What happens "After Hours" for Castle?

ABC's Castle has had a very satisfying and varied last few episodes. First, there was the geek-centric installment, wherein we learned of Beckett's (Stana Katic) cult obsession. Then, a documentary crew showed us what happens when the staff gets in front of cameras, throwing off their game. Finally, this past week, "After Hours" explores the romance between Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett, which has finally been allowed to flourish this season, under scary circumstances.

It used to be, series were too scared of the Moonlighting curse to put their leads together until the end of the run. Lately, shows such as Bones and Chuck have disproven that this should not be done; it just needs to be dealt with correctly. Castle's own stab at things, in the currently airing fifth season, seems to be following the successful path, rather than killing the series.

You see, what does a show in is if you lose the dynamic tension between the main characters. Castle and Beckett still have that tension. It comes to the forefront in "After Hours," when they are on the run from mobsters together. They must trust one another, working together to try to get their witness to safety. It's not an easy thing to do; as well as their partnership works, they have to balance their worry for one another with a confidence in each other's abilities. This is explored terrifically in this episode.

The other thing keeping the tension up is the worry that Captain Gates (Penny Johnson Jerald) will find out about the pair. Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas) are already in on the secret, as is Castle's family, but none of these people, who love Castle and Beckett, would rat them out, even though their relationship is against department rules. (Castle may not officially be a cop, but his work with the department would realistically make the rules apply to him.) Once Gates learns the truth, it will present an obstacle that will have to be overcome, unfortunately, probably too conveniently.

Add to that, Castle and Beckett are still early in their romance, and so are unsure themselves how things might work, long-term. They worry that they are too different after a dinner with Castle's mother, Martha (Susan Sullivan), and Beckett's father, Jim (Scott Paulin), gets rocky. Of course, they are not their parents, but it's easy to see how such a scenario could scare them a bit. Even if the real purpose of such a scene seems to be to add some lightheartedness to the episode, which happens when Jim and Martha bond over their concern for their children.

"After Hours" sets this dysfunction in a high intensity story, with twists and great guest stars including Bonita Friedericy (Chuck), Tony Denison (The Closer), and especially Patrick Fischler (Lost, Mad Men). Is it still a formulaic procedural? Yes, but in season five, the aversion to taking risks is ebbing, and Castle is finally stepping it up as it's own unique entity. More of this, and it could grow beyond the strict conceits that have held it back thus far.

It also helps that Fillion and Katic are absolutely phenomenal, no matter the situation.

Castle airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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"Chuck Versus the Baby" emotional highpoint

     This week's installment of NBC's Chuck, "Chuck Versus the Baby," finds Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) reverting back to her old habits, trying to handle a situation alone, and in secret. Chuck (Zachary Levi) does his best to be understanding, but when his intervention saves Sarah's life, she realizes that she's been wrong. Together, they set off to save Sarah's mother (Cheryl Ladd, Las Vegas, Charlie's Angels) from a very bad, ex-CIA creep (Tim DeKay, White Collar).

     The final season of Chuck has been phenomenal, even though this reviewer has not managed to write up an article each week. "Chuck Versus the Baby," however, will stand out even among the excellent grouping. It really delves into how Sarah has changed, and how her life has been enriched by being with Chuck. She was willing to give up everything for her job, once upon a time. Now she has friends and family, and her life is facing a crossroads. Her decisions to let Chuck in, as well as turning down Beckman's (Bonita Friedericy) offer to rejoin the CIA, are a big step for her, signaling that she is happy with the way things have progressed, and prefers a fuller life. It's heart-warming, and Sarah realizing her wrongness completes a wonderful, long-term arc. Plus, it isn't like she looks weaker than Chuck overall, because as Morgan (Joshua Gomez) says, she's usually right when they disagree. A small part for deceased CIA Director Graham (Tony Todd), tying the current arc into the series pilot, is also a welcome bridge.

     Just one question: is Sarah's hair in the flashback an intentional homage to Ladd's days as an Angel?

     Even better is introducing Sarah's mother to the group, and the character will have to return at least once more. Chuck is very heavily about the titular character's family, but thus far Sarah's only relation is a con man. With the introduction of Ladd's mother, Sarah now has a similar connection. It's also sweet for Sarah's mother, who worries about her daughter ever getting a real life with people to care about. A short amount of time spent near Chuck and Sarah's extended family reassured her that Sarah is well taken care of and happy. If tears are not in your eyes at this point in watching the episode, then you have no human emotions.

     Elsewhere in the episode, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) intercede to try to repair things between Morgan (Joshua Gomez) and Alex (Mekenna Melvin). It leads to a fun little back story of Awesome's time as an A&F model, but more importantly, it wakes Alex up to the fact that Morgan is a good guy who made a mistake. Why she can't understand how his brain gets messed up by a computer is hard to understand, but it's forgiven when they reunite after she sees Morgan being caring towards Sarah's little sister. It's about time!

     Of course, not all of "Chuck Versus the Baby" is sappy, emotional stuff, as not every Chuck fan cares about those things. Some just want the action. DeKay's villain, so different from his USA Network good guy, delights. He is deliciously evil, well acted, and has a heck of a fight scene with Sarah in her mother's kitchen, as unrealistic as their fall through the wall may be. It adds adrenaline to the episode, and gives it an extra shove.

