In Case You Thought I'd Forgotten...

Page Two of my latest book, Pretty Vacant: Vegas Showcase. Just in time for Comic-Con!

Chuck Me Baby One More Time (2010)!

I thought it would fun to compare my “Chuck” post from last year with the perspective I now possess after the third season. For those who are interested in such things, here is the original post.

According to NBC’s website, “Chuck” is about a regular guy working at a Buy More electronics store, who becomes the government’s most vital secret agent. The ever stoic Colonel John Casey and partner Sarah Walker (one of the CIA's top agents and Chuck's dream girl) need to protect him but also help him become the agent he is destined to be.

Even after several missteps this year (Chuck-Hanna anyone?), I am still not the harshest critic of the show, and remain willing to wait out the mediocre episodes in order to watch the truly great ones. And yes -- “Chuck” is the most hysterically funny, romantically sweet, hyper violent family show on TV today! I still stick by my family show assertion.

Despite having low viewer ratings for much of the year, NBC has renewed “Chuck” for a fourth season. Despite what people may say, the internet campaign for a fourth season renewal did not sway the network. It was network blunders and core viewers that brought “Chuck” back. NBC has nothing else to offer that can do as well as “Chuck” in the ultra-tough Monday 8 pm slot. Unfortunately, since only more viewers will now ensure a fifth season, I do believe the fourth season will be the last.

And believe it or not, the summer hiatus is now is suitable time to acquaint new people with “Chuck.” Lending your DVDs is a good place to start, and thewb.com, hulu and nbc.com are still streaming episodes. I know the “You’ll like it” response isn’t enough to satisfy your family and friends’ curiosity, but you can still inform them that “Chuck” is a great show and the following are still very good reasons as to why.

1. “Chuck” is fun. It still has a feel good quality. What other show on television that can have a major fight with a tone-deaf cover of Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” as background music or have stripper/nurse clad character fight machine gun toting guards with nothing but her fists? “Chuck” can be improbable and ridiculous (note the World War II references during "Chuck versus The Beard."), but a lot is forgiven simply because it is funny.

2. Chuck has ingenuity. Chuck Bartowski is no ordinary agent. Chuck (Zachary Levi) comes up with solutions that top agents Casey or Sarah would never dream of having. Who else could stop a bomb with a computer porn virus? Or save the nation by using video conference equipment? To their credit, the writers never used Chuck’s newfound Intersect skills as a crutch to get him out of a predicament.

3. Sarah’s bodyguard crush. Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah) is an actress who’s incredibly good looking -- not the other way around! Her Sarah is still tough, funny and vulnerable, sometimes in the same scene! Strahovski has been completely believable as an agent who can kick major butt and fall in love with the “asset” she is supposed to protect. Now that Chuck and Sarah are an item, the storylines have actually opened up the show in new directions! (Yes, her pic is large, but a thumbnail doesn’t do it justice.)

4. The music. This show has used songs as diverse as jazz singer/songwriter Nina Simone to indie artists Polyphonic Spree. The music fits well with the action, especially when songs from the 1980s are used. I especially enjoyed David Lee Roth’s “Just Like Paradise” when Morgan hooked up with DEA dreamboat Carina. Maybe it was overkill this past year, but the Jeff and Lester’s band Jeffster provided some hysterical (“Fortunate Son”) and poignant (“Leaving On A Jet Plan”) musical moments.

5. Casey unleashed! Colonel John Casey is a man of few words. Even in the most extreme situation, Casey (Adam Baldwin) does more with a grunt than most characters do with entire sentences! He is quite efficient at everything he does, whether it is assassinating rogue agents or selling a barbeque grill at Buy More. A lot of humor comes out of Casey’s cover as a Buy More employee. And it’s fun to find the Ronald Reagan picture in Casey’s apartment! (Notice I only changed one word with this paragraph from last year!)

6. “Chuck” still gets better. There were some mediocre episodes throughout Season Three, but all the episodes after “Chuck versus The Honeymooners” were fun. The last three episodes built on the previous ones, ramped up the tension and gave us a most satisfying season finale! The characters grew, mysteries were solved, and the stakes got higher -- all culminating with Chuck now on a world-wide quest to find his mom! And I thought Sidney Bristow’s family was interesting.

I know I don’t sound optimistic for a fifth season, but I am grateful for the amount of episodes NBC will give us. NBC has done its part. Advertisers such as Subway have done their part. Soon it will be time for us to do ours and watch “Chuck,” even if Morgan is now a member of Team Bartowski, even if Casey now has a daughter, even if the Buy More lies in ruins! I just wish I got to see Sarah wear a Subway employee uniform.

Chuck 3.18 & 3.19

“Chuck versus The Subway”
“Chuck versus The Ring Part 2”

Now that I’m back celebrating next season’s renewal for “Chuck” (whoo-hoo!), here are some thoughts on last night’s episode…

I wasn’t planning to write a post for the season finale of “Chuck”, but it was so good that I felt I should! It was the perfect way to end an imperfect season. All of this season’s storylines were wrapped up nicely while setting up the major storyline when the show comes back in the fall.

Season finales should be big, and “Chuck” didn’t disappoint. Chuck had to save the country from Shaw and The Ring’s covert takeover of the US Intelligence services. What was most impressive was how Chuck did it without using the Intersect (which was still malfunctioning for most of the episode)!

The producers wanted to go out this season in a blaze of glory! It was only fitting that the climatic fight between Chuck and Shaw would take place at the deserted Buy More with fisticuffs, Jeffster’s so-called music video playing on the screens in the background, and Sarah delivering the final blow! The sequence was well-planned and well-executed.

