ChuckTV.net The CHUCK archive
Written by Nicholas Wootton
Directed by Paul Marks
Some folks like chocolate,
I’ll take vanilla.
I say baseball over football.
And to me,
Man’s best friend doesn’t bark or fetch a ball.
See, personally, I like C.A.T.S.
With that coda sprung from Morgan’s ever overactive pop cultured imagination an explanation was provided why I consider this one of the weaker entries this season.
I am a dog person.
On paper the idea of an episode where Sarah is re-united with former team mates with the added bonus of one of them being Carina scans like a recipe for a fantastic episode. Especially with the history between Carina and Morgan, who is now in a full blown relationship with Alex. Much like last year’s Role Models, the execution was not up to the concept.
The episode gets off to a good start with a fun Charlie’s Angels montage of the C.A.T. Squad punctuated by a cat claws swipe at the end. This is followed out by a Girl’s Night Out that starts with the C.A.T.s literally dropping in and swooping Sarah away. The next day’s scenes with a hungover Sarah and Carina in bed with Morgan are also fun. This makes for an enjoyable first half of the episode but once again an underwhelming and totally predictable spy story filled with a succession of contrivances have the episode limping to the finish line.
Neither Chuck or Sarah fare well in this episode. Both are victims of being manipulated to service the plot because the thrust of the episode is predicated upon one of them acting unilaterally for the the both of them. Again. Good intentions aside, Chuck and Sarah have already seen the consequences of making decisions on their own without discussing them first.
What makes this device more problematic is that it used to create false drama sacrificing character likability in the process. Sarah publicly berating Chuck in front of a group of peers was not pleasant the first time in Fear of Death and is no more so this time. Especially since there is no follow through. If such a confrontation leads to relationship growth between the two of them so that they agree to discuss such decisions beforehand and take their issues behind closed doors then the relationship fights serve a purpose. If the fights are used to create melodrama because there is no followup then it diminishes the characters. Sarah’s outbursts hurt her character as does continuing acceptance of verbal abuse and making apologies hurts Chuck’s.
Chuck and Sarah having arguments can be quite entertaining. If they are used properly. Doing it for fun and relationship growth is fine. Using it to generate false drama is not enjoyable.
Turning to the spy story, any time the climax of a spy story is going to take place in the Castle and BuyMore the chances of contrivances appearing to resolve said spy conflict climb noticeably. From the moment Chuck touches the skylight and falls through and on, the amount of hand waving needed to accept all the contrivances made me feel like I was miming a hummingbird. My litmus test for contrivance threshold is if Casey falls prey to it too. With Casey literally taking a powder in the Castle that threshold was exceeded.
Episode Flashes: Add your own in the comments.
- Morgan’s Charlie’s Angels/C.A.T. Squad montage
- Engagement Invitation listing Chuck first
- Morgan has Carina’s contact info
- C.A.T.’s drop in for a Girl’s Night Out
- hung over Sarah
- Morgan’s double take of a naked Carina
- Sarah’s ‘Old Hen’ friends
- Bye, bye Porsche!
- The Gentle Hand
- Casey not buying Morgan’s assertion that Carina is hitting on him
- Casey telling Chuck he has put his past with Kathleen behind him
- Where does Sarah hide those knives?
- Amy as muscle
- Chuck using broken CDs as Ninja stars. Cool and clever!
- Machine guns under pink tafetta
- Ellie is the Maid of Honor!
- Sarah and Ellie scenes! So long overdue.
Morgan and Carina had some fun scenes together but that storyline fizzled out at the lipstick on the collar gambit. That storyline did set up a nice beat where Alex waved off Carina’s intended apology because Morgan had verbally expressed his love to her.
The actresses cast for Zondra and Amy were well chosen. Zondra and Sarah had some good confrontational scenes which were somewhat undermined by a rather pedestrian fight scene. Probably a casualty of time pressures.
Without a doubt the highlight of the episode was the long, long overdue scenes between Sarah and Ellie. Both are played by great actresses and for the show not to have taken far greater opportunities of the two of them together is perplexing. Things are looking up though as their conversations have set up a storyline where the two of should be spending some time together in future episodes. Also heartening in this episode was the scene between Casey and Chuck in the van. This was a seed planting scene that hopefully will get some payoff for the Casey, Alex and Kathleen dynamic down the road. Great to see the show doing this as it does not happen very often.
