Series Premiere
If you didn't watch the debut of
Chuck, why not? This is one of the smartest, funniest shows of the new season. Couch potatoes and computer geeks rejoice: ou have been given a hero who doesn't have perfect hair or rock-hard abs. Armed with a pocket protector and deadpan sarcasm, Chuck is an unassuming every-nerd (we all went to school with a guy like this) who finds himself in the ultimate geek fantasy: working with the government to thwart international spies and evildoers.
It was a great choice to open with Chuck's uncomfortable birthday party. I could feel how out of place he was in his own home when his well-intentioned sister forced him to socialize with "real live women." The scene not only laughed at Chuck's stereotypical geek behavior, but it laughed
with him when he made the joke about working on his five-year plan and just needing to "pick a font."
The sudden cut to Chuck's former college roommate, "Big Man on Campus" Bryce, who turns out to be a spy (and not an accountant as was amusingly pointed out on screen) made me feel like I was watching a James Bond movie. It was a real thrill for this
Firefly fan to see Adam Baldwin show up as tough-guy Agent Casey. Think Jayne in a suit and not as subtle. I loved how he shot first and said, "Don't move" after the fact. Chuck's name blinking on Bryce's handheld was a great way to tie the two together and explain what was happening. All this in under 10 minutes!
The scene where Chuck is hypnotized by Bryce's image-heavy e-mail was a clever way to show what Bryce had stolen. I don't know exactly how that was supposed to work, but it was the only leap of faith I needed to take for the show, so I went with it. I've watched stranger things, I admit, so this wasn't too far of a stretch for me.
I was laughing out loud when Chuck and his annoying buddy Morgan went to work at Buy More as members of "The Nerd Herd." The obvious similarity to the real-world electronics chain was brilliant. I also loved the throwaway visual joke of the "Astro Diapers" display at the barely disguised warehouse shopping club called Large Mart.
Now, about that so-called CIA agent, Sarah. She must be the agency's best operative, because she sure doesn't
look like a spy. She had me fooled at first when she showed up at the store and made a pass at Chuck. But it was a no-brainer later on to see she was the "ninja" trying to steal Chuck's computer. How funny was that scene? With friends like Morgan, Chuck doesn't need ninjas to take him down.
I should have felt sorry for Chuck when he went on the ultimate date from hell with Sarah, but I was laughing too hard at the great one-liners and the dance/battle with Casey's goon squad. The car chase that capped off the evening was extremely well done. Not
Matrix level, but that was some fancy driving!
In the end, Chuck saved the day, as only a nerd could: by using a virus-riddled porn site to disable the bomb's computer. I guess Morgan has his uses after all. But I'd really hate to see him in a sidekick outfit.
A couple points worth mentioning include Chuck's nickname for his sister's boyfriend. Calling him Captain Awesome is, well, awesome. Also, suiting up for the date was fun. Chuck was so worried about his shirt button, but considering how the date ended, he should have been more concerned about bringing a clean set of undies.
There were just too many high points to mention here: What were some of your faves?
Find video from Chuck
in our Online Video Guide.
