Chuck 3.12

“Chuck versus The American Hero”

Now that I’m back purchasing a can of Dr. Jibb from the soda machine on 2nd and Alvarado, here are some thoughts on last night’s episode…

Originally renewed for only 13 episodes, “Chuck” crammed as much story into Season 3 as it did in Season 2. The problem is that Season 2 had 22 episodes for the Chuck-wants-the-Intersect-out-of-his-head storyline. With fewer episodes and a reduced budget, Season 3’s Will-Chuck-and-Sarah-get-together storyline seemed choppy and rushed. Yet it’s all worthwhile because Sarah has made her choice as to whom she wants to be with, and it’s Chuck!

The best “Chuck” episodes balance the comedy and the action equally, and this one is no different. I liked how Morgan, Awesome and Casey teamed up to assist Chuck in winning Sarah’s heart, and I laughed when each individual in this alternate universe version of Team Bartowski gave their reasons for helping. In contrast, the action sequence with Chuck rescuing a captured Shaw before an airstrike destroyed the Ring Headquarters was well done, despite a reduced budget for extras and effects!

However, one more thing remains before Chuck and Sarah can finally be together, and it’s Shaw. The Ring revealed to Shaw that Sarah was the one who assassinated his wife, and now Shaw has some unfinished business to conclude, thus setting up the big fight between Chuck and Shaw! The character of Shaw was problematic all season, not because of his relationship with Sarah, but because it prevented the original dynamic between Team Bartowski (Chuck, Sarah and Casey) from happening much of this season. I for one am looking forward to its resolution!

One last thing: With all the fans who want Chuck and Sarah together, who knew that the biggest fan would be John Casey?

My Favorite Line: As much as I liked Ellie’s (“You’re a Bartowski, Chuck, start acting like one”) and Jeff’s (“And this is my blue period”) lines, I’m actually going to go with Shaw telling Awesome, “Next time, tackle the guy with the gun.”

My Coolest Moment: Sarah contacting Casey in the Buy More via Morse Code.

Charah Scene: Chuck telling Sarah he loved her – twice, because it felt really nice to say. Aww…