tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post414430417577595679..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Chuck, "Chuck vs. the Broken Heart": Number Six with a bulletAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36374224837065403142012-05-15T01:44:42.262-04:002012-05-15T01:44:42.262-04:00This comment is a day late and a dollar short and ...This comment is a day late and a dollar short and i'm sure you probably know this by now, but general Beckman changed her mind on Sarah for more than just the safe cracking. what proved that Sarah's feelings were valuable was when she found chucks phone. Anyone else would think nothing of it but since she loves him she worried that there was a reason he left it behind. And in the castle she insisted on checking the courtyard and looking for chuck. So no, it wasn't just her safe cracking that saved his life, it was her insistence on finding him. But this its 2012 ok sure you don't even remember saying thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-84229196655996748792009-04-04T20:33:00.000-04:002009-04-04T20:33:00.000-04:00Um, did no one notice that our Chuck brought down ...Um, did no one notice that our Chuck brought down Spyworld's version of Osama bin Laden? It's that big of a coup. Who gets credit, and who doesn't? The fact Forrest still does is a crock. <BR/><BR/>The spy both Forrest and Casey ached to capture, the hard way, through electronic surveillance so ill-thought that the terrorist doctor on call had a handy device to check the implant? Which makes one wonder why he didn't do that on the operating table, since he probably insisted on attending any procedure at which his charge's life could be endangered?<BR/><BR/>That Forrest's ill-considered plan would have killed the Intersect's family, or at least his brother-in-law, since in her opinion everything went according to plan? If she blew the safe as she insisted, they would have lost their Osama's location, or at least the chance to verify the information before killing both the patient and his doctor. Does she get a medal for that?<BR/><BR/>That she doesn't even get reprimanded for using a stooge close to the Intersect, endangering Chuck's life not just through the neglect of not completely monitoring him but also through actively putting him and his family in danger, must mean one thing: The NSA hates Chuck, and has a parallel impulse to that of using his data -- which, remember, they still have, albeit in disparate database locations (how else can they reconstruct the computer Intersect without pulling data out of his mind, first?) -- letting him die by accident, or at least go into coma, so they can hospitalize him and study his brainwaves then slice his brain into little-bitty bits, so his talent can be replicated without Orion or Busgang or any other pesky Intersect project manager. <BR/><BR/>Sure, Alex could be Fulcrum, but the General turning a blind eye to the things she could have done to improve her own mission's success through improvisation rewards the rigid system that Chuck, and CHUCK, criticizes in the first place. Remember that the General's losing the war because she assumes Fulcrum plays fair, or they're as creative as she is. The General needs Team B's unconventionality as much as she needs Chuck.<BR/><BR/>(And if I can get a watch that triples as a heart monitor and a stopwatch, can't the government make one that sets off the alarm once it stops sensing skin contact? Sheesh.)cgeyenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58922384031106668582009-04-01T19:54:00.000-04:002009-04-01T19:54:00.000-04:00I enjoyed this episode but agree with the folks wh...I enjoyed this episode but agree with the folks who thought a longer arc wouldhave been more satisfying. Helfer is so good, and this could have been richer. I'm all for her being fulcrum down the road. Renew Chuck!WWWeaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089876173526593905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-38225152943590122302009-04-01T13:47:00.000-04:002009-04-01T13:47:00.000-04:00While I liked the episode, even one that was prett...While I liked the episode, even one that was pretty weak, it obviously was a filler episode to lead into the season finales.<BR/><BR/>I feel the writers missed a huge, Huge, HUGE opportunity with Helfer's character and the overall plot of this episode. This should have a multi-episode arc where Sarah is replaced, but over the course of several episodes the following points would be addressed:<BR/><BR/>- Sarah gets stuck doing meaningless assignments and realizes she misses being Chuck's handler. <BR/><BR/>- Helfer attempts to become Chuck's new girlfriend, but in the process, Chuck's family become to hate her.