It is also a relief that the writers finally figured out what to do with the Ellie character. Her concern of protecting her younger brother now comes from a sense of family duty rather than being manipulative or controlling (like my mom). A shame it had to come at the expense of Chuck’s father (RIP Stephen Bartowski), but they did leave a way to keep bringing the dad back next season.

It was fun to share my thoughts with everyone. Thanks!

My Favorite Line: “So on behalf of the NSA, the CIA and of course your local Buy More, I just like to say, ‘Thanks a lot!’”

My Coolest Moment: Morgan using his nose to call Casey on his cell while tied up, and then breaking his thumbs to free himself. And the lack of thumb movement causing Morgan to blow up the Buy More!

Charah Scene: When Casey admitted to Sarah that he approved of her relationship with Chuck. “You picked a good one, Walker… finally.”

The Force Is Strong With This One: The Dodgers Strike Back

Perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers should have a Star Wars Night every night, as last night’s 4-1 victory over a very good Detroit Tigers team has given the Dodgers a 2-0 record whenever they have one! The now first place Dodgers are currently the hottest team in baseball, having won 11 of their last 12 games.

Chad Billingsley pitched a Jedi Master-like seven innings, a gimpy Manny Ramirez drove in a run, and the relief pitching surprisingly held up with Jonathan Broxton striking out the side in the 9th inning for the save.

Attending the game with my friend David (and his two friends, John and Andy), the fun was only marred by the horrific Dodger parking and Dodger security temporarily confiscating John’s light saber. I imagine John could have used the Jedi mind trick on the security guard (“This isn’t the light saber you’re looking for”), but he realizes that using The Force for evil will only lead you to the dark side!

During the game I was reminded that Dodger Stadium is the third oldest stadium in baseball (est. 1962), and “The Empire Strikes Back” was released 30 years ago yesterday. How did I get so old?

Here's the original blog post. Go Blue!

VIC-TO-REE!

A very good week indeed!

Chuck 3.16

“Chuck versus The Tooth”

Now that I’m back fixing a molar from my dentist, here are some thoughts on last night’s episode…

Considering that the Chuck-I-Am-Your-Father, Shaw and Will-They-Won’t-They storylines have all played out, the writers had to come up with another storyline for ending the season with a bang. They came up with a doozy! With the Intersect wreaking havoc with Chuck’s brain, it set up a scenario where Chuck’s father can return to show to save his son.

It was interesting to see Christopher Lloyd play a dramatic role in this episode. He is such a funny guy (even being in one of my favorite comedic scenes on television), but he’s believable as a CIA shrink worried for Chuck’s sanity. He even has Sarah and Casey’s trust!

The subplot was a bit too much to take, having enjoyed the Anna Wu character during Season’s 1 and 2. There was closure for Anna and Morgan’s relationship, even if budget cuts axed her character. However, Anna finally got to take her turn in the Buy More wind tunnel, something only a select few (Carina, Sarah, Hannah and Morgan!) have been allowed to enter.

After two very humorous episodes, this episode took a much darker turn. Ellie is unknowingly assisting The Ring in finding her and Chuck’s dad. And for all of you out there who are glad Chuck killed Shaw, don’t go celebrating yet!

My Favorite Line: “Monday nights can be bit of a wasteland.”

My Coolest Moment: Sarah imploring Doctor Dreyfus to save Chuck and then realizing that Casey made the same request.

Charah Scene: When Sarah finally says “I love you” to Chuck. It only took three years!

Update: This could be a very good week indeed!

Chuck 3.15

“Chuck versus The Role Models”

Now that I’m back reporting a missing Bengal tiger with the Zoo, here are some thoughts on last night’s episode…

When the producers finally decided to let Chuck and Sarah become a couple, some people were concerned that the show would become stale and formulaic. The introduction of CIA super-spy couple Clark and Laura Turner seemed directed right at those concerns.

All four couples -- the Turners, Chuck-Sarah, Awesome-Ellie and Casey-Morgan -- had interesting storylines within the episode. I especially liked how Chuck-Sarah and Casey-Morgan’s stories intersected, with Chuck trying to relieve a tiger of it’s software-laden collar while Morgan trying to relieve Big Mike of his manager’s key card!

There did seem to be a lot of squabbling this time around. Maybe the Turner’s bickering was expected, but it was strange to see Chuck and Sarah arguing, especially on the topic of firearms (in Chuck’s apartment and with the tiger). It was there to give conflict, but it seemed unnecessary considering Sarah’s reluctance to move in with Chuck.

Despite the backbiting, there was much to like with last night’s show. The “Hart To Hart” sequence at the beginning was very well done, Sarah’s newfound humor is unexpectedly welcome, and Morgan’s spy training made me smile. Besides, Awesome’s African nickname (Doctor Super Fantastic White Guy) almost single-handedly made up for any deficiencies this episode had. And I did like the twist at the end, with the refugee camp doctor who seemed to be in competition for Ellie’s affections being a Ring operative at the end. They’re back!

My Favorite Line: YOU DISGUST ME!!!

My Coolest Moment: Morgan taking on the tiger that had Chuck, Casey and Sarah all frightened!

Charah Scene: The Hart-felt homage at the beginning. “And when these two spies met, it was love at first fight.” Awww...

Great Minds Think Alike

I recently attended the Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture exhibit at the Getty. I enjoyed the entire exhibit, but I was most interested in his sketch for the casting of the Sforza Monument:This sketch shows that the original model would be preserved as a mold. Afterwards a full body casting is made from the mold which then can be reused. While Leonardo sketched this for both equestrian and human sculptures, my own Pretty Vacant comic focuses on the human aspect through Still Life’s mannequin process with a plastinated Gigi as the mold:
These drawings give us a sense of what can be accomplished and echo what artists wish to convey. Plus it’s mind-boggling to realize how ideas are passed down over the centuries!