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This week’s Friday Five comes from Timm McCoy. Relatively new to the Chuck fandom, Timm turned his podcast, The Zone, boasting 10 million iTunes subscribers, to work for the show when he featured Chuck content for the month of September this year. Take it away, Timm!
Top 5 Science Fiction References on Chuck
Hello Chucksters! Timm McCoy here. It’s Christmas time and what better for me to give a gift to you. A long awaited one I think. Not only am I one of the biggest Chuck fans ever that has been, but I also have a taste for the Sci-Fi. So, with that in mind, here are the Top 5 Science Fiction References mentioned in 4 seasons of Chuck. In my opinion of course. BTW, Happy Holidays!
5: S1 E1: “The Pilot”
The very first reference so it has to be first, or fifth. Whatever. Morgan and Chuck are at the Buy More Nerd Herd desk. Morgan: “Stop the presses, who’s that? Vicky Vale? Chuck: (rapping a scratch) “Vicky Vale, Vic Vic, Vicky Vale”. Sarah: “I hope I’m not interrupting”? Chuck: “No. Not at all. That was from Batman”. Sarah: Cuz, that makes it better”. Thumbs up for Batman reference!
4: S1 E5: “Chuck vs. The Sizzling Shrimp” Morgan to Chuck: “Help me Charles Bartowski. You’re my only hope”. Awesome Star Wars mention.
3: S1 E6: “Chuck vs. The Sandworm:
No explanation needed. The whole show is a reference to the Sandworm from Dune. Also a small reference to Star Wars with a pic of Chuck & Sarah as Han & Leia
2: S2 E21: “Chuck vs. the Colonel”
Since the beginning of the series, we have seen the Tron poster in Chuck’s bedroom. But it was this episode that used that little tid bit of info. Chuck’s dad was kidnapped and held in an underground bunker at a deserted drive-in theater. Chuck and Sarah were being taken back to Castle by Casey when driving past the Drive-In’s marquee. The marquee was showing “12 am Tron”. Of course reference to the poster as well as the original movie Tron.
1: S4 E 10: “Chuck vs. The Leftovers”
After a fight that almost failed,a shot was fired. Three men fell. Chuck and Sarah turn to a figure holding a gun. Chuck:Mom? Mrs. B: “Come with me if you want to live” . A totally beauty reference to the movie Terminator in which Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) was told the same thing.
Because it is Christmas, I have an extra gift for you. To most it might be a faint reference, but to me being a fan of Quantum Leap, here it is:
Extra Gift: S2 E19 “Dream Job”
After the opening credits, Chuck and his father, Steven J. Bartowski enter Ellie’s apartment. Mr. B: “Hello Eleanor”. (long pause) Chuck: “Aren’t you going to say something?” (long pause) Ellie: “Pancakes?” Mr. B: “Oh Boy”. The famous line that was delivered each week by Sam Beckett on Quantum Leap.
There you go Chucksters. You’ll probably have others. Let us know. Happy Holidays and I’ll see you on the internet!
Be sure to visit Timm and check out The Zone for lots of podcast goodness!
In 3.18/3.19 Awesome and Morgan enter Castle to find Chuck, only to see Beckman on the main monitor with fuzzy reception giving them a version of Princess Leia’s speach from Star Wars “You are our only hope.”
I think Chuck vs. the Subway did a better job with the Star Wars “You’re my only hope” gag than Chuck vs. The Sizzling Shrimp. The scene is where Morgan and Devon are talking to General Beckman over vidoeconference and she’s shredding documents. The line is delivered complete with a repeat loop and distorted video as it was by R2-D2 in the movie.
Another great sci-fi reference can be summed up with one word: DeLorean!
I loved the shoutout to Lost in Chuck vs the Helicopter. While being tested by Dr. Zarnow, Chuck flashes on a photo saying something like, “Oceanic Flight 815 was shot down by a missile…”
Another one that I loved was in Chuck vs the Suburbs when Chuck told Sarah to close her eyes in the underground testing facility just as Casey turned the sequence to the dark intersect back on. It was an awesome “Raiders of the Lost Ark” moment that refers to when Indiana Jones tells Marion to do the same when the Nazis open the Ark.
I just re-watched vs the Helicopter and didn’t remember hearing the Oceanic 815 line before. I had to pause it and rewatch the scene again. That made my day. I can’t believe that I missed that before
OMG! I can’t believe I didn’t make that connection. I knew it felt familiar and couldn’t put my finger on it. Thanks!
“Robocop” awakening in The Suburbs, if memory serves. Also the “Ghostbusters” tableau in The Delorean.
Has there been a 2001 reference yet or is that wishful thinking on my part? If there hasn’t, there should be, writers! 😉
(Ha! I just got an image of Morgan cavorting around and throwing something bone-like into the air.)
in Chuck vs the sandworm, there was also another reference.
As you may already know, Josh Schwartz created Chuck and The OC. Chuck mirrors a scene of the OC in this episode. When chuck is rushing to get to Morgan, the song in the background is ‘Dice’ by Finley Quade. This is a reference to Ryan rushing to see Marissa before New Years countdown and in the background is ‘Dice’ by Finley Quade.