     The complaints about "Chuck Versus the Baby" pretty much boil down to the trailer NBC aired last week. The preview made it seem like Sarah had a secret child that she hid, which would have been a low down, dirty, ridiculous contrivance tossed in at the last moment. Instead, this week's entry is sweet, awesome, clever, and original. NBC made a huge mistake when putting together that commercial, and they should be ashamed of themselves.

     Chuck's (unfortunately) final season continues Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Chuck parties in "Chuck Versus the Business Trip"

    On NBC's Chuck this week, "Chuck Versus the Business Trip," Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) removes the Intersect from Morgan's (Joshua Gomez) head and asks Decker (Richard Burgi) to call off the hit on Morgan. He complies, but says there is one super assassin known as the Viper that cannot be called off. So Chuck (Zachary Levi) poses as Morgan at a Buy More retreat, attempting to draw the Viper out into the open. After a false lead, the real Viper, using the name Jane (Catherine Dent, The Shield), is caught. Right assuming Decker will allow Jane to kill them all anyway, since it risks her cover, Casey kills Jane and her crew. Which gives Decker an excuse to arrest Casey.

     The mission of spy versus spy in "Chuck Versus the Business Trip" is straight forward and exciting. Chuck and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) fight the bad guys, and Morgan has to run away and hide. Without the Intersect, the Carmichael Industries team still saves the day, with maybe slightly more effort than would be needed previously. If nothing else, it proves they have what it takes, with or without a computer in someone's head.

     Not that Morgan remains a fantastic spy without the Intersect. He shows bravery to protect Alex (Mekenna Melvin), whom he loves, but doesn't try to confront Jane on his own. This is wise. Unlike Chuck, who spends years training, Morgan's experience without the Intersect is very limited. This doesn't mean he can't still contribute to the team, but it does mean he won't be able to do everything he could do. An early scene in "Chuck Versus the Business Trip" shows Morgan enjoying a final stunt, before logically allowing his brain to be fixed.

     But will Carmichael Industries continue? Yes, they have what it takes, but do they want it? This is a question Chuck and Sarah stuggle with in "Chuck Versus the Business Trip." They would quickly grow bored without the adventures, as has been shown before. But at the same time, watching Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) with their baby, Chuck and Sarah can't help but wish for some amount of normal in their lives. In the end, they realize what they have is enough, because at least they have loved ones to spend time with at the end of the day.

     The final gathering, which finds Chuck, Sarah, Ellie, Awesome, Morgan, Casey (Adam Baldwin), and Alex enjoying each other's company post-mission, is bittersweet. There is some sadness hanging over the affair, with Alex only wanting to be Morgan's friend, since he lied to her about being a spy. Hopefully that will resolve itself soon. But the warmth and affection on the group is touching, and it reminds viewers that this group of complex, lovable characters will not be around much longer, and dark tragedy will likely strike someone soon, before the final curtain call. It is these external elements that fans cannot ignore that color this particular scene, and make it even better than the surface elements.

     What will happen next with Casey? Obviously, Decker set him up. Decker wants to take down everyone in Carmichael Industries, though his motivation as to why is still unknown. But allowing Jane to go after the team, Decker likely doesn't care whether Jane succeeds or not. Now he has a convenient excuse to take one person out of the equation, making the others all the more vulnerable. Without concrete evidence proving he acted in self-defense, how will Casey resolve this situation?

     Side note, the interaction between Casey and Morgan in this episode is top notch. Casey using the geeky movies that Morgan has forgotten to express the feelings he has for his little buddy throughout the episode is brilliant.

     The new Jeff (Scott Krinsky) is turning out to be very interesting. Not only does he help Awesome make Ellie happy by prompting him to go back to work so Ellie can stay home, but he also is a dedicated worker at the Buy More who can inspire the rest of the staff. This doesn't sit well with his frequent cohort, Lester (Vik Sahay), who makes an attempt to put Jeff back to who he was. But Jeff is too smart for this now, having Lester arrested instead. Bravo to Chuck for being brave enough to not have Lester reverse the change after a single episode, and pursue a major shake up such as this within the main cast. Only one problem: if Jeff is so smart and cultured off of the gas, what prompted him to sleep in his running van in the first place?

     Don't miss any of the final season of Chuck, airing Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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"Chuck Versus the Frosted Tips" a high stakes game

     NBC's latest Chuck, "Chuck Versus the Frosted Tips," finds Morgan (Joshua Gomez) going off the deep end. He frosts his tips, quits the Buy More, dumps Alex (Mekenna Melvin) via text message, and steals a CIA freelance mission from Carmichael Industries to complete with Verbanski (Carrie-Anne Moss). Chuck (Zachary Levi) is ready to write off his best friend, but it's Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) that realizes this is more than an ego trip. Sure enough, the Intersect is damaging Morgan, and he doesn't even remember who he is. Which means it's up to Chuck, Sarah, and Casey (Adam Baldwin) to save Morgan.

     Given the Chuck and Morgan's love of geeky trilogies, perhaps it comes as no surprise that "Bad Morgan" is presented as a three-parter. Sure, the story about Morgan and the Intersect is not yet ended, though it may be next week, but now Morgan's behavior can come back under control. He realizes what is going on, and is no longer actively working against his friends. Thank goodness for that.