Will subsequent episodes continue to have Chuck and Sarah making decisions for each other without talking to one another first? Hopefully with this episode that plot contrivance has been declawed.
Spot on review Lou… When I speak aloud Casey-like thoughts at the TV instead of laughing at a scene, I realize I’m not enjoying an episode as much as I should be. I had problems with the skylight and Buy More fight scenes.
I wish the writers would figure out a way to unleash the capable Chuck and keep him nerdy. Instead they give us of his nerdiness through his screw-ups.
I agree, especially about the writers struggling to keep Chuck nerdy without making him incompetent. Nerds, as the show has demonstrated more than once, can be quite capable and still not be “smooth” or socially dominant. Chuck falling through the skylight was totally unnecessary, as was his inability to single-handedly handle Evil Lou Diamond Phillips and Amy. Clark Kent is a huge nerd, but when the situation calls for it, he can turn into Superman. Why can’t they do something similar with the Chuck character? I haven’t been able to figure that out. – jwr
Interesting you mention “Fear of Death”… that too was a Wootton episode. I guess his concept of Sarah is that she’s the sort who won’t hesitate to chew out her boyfriend/fiancé for botching things. In the company of peers.
If there is ever a fifth season, I hope they ditch Nicholas Wootton. He makes Chuck the show sub-par.
I absolutely agree, and would like to add that episode 4.03 was another weak episode in my view. Part of the problem is that Cubic Z, Fear of Death and CAT squad each followed strong episodes. I’m hoping that Chuck rebounds with next week’s episode.
Agree about Wootton. He doesn’t seem to have a feel for the characters at all. Doesn’t understand them.
One of my favorite writers, Ali Addler, really understood the characters, especially Sarah and Chuck. There was only one episode Addler wrote or cowrote that I didn’t like, The Fake Name.
New to the writing team last year, Judkins/LeFranc, jumped right in and started writing homeruns. Those two also fully understand the main characters. It seems like they went back and studied the main characters and picked up the pace with out missing a beat.
Wootton is clearly the weak link in the writing chain. That he was able to juggle excellence and mediocrity makes this a partial redemption in that he previously juggled mediocrity with something less. I was waiting for that moment where Sarah’s likely-skeptical girlfriends would see how a hard-ass rowdy could fall for the gentle Chuck. A “you’d be surprised” moment like the one with Heather Chandler. Instead they watched her berate him. That was squirm-inducing. When Chuck tried to “help” Sarah, she bristled. When she was rude to him, he showed no backbone. How could she not lose respect for him if he absorbs public abuse? I hope things change in this regard, and quick. This was the worst vibe I got from the show since “the Mask”.
Thanks so much Lou for pinpointing exactly what I was feeling about this episode and couldn’t express…”contrived.” Everything from the interplay b/w Sarah and Chuck throughout and that riduculous scene where Casey gets powdered (the Casey I know and love would not be duped in this way). I love Chuck so that means I love any episode in general, but not equally, and you and Kon helped me figure out why…the three episodes I loved least this season were the ones written by Wooten. I don’t think he has the true voice of our main trio (Chuck,Sarah, Casey) so they seem to do out of character things in the episodes he has written. Still loved the Sarah and Ellie stuff, but even that seemed “contrived.” Great word. Thank you, I feel much better now. 🙂
This was but was not a stand alone episode. The whole episode centered around set-ups for future episodes cleverly discuised with a fun eighties feel. What I saw was Zondra and Karina as bridesmades, machine guns will be required at the wedding, not sure the pink taffeta will be utilized. Casey realizing everyone is moving ahead with their lifes so he should too. Being couped up in the van and not going on missions is not for Casey. The reunion with Sarah’s mom will be played out between Sarah and Ellie with Ellie helping Sarah to cope with and conquer the strained relationship. ( is it too eairly to start speculating who will play Sarah’s mom? I vote for Michelle Pfeifer). Ellie will help Sarah plan the wedding straining Sarah’s hold on remaining a spy but turning her into a real girl. Then there is the hunt for Sarah’s dad, I think Chuck will take the lead on finding him. I can see him living on a beach on a tropical island, Chuck finds a way to dismiss the charges against him or he is granted ammunity when at the wedding. Morgan moves out and moves in with Alex, their relationship grows and he ends up proposing by season end, with Casey’s blessing. Casey then finds someone and begins to settle down himself. I am sure I missed some set-ups but I enjoyed the mission (planting setups ) inside the mission.
