tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post209072127186044060..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Chuck, "Chuck vs. the Final Exam": The Kobayashi MaruAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82133728945015246342010-03-28T20:26:54.097-04:002010-03-28T20:26:54.097-04:00No talking about the contents of the previews, Caz...No talking about the contents of the previews, Caz.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37543387217752871822010-03-28T20:19:11.664-04:002010-03-28T20:19:11.664-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Cazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062009770759021694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-5603535315011311682010-03-27T12:29:11.323-04:002010-03-27T12:29:11.323-04:00Considering I just watched this episode this morni...Considering I just watched this episode this morning and I'm closing in on comment 212, I'm guessing no one is still paying attention...but I don't care.<br /><br />I can't believe in all these comments no one has mentioned just how adorable Zach Levi looked running around in his towel. If you want to know why I continue watching the show, besides how clever it is, it's not whether Chuck and Sarah will ever get together (because as much as I like them, I wonder what they would talk about without all this angst??) but because Levi is just so damn appealing. I want a Zachary Levi of my very own.<br /><br />@PT, I totally get what you're saying, and I think sometimes we forget the showrunners (and actors and writers and crew) are real people making a show they believe in, regardless of what some fans want. Some commenters (not necessarily the ones here, but maybe some of the anonymous ones who've been deleted) can be flat out hateful. I've been bummed out more than once reading some of the comments on a blog (although I think the TWOP forums are worse!)<br /><br />I still enjoy the show, although frankly I would have thought it was REALLY dark if Chuck had killed the guy, and i think the writer chickened out when he didn't. He should be able to pull some Alias moves without Casey/Sarah being around to save him.<br /><br />I laughed my buns off at the Subway scene. And I think evil Jeffster are just damn hilarious, and love them taking on...just about everyone. Tunaroni...ew. Vik Sahay is just brilliant.<br /><br />Still really enjoying the show, but then I'm not one to Take. It. Personally! when I don't like where a show is heading. I'm going to see how it plays out, and if that means Shaw is taken out by Sarah (or Chuck!) because he's a super secret bad guy (which would be sweet), than all the better! And if not, I hope Fedak/Schwartz have a good plan for season 4!erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16186483042206438665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66025641481461689762010-03-27T08:32:03.374-04:002010-03-27T08:32:03.374-04:00I want Chuck and Sarah screentime and not Sarah an...I want Chuck and Sarah screentime and not Sarah and Shaw screentime. I don't think anyone who hasn't liked Shaw is saying they don't want romance or some angst. Just not this romance or this angst. Chuck and Sarah are the heart of the show and should be a focus. I enjoy it when they are. This season though it's a depressing, sad focus. I have this feeling we are headed for a Shaw proposal-just my gut feeling--and Chuck is above that kind of ploy. I have always felt the writers treated the audience as smart, but if we are headed for that, that's a dumbing down of Chuck. I'm just ready to feel good when I watch this show again and I feel I won't right up until the last episode.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16295805208008280342010-03-26T23:39:10.914-04:002010-03-26T23:39:10.914-04:00I was expecting a mind-blowing season after the se...I was expecting a mind-blowing season after the season 2 finale. Instead, this season has been.. awkward. I always feel a little confused when fans of the show give a high amount praise for season 3. I am now convinced most are just fooling themselves. The way Shaw came into the season was fantastic. However, he's completely overstayed his welcome because his character has NO LIFE. At the beginning, it would have been great to understand his history. Maybe some flashbacks on why the Ring wants him dead, an elaboration on his wife.. Make us understand why he's so important?? But instead he's been a Boy Scout earning his badge for babysitting, but he's also screwing the client's daughter. If they were going to keep a guest star, I would rather they kept Hannah or at least keep her a bit longer while this Shaw/Sarah mess is going on since she totally out-shined Chuck during their scenes together. Sarah just seems like the office whore now. One? Ok. Two? hmm, acceptable. Three? uh.. skank. She'd probably bang Casey if he had showed interest in her. And did the show hire a different make-up stylist? Sarah has definitely not been up to par this season after the first episode when she came