     It's interesting that Sarah is the one who figures things out, while Chuck is ready to write Morgan off. This is explained away because Morgan had a similar ego trip in middle school that Chuck remembers. But Morgan's actions are hard to explain away through sheer arrogance alone. Sarah even goes to Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) for help when Chuck doesn't believe her. Perhaps it's a testament to how Sarah has grown to care for Morgan, or at least be sympathetic to the role Morgan plays in Chuck's life. Unexpected, and nice.

     Casey is the only one unwilling to overlook Morgan's behavior. This can be attributed to Morgan hurting Casey's daughter, Alex. Even after Morgan apologizes and gets himself back under control, Casey kicks Morgan out of his house. The key here seems to be Alex, and if Morgan wants to be OK with Casey, he had best make things up to Alex. This should be accomplished relatively easily, given Morgan and Alex's deep affection for each other. But it's cool that Chuck doesn't just move past the incident with no consequences, even if said consequences are minor.

     Verbanski is never really a clear villain for Chuck and company, even though she is a competitor. In "Chuck Versus the Frosted Tips," she moves from enemy to ally in short order. The key to this switch is her connection with Casey. It may have taken five years, but giving Casey a love interest softens him up, and adds some depth. Plus, it's humorous when Casey tries to apply spy techniques to a dating life. Also, going with a character like Verbanski, who may just be Casey's equal in many ways, keeps the plot realistic, and allows Casey to stay true to his character. It will be interesting to see how things progress with the two of them from here.

     Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) is back! It may be just be a small part, with her hooking up Carmichael Industries with a mission, and valuable information regarding Morgan, but it's thrilling to see her again. Her presence is missed, and hopefully she will be more heavily involved in the end game than she has been in awhile.

     Finally, there is another story that may have lasting effects. Awesome (Ryan McPartlin), on paternity leave, wanders into the Buy More, where he diagnoses and treats Jeff (Scott Krinsky). Turns out, all of Jeff's sloppy behavior and poor decision making skills stem from carbon monoxide poisoning. It does feel too easy that Jeff is cured by the end of "Chuck Versus the Frosted Tips." However, seeing Jeff clean up his act, which will surely drive Lester (Vik Sahay) insane, is an exciting development that hopefully will stick, at least for an episode or two.

     Don't miss the final season of Chuck, Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read every Chuck review I've ever written.

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"Chuck Versus the Zoom" in final season premiere

     NBC's Chuck begins its fifth and final season with "Chuck vs. the Zoom." Chuck (Zachary Levi) is jealous that Morgan (Joshua Gomez) now has the Intersect instead of him. This makes him feel more useless on missions, and Chuck's not sure that he can make Carmichael Industries a reality without his talent. But their latest mission not only makes Chuck step up to be a hero once more, but also results in the group losing all of their funds when Clyde Decker (Richard Burgi) freezes their accounts. Now they will have to rely on the Buy More making a profit to save the day.

     The title "Chuck vs. the Zoom" comes from Morgan's nicknaming of his Intersect moment as a zoom, rather than a flash, as Chuck always calls it. This is kind of the straw that breaks the camel's back, so to speak. Chuck is already feeling powerless and useless. He grows jealous of Morgan taking the lead in their missions, despite his attempts to not let those negative feelings show. He feels like he can no longer save the day. Chuck's life as a spy begins with the Intersect, and he places a lot of importance on the computer that resides in his brain. Except, it no longer does. Morgan makes it his own, and that makes Chuck sad.

     Luckily, Chuck is much more than just the Intersect by this point. Four seasons in, he is a self-made man and spy. Even without the computer, he proves invaluable, saving the day as the team goes after Roger Bale (Craig Kilborn, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn), a sleazy investment banker. Chuck also has wife Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) to build him up, as she is his wife for many more reasons than because he has a computer in his head for awhile.

     At the end of "Chuck vs. the Zoom," as Chuck wonders about his place on the team, Sarah says that he's their leader. When this becomes so is unclear, although it is part of a gradual process. When Chuck begins, Chuck defers to Sarah and Casey (Adam Baldwin) on everything. However, he steps outside of the rules when he thinks he knows better, and his presence demands theirs, as they are tasked with protecting them. Somewhere along the way, mostly beginning after Chuck gets the Intersect 2.0, and becomes more useful in the field, Chuck takes a more assertive role. With the founding of Carmichael Industries, and the departure of General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) and government mandate, his position as the captain is solidified. However, if one has not thought about this subtle shift in power, one may be surprised at Chuck being the team leader. That is, until one takes a moment to consider the character's growth over the series run.

     Where is Beckman? She leaves the Intersect glasses after Decker suppresses the computer in Chuck, hoping Chuck will fix himself, though Morgan is the one that ultimately puts the glasses on. This means that while Beckman may no longer be their boss, she arranges for their next professional stage. So why isn't she there to help them along? Why isn't she a mole for them inside the government? More importantly, why is her face no longer in the theme song, having finally been promoted to main character for season four? It is extremely unlikely that the last has been seen of Beckman, but her absence is notable, and has this fan wondering heavily where she is and what she is up to.

     There are also a number of questions raised in this episode. Why is Chuck still on Decker's radar? What's the end game? Why does Decker want to destroy a tech geek who has his powers taken away?

