Writer: Matthew Lau
Director: Allan Kroeker
Cast: Zachary Levi (Chuck), Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah), Adam Baldwin (Casey), Sarah Lancaster (Ellie), Joshua Gomez (Morgan), Bonita Friedericy (General Beckman), Scott Krinsky (Jeff), Vik Sahay (Lester), Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike), Tony Todd (CIA Director Graham), Ryan McPartlin (Captain Awesome), Noureen DeWulf (Lizzie) & Mark Derwin (Detective Conway)
Director: Allan Kroeker
Cast: Zachary Levi (Chuck), Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah), Adam Baldwin (Casey), Sarah Lancaster (Ellie), Joshua Gomez (Morgan), Bonita Friedericy (General Beckman), Scott Krinsky (Jeff), Vik Sahay (Lester), Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike), Tony Todd (CIA Director Graham), Ryan McPartlin (Captain Awesome), Noureen DeWulf (Lizzie) & Mark Derwin (Detective Conway)
Chuck discovers a bug at the Buy More, meaning Sarah and Casey must find whoever planted it, before the snoop discovers Chuck's secret and forces him into hiding forever..."Um, look, Sarah -- I never really fired a gun before, okay?
I... I've actually done this on purpose to avoid any
unpleasant side-effects -- like shooting myself or others."
I... I've actually done this on purpose to avoid any
unpleasant side-effects -- like shooting myself or others."
-- Chuck (Zachary Levi)
Another victim of the writers' strike, Chuck was forced to try and make a mid-season episode work as a season finale, and just about gets away with it. The storyline has more plot-strands than usual, and the sub-plots actually affect, influence and fuel the main narrative. Here, Chuck (Zachary Levi) discovers a surveillance bug in the Buy More, initially believing it's Casey (Adam Baldwin) taking his work too seriously again. But it turns out the bug was planted by agents from the CIA cabal "Fulcrum", and if they learn Chuck has the Intersect in his mind, the CIA will be forced to smuggle him away to an underground bunker...
Things are complicated when Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) entrusts an engagement ring to Chuck, to keep it safe before he asks for Ellie's (Sarah Lancaster) hand in marriage. Unfortunately, the entire stock of the Buy More is stolen overnight, and the robbers take Awesome's ring and manager Big Mike's (Mark Christopher Lawrence) prized wall-mounted Marlin, too. But who cleaned out the Buy More, why do Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay) look guilty, and why is sexy Pita Palace girl Lizzie (Noureen DeWulf) always making deliveries to the workplace?
The greatest strength of Matthew Lau's script is how it juggles the various plots, and having them all mingle together brings a sense of cohesion and depth usually missing in Chuck. For once, the Buy More stuff isn't a distraction or unnecessary to your enjoyment, and even Chuck's family life is brought into the story effectively. The plot is relatively simple, but the mystery is nicely revealed through security camera footage and flashbacks, while a few twists are reveals work well.
As a season finale, it's not as impressive as it should have been. The climax to "... Versus The Crown Vic" would have been better deployed here, particularly its final sting that a new Intersect is nearing completion (eliminating the need to keep Chuck safe) isn't even mentioned! That's unfortunate and rather irritating, but it does give season 2 an immediate problem to sink its teeth into.
What works is the threat of Chuck being taken from his family and friends by the CIA, should rogue Fulcrum agents realize he has government secrets stored in his mind. Zachary Levi's a watchable and open performer, and seeing him realize he could face a lifetime of solitude -- lest Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey find the mole within 48 hours -- gave the episode emotional punch and a sense of urgency.
The Chuck/Sarah relationship usually has to swim in circles, but a genuine attachment and bond is made abundantly clear towards the end, as Chuck prepares to go underground and considers the silver lining of a real date with Sarah. One of the nice things about Chuck has been the Levi/Strahovsky chemistry, neatly tempered by Baldwin's withering interjections, and this finale plays with that very well.
I still finding Captain Awesome too simplistic a creation (nice-guy jock), particularly as I suspect Lancaster would be twice as engaging if her character had someone more three-dimensional to bounce off. Her scenes with her screen-brother are far better than any with her screen-boyfriend. The Buy More crowd are amusing at times, but are far broader than necessary. If the supporting cast were as developed as the Chuck/Sarah/Casey trio, I think Chuck would be much more involving.
Instead, the sub-Office goings-on at the Buy More almost seem like a low-grade sitcom, meaning the spy comedy-drama aspect of Chuck is hamstrung by association. I understand the whole point of Chuck is its "two worlds collide" theme, but part of me yearns for Chuck to ditch the situation that prevents it becoming something more expansive. Or might it be time for Morgan to learn the truth of his best-friend's situation, at the very least?
Overall, "... Versus The Marlin" is a strong episode that would ordinarily be considered a season minor-highlight, but it's not the best finale considering the possibilities available to them. Still, considering the strike-related factors involved, it's certainly not terrible and the multiple plots are linked together with more success than usual.
After a very shaky start to the season, the excellent casting and high-concept premise managed to inspire the writers to craft generally decent material. It's wobbled at times, but the latter half of season 1 was more consistent and entertaining. I still don't find Chuck very funny (it relies mainly on pratfalls and references), but I enjoy the performances of agreeable Levi, sexy Strahovski and tetchy Baldwin, and if season 2 can iron out some kinks and problems, Chuck can only get better.
30 June 2008
Virgin 1, 10.00 pm
