tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post6828330457993549404..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Chuck, "Chuck vs. the Beard": Do you hear the people sing?Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17827396036678206342010-05-11T18:15:45.654-04:002010-05-11T18:15:45.654-04:00Okay, so make Nerd moment, but there seems to be a...Okay, so make Nerd moment, but there seems to be an inconsistency at the end of the episode...<br /><br />When Chuck and Morgan are playing Duck Hunt you get a brief glimpse of what appears to be either a Plasma or LCD Flatscreen...<br /><br />Now it's become common knowledge that the Zapper (well light guns in general,) does not work with the ANY of the new HDTV technologies. Short of buying a very expensive scaler (from what I've read/seen/etc.,) there should've been no way for this to work.<br />I don't think Chuck has the kind of disposable budget to make Duck Hunt work on non-CRT HDTV. <br /><br />Not that this detracts from the show at all, it just left me curious as to if anyone else noticed this....analogtrash.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90525270713343929872010-04-02T19:37:21.298-04:002010-04-02T19:37:21.298-04:00Horation said...
I hate how this show is always pu...<i>Horation said...<br />I hate how this show is always putting up artificial barriers keeping Chuck and Morgan from consummating their love for each other. Now that Morgan knows Chuck's secret, can they finally be together?</i><br /><br />Nice.<br /><br /><i>Sam Hobart said...<br />My favorite was the shot looking up at the Buy More crew preparing for their interrogations/interviews. Keeping everyone on screen at once and at an unusual angle</i><br /><br />And a lovely call back to Vs Santa Claus, where it was used with Awesome directing the Ned take-down.<br /><br />I have always loved Morgan, from day one. So much so that I am always surprised to read that some viewers have found him tedious. And I really hope that someone, somewhere is working on Joshua Gomez's award season showreel. And also that it includes "It's a walkie talkie, don't drop it, it's expensive" and "You never had <i>sex with that girl</i>?" Although, and this was a bad decision and unfair to JG's performance, we are actually on Chuck's face and not Morgan's during that line.<br /><br />It's interesting to me that some great comedy moments were mined from the cast by one of their own, reminiscent of some of the work done on Scrubs eps directed by Zach Braff.<br /><br />Arguably my favourite thing about this episode was how is showcased the architecture of the Buy More's backstage and also Castle. Seeing bits of the corridors etc for the first time through Morgan's eyes worked superbly.Cazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06062009770759021694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6778171071629218012010-03-27T23:20:19.919-04:002010-03-27T23:20:19.919-04:00(Behind by several weeks and just now catching up ...(Behind by several weeks and just now catching up with DVR)<br /><br />I LOVE this show, and this episode in particular. While, yes, there were some plot holes and some weird shots that messed with the flow, this episode had me giggling for the last half. It was a return to the awesomeness that was season 2, and I'm so very, very happy. <br /><br />I want to thank you, Alan, for dedicating so much writing to this show each week. I love having all of the pop culture references and songs spelled out in addition to a great write up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-75355048266373069432010-03-18T14:49:16.620-04:002010-03-18T14:49:16.620-04:00Loved the episode, and Alan your blog's commen...Loved the episode, and Alan your blog's comments are always insightful. Although, and a few people have mentioned it here as not liking it, I loved the Nerf gun cocking montage--I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. It's a perfect nerd/geek moment--what else would a bunch of geeks have handy for their very own revolution but a bunch of Nerf guns? It was that or Wii guns, and the Nerfs you can actually cock and act Rambo-y with. Between that, the Jeffster! CCR cover, and the WWII homages, I thought the secondary story was pitch perfect and flat-out hilarious.<br /><br />For a first timer, I think Levi did a great job directing. Hit the emotional/plot high points of the show well, some inventive thoughts on camera work (the pan shot with the apple bet; the back and forth sensitivity to the unfolding of Chuck telling Morgan his story and Morgan's reaction). The only part I thought didn't really fit (and it's a comedy, so I'm okay with going over the top if done judiciously) was the grenade hotel room entrance.Crazy like a Foxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55771896738850078082010-03-11T13:57:39.724-05:002010-03-11T13:57:39.724-05:00I'm a new Chuck fan. Yes, Alan, you told me t...I'm a new <i>Chuck</i> fan. Yes, Alan, you told me to watch. But it took the marathon just before the season began to hook me. So I've seen each episode this season as it aired--while catching up on some shows from the earlier seasons.<br /><br />I've liked every episode--some more than others. This latest was, of course, awesome. And I'll gladly go wherever <i>Chuck</i> wants to take me. <br /><br />It seems to me that a boycott would be a great way to ensure there will be <i>no</i> 4th Season. Now, I'm getting a yen for a Subway sandwich....<br /><br />--not BridgetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-37068957516078188902010-03-11T13:43:44.541-05:002010-03-11T13:43:44.541-05:00And, while I'm here, I agree with the Anon who...And, while I'm here, I agree with the Anon who said he/she misses the way Shaw was initially portrayed.