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Chuck Rundown: Episode 18, "Chuck vs. The Broken Heart"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:30:23 -0700

Being in love with his handler has often made things a little more difficult for Chuck Bartowski - but what if she were to be taken away for good? That's the question in this week's episode of Chuck, which finds Sarah being replaced by a new agent (Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer). It turns out to be a particularly bad time for that, though, as the mission of the week comes dangerously close to Chuck's family. Also, there are strippers. To chat about this episode, just read more.

I'm not sure I totally buy the logic of the government bringing in Alex Forrest and immediately having her step into Sarah's role. Wouldn't Beckman have wanted her to observe Sarah for a while? Furthermore, wouldn't they already have all the evidence they need to have Sarah reassigned just from those schmoopy videos? Nevertheless, it's interesting to see how having Forrest around changes Chuck's life immediately. She doesn't care about Chuck or his family; she'll do whatever it takes to complete the mission, even if it's seducing Chuck's soon-to-be brother-in-law and then shooting him with a tranq dart. Sure, Sarah's feelings for Chuck have made her do things that are against protocol; we know there are shots she didn't take and moments when she's hesitated. But she's kept Chuck alive - and with less disruption to his personal life than what Forrest causes in just one mission. I wouldn't have minded seeing this plot go on a bit longer, as it seemed obvious that Forrest would be out and Sarah in by the end of the episode. But it's good to have a reminder that as bad as things are for Chuck, they could be much worse.

I'd be remiss to go further without talking about the last few moments of the episode. Thinking she's off the case, Sarah runs Chuck's father's name through the government computer system. And that's how the two of them find themselves in the middle of a field, staring at an airstream trailer. The last things we hear are the sounds of Bon Iver's "Blood Bank" and Chuck's semisurprised "Dad?" I can't wait to see them together next week.

Meanwhile, poor Captain Awesome, dragged into Chuck's secret spy life at his own bachelor party! It's nice to have confirmation that Devon is a good guy after all, and it's such a shame that nobody sets Ellie straight. I mean, Awesome doesn't look like he's enjoying himself in the stripper pictures; he barely looks conscious. Really, nobody could have said, " Devon wasn't into it, but they took some pictures anyway?" I don't care what kind of bro code you have; one of its tenets should be "Don't let the fiance believe you got it on with a stripper if you actually did not." That aside, watching Jeff and Lester be lecherous is pretty amusing.

Some other thoughts:

OK, I know we accept a certain amount of sexism in this show - Sarah's skimpy outfits, etc. - but the guys making poo faces at the plus-sized strippers bugged me. Cheap shot.
Of all the things Chuck's been asked to do in service of the government, he's extraordinarily bad at pretending to be a doctor.
Loved watching Forrest and Casey flirt in their hardcore-spy kind of way. As Chuck said: "Wow. You two are a match made in a very frightening part of heaven."
For a while there, I thought there might have been laughing gas in my living room, too. "Ladybugs can't all be ladies" isn't even that funny, and yet, I was in stitches.
There's really no government surveillance at Sarah's place?
Also, Beckman being piped into Chuck's bedroom seems like a recipe for blowing his cover.

Ready to meet Chuck's dad? Wish you could have seen Sarah and Chuck try to be 100 percent professional for a little longer?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Buzz News Roundup, 11/21

BuzzSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:30:51 -0800

There's a report that Saturday Night Live may be looking to recast its Barack Obama. - The Daily Beast
Mila Kunis has joined the cast of the Denzel Washington action-thriller The Book of Eli. - The Hollywood Reporter
The Tyra Banks Show is moving to the CW. - Zap2it
John Malkovich plans to make a documentary titled Triple Crossing, which he hopes will humanize the issue of illegal migration. - Variety
Kathy Griffin has signed a big deal with Bravo for comedy specials and hosting the A-List Awards. - TV Guide
Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer will guest-star on Chuck. - Entertainment Weekly
Anna Kendrick, who has a small part in Twilight, has nabbed the coveted female lead in Up in the Air, opposite George Clooney. - ComingSoon
NBC will post expanded "producers' cuts" of The Office online. - The Futon Critic
Universal is in final negotiations to buy the comedic movie Best Man-a-Thon in which a groom-to-be's childhood best friend and college best friend compete in wedding-related contests to win the title of best man. - The Hollywood Reporter

Photo courtesy of NBC

TV Tonight: Burn Notice

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:30:18 -0700

Mad Men has the critical buzz, but Burn Notice - another cable show entering its second season - had the viewers last Summer. The USA series brought in 4 million viewers for its premiere and stayed close to that level all season, jumping up to 5 million viewers when DVR-watching was factored in. That's pretty striking for a cable show.

Tonight, Burn Notice is back, with Jeffrey Donovan once again helming things as Michael Westin, a former spy who was "burned" (or fired) and has set out on a mission to find out who ended his spying career - and why. The show's Miami setting is perfect for a sizzling Summer series, and it has Bruce Campbell. What's not to love? Plus, to make things even hotter for season two, the first episode features an appearance by Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer.

If you didn't see the first season, the whole thing is up on USA's site. Will you be watching when the show starts tonight? You can watch a promo for the second season and one of Donovan's funny "Ask a Spy" videos if you read more.

Photo courtesy of USA

Link Time! 6/12

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:29:53 -0700

Check out the new image from the Where the Wild Things Are movie, courtesy of MTV Movies Blog.
Top Chef fans, be sure to head to YumSugar for a recap of the finale and a test of how well you paid attention.
Cinematical ponders the news that Hugh Hefner apparently wants Robert Downey Jr. to portray him in Hefner's biopic.
TV with MeeVee doesn't know that someone will die on Battlestar Galactica, but they're handicapping the odds anyway.
Speaking of Battlestar, TiFaux found Tricia Helfer rocking out in a video for the Old '97s.
Stereogum has the new, summery Goldfrapp video for "Caravan Girl."
TV Squad has a clip of the alternate ending for Jericho if there had been a season three.
More OC on Chuck! Hollywood Insider has news that Melinda Clarke will appear in the show's second season.
Popwatch wants to know which acts at Nashville's Bonnaroo you'd like them to cover.