out of the pool. Sadly, there have been very few moments in this season where I have been "heart-warmed."GetbetterChucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60040228071704250402010-03-26T22:37:44.582-04:002010-03-26T22:37:44.582-04:00I tried posting this before and it didn't post...I tried posting this before and it didn't post, let me try again. I was one of of those people who wanted to throw their TV out the window after "Mask". Who has scratched their head over the entire Shaw arc and how long it's lasted. But someone on another site posted a tweet of JS's where he said something about the term "epic fail" and it being the meanest internet term ever. That made me take a step back. I had never used that term, but I remembered then that the people who run Chuck are real people, with real feelings, who didn't set out to anger the fans or ruin the show. I believe they love Chuck, and Chuck and Sarah, and are the biggest shippers around. What they conveived in the writer's room wasn't well received for the most part, but I don't think that was their plan..at all. I think getting 13 eps, then 19, then coming back earlier than planned, and facing the Olympic break as a result, and let's not forget budget cuts, all played a part in this season's execution. As much as I have questioned the Shaw part of this season, I do appreciate the maturity of this season. Chuck has grown up and so has his spy life and his love life. When you think about it, we've come so far this season already. I believe the goal is for Chuck and Sarah to come together, but I think as equals, as adults, and I think when they do it will be "epic win". I'm betting they didn't predict the reaction the Shaw arc would get. Maybe I'm feeling melancholy about whether or not there will be a season 4, but I think we need to cut the show runners and writers a break.PTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21223160509737569462010-03-26T10:09:21.776-04:002010-03-26T10:09:21.776-04:00I haven't read all the comments, but was I the...I haven't read all the comments, but was I the only one that thought the bathroom fight was a shout out to the James Bond (Daniel Craig) flick Casino Royale? If I remember correctly, in the beginning scenes of the movie, James was in sort of a red test himself. <br /><br />Also, Casey did commit murder. But, would he have a "defense of others" defense in court? Would Casey's own life have to be in danger as well to use the "defense of others" argument? Does California even recognize the use of deadly force in the protection of others? Any CA lawyers out there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19781264703937481312010-03-25T17:30:02.071-04:002010-03-25T17:30:02.071-04:00I totally agree with Rachael. The dialogue has bee...I totally agree with Rachael. The dialogue has been lacking. When Sarah said "Not Anymore" it just was a weird response. Also if you were Shaw wouldn't you be like "wait a minute...were you still in love with him BEFORE you saw that, cause technically your supposed to be dating me". And just the way he asked her if she was still in love with Chuck was like they had talked about it before. More platonic than anything. <br /><br />Also, I thought Sarah's fist kill was Shaw's wife as well, But then what is the signaficance of the bracelet? And how does Chucks dad end up with it. Chuck did say it was a lucky bracelet when he gave it to Sarah. Maybe Sarah's first kill wasn't actually a kill. She never went back to make sure. And maybe the bracelet is lucky cause she dropped it causing Sarah to fumble. Either way Sarah has it now...does Shaw find it? And freak out. Does Shaw have a connection to Mr. and Mrs. Bartowski, and perhaps Chuck? It's all connected somehow.I'm really looking forward to how this plays out.CMWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54183648538042744962010-03-25T15:14:14.356-04:002010-03-25T15:14:14.356-04:00I'm still enjoying the overarching story and c...I'm still enjoying the overarching story and character developments - it's still a smart show that sets up and then undercuts expectations of conventional romance and spy story tropes at every turn - that's what I like about the show and will continue to like (as well as a very likable cast). <br /><br />I am, however, finding myself getting a bit annoyed by the (lack of) quality dialogue this season that others have mentioned. What is with the unremitting repetition of 'spy' and 'real spy'? If there's a point to it, like it's supposed to be about questioning the whole concept of what a 'spy' is, it's not coming across. And then there's Shaw's weird creepy smiles - they'd better be leading to something interesting. His motives are almost totally opaque - it can't be an accident...<br /><br />I hope not anyway. I'm hanging in there and believing, writers. Don't let me down!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25153412663227816522010-03-25T11:25:35.095-04:002010-03-25T11:25:35.095-04:00"TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER?