     Morgan is adjusting well to being more integral to the team. His behavior is reminiscent of early Chuck, though as the comic relief, Morgan will probably never grow into the super spy that Chuck has become. Morgan's dance with Sarah is nothing short of hilarious, seeing him in shoes that should be filled by Chuck. Morgan even identifies himself as Michael Carmichael, a play off of Chuck's spy name, Charles Carmichael. That's OK, because it's fun to have a bumbling guy adjusting to skills he doesn't know how to use again. It brings a freshness to the series, and any focus on the comically brilliant Gomez is more than welcome.

     Casey is probably the least satisfied with their new arrangement. This is because Casey has a very strong moral compass, and working for the government, he trusts that, at the end of the day, what he is doing is right. Even when the series takes it a little far and brings him to the defense of Rush Limbaugh. Now they have to work for private citizens who hire them, such as the guy (Ethan Phillips, Star Trek: Voyager) who wants them to go after Roger Bale, who Casey takes an instant, strong dislike to. This is a problem, because if Casey offends potential clients, Carmichael Industries will have a hard time attracting new business.

     It appears that Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) is now officially on the spy team, too. She is only briefly in "Chuck vs. the Zoom," but she is shown in Castle, and the one scene she does have shows her consulting on secret spy technology, specifically, the Intersect glasses, with Chuck. Ellie is coming around to spying being a family business, but it's still surprising to see her work so willingly, without trying to talk Chuck out of his dangerous assignments. Hopefully, it will stop being strange soon, and she can become even more involved.

     It is both ironic and fitting that the Buy More will hold the key to Chuck's spy career. Lingering, sometimes on the edge, during the entire series, the electronic super store will now provide all of the funding Carmichael Industries gets to try to make a go of things. Of course, Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay) threaten the business, up to their usual tricks. And with manager Morgan frequently out of the country and working in Castle, there is no one to keep them in line. Might this be a job for Beckman? Or maybe Morgan just needs to promote Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence). He runs things pretty well in the earlier seasons.


     Do not miss Chuck, airing Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC for a mere twelve more episodes.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read every Chuck review I've ever written.

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Article first published as TV Review: Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Zoom" on Blogcritics.

Chuck in "Chuck Versus the Ciffhanger" for the final time

     NBC's Chuck is the little show that could, chugging along long after its been assumed dead, multiple times. With next season just announced as Chuck's fifth and final, last night's season finale, "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger," should be yet another game changer for a series known for such. It does not disappoint. Fired from the CIA, and with the Intersect computer removed from his brain while trying to save Sarah's (Yvonne Strahovski) life, Chuck (Zachary Levi) also takes the time to repair the relationship between Hartley / Volkoff (Timothy Dalton) and his daughter, Vivian (Lauren Cohan). As a wedding present, the dangerous duo leave Chuck and Sarah an empire worth nearly $1,000,000,000! Who needs a career when you have money? Hiring Casey (Adam Baldwin) and Morgan (Joshua Gomez), Chuck and Sarah buy the Buy More and open their own freelance spy agency. And then Morgan gets the Intersect in his head.

     The end is near as soon as Agent Clyde Decker (Richard Burgi, Desperate Housewives) is introduced. Chuck may be able to get around Decker to save Sarah, dying after being attacked by Vivian, but nothing will ever be the same afterwards. Chuck has to cross too many lines to rescue his love, but it's worth it, because Sarah is the person Chuck is meant to be with. This is a plot that has been toyed with before, but "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" takes the love story to a new level, costing the pair everything to be together, and making it totally worth it. Those who doubted the actions of the characters on Chuck have consequences, this is the ultimate answer to that question.

     As such, next season, the series's last, will be drastically different. General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) will remain in the cast, but in what capacity is unclear. Will she quit to work for Chuck? Offer them freelance government jobs? Will she finally do more episodes in person than on a computer screen? What is known is that she will no longer be the boss. Instead, Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Morgan will have nearly unlimited resources and their choice of all missions. It's actually a new freedom, opening the characters up to live in a way they never imagined they could. The effect the money and power will have on them remains to be seen, but it's a guarantee there will be far reaching effects, and this new living situation will have a major impact on the final thirteen episodes.

     For four seasons, Chuck has slowly grown from uber-nerd, fish out of water into a super spy. Even without the Intersect computer, Chuck is a force to be reckoned with because of all his training and experience. Moving the Intersect into Morgan is genius because it resets the clock. Chuck gets to see just how difficult he used to be for Sarah and Casey to deal with. The powers will seem fresh and original in new hands. And Morgan will be even more involved than ever before, just as he has promised to pull back from the dangerous stuff for the sake of Alex (Mekenna Melvin).

     Chuck understands what Morgan is going through, he himself having had to lie and face tough decisions to keep his family safe. Not so long ago, Chuck promises his sister, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), that he will give up the dangerous spy life in order to stay at home and be safe. Now that shoe is on Morgan's foot. What's more, with Alex's dad being Morgan's co-worker, it is not likely Morgan will be allowed to lie to Alex and keep his involvement secret the way Chuck has. Morgan will likely face a tough decision before long: Alex or the Intersect. Knowing Morgan, as much as he will enjoy his new abilities, he will make the right decision in the end, and that's Alex.

