WRITERS: Rafe Judkins & Lauren LeFranc (story by Allison Adler)[SPOILERS] After a short break, Chuck returns for its addendum season (six extra episodes that NBC ordered when the show returned to strong ratings), and given the big changes in "... The Other Guy" I'm sure every fan's desperate to see if the show hasn't ironically lost its mojo now Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) are an item. And to cut a long story: no, that hasn't happened. In fact, "Chuck Versus The Honeymooners" provides plenty of evidence that uniting its leads will actually take the show to new heights...
DIRECTOR: Robert Duncan McNeill
GUEST CAST: Bonita Friedericy, Carlos Lacamara, Lela Loren, Ron Provencal, Chino Binamo & Nico Cortez
Back at Burbank, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Devon (Ryan McPartlin) were about to leave for their Doctors Without Borders program to Africa, and both were desperate to hear word from Chuck so he could attend their leaving party. And they weren't the only ones anxious to locate Chuck, as General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) came to the realization that both her agents have gone AWOL and orders Casey (Adam Baldwin) to bring them back home, with help from Morgan (Joshua Gomez) because he understands Chuck's thought processes better than anyone.
Second of Strahotness: Oh my!
"... The Honeymooners" was a strong and spritely episode for the series to return with, most notable because it was a relief to see the new Chuck/Sarah dynamic works brilliantly. Despite fears that will-they/won't-they TV romances rarely work when the lovebirds finally get it together, I'm already certain this was a wise move. Both Levi and Strahovski are just a lot more engaging when they're having clear fun together, and while their character's relationship may lack a frisson of tension now they can just jump into bed together whenever they please, that's a welcome change of pace and a welcome development. Plus, as I've said many times, particularly this season, it's been almost criminal that the writers kept finding ways to make Sarah look solemn and uneasy throughout nearly every episode. Strahovski lights up the screen when she smiles, and I almost had to adjust the contrast on my TV with this episode.
Overall, "... The Honeymooners" left a strong impression of what the tone and style of these final six episodes will be like. Essentially, it's The Mr & Mrs Smith-style action show I was predicting Chuck could become and avoid losing its raison d'etre just because the guy got the gal. I also loved how Morgan has already started proving himself valuable as an asset (using his geeky knowledge of Italy to punch holes in an enemy agent's story), and the symbolism of Chuck and Sarah making a ferociously good duo when literally connected by handcuffs wasn't lost on me.
Asides
- The return of Jeffster! at Ellie and Devon's leaving party was unusual, in that their choice of song was more subdued ("I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane") and it was clear that Lester (Vic Sahay) wasn't too bad of a singer. Like the Chuck/Sarah coupling, was that a sign of maturity creeping in, or will they be back to frat boy antics next week? Stupid question, I know.
- Y'know, I wish Ellie and Devon would go already. No offence, both characters served a purpose once upon a time, but they've become dead weight. Chuck doesn't really need sisterly support and Morgan makes a better confidant than Devon.
- General Beckman voices a whole fan community's thoughts on Chuck and Sarah revealing their love for each other: "... off the record, it's about damn time."
- Will Chuck be back for season 4? There are promising signs, despite the fact the back-half of this season has slipped in the ratings. NBC like the show, they love the support it gets online, Subway are behind it, it's cheaper to make than it once was, they have a lot of hours to fill next year, etc. I predict it'll be back.