How ha..."<i><b>TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER?</b><br /><br />How hard is that? Seriously?</i>"<br /><br />Actually its very hard - you are a lucky person if you don't understand that.Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51292546674883411252010-03-25T11:04:06.544-04:002010-03-25T11:04:06.544-04:00WoodimusPrime:
I'm 99% sure Chuck fires a war...WoodimusPrime:<br /><br />I'm 99% sure Chuck fires a warning shot into the air while chasing the mole.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311835738536162303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18210676513985586132010-03-25T09:34:54.581-04:002010-03-25T09:34:54.581-04:00I can't read all of the comments, so forgive m...I can't read all of the comments, so forgive me if someone else said this. If Chuck is really being tested, and he's using one the guns from the Castle, are we really supposed to think that no one noticed Chuck's gun wasn't fired? I'm wracking my brain, but I can't remember him firing it. Or did he fire it during the chase?<br /><br />Regardless of all of that, I LOVED this episode. I think every episode this season has been better than the one before it. One of the best seasons of TV I've seen in awhile.WoodimusPrimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08749107070012000764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9491155884515656752010-03-25T07:31:22.227-04:002010-03-25T07:31:22.227-04:00@abby
"maybe it's not the show that isn&#...@abby<br />"maybe it's not the show that isn't so much fun anymore but the viewers? It's a lighthearted show, follow this gentleman's example and watch it lightly!"<br /><br />No its the show. It once was lighthearted but that heart died.<br /><br />@Anonymous<br />"I think in defense of Chuck directors, producers, and writers, they were notified that their show would be extended beyond 13 episodes only after they had already scripted and producing their shortened season. Combined with budget cuts, I think this is a legitimate reason why the show has suffered from numerous pacing issues, holes in the story, and contrived relationships."<br /><br />I don't think thats a legitimate reason, I think that is a contrived excuse. It doesn't matter if they got 1 episode or 500 - you chose your tone and theme. And they chose poorly.<br /><br />@CJ Frances<br /><br />"I know its making shippers unhappy but COME ON! ... I don't get all the negativity! "<br /><br />That's because you are not actually reading the comments here and elsewhere - its not about shipping.Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87089560933604858172010-03-25T03:57:16.767-04:002010-03-25T03:57:16.767-04:00Along with everything else that's been said, I...Along with everything else that's been said, I just want to bring up that this episode cemented my dislike of Sarah/Shaw--and I'm NOT someone who's blaming Sarah for getting with Shaw! I have always said that it is neither "cruel" or "out of character" for her to hook up with someone else and push Chuck away after the way she's been burned. Girl isn't "torturing" him--he STOOD HER up! She was willing to sacrifice her entire life to be with him, and he wasn't willing to do the same for her! He gave her the ultimate rejection! Even if she has feelings for him, even if he tells her he still loves her, it makes perfect sense she wouldn't want to try again.<br /><br />It also makes sense that while she hates Chuck being a killer, it wouldn't put her off in someone else. She liked Chuck for being different, and a sweet, innocently charming guy who reminded her of life's joys: with someone else, there'd be other reasons she liked them. Chuck becoming a killer destroys what she liked about him in the first place, but it doesn't replace it with whatever may attract her to someone who IS a killer. And anyway, there's a difference between starting off as willing to kill, and starting off as unwilling but abandoning your scruples. So that all makes sense, mostly.<br /><br />What DOESN'T make sense is Shaw. (And Sarah's behavior at the end of the episode: considering Chuck had to kill in self-defense and Sarah SAW THAT, wtf? That's not he same as being a cold blooded killer, and he rnot picking up the phone when she KNOWS how hard it must have been for Chuck and she's responsible... just... no.)