     It seems the threat Vivan and Alexei Volkoff pose is now at an end. With Alexei restored to his peaceful self, and father and daughter pursuing the quiet life, they are not likely to be a threat, though one hopes they will be pop back up before series end.

     Instead, Clyde Decker, as well as what he represents, will be Chuck's biggest worry. Decker tells Chuck in "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" that everything that has happened to Chuck is part of a master plan. Chuck has faced down a number of villains, and fought with his family and himself to be who he ultimately has become. Now Decker says that's exactly what he wants. Will Chuck find out who is behind everything and why? How will that impact Chuck's life going forward? What is the end goal of such a plot?

     Whatever Chuck faces, it is nice to know that the Buy More is secure. When Chuck turned more serious in the spy game, the goofy electronics store with its bizarre employees, including Jeff (Scott Krinsky), Lester (Vik Sahay), and Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence), continued to be a grounding presence. No doubt, now that Chuck owns the franchise, he will be drawn closer than ever to the demented trio. They are not just comic relief, though, but also provide a tether to the real world, even when not appearing to live in it themselves. The Buy More is a quirky element that sets Chuck apart from any other series on the air, and it's a relief to know that will not be changing.

     What will be changing is Chuck's relationship with his family. Ellie now not only knows what Chuck is up to, she also knows her family has always been involved in espionage. Despite her new baby with her husband, Awesome (Ryan McPartlin), Ellie probably will not want to close the door to that part of her history, especially with mother Mary (Linda Hamilton) back in her life. Look for Ellie to come into Castle from time to time to help out Chuck's new team. Especially with the plot of the master plan going back years, Chuck will need Ellie's help to decode what is happening.

     The last thing to expect from a final season of Chuck is a lot of closure. Many things happen in "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger," but none take Chuck in majorly new directions that haven't been broached before. While the rules keep changing, the game stays the same. As Chuck goes on his final missions, look for a lot of tie-in to past seasons and events. Rather than a new unfurling of further net, the final season of Chuck should begin drawing the loops closer, making connections where there were none before. Given four years of brilliant writing, the odds are in Chuck's favor that the writers will be cooking up a genius ending. Do not miss it.


     Chuck will move to Fridays at 8pm next season, as it presents its final season on NBC.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To buy Chuck DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Chuck - "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" on Blogcritics.

Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner

     Although last night was NBC's Chuck's 21st episode this season, three more outings remain: Chuck's longest season to date. Not many shows get 24 episodes anymore. In last night's, "Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner," Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) are swindled out of over $20,000 by their wedding planner. On advice from Sarah's con man father, Jack (Gary Cole), they use CIA resources to track down the woman, earning them both a suspension. But when Chuck flashes while looking at the planner's client list, General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) doesn't believe him. So Chuck, Sarah, and Jack stage their own con to save the world and restore the two spies to duty.

     It is an absolute delight to get Gary Cole on screen in any capacity. Since it doesn't look like he will be returning for Chuck and Sarah's upcoming nuptials, it is awfully kind of the writers to build him into such a nice story, and provide a sweet moment for he and Sarah on the dance floor during a wedding reception. A con man with a heart of gold is still a con man, so he's just not that reliable. Plus, despite the fact that he so obviously loves his daughter, no one ever said Jack has a heart of gold.

     In flashback, we see Sarah's childhood. Her grandmother tells her father to stay away, and he reluctantly agrees. Young Sarah is heartbroken, and gives her daddy all the money she saved from the schemes they pulled together, hoping he will take her with him. He does end up disappearing, with the money, and without Sarah. While these bits are not particularly important to the overall series plot, as we already know the type of relationship the two have, but they are so well put together, it's easy to just enjoy them and not worry if they are necessary. And the actress playing young Sarah is adorable! Also, Jack leaving Sarah her money, of which he spent not a dime over the years, is a nice bookend, and solves the problem of Sarah and Chuck being hoodwinked.

     Of course, last time Jack showed up on Chuck, it is revealed that he has money stashed away for Sarah. Is that what his purpose is going to be? Every time Jack is on screen he is bringing money? Is this some sort of commentary on absentee dads?

     Parents are an important element on Chuck. Not one of Sarah or Chuck's parents are in the picture when the series begins. Chuck has tracked down both of his by this point, who happen to be spies, like him, although his father is now dead. Sarah's father has popped up a couple of times, but her mother has not been shown. Is it too much to hope for, that with three episodes left in the season, a suitably recognizable actress puts in an appearance? Or if not before the wedding, then next season? That may just be wishful thinking, and admittedly, I'm still hoping for a miracle resurrection of Scott Bakula.

     While Beckman's anger at Chuck and Sarah for misusing agency resources is certainly understandable, it stinks that she doesn't at least let them recover their missing money. After all they do in the line of duty, they should have just asked Beckman for help with the con woman, and she should have granted it. What good is having a job with such resources, and not getting to use them?

     This is not the first time Chuck or Sarah have crossed the line of professionalism. Both have used the tools of their job to hunt for Chuck's family, which ends up tying into their missions. While blind luck is probably partially to blame, Chuck must be given credit for good instincts. Not only did his hunt for mother and father help bring down bigger criminals, but the arrest of the wedding planner once again led to another mission. If we are to suspend disbelief and assume these are not coincidences, which is viable given the massive computer in Chuck's head, and its effects not completely all known or understood, Beckman needs to start learning to trust Chuck's actions, even when he himself doesn't realize a bigger motive.