<br /><br />I know he's only had a few episodes but it already seems like he's been derailed. For me, he's gone from being a surprisingly good new addition to the cast, complete with an intriguing past, to being something of a bumbling idiot. Hopefully he'll get back on track, soon.<br /><br />While I'm at it: I'm I weird for thinking the main problem with the Shaw/Sarah thing is the fact that it seems totally out of character for *Shaw*? The guy still breaks out the wedding ring on occasion and flat out told Sarah that relationships in the spy game were a mistake.<br /><br />Oh well.A Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41592869103737036582010-03-11T13:29:44.583-05:002010-03-11T13:29:44.583-05:00Toby:
If anyone's got a "Manchurian Cand...Toby:<br /><br />If anyone's got a "Manchurian Candidate" vibe about him, it's Shaw. <br /><br />1) It would explain why the Ring didn't kill him when they had him "dead to rights"<br /><br />2) His last name is Shaw :PA Guynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-11655314704410243792010-03-11T10:51:55.850-05:002010-03-11T10:51:55.850-05:00I think the style of the flash-bang was a direct r...I think the style of the flash-bang was a direct reference to the video game "Counter-Strike" -- that ghostly after trail is the exact effect that occurs when a flash-bang goes off in the game -- since Zachary Levi is a known gamer, inserting that reference seems like it might be a kind of clever nod to the game.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73094036587575579962010-03-11T07:29:27.851-05:002010-03-11T07:29:27.851-05:00Some people gasped at the suggestion of boycotting...Some people gasped at the suggestion of boycotting the show after the direction it's taken, and said it's too late to make a difference. Not for season 4 it's not.Otisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-89165452574117269822010-03-11T07:26:57.953-05:002010-03-11T07:26:57.953-05:00Someone on another board said something that sums ...Someone on another board said something that sums up how I feel completely. They said that when your 2 main chracters spend the season hardly interacting, then your show has missed the boat. In other words, when Shaw and Sarah have more screentime, more interaction, than the 2 leads, you've missed the boat. It was truly like they went out of their way to NOT write Chuck and Sarah all season. Remember this was a 13 episode season initially. They insist we need to give it time. We are on episode 10 now. How much more time is there? My guess is they don't think they really need to do anything more than some quick C/S scene in 13 and it's done and we're off to the last 6 where they will continue to back and forth those 2. After doing such a fantastic job with them last season, they dropped the ball. The troubling thing is they don't seem to see that. As much as I love Chuck a part of me has started to hope it's not renewed. THEN maybe Josh Schwartz will get it.Give the fans what they want not what you think they need.Mollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65811675011030705542010-03-10T21:55:07.206-05:002010-03-10T21:55:07.206-05:00I have yet to find a show that makes me laugh out ...I have yet to find a show that makes me laugh out loud like this one. AND I actually feel happy I took the hour to sit down and watch it!!! I love this show!!Sissynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54755896607952573002010-03-10T20:50:56.403-05:002010-03-10T20:50:56.403-05:00I only got about half way through the comments bef...I only got about half way through the comments before I felt obliged to quibble with Alan's dissatisfaction with Chuck's re-realisation that he is still in love with Sarah.<br /><br />One of the great qualities of shows like Chuck (and particularly Buffy, although it was more extreme around this issue) is that they use an unreal universe to give space to show what perhaps all of us have been through in life. It is often far more effective than showing "real" characters experience the same thing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040917477625325089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-20274085472589687262010-03-10T18:34:35.708-05:002010-03-10T18:34:35.708-05:00Wow, Alan. I watched Chuck and then immediately l...Wow, Alan. I watched Chuck and then immediately listened to your podcast. I like Chuck less than you, and maybe it isn't just personal taste -- you sound a LOT like Zachary Levi.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18296753908886533233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24731383490946683762010-03-10T16:48:17.118-05:002010-03-10T16:48:17.118-05:00I realize the tele-synaptic circuits in my brain a...I realize the tele-synaptic circuits in my brain are a bit fried, but when Morgan finally learned Chuck's secret, I was thinking: Just like when Major Healey finally learned about Jeannie! And it is an apt comparison because the storylines can now open up, go in different directions, because it's no longer hampered by Morgan being left in the dark.