I was somewhat surprised not to see mama B, Jeffster or any other Buymorians on the engagement party. Lots and lots of people, but none of the regular bunch
Mary not being in her son’s engagement party (without even a throwaway explanation) bothered me a bit, as well as the absence of Big Mike. Jeffster! on the other hand… not so much. Probably Chuck and the rest are still recovering from the trauma brought about by “Push It”. ;P
I was puzzled by the engagement party scene as well. Who the heck were all those random people?
The plot people has never made sense. I mean seriously, a computer nerd having a super computer in his brain. come on…..Stop pretending this show is real life people and start enjoying the show. it doesn’t have the budget it had in season 2 and it definately has never had the same budget of Blockbuster movie.
Everyone loves Season 2 and the whole season, except for the last couple of eps, had a terrible plot. But it is still considered the best season of the series thus far. Why? Because it was fun. And now here we are b*tching on this one, a perfectly good, fun ep. Not as epicly awesome as the one before it, bust still a good, ep. I admit, some parts don’t make any sense in this ep, but who cares. I still laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the ep. Why can’t the rest of u do the same. Its still the same show that it was almost four years ago.
Maybe I’m just saying this because I am genuinly a positive person. But hey, I like CHUCK for what it is, a good television show on a low budget that is constantly on the bubble and not knowing whether or not its getting renewed (thus the reason for plot holes, fast pacing, etc.)
I will say I agree with everyone that the extras put in the ep for the engagment party made me go wtf? Who are these people? IMPOSTERS!!!!!!
We know what the premise of the show is and we accept it.
Fun is a subjective experience from person to person. I derive the most fun from a well constructed story that hangs together and does so in a honest manner.
Can I accept stories where honest story telling is bent or broken to facilitate the story? Sure if the end result is worthy. And if such story cheats are used sparingly.
This episode did not satisfy my requirements for ‘fun’ for either criteria. Your criteria is most certainly different than mine.
There is no right or wrong here.
Well, there is one wrong. They’re communication equipment breaks the laws of physics on a regular basis but that doesn’t spoil anything for me.
Me neither.
It is when the wrongs contradict or diminish previously established character behaviour. This episode did repeatedly.
That is when the episode becomes problematic for me.
That being said there were parts of the episode I enjoyed and they were noted in the review.
Well hopefully the Chuck/Sarah scene in bedroom will set future tone. The result of his forced meddling this time worked out because it boiled down to some misunderstand but Sarah let him know not ready to work out the issues she has with here family and though she does appreciate his help This issue he going to have let it progress at her rate.
And than the much waited scene with Ellie who offered to help with her family issues as a friend. That what I liked about that conversation this is just between her and Sarah nothing to do with Chuck a great emotional scene similar to what Ali would give us.
Nice review Lou good point made. Episode had good concept just execution really off in places
Exactly. When the story is running smoothly, i.e. dialog is smart and characters behave consistently, it is easier to enjoy the fun.
Great review Lou. I just found this episode boring myself.
Would you please define honest story telling for me?
Taken from a post I made over at ChuckThis – http://tinyurl.com/48243kf :
‘No doubt the relationship is the heart of this show. (A statement that applies to the majority of shows.) It carries Chuck as many state. But relationships alone are not enough to make for compelling story telling. What is needed is a driving force that pushes the relationships.
Lost, BSG, Star Trek, Fringe, etc. etc. all have fantastical elements to them but it is how the characters react, and interact with one another, to those elements that engages viewers emotionally. The universe creates the conditions that allow a disparate group of characters to come together and form a family. The world or universe provides the framework or spine or skeleton to hang the relationships or heart onto. That framework provides the drive, the forward momentum, and the narrative thrust.
