Can someone please bottle Timothy Dalton\u2019s essence and sell it to all TV series for use as a guaranteed brauva turn as the guest star of the week?<\/p>\n

Please.<\/p>\n

Evil or good it matters not. When Dalton comes on the screen I am adamantly convinced that the image on the TV becomes sharper, the sound clearer, the story more entertaining, and the viewer\u2019s enjoyment increases exponentially.<\/p>\n

Volkoff\u2019s convincing attempts at reforming and atoning for his former life of crime provided Dalton with some great moments to sink his razor sharp acting chops into. From his apologetic group therapy session to his being wheeled into the Castle like a humbled and happy Hannibal Lecter to his brief wrestling with his former ferocity to being willing to throw away his reformation to be evil with his daughter; it all gave Dalton quite the acting palette to playfully paint with. The storyline between Vivian and Papa Volkoff suffered in any form of payoff because the two characters only had one scene together. As did Vivian\u2019s turn to the Dark Side.<\/p>\n

Secretly, I think, Volkoff was proud of his daughter for using him, and Chuck, to procure an item only Volkoff could access.<\/p>\n

In that Chuck way of writing, the issue of Sarah\u2019s Prenup was wonky in origin and setup but at least this time the payoffs were worth it. The character reversal of having Chuck being cool and accepting of Sarah\u2019s Prenup versus Sarah\u2019s under the surface dismay at Chuck\u2019s laconic behavior was well played. The other payoff was the parallel between Sarah and Casey. Sarah\u2019s feeling of being trapped between her parents and choosing her father over her mother mirrors Casey\u2019s dilemma of wanting to be part of Alex\u2019s life without intruding in the life that Kathleen has built for herself.<\/p>\n

How far these two spies have come since they have become teamed up with Chuck!<\/p>\n

Episode \u2018Flashes\u2019: Add your own in the comments. <\/strong><\/p>\n

(Going to be light, going from memory based on a single viewing.)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n
• Chuck NOT freaking out about Sarah\u2019s pre-nup<\/li>\n
• Sarah, in her own Sarah way, freaking out that Chuck is not freaking out<\/li>\n
• Morgan and Casey in synch at the breakfast table<\/li>\n
• Volkoff apologizing in group therapy session<\/li>\n
• Alex wanting Casey in her life<\/li>\n
• Casey feeling caught in the middle like Sarah was with her parents<\/li>\n
• Ellie and Devon aka Hot Mama and Six Pack – the Awesome Spy Couple<\/li>\n
• Sarah has a new car!<\/li>\n
• Chuck standing up for Vivian – yay! That\u2019s the Chuck I remember!<\/li>\n
• Sarah and Casey sharing family issues<\/li>\n
• Chuck\u2019s not cool Prenup turns out to be very cool and sweet too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n