     It is nice that Morgan (Joshua Gomez) and Casey (Adam Baldwin) assist in the faux wedding that Jack helps Sarah and Chuck throw. Morgan is, of course, Chuck's best friend, so he will willingly get involved in anything illegal if Chuck thinks it's best. Casey has been an obstacle before, but he has softened so much, and warmed up to the others, to the point where he barely questions them before lending a hand. It's a tight knit team built on trust, and they all realize they have something special here.

     Just because there are so many relationship movements in the episode doesn't mean that Chuck disappoints those looking for action. The wedding showdown, where the team has to stage an elaborate event, and then subtley take out not one, not two, not even three, but four bad guys is very cool! Comedy is mixed in with the action, such as Morgan rushing frantically into the backroom so that someone else can take down his mark. But fans who care more about the spy stuff than feelings should not be let down.

     No funny side plots with the Buy More this week. Due to a limited budget, Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence), Lester (Vik Sahay), and Jeff (Scott Krinsky) only do certain episodes. (Sarah Lancaster's Ellie also sits this one out.) While it is a hallmark of the show to keep the CIA agents grounded with retail jobs, and also keep the more light hearted plots in for comic relief, it doesn't need to be every week. Buy More is not missed at all in this episode. Should it be missing for the next few, too, now that would be a problem.

     Devon (Ryan McPartlin) is the lone "side" main character that shows up, when he ends up catching Jack breaking into Chuck and Sarah's apartment. Did anyone else believe him when he said he could chase Jack down, even though he has a baby strapped to his chest? Classic Awesome! Devon ends up entertaining Jack for awhile, and while, like the flashbacks, not strictly needed, other than to let out to Jack know that his daughter is getting married, the two provide some of the most enjoyable moments in the hour.

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     It is finally time for Casey to come clean to Kathleen (Clare Carey). This arc took a huge leap forward this week when Kathleen catches a glimpse of the supposedly dead father of her child at the Buy More. Following him, at first she thinks he's just lying to their daughter, Alex (Mekenna Melvin), about being a hero spy. Then she sees him in action. Baldwin insists in a recent interview that Kathleen and Casey will not be picking up their romance where it left off, at least not this season, but that seems a shame. These two have wonderful chemistry.

     Now that Casey is out of the bag, does that mean he can be more actively involved in Alex's life? No more sneaking around? That would be a breath of fresh air, as Casey has become very important to Alex, and it's visibly wearing on her that she has to keep two sides of her life separate. Casey is a good father who realizes that, which is why he tells her in the previous episode not to lie to her mom. While there may be some resistance on Kathleen's part to Casey being around, he did leave her and lie to her after all, Casey is a genuinely good man. The sooner Kathleen sees that, the better for the show.


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     Chuck airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: Chuck - "Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner" on Blogcritics.

Chuck Surpasses Awesomeness

     I realize that the title of this article is a bold statement. It is also one I am willing to stand by. So far in the fourth season, Chuck (Zachary Levi) has found and rescued his mother, Mary a.k.a. Frost (Linda Hamilton), wooed and proposed (multiple times) to Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski), who last night appeared to say yes, and brought down one of the most notorious criminals of all time, Volkoff (Timothy Dalton) and his organization. As General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) told Chuck when he asked to borrow a van, and I'm paraphrasing here, 'After what you've done, I'll send you by chopper!'

     This season of Chuck has felt like a helicopter ride in a storm, swinging around wildly, but thrilling at the same time. The show, frequently on the verge of cancellation, has packed much plot into a handful of episodes before, most notably at the end of season two, and it felt rushed. This time, however, it feels anything but. It's perfectly plotted out, brilliantly executed, and a hell of a good time. Last night's episode, "Chuck Versus the Push Mix", seemed like a season finale, but the best part is, it wasn't! There's still more Chuck to come!

     In true Chuck fashion, last night's big episode did not end in a spectacular fight, though there was plenty of action. Instead, the final moments were Devon a.k.a. Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) declaring his newborn baby girl 'awesome', and Sarah accepting Chuck's proposal. The proposal was particularly neat, as the viewer could hear only the floor waxing machine, not the words. We've heard them before, recently, so we didn't need to again. We've seen Chuck and Sarah grow together. And it felt absolutely perfect for him to ask now, and for her to say yes. It also felt like a private moment, as everyone but the two of them, including viewers, were excluded to some degree. Super sweet.

     Some shows worry about jumping the shark when they put their two romantic leads together. Series put it off for years, tossing one obstacle after another in their way. Chuck did that, too, but after three and a half years, the perfect amount of time, in my opinion, they tossed caution to the wind and went for it. Chuck and Sarah's relationship informed every episode of the season, to its credit. It has really worked, adding a fresh element. More importantly, Chuck never felt like her equal until now. After taking down Volkoff, he more than proved he deserves her.

     Timothy Dalton has been delicious in every episode, and I hate to see him go so soon. I hope the writers will find a way to bring him back. The final showdown was pitch perfect, with Chuck playing on Volkoff's weakness (jealousy), and the stand off being much more talk than fight. Chuck manipulated Volkoff into saying the words he needed to use Chuck's father's computer virus to steal Volkoff's computer system. Not only that, Chuck played it uber cool. When Volkoff told Chuck he'd need an army to escape the cabin, I just knew Beckman and the army were on the other side of that door. When they were, I had to clap out loud in excitement!