<BR/><BR/>- Helfer fake relationship with Chuck causes jealousy with Casey and his attraction to her. (There could have been so much fun with this!)<BR/><BR/>- Chuck is put into situations that are resolved much more dangerously than need be.<BR/><BR/>While these points are similar to what this episode was trying to accomplish, I think it would have been much more believable and would provide enough reasons for all of the characters to understand the need to keep the Chuck-Sarah-Casey team in place.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17993779852064627340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1813665360055334242009-04-01T13:21:00.000-04:002009-04-01T13:21:00.000-04:00I believe there was another Spies Like Us referenc...I believe there was another Spies Like Us reference in the name of the bug they installed in the pacemaker. If I recall correctly, they called it the "GLG40". This is very similar to the "GLG20" rank in Spies Like Us that corresponded to Foreign Service Operations.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00051287272953531287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75277991250155887872009-04-01T13:16:00.000-04:002009-04-01T13:16:00.000-04:00Im sorry.. no love for Devon's "Thats the taste of...Im sorry.. no love for Devon's "Thats the taste of a healthy colon, babe"??<BR/><BR/>Most Awesome comment of the day.Zachnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58299591260621796282009-04-01T09:45:00.000-04:002009-04-01T09:45:00.000-04:00No talking, or even hinting, about the previews, w...<B>No talking, or even hinting, about the previews, what you read online, or anything else.</B> I made an exception on the Bakula casting, since casting is a fuzzy issue and the creative team wanted people to know about it. But we're done with spoilers now.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-45721458453105978322009-04-01T08:33:00.000-04:002009-04-01T08:33:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Rage Sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18234816836002720699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51302052118471374382009-04-01T08:19:00.000-04:002009-04-01T08:19:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Rage Sagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18234816836002720699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82681744992337201782009-04-01T04:45:00.000-04:002009-04-01T04:45:00.000-04:00Not to change the subject, but ... is anyone else ...Not to change the subject, but ... is anyone else irritated by the fact that everyone uses the term Afghani when they're actually referring to Afghans? Afghans refer to the people; afghanis are the currency.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068175450130024188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-84097820171158393742009-03-31T22:48:00.000-04:002009-03-31T22:48:00.000-04:00I'm with Stef... I had no clue that Scott Bakula w...I'm with Stef... I had no clue that Scott Bakula would be on board as Chuck's father, but after reading the posts for the latest "Chuck", well... there goes that surprise!<BR/><BR/>It isn't that big of a deal. It won't diminish the awesomeness that will be next week's episode. But Sam Beckett's appearance will no longer be as shocking as it could have been.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16398650127814960499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71403730420888480662009-03-31T22:08:00.000-04:002009-03-31T22:08:00.000-04:00I've been curious for a while now... how does all ...I've been curious for a while now... how does all the Bakula talk not count as spoilers? I haven't seen or read anything about him on other sites, so the only reason i know he's going to be on the show is the frequent references here, going back a few months. Alan, what's the difference with his casting versus other shows?Stefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024186205791001584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90544686276647736332009-03-31T21:36:00.000-04:002009-03-31T21:36:00.000-04:00They only borrowed Awesome's keycard to get access...<I>They only borrowed Awesome's keycard to get access to the pacemaker so they could plant the bug. I don't think Awesome was scheduled to perform that surgery.</I><BR/><BR/>Except bad!doctor thought Awesome performed the surgery, which is why he went after him at Chuck's house.<BR/><BR/>@baylink: I always select-all/copy my comments to prevent just that situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-84373441990978247202009-03-31T19:05:00.000-04:002009-03-31T19:05:00.000-04:00I decline ever to comment on a Blogger-powered sit...I decline ever to comment on a Blogger-powered site again, after it just ate my 5 minute composition because I decided to change authentication methods.