many others, but off the top, these are the things that stick out.

[dzeims]

Loved all the in-jokes by the Mafia guys and the BM crew.  Of those, Jeff got the best line about Chuck and Sarah, and Scott nailed it.   

[Atlee]

Loved all the in-jokes by the Mafia guys and the BM crew.  Of those, Jeff got the best line about Chuck and Sarah, and Scott nailed it.   

Yep, old alcoholic burnt out Jeff noted that only when Chuck was around Sharah did Chuck's eyes really light up.

[Texski]

Implausibly, unutterably stupid Chuck for entering on a relationship where he inevitably couldn't even begin to be honest.  A silly plot twist that seriously damaged the show's charm.

Yeah, it wasn't necessary, but what can be done? The show loves angst, that's never been a secret.

[Valmy]

Yep, old alcoholic burnt out Jeff noted that only when Chuck was around Sharah did Chuck's eyes really light up.

Strangely my eyes only light up when she is in the scene to...just sayin'

[Atlee]

Yeah, it wasn't necessary, but what can be done? The show loves angst, that's never been a secret.

Well, Schwartz, at least, likes teenaged angst.