     Chuck began the show as a geek, thrust into the spy life purely by circumstance. After four years, two computers in his brain, both of which have been removed and blocked for periods of time, two secret lairs, uncovering family espionage secrets, gaining and losing a parent, finding the other, friends and family being brought into and taken out of the loop, a variety of happy accidents, intense CIA training, and countless international missions, Chuck is a full fledged spy. Where will he go from here? With Volkoff, the season's Big Bad taken down, that question applies doubly.

     Of course, the show has never really been just about Chuck. There is a slew of supporting characters, and almost every one got their due in this episode, too, save Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence), who must have been taking the night off. The best supporting character moment goes to Jeffster's (a band consisting of Vik Sahay's Lester and Scott Krinsky's Jeff) cover of "Push" as Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) gave birth. They got into the hospital, broke into the sound system, and delivered their best performance to date. It was so wrong, it was hilarious. So glad they made it as long as they did before security arrived to escort them out.

     For some reason, Jeffster, as much of a joke as it is, always kicks an episode up a notch. Many times in a show, you just need a good musical number to raise the scene to an entirely higher level. Chuck has figured out that allowing two incredibly geeky losers access to the musical equipment to give a live performance, along with an unhealthy dose of delusions of grandeur, is better than just running a track. I agree one thousand percent, when said duo is Jeff and Lester. I assumed the pair would disappear when the show got serious about the spy stuff, but keeping the Buy More scenes has allowed the series, and the character of Chuck, to stay grounded. Kudos.

     Not surprisingly, Morgan (Joshua Gomez) also got his due. With Chuck now soaring in skills and abilities, the show needed someone to be the new, I mean old, Chuck, capturing that earnest enthusiasm, but without the talent to back it up. I'm sorry; I may have angered fans by implying Morgan has no talent. He sure does, as evidenced by his laser dodging dance last night, another highlight of the episode. But it never feels like Morgan's accomplishments are entirely intentional. He sure tries hard, though! Which is why he such a beloved character. It's interesting to see him grow, as Chuck did, as their paths will surely be quite different.

     I guess what was surprising was that Casey (Adam Baldwin), always part of the central spy trio with Chuck and Sarah (now often a quartet with Morgan), spent most of last night in a hospital bed. It shouldn't have been that surprising, after his near-fatal plummet in last week's episode, but it felt odd to not have Casey involved on the mission. Instead, the writers focused on a strength Casey has been steadily developing: connecting to people.

     When we first met Casey, he was a rough and tough, seemingly emotionless soldier. Casey has lightened up considerably, and not just to his teammates, Chuck and Sarah. He has become a devoted father to Alex (Mekenna Melvin), and a mentor (and hopefully, before long, father-in-law) to Morgan. Casey had fine, emotional moments with Alex, Morgan, Sarah, and even Devon last night, sort of becoming a heart in the series. It's not Casey's traditional story, but it is very welcome.

     What will the rest of season four hold? Obviously, new bad guys. But also Chuck and Sarah planning a wedding, Ellie and Devon learning to be parents, and Jeff and Lester getting into trouble. I don't want to count my season five chickens before they hatch, but I feel better about the show's chance this year than any before. It is a fantastic series, and definitely deserves to be on the air. Much praise to NBC for sticking by it when it dangled near cancellation, multiple times. A few more shows like Chuck, and the network might not be #4 any more.

     Chuck airs on NBC Monday nights at 9 p.m.


Article first published as TV Review: Chuck Surpasses Awesomeness on Blogcritics.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Chuck is one not to miss, so stop missing it

     NBC's Chuck is one of the smartest, most action-packed, most enjoyable shows on television.  Yet, since day one it has struggled to stay on the air.  Season four began two weeks ago, and 'Save Chuck' campaigns are already in the works.  After the third season, when viewers had to wait until winter for the premiere, and only thirteen episodes were ordered, I was thrilled when Chuck got six additional episodes made last spring, and an early pick up for this year.  Finally, the fight was over!  But clearly, it's not.

     If you've never seen Chuck, then here are some things you need to know.  The central character is name Chuck Bartowski (played by Zachary Levi).  At the start of the series, a computer known as the Intersect was downloaded into Chuck's brain, making him super smart.  The NSA and CIA quickly sent agents to protect him, and use him for their own purposes.  Those agents were John Casey (Adam Baldwin) and Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), the latter soon providing romantic chemistry for Chuck.  This connection was resisted, because Sarah couldn't date someone who was not a spy, and though Chuck longer for that life, his training was slow and awkward.

     At the end of season two, the Intersect was removed by Chuck's father, Steve (Scott Bakula), who had disappeared on his children years ago, but Chuck discovered was also a spy.  Sadly, later that same episode, a new version of the Intersect was downloaded, and Chuck now possess abilities as well as knowledge.  Chuck became a full-fledged spy.  Steve was killed.  Chuck and Sarah finally got into a serious relationship.  And Chuck discovered that his mother, Mary (Linda Hamilton), who had also disappeared long ago, was still alive, and was also a spy.