<BR/><BR/>Blogger sucks.<BR/><BR/>Please change.Baylinkhttp://photo.imageinc.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73530292061915922972009-03-31T19:04:00.000-04:002009-03-31T19:04:00.000-04:00Good episode but a step down from the previous two...Good episode but a step down from the previous two installments - Predator remains the high point of the season so far.<BR/><BR/>Great character moments for TeamB especially Sarah and Casey. Sarah's plea to Forrest to take care of Chuck was her most vulnerable moment. Loved that everything she did after being terminated as Chuck's handler was motivated by her feelings for him. Sarah still largely expresses her feelings through acts carried out in the professional realm. Her support moment with Chuck at the end was an important step in her emotional opening up.<BR/><BR/>Casey was probably the best of TeamB - the way he stood up for Chuck and Sarah was awesome.<BR/><BR/>As for the episode itself, the mission was frivolous and lacked import without any tie ins to Fulcrum and/or the Orion/Intersect arc. Overall the suspension of disbelief factor on this episode really pushed the limit, even for Chuck, with logic lapses and story contrivances. This is the area which brings the episode down from the level of the previous two the most for me.<BR/><BR/>Agree that Beckman's capitulation at the end was too convenient a story contrivance.<BR/><BR/>The vault scene was hilarious.OldDarthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71884271812246097942009-03-31T18:47:00.000-04:002009-03-31T18:47:00.000-04:00They only borrowed Awesome's keycard to get access...They only borrowed Awesome's keycard to get access to the pacemaker so they could plant the bug. I don't think Awesome was scheduled to perform that surgery.<BR/><BR/>Also, thanks to both Dan and LoopyChew! :-) I have to work "Ooh, astronomy snap!" into my conversations, preferably if I'm at an observatory.deznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39854836241155681392009-03-31T18:31:00.000-04:002009-03-31T18:31:00.000-04:00Isn't Chuck's father's name Steven Bartowski, same...Isn't Chuck's father's name Steven Bartowski, same as the quarterback for the Falcons in the 70's and 80's?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-88680932218128350892009-03-31T17:19:00.000-04:002009-03-31T17:19:00.000-04:00Anonymous,That's a good question...Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>That's a good question...Steve Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10433315770570085004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73044676690462682732009-03-31T17:06:00.000-04:002009-03-31T17:06:00.000-04:00I don't usually worry about details in my shows (I...I don't usually worry about details in my shows (I just want to be entertained), but this one didn't make sense to me.<BR/><BR/>They knocked out Awesome so they could steal the key card so Casey could put the bug on.<BR/><BR/>We later see Devin waking up, sans key card, presumably the next morning. <BR/><BR/>So how/when did the bad guy's heart surgery actually get done?! And by whom?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-19286002415198791022009-03-31T16:45:00.000-04:002009-03-31T16:45:00.000-04:00Another thought. I wonder if Casey's turn at the e...Another thought. I wonder if Casey's turn at the end came from him realizing how emotions/attraction on the job can be a real thing to contend with. He and Alex basically missed Chuck being kidnapped because they were making eyes at each other (can we guess even more?) while cleaning their guns.<BR/><BR/>I think that was a critical moment for Casey in understanding how good Sarah is to continue her job on top of distracting feelings and it led to him siding with her and Chuck at the end.The Rotisseur (John N)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16588487370614983383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-85150403174569479502009-03-31T16:24:00.000-04:002009-03-31T16:24:00.000-04:00I think that may be a Josh Schwartz issue. He burn...<I>I think that may be a Josh Schwartz issue. He burned through a ton of storylines at a breakneck pace in season 1 alone of The OC.</I><BR/><BR/>Yep, and that was a big concern for me last season, too. I know it's a show on a bubble, but if it does get renewed (*fingers crossed*) I'd like them not to have gone through every possible storyline by December 2009.filmcrickethttp://filmcricket.