<br /><br />But back to Shaw--agreed: no chemistry. He's deadly boring. And also, he's a HUGE JERK and a TOTAL MANIPULATOR. Boring I can deal with, but the way he treats Sarah is AWFUL. He constantly goes against her wishes or manipulates her into doing something HE feels is necessary but he knows she is against. CONSTANTLY. He abuses her trust and his personal insight on her to get her to do what he wishes, regardless of her own preferences,. Then he smugly informs her that it's for the best and HE obviously knows what must be done and she should just shut up and follow. That's not a relationship dynamic I'd approve of in ANY pairing.Katrinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463549033680513292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-32545893677644318652010-03-24T22:23:27.540-04:002010-03-24T22:23:27.540-04:00I enjoyed the darkness...the bathroom fight made t...I enjoyed the darkness...the bathroom fight made total sense to me. I'm sure Chuck's flashes are also partially based on his geekiness. We know he's a Bond fan, why wouldn't he flash to Casino Royale when going for his "00" status? I really hope there will be a 4th season.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15692392891909567772010-03-24T16:21:03.324-04:002010-03-24T16:21:03.324-04:00Big picture there's delightful irony in the fa...Big picture there's delightful irony in the fact that Chuck was initially something of a fraudulent spy (having gotten his spy abilities in a comic book superhero kind of way), and now that he's finally a real spy he still manages to be a fraud by bending the curve on his final exam. It fits his identity crisis to a capital Tee.Dr. Milton von Fünkdoctorspockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14089331657801682998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31977554132377548342010-03-24T15:27:03.471-04:002010-03-24T15:27:03.471-04:00Wow, I have read all messages up to this point and...<i>Wow, I have read all messages up to this point and I didn't even notice someone apparently did that. Sure you aren't being a bit over sensitive? :)</i><br /><br />You didn't notice because I've been deleting the particularly egregious ones, as I've said.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1764412508997518652010-03-24T15:20:12.110-04:002010-03-24T15:20:12.110-04:00"TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER. "
..."TALK ABOUT THE SHOW, NOT EACH OTHER. "<br /><br />Wow, I have read all messages up to this point and I didn't even notice someone apparently did that. Sure you aren't being a bit over sensitive? :)<br /><br />"Disagreeing about a TV show doesn't give you license to be an asshole."<br /><br />Not saying what you feel is only going to make you have a breakdown.Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89125900805463322032010-03-24T15:16:32.489-04:002010-03-24T15:16:32.489-04:00Anon (not a writer on the show? ;) said:
"Wh...Anon (not a writer on the show? ;) said:<br /><br />"Why is Sarah with Shaw?<br /><br />a) Look at him<br />b) Look at her<br />c) Look at him again<br />d) Her heart was crushed by a guy<br />e) The same guy ran off with another girl<br />f) The guy from a and c was waiting with open arms<br />g) She has a history of working with brown-haired coworkers.<br /><br />It's not very complicated."<br /><br />The problem is, like with jokes, if you have to explain it - it doesn't work.Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39989964677369087532010-03-24T14:55:24.298-04:002010-03-24T14:55:24.298-04:00I'm thinking if there was a Chuck drinking gam...I'm thinking if there was a Chuck drinking game and every time the word spy is said... I would be in the ER for alcohol poisoning. I find it hard to believe that Chuck would need Casey's help in the end. I'm thinking Chuck's survival instinct would have kicked in and he would have killed the guy from "Worst Week" and the awkward voicemail guy from the T-Mobile commercials. I think the repercussions of Chuck dealing with his first kill would have been a good follow up to this one had he really done it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799049570024174416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85406203508996404892010-03-24T13:36:01.725-04:002010-03-24T13:36:01.725-04:00I have a question for Alan. You said the following...I have a question for Alan. You said the following in your post:<br /><br /><i>I still believe NBC's problems are too big and widespread for "Chuck" to not come back next year, even if it's just as cannon fodder until other parts of the schedule can stabilize.