If I could have one power it would be the Jedi mind trick, hence my pick is Lester’s “These aren’t the boys you’re looking for” and of course I have to mention Morgan hiding couch locked Casey with the storm trooper helmet. LOL!
don’t forget Sarah’s “Frak Off” t-shirt … loved BSG …
I think there was a Planet of the Apes reference (the lips never moved) in Chuck v. the Tic-Tac. Also, the Star Trek reference (Vulcan nerve pinch) in Chuck v. the Fear of Death. I’m sure there are more, but that’s all I can think of at the moment…
Yes! Star Trek mention! I got excited when the other guy mentioned Star Trek! Go Vulcan neck pinch! 😀
The über-geek end of the sci-fi-geek spectrum would have to be the sci-fi gamers. “Tom Sawyer†is one big shout-out to the culture.
This is a great Friday 5, Timm! I catch about 75% of the references and I LOVE it when I learn more. It’s one of the things that really set this show apart from others. The “Chuck” writers rock (so do the fans!)
I really enjoyed the comments–being an old guy I had not picked up on some of these great tidbits. I enjoyed most of the items related to -Dune, Quantum Leap, Terminator,Star Wars, Indiana Jones-however as much as I hate to admit it I fell asleep in the original Tron–Twice! A lot of things to do prior to January 17th, it cannot get here soon enough. I wonder if we will double up on some of the episodes as we have a few times in the past. Chuck needs to be Number One–do not forget to vote and get your buddies to vote–lets not lose out again to another show. we need to maximize our impact in order to get a season 5. Comcast is looking and evaluating. Go eat at Subway on your way to buy a Toyota. I actually did that when I recently bought an Avalon. Why??? To support Chuck of course!!
In Chuck vs the Mask when Hannah refers to Daniel Shaw as a ridiculously good looking guy, Chuck says, “yeah, if you are into the Supermany type” as his way to describe Shaw’s great looks. 😉
In Chuck vs the Ring Part II little Chuck is wearing a Superman shirt. 🙂
And just to make that “Superman type” bit that much funnier, the actress who played Hannah was Lana on Smallville for 7 seasons, so she really does like the “Superman type” 😉
in chuck vs the beard there were visible klingon weapons in castle’s training area, star trek references 😛
not to mention the ep where Bryce made Chuck speak in Klingon (season 1, vs Nemesis?)
The “Oh boy,” from Bakula made me laugh and shout, “Yes!” at my TV the first time I saw that ep.
Add another popular sci fi reference:
“I know kung-fu”
(end of season 2)…The Matrix, anyone?
I loved that! When i first watched it I laughed so hard.
Leftovers was the second time Come with me if you want to live was used. It was used in Beefcake *shudder* only in Leftovers it was said by the right person.
Admittedly not a top 5, but still hilarious:
vs the Ring when Jeffster took over the 1st wedding, “Follow me for the changes,” references Back to the Future.
“No, there is another” a star war reference by Morgan in Chuck vs the Other Guy
Chuck vs the Subway – Star Wars reference:
Casey: Alex, I’m your father.
Alex: That’s impossible!! 😛
Plus numerous Firefly references, mostly out of Adam’s own mouth [GG]
‘Look sister, I don’t know what crew you were with before…’ to Summer Glau as Greta [GG] for one.
Chuck vs Sizzling shrimp – Actor James Hong also played another character named “Lo-Pan” in Big Trouble in Little China.
…and let’s not forget Casey’s very own A Team [GG]
I just got my copy of season 2 (it was finally cheap enough for me to afford it because it was on sale) and in Suburbs Jeff and Lester (becuase of Big Mike’s behavior) start questioning whether or not he was sent from the future or is a skin Job .Another Terminator reference.
Do you think Chuck liked the new Tron? Will he have a Tron Legacy poster next to his original when we come back? That would be a cool nod. I can’t wait until Jan. 20. All Hail Buy-Moria!
*END OF LINE*
Chuck vs. the First Fight, Wilhelm scream during the fight scene.
No one mentioned the “I will kill you” by Ivan Drago from Rocky by Dolph Lundgren in Chuck vs. the Anniversary.
Being such a tv and movie trivia NERD – my absolutely favorite part of CHUCK, besides Zac Levi, of course, is all the references the writers sneak into the story.
Wasn’t there also Bond trivia snuck into the story when Timothy Dalton first appeared? Or am I just dreaming??
Most has been said but dont forget another one in season 2,chuck vs the predetor. Mission Impossible – when orion gave chuck the schematics of the intersect located at roark industries after telling chuck it is possible to remove the intersect in his head he said.”This disk will self destruct in five seconds”…Ive always wanted to say that..=)
in episode 2-7 jill mentions her boss is paranoid and that he uses vogon poetry as a pass word on emails . a nod to the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
Here’s an obscure, perhaps accidental, sci-fi/fantsay reference. Chuck’s fraternity at Stanford was Gamma Delta Phi. Rearrange the letters and you get the real life International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta whose mascot is the snowy owl. Harry Potter’s Hedwig is a snowy owl.
The only Hedwig I’ve ever heard of is the one with and angry inch.
Hedwig is also Harry Potter’s owl.