<br /><br />It looks like it was just me, but I was disturbed by the look on Awesome's face when he turned away after being reassured that he was not being suspected of being a double agent or that he was in any way involved. Maybe it was a deteermination on his part to get Ellie away from all of it, but I wondered if there is still a possible seed of "Manchurian Candidate" in there.....Toby O'Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06999037844031101965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-63577191486386964992010-03-10T09:49:14.630-05:002010-03-10T09:49:14.630-05:00Mediocre episode in my opinion. So Morgan found ou...Mediocre episode in my opinion. So Morgan found out, so what, replace dorky Chuck with dorky Morgan for comedy relief and turn Chuck ito James Bond. Yeah, sorry they can't pull it off.<br />Franchise has been going downhill all season, if their hope was that a bit of fluff (Fake Beard) would save them I think they will be disappointed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58490343215825378782010-03-10T09:16:41.410-05:002010-03-10T09:16:41.410-05:00Dear Producers and Writers of Chuck--I hope for th...Dear Producers and Writers of Chuck--I hope for the show's longevity that you HAVE owned Sarah and Chuck by 3.13. Because the only way you will survive what you have done this season, is for this huge epic finale in 3.13 that you are promising and presumably that will mean ending these ridiculous Sarah and Chuck obstacles, comes to pass. It may not be the entire fanbase that objects, but for a show that was so recently almost cancelled--it's enough of the fanbase. You need to start listening and not just hearing what you want to hear. Critics aren't your fanbase. Arrogance and self-indulgence has killed many a show. And you've shown both all season. Even acting perplexed that anyone was having a problem with what you'd written. Tip--when you have to grant interviews to break "the fever" of upset coming from fans over the direction of your show, take note. Something isn't going right, and don't blame the fans for that. NBC is in enough trouble that you may get a season 4 just because. That might be enough for you. However, going out on a high note, should be a goal-not just getting by. We've had enough and we're not going to take it anymore. We're pulling for you, but there's only so much we can do.Pamelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27920328231853527642010-03-10T08:55:15.530-05:002010-03-10T08:55:15.530-05:00I used to be a huge Chuck fan. I even went and bou...I used to be a huge Chuck fan. I even went and bought Subways last year, filled in comment cards, because I cared about the show even though I threw away the sandwitches (sorry ... can't carb load)<br />This year ... Last episode I watched as it aired was Nacho Sampler. I DVR since then and you know why? I no longer care about what will happen next week to characters I used to love. They just don't interest me anymore, they make no sense. And that's bad when this is supposed to be THE character growth season.Fake Beard, I watched half of it, rest I fast forwarded through. In the middle of a lot of storylines I don't really care about they did a pause (the storylines) here's some overdone comedy relief. Thanks. Thanks for exaggerating the visual elements too, to the point I was wondering if it was Chuck or some random slapstick show.<br />Good luck to the show, and the fans, I will most definitely not be joining the fight to save it again. I ll probably still DVR and watch a bundle of episodes together but they lost me a live viewer.<br />JasonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27423301194777388422010-03-10T00:45:58.066-05:002010-03-10T00:45:58.066-05:00Had a thought upon re-watching Chuck from last nig...Had a thought upon re-watching Chuck from last night (and I know nothing about next week, so this is just a theory). The voice on the other end of that call to Col. Casey sounded a bit Scott Bakula-n to my ears. Could Orion & Casey be in on something? And could the something (please please please) lead to the exit of Shaw?Dave Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-71789230824209221912010-03-10T00:18:33.996-05:002010-03-10T00:18:33.996-05:00"If the characters don't grow and the sta..."If the characters don't grow and the stakes don't get raised, then we might as well be watching repeats from season two. "<br /><br />Nonsense. That's like saying you'll stop drinking cola because they all taste the same. We've seen the old stories, but if you like the characters they don't need to change them, because that runs the risk of them turning into character you no longer like (and most of us are supposed to watch this because we like it, not because we are paid for it). Its fairly bad how they have changed just about everybody this year. Awesome is not. Sarah keeps getting beat up. Even Casey was bettered today (be it ever some brief). Chuck is acting like an idiot. Only Morgan is mostly the same (and i suspect that is because the actor can't act and is just being himself mostly)<br /><br />As for the directing, does it really matter whos name is on the credits? Its not supposed to be art, its supposed to be finished on time. Its so much of a teamwork before the execs cut it up that i doubt it makes much difference. Except it can signal that an actor asked for a raise and get an extra job instead.<br /><br />But yes, it was somewhat better with the teenage angst banned (for once)Stellar Drifthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645505961636411336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67956230844643718282010-03-09T23:20:15.641-05:002010-03-09T23:20:15.641-05:00There's a huge plot hole that nobody has menti...There's a huge plot hole that nobody has mentioned yet! If Chuck got a perfect score in Duck Hunt, then why was the dog laughing at him???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-33909858197275657862010-03-09T23:17:08.858-05:002010-03-09T23:17:08.858-05:00Loved the Chuck and Morgan moments.