</i><br /><br />Now, you posted this before the ratings for the most recent episode, right? Would you still say you stand by this statement even after a repeat low?<br /><br />Sorry if this is a stupid question.a random personnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24850860060090826672010-03-24T11:13:57.897-04:002010-03-24T11:13:57.897-04:00I've taken to purchasing the Chuck episodes on...I've taken to purchasing the Chuck episodes on iTunes, figuring at least that it's a registered income stream to the studio for the show. I can't think of any other way to make my viewership support known.<br /><br />BTW, it's the only show I "buy" every week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16100566257418624062010-03-24T10:51:28.502-04:002010-03-24T10:51:28.502-04:00Anon: You laugh, but my first thought was that Sar...Anon: You laugh, but my first thought was that Sarah killed Shaw's wife on her red test, too. I really wouldn't be surprised.<br /><br />It's a real shame what they've done with Shaw, actually. I loved the way he was introduced, I loved the hints of a backstory we got for him, I loved his "falling in love with a spy = mistake" attitude... and then they arbitarily turned him into a love interest.<br /><br />The relationship between Shaw and Sarah would have been more powerful, convincing, and interesting had they become firm friends that could confide in one another /without/ the romantic element. <br /><br />IMO, anyway.A Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-79826957036686751442010-03-24T10:40:10.899-04:002010-03-24T10:40:10.899-04:00"so many fans are pulling for these crazy kid..."so many fans are pulling for these crazy kids to make it work."<br /><br />Unfortunately the crazy kids who write it can't - as this season has been proof of.<br /><br /><br />" I've got faith that these last two episodes of season 3.0 are going to finally bring these two crazy kids together for more than interrupted make-out sessions "<br /><br />And I've got faith the writers are already planning how they can break them up should they be so lucky as to get a new season.<br /><br />"and I'm hopeful that the spy stuff will be as much fun as it was here"<br /><br />What fun? You thought that was fun? Season 2 was fun - season 3 has been a dismal dirge.<br /><br />"Jeff and Lester... more antagonistic... smart use"<br /><br />I totally disagree. Now I actively hate them and hope to see them kicked of the show.<br /><br />"What did everybody else think?"<br /><br />That I like Baldwins hairpiece, didn't realise he was wearing one (trying to say something positive)<br /><br />But apart from that...<br /><br />I think that when the show is canceled it will be like when a dear old aunt dies after a long time of illness. <br /><br />She hasn't been herself lately and it was for the best really.Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66255647825649338292010-03-24T10:33:08.920-04:002010-03-24T10:33:08.920-04:00I cannot derstand anymore Sarah or never did!!! W...I cannot derstand anymore Sarah or never did!!! Why did this scriptwriters made this character so weak.... And she always does the opposite what she says! Especially to Chuck.... I always thought that shaw was the hypocrate but now i see it's Sarah.What should Chuck do more for Sarah to love him...He is becoming a good spy as Sarah is attracted (Bryce,cole,shaw) but no Sarah doesn't these features at chuck... Then why is she attracted from others...? They all lie, kill etc but if chuck does it's a problem... Then don't like these at all<br />So much confused!<br /><br /> Chuck did so much things for Sarah... saved also her many times etc but Sarah was attracted from Show so easy so fast! Trusting him, sharing her secrets etc. <br />I used to like so much till this season...The Shaw event killed all my desire and also Sarah charaters weeknes and confusing behaviours and wishes....<br /><br />Chuck tells Sarah that he doesn't want to kill. Doesn't think he can do it. <br />Only would do it so that they could be together.<br /><br />So she holds it against him when she thinks that he did. <br />Can't love him anymore. So instead, she goes off with the guy who manipulated her into making him do it in the first place.<br />???<br /><br />What should Chuck do!!!<br /> <br />Chuck has the biggest problem ' A woman that doesn't know what she wants!!!'<br /><br />Other parts of the show are nice...<br /><br />But i liked the first two seasons more... Third season i lost all my taste with Shaw.... ( Sorry Brandon !)CCnoreply@blogger.com