     Over the years, slowly members of Chuck's regular life have found their way into the spy game, as well.  Chuck's best friend, Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez), who is more bumbling and nerdy than Chuck ever was, found out and joined the team in season three.  In season two, Chuck's soon-to-be brother-in-law, Devon Woodcomb, better known as Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) found out, but managed to keep the secret from Chuck's sister, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster).  Devon, however, surprisingly could not handle any spy work at all, and so asked to stay in the dark about Chuck's activities.  Ellie eventually found out, but Chuck promised her that he would quit the business, which he did, briefly, though she doesn't know that he has now resumed his dangerous work.

     The show stays light by surrounding Chuck at his cover job with a bevy of very odd characters.  Chuck (and Morgan and Casey) works at the Buy More, an electronics superstore.  The weirdest of the weirdo co-workers are Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay).  The place is run by Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence), who has yet to show up in season four, but remains in the theme song with the principal cast.

     At the end of season three, the Buy More was blown up, but it was rebuilt by the time season four began.  There was one big change, however: The CIA and NSA had taken over the store, staffing it with an elite team of undercover agents.  General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy, finally upgraded to full-time cast member), Chuck, Sarah, and Casey's supervisor, wanted Chuck to rejoin the team, and so sabotaged every new job interview he had until he agreed to come back.  She also allowed Morgan to return to the Buy More.

     Morgan quickly realized that the store was running far too well, and it's efficiency was attracting attention.  When Captain Awesome came in, he immediately knew that something was up.  Morgan convinced General Beckman to allow Jeff, Lester, and the other weirdos to come back, replacing the agents.  Beckman made Morgan the new manager for his great catch, which leaves how Big Mike will return to the series up in the air.

     If the above seems like a lot to you to pack into such a short-running show, it is.  And most of what I have written occurred in just the last few episodes.  The show started more like a procedural drama, with a different mission for Chuck to go on each week.  But by season two, with renewal far from certain, show runner and co-creator Josh Schwartz (best known for, funnily enough, creating The OC and Gossip Girl, which are totally different than Chuck) decided to lay all of his cards on the table.  He packed all of the twists and turns he had envisioned for the rest of the series into less than a season.  It's made season three and four unpredictable and fast-paced, deftly keeping up with the excellence of the end of season two.  It's also let Chuck do the unexpected, which not something a lot of shows get to do.  How many series can you think of that let their leading couple settle into a long-term, serious relationship by season four?

     Season four is pulling out all of the stops, with Dolph Lundgren, Lou Ferrigno, Harry Dean Stanton, Olivia Munn, Steve Austin, Summer Glau, Nicole Ritchie, Timothy Dalton and Eric Roberts are all among the signed guest stars already.

     The bottom line is, Chuck is a wonderful show, beloved by critics, but little-watched among television viewers.  It shouldn't be that way.  The show combines drama, romance, humor, and action in a way that is rarely seen, and has allowed Chuck to stand out among it's peers.  Please, please tune into Chuck before it's too late.  Only thirteen episodes have been ordered this year, but there is a nine episode pick up option, which Chuck needs ratings to earn, so please give it to them.  The series certainly doesn't deserve to be canceled now, or anytime in the near future.

     Chuck airs Monday nights at 8pm on NBC.




For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as TV Review: Chuck is one not to miss, so stop missing it on Blogcritics.

Chuck explodes

     NBC's Chuck is a show that has changed their game time and again, in brilliant twists, to keep the story fresh and moving.  In this week's two hour season finale, "Chuck Versus the Subway" and "Chuck Versus The Ring: Part II", it was done again.

     First, let's deal with the comic relief.  With the destruction of the iconic Buy More, will the show just jettison it's three workers who have been on the outside of it all?  I think not.  They provided needed levity, and though two were framed for the explosion, surely they evidence will clear them.  That is one part of Chuck that I don't see changing, nor does it need to.  It's all part of the charm.  The store will surely be rebuilt in no time.

     The Ring, the nefarious evil organization bent on taking over the world, had infiltrated the CIA, and managed to discredit and arrest Chuck (Zachary Levi), Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski), Casey (Adam Baldwin), and General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy - why isn't she a main character yet?).  Chuck escaped with the help of his father (Scott Bakula), and after rescuing his friends, they managed to bring the organization to it's knees.  In two hours they defeated the villains that had plagued them for three seasons.  I guess it seemed a bit easy, but it was time.

     However, much more happened than that.  Shaw (Brandon Routh), who Chuck believed he had killed, murdered Chuck's father, and through his meddling, and an accident, Chuck's sister, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) was brought into the spy loop, now making the number of civilians involved equal those of actual spies, if you count Chuck as a spy, which he finally, fully is.  Said civilians, Ellie, Morgan (Joshua Gomez), and Devon a.k.a. Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) had to help rescue the real spies.  I don't begrudge Ellie finally finding out.  It will be a relief for Chuck and the others to not have to hide everything in their own little apartments any more.  However, per his promise to Ellie, Chuck now has to give up the dangerous life.

     Or does he?  The ending of the episode revealed that Chuck's father had many more secrets than we knew about, and it seems a large number of enemies will soon be coming after Bartowski and company.  And how Chuck's mother (yet-to-be-cast) will be a part of it is even more mysterious.  Chuck has already been granted another season, so be sure to watch for it's return on NBC next fall.