Loved the whol...Loved the Chuck and Morgan moments.<br />Loved the whole Buy More gang!<br />Loved the Awesome and Ellie decoy.<br />Loved the fact that Shaw and Sarah really didn't do much of anything... Eh? - did anyone else notice that the Ring guys - had more personality and Charisma than Shaw?<br />Really - the guy needs an award for playing the most uninteresting character ever... it must be really difficult to act like someone so completely BLAHHHH!<br />How many more EP's will Shaw have<br />this season?<br />- Best moment ever: 3.08<br />the scene with Shaw and Sarah <br />at the moment of the big name reveal - both my teenage daughters<br />shouted, <br />"Shoot him Chuck - shoot him!" <br />- that says it all!Paintings and Postings - Camerons of Erie Beachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11665061047567638894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70437571789823163112010-03-09T23:02:21.624-05:002010-03-09T23:02:21.624-05:00I agree with Anonymous 11:29 up above: the big dif...I agree with Anonymous 11:29 up above: the big difference between Awesome knowing Chuck's secret and Morgan being in on the spy game is that Devon was spared from knowing Chuck has the intersect in his head.<br /><br />pretty upset this didn't cause a bigger uproar among the team - Superman was right here. Morgan needs to go into witness protection, he can't possibly withstand torture no matter how good a liar he becomes in the name of loyalty to his friend. Chuck needs 22 better reasons why he's endangering his best friend in the name of having someone to hear him out. I like the idea of Morgan acting as his conscience but not at the (heh) furry little bastard's expense.<br /><br />Otherwise, great episode, I think they'll address the name reveal thing next episode (or the next, c'mon, they're the stars of the show!), and I love flashbangs. more flashbangs please.stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01659343222150619245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41265562408124510912010-03-09T22:39:28.948-05:002010-03-09T22:39:28.948-05:00I also forgot to say that I'm not happy with h...I also forgot to say that I'm not happy with how the Shaw character has been written lately; Shaw doesn't seem like a very competent spy. They don't give Brandon Routh good enough material to work with, and that sucks since I like the character and the actor.<br /><br />I don't mind that he has a romantic interest in Sarah, I like their scenes together and get their attraction, but if Shaw is supposed to be this super spy, well, I'm not seeing it lately. He was so well written in Operation Awesome and First Class. I want more of that. I want to see him kicking real Ring ass. Sigh. <br /><br />StarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41240983615081645762010-03-09T20:50:21.914-05:002010-03-09T20:50:21.914-05:00In response to the posts about Ellie, I think ther...In response to the posts about Ellie, I think there has been a BIG change in how Sarah Lancaster's role has been written, and it's been for the worst. Particularly in the first season, Ellie was written as a very intelligent, very caring mother figure for Chuck and SL did a wonderful job playing her increasing confusion over whatever was happening to her brother. SL has both great comic timing and the skills to show how heartbreaking her circumstances really are.<br /><br />The problem is that the writers let Ellie stall, and worse, turned her into a one-note nag. It's very easy to see why Ellie is frustrated and even a little afraid for her brother. For a brief, fleeting second, I thought they were going to actually revive Ellie in "Chuck vs. Angel de la Muerte" where both SL and YS were locked in conversation about Sarah's true feelings for Chuck, but it turned out to be a brief snippet of girl talk where, again, Ellie was in the role of nag, except this time she was nagging Sarah.<br /><br />I thought this week's episode single-handedly saved the Chuck/Morgan relationship to potentially great effect. Now I want to see this done for Ellie because, in case we've forgotten, Ellie had Chuck's back before Morgan. I think that Ellie, more than any other character on the show, is responsible for the great guy Chuck turned out to be, and she and Sarah Lancaster deserve SO much better!Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27875204736496449132010-03-09T20:28:35.434-05:002010-03-09T20:28:35.434-05:00I liked the episode, I was annoyed the whole thing...I liked the episode, I was annoyed the whole thing went on as if Mask and Fake Name never happened though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com