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-29686286620811278632009-03-31T16:17:00.000-04:002009-03-31T16:17:00.000-04:00Just a couple thoughts on pop culture references. ...Just a couple thoughts on pop culture references. Alexandra Forrest's first certificate (in Chuck's flash on her) was issued on the sixth day of 2006, authorized on 16th of January in 1969. Her Canadian passport has six zeros after the first two numbers add up to six. The Weapon's Certification File ID adds up to 46 - ending in six. The target that is shot has holes between 5 and 7. (albeit eight of them, in the seven ring). After Beckman tells Chuck about the 49-B, she signs off at 2:22, or a total of six.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure lots of number tricks could come up with other sixes, which doesn't necessarily prove the writers intentions. But, I like to think they were giving a nod to Tricia Helfer's Number Six with at least one of those.<BR/><BR/>Also, I'm loving the rotating programming book on the shelf behind Chuck's bed. Last week was Perl, and this week is XSLT. I didn't notice them in past episodes, but I'm watching for them now.The Rotisseur (John N)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16588487370614983383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20842604320724551202009-03-31T16:13:00.000-04:002009-03-31T16:13:00.000-04:00SC Sousa:"C'mon guys...it's just a TV show!"I agre...SC Sousa:<BR/><BR/>"C'mon guys...it's just a TV show!"<BR/><BR/>I agree with everything SC Sousa wrote. Granted, there is some fun to be had in rehashing an ep by pointing out plot holes, but let's not suck all the fun out of Chuck by nit-picking it to death. (What show CAN'T you do that to?) Let's just enjoy it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-80194568684947305322009-03-31T15:15:00.000-04:002009-03-31T15:15:00.000-04:00I was actually happy that they did add in the part...I was actually happy that they did add in the part of Chuck's spy life potential messing with his sister's marraige. Although I get Alan's point that it seems reasonable that Chuck could have come up with an excuse, it was nice to finally have some angst in Chuck's personal life (outside of his relationship with Sarah) caused by espionage to carry over into additional episodes. Previous problems like him missing "Mother's Day", Ellie and Awesome thinking Chuck was on drugs, or his humiliation of Morgan were solved within the same episode that they arose in. I don't really care about the huge plot holes in the spy plots but it does bother me that he doesn't pay a big enough price for "saving the world." His friends and family should be worried about him and they shouldn't see Sarah as such a great influence in his life. If anything, it would lend a bit more urgency and a more selfless reason for to want him to get the intersect out of his head. <BR/><BR/>I must confess through that all this may be due to my great affection for Buffy.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31856146394147949782009-03-31T14:28:00.000-04:002009-03-31T14:28:00.000-04:00C'mon guys...it's just a TV show!All of the beefs ...C'mon guys...it's just a TV show!<BR/><BR/>All of the beefs I've heard from Alan's recap, and from various comments, are baseless. We're knocking a fictional show for its lack of realism? At what point does it become believable?<BR/><BR/>We're criticizing stuff like Chuck's tv direct line to General Beckman, from an episode of a show where Chuck averted World War 3 because he beat Missile Command according to the notes of Rush's "Tom Sawyer"? <BR/><BR/>I think we expect too much from a show that already knows what it is. Could they have fleshed out an awesome 2-3 episode arc with Helfer? Sure. Is Tony Hale's role really necessary? Maybe not. But to say the episode's lacking in quality for reasons that don't apply to the show (airtight plot, believability, etc.)...it's frankly stupid.<BR/><BR/>I appreciate Chuck for the absurd moments, like when Chuck is daydreaming about Sarah walking into the Buy More, and picturing her in attractive ways...including joyfully doing cartwheels...most of you appreciate moments like that, too. Let's acept the show for what it is, instead of saying it's not real or plausible enough. Even if it's exactly what we want, that's still not "real"...it's our perception of what we THINK is real when we watch TV/movies.<BR/><BR/>One last thing: yes, it was a bit weird for a cliffhanger ending to be followed up by "Scott Bakula! Chevy Chase!" and so on. But remember: this is a show trying to stay alive. NBC is pushing it any way they can, and even if they tip their hat a bit, it still brings in potential fans. <BR/><BR/>The bottom line is this: we are too concerned about being personally entertained and fully satisfied, and so we expect more from Chuck than we should. Last night's episode was easily one of the series' best, despite Alan's nitpicking.SC Sousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555300459050742439noreply@blogger.com