The better realized ie in terms of depth and consistency, the fictional sandbox is the greater the payoff is for the character moments. So when Chuck creates spy arcs which lack narrative consistency or story logic, the payoffs for the characters are diminished. This is because the major crutch for resolving story conflicts becomes a case of plot contrivances and/or character manipulation both leading to inconsistent or diminished character behaviour.
Stories that use these crutches feel dishonest and cheat the emotional experience of following the characters. Rather than telling a story where the characters have to change to fulfill plot points, the story should unfold based on how the characters behave in any given situation. Then you get more compelling story telling and that innate sense of rightness that leads to greater payoff. This is harder to write and takes more time. A precious commodity in the pressure cooking of producing a weekly serialized show.
Chuck Vs The C.A.T. Squad is a textbook example of a spy mission that cheats. The number of contrivances from the moment Chuck falls through the skylight until the climax in the BuyMore exceed credibility. Even for Chuck. Casey taking a ‘powder’ was the last straw for me.
Acceptance of contrivances is possible if the payoff is worth it either in comedy, action, or drama. Especially for a cross genre show like Chuck where one has to relax their standards more. Buying one or two contrivances an episode is doable but at some point after that if they continue my emotional investment goes out the window because the story stakes become undermined.
This episode feel less than the better ones because it used multiple contrivances and yielded little to no payoff in terms of entertainment. So when Sarah has her ‘epiphany’ at the end of the episode it feels manufactured rather than something honestly attained.
It is a seeming contradiction but the best stories of fiction, which are in essence a set of lies, are those that tell their stories honestly. And the coin of that truth is maintaining the integrity of the characters and their relationships.
That is the big issue I have with Chuck this season. The show has collapsed into itself and ALL it is about is relationships now. Chuck’s hero journey has been abandoned and with it so has gone the narrative thrust and energy of the series.
Is the show fun? Sure. Does that have to come at the sacrifice of a bigger picture story? It should not but that is what is transpiring this season.
Hope this explains with greater clarity when I say the spy stories in Chuck drive the show.’
Obviously, the premise isn’t real. Many stories/novels/tv shows require a leap of faith at the beginning.
That said, the actually relationships between the characters must make sense to those watching. The viewers must be able to relate to them.
If that part of the story doesn’t make sense, the show will die.
Or if the story is not being told honestly then it means the characters are being manipulated or handicapped in some manner which in turn makes their relational achievements feel contrived or worse, dishonest.
Which in turn diminishes the emotional investment/payoff for the viewer.
While there were some definite fun moments in CAT Squad I too found myself cringing as Chuck tried too hard to fix things for Sarah and when Sarah yelled at him in front of the others and cut his rope. I felt like we were going back to Pink Slip when Chuck was acting the immature fool and Sarah was sweeping his legs with the bo staff. While I’m all for revisiting the past in terms of show mythology and the characters back stories I’m tiring of recycled plots and dialog (“The lady doth protest too much”).
Given the half-seasons that the show has been operating on I would like to see our heroes improve not regress. Chuck’s genuine caring for others, along with his techie traps for Shaw and Volkoff together with his kick ass skills via the Intersect is for me when Chuck is at his best. Too bad neither we nor the CAT Squad saw much of the real Chuck this week.
“…neither we nor the CAT Squad saw much of the real Chuck this week.”
– If one had to review this episode in one sentence, I think this’d be it. Good encapsulation there.
On the whole, I agree. I just couldn’t accept any of the infighting going on between Sarah and Sarah. Not a typo, its true, her lack of apology at the end was not good. She was actually kinder to Chuck in the end of the Helicopter scene during the second episode(?), when she didn’t ‘love’ him. If they were a real couple, I would have to watch her for verbal and emotional abuse. I know that this is a TV show, but we have to remember that TV shows, movies, and other media affects everyone differently. This was not a fun episode, and I was really looking forward to it, cause I like Carina.
>“…neither we nor the CAT Squad saw much of the real Chuck this week.â€
– If one had to review this episode in one sentence, I think this’d be it. Good encapsulation there.<
I'd add; 'neither we or anyone saw the real Casey this week'.
Yet another week goes by and he gets the rough end of things, with the only exception being his punching out the bad guy!
We did see him open up to Chuck about Kathleen, which arguably gave us more of the “real” Casey than we saw for most of season 1.