Five Chunks of CHUCK vs The Santa Suit

1. Christmas and CHUCK are through!!

I was really hoping that this would be the one totally happy CHUCK Christmas episode we never had; but alas it wasn't to be. Let's run through the other Christmas Episodes of CHUCK so far...

• Crown Vic (Season 1): Chuck & Sarah were dealing with the aftermath of Bryce resurrection and THAT KISS plus the stupid Lon Kirk fight; which ruined any chance of Chuck getting a kiss from Sarah under the Mistletoe! But we did have the brilliant Buy More Dancing scene which I re-enact every chance I get (Lucky you can't see me while I type... because I am doing it right now).



There ain't no party like a Buy More Party!



• Santa Claus (Season 2): My opinion on this episode has changed in the last year or so, initially I thought of it as a scary & chilling Christmas episode with Sarah executing Mauser and all (Silent Night will never be the same).  But after watching this episode more and more I totally agree Sarah had to kill Mauser, I totally get that. In many ways this action was Sarah's Christmas gift to Chuck; whilst not as shiny as a charm bracelet it did keep Chuck safe & with his family and not in a bunker. An act of love by Sarah just as touching as Chuck giving Sarah his Mother's Charm Bracelet. It may sound morbid or twisted but Sarah was willing take a life and bear the consequences because of her love of Chuck perhaps more so than her duty to the intersect project. What upset me with the episode though was Chuck's sudden fear and questioning of Sarah's character and then there was Sarah lying to Chuck... again with the crap communication skills. 



What to get the nerd who has everything... how about one less mortal enemy!



• The Leftovers (Season 4): Chuck tries to fix things with his Mom but only proceeds to pooch things up even further; putting Ellie & Devon in danger and forcing his Mom back into the clutches of Volkoff.  Not really the best way to spend Christmas, plus Chuck was in procrastinating phase of his marriage proposal plan and made us wait until after the CHUCK sabbatical in early 2011 to see his proposal. 

So in Santa Suit we get some really great action (Shaw getting his ass kicked!) but we didn't get a Christmas where Chuck & Sarah just enjoy each other and the company of friends to reflect on what occurred earlier in the episode. Instead we get Beckman interrupting during the middle of the Christmas party to tell Sarah that Shaw wanted to speak to her... what the piece of trash couldn't wait till tomorrow or the day after to speak Sarah? How many life sentences is he serving again?

All in all I thought the episode was strong, good even but I just felt the writing pooched up the Sarah & Chuck relationship parts of the episode. Sorry but in addition to getting the bracelet back for Sarah, Chuck totally would have got her a gift (probably in July).  The writing for Sarah in particular was off in the episode; but Yvonne's performance in isolation was still great.

I guess just as in real life nothing is 100% perfect; even Christmas on CHUCK... but Chuck Versus The Honeymooners is really really close to perfection!

The happenings in the episode does fit with my theory for this season's theme on CHUCK being that Chuck and Sarah will continue to find it extremely hard to build a "real-life" in the outside world as long as they continue as spies. I won't say a reckoning is coming, that is much too dark... but a shining epiphany perhaps?



Somebody needs to explain the taboo of re-gifting to Chuck



2. Casey & Beckman show a softer side at Christmas

Casey (aka Sugar Bear) gets Alex Mr Pippers "the preppy polar bear" plush toy, excellent choice Colonel! Though the bear does remind me just a little of the very spooky Teddy Ruxpin toy from the 80's. However just when you think Casey is starting to mellow on us... he breaks out of lockdown in Castle to help Morgan save Sarah (the best damn partner he ever had) despite being shot... FREAKING SHOT people!! John Casey is still in the top echelon of bad-asses.

Not to be outdone General Dianne Beckman was remarkable again this week showing loyalty and friendship to Chuck & company. Once again using her status with the NSA to get Chuck the required information and the Macau device to save Sarah. To think this was the same General who ordered Casey to eliminate Chuck the moment the NSA/CIA had a new intersect up and running. I love the dynamic of Beckman and Chuck working together both are master strategists who are quick thinking and ready to execute a plan in an instant.

The emotional journey Casey, Beckman and especially Sarah has taken since meeting Chuck is quite remarkable. It seems the adorable schnook's ability to heartwarm is undeniable despite the life & death situations he finds himself in.

On the other hand as the saying goes, "the more things change the more they stay the same". Casey can still kick-ass with the same grunt and swagger, Beckman is still as commanding and driven as ever and Sarah... well Sarah still loves to keep secrets (I usually don't comment on promos for the upcoming ep in these reviews, but I had to drop that in).



3. Jeffster come up big for Chuck

Who can stop the Omen Virus? Perhaps the Piranha could have handled it; but he had bigger fish to fry. Enter the world's wackiest & weirdest cover-band; they also happen to have some pretty leet (1337) programming skills. What other band could belt out a sweet cover of "Mr Roboto" yet still understand C++ computer language to tackle the Omen? Not many... if any, that's who! The bonus is they will work for Subway sandwiches & coffee... a whole lot of coffee. Chuck did have most of his assets frozen by the US Government so he needs to save money where he can.

"Unplugged" or "Plugged in" no other duo has constantly saved the day like these two but still have absolutely no idea that they were doing it!


4. She is Eleanor Woodcomb, and just like us... she hates Shaw too!

Put your hands up if you expected Shaw to be dead by the end of the episode? I definitely did, I can't remember hating a fictional character so much EVER!

OK so that lousy piece of driftwood didn't take a dirt-nap; but at least it was pretty cool that Ellie got to tee-off on Shaw upside the head! The guy killed her Dad and was about to kill her Brother so she swung for the fences and would have been justified to do more. Not many can take down the SuperShaw aka "The Man of Timber" but Ellie Woodcomb is a real Wonder Woman!

I must admit I did appreciate the symmetry with Ring II; Chuck is a pretty luck guy when you consider the two most important women in his life are willing to dish out severe head injuries with steel weapons to Shaw (or anybody threatening our favourite nerd).

I think we need to mention Sarah Lancaster who is such a brilliant actress and any chance she gets to make Ellie shine, she does so with aplomb. It is always cool to see the brother and sister bonding moments on CHUCK.




Saving me is a great gift El, but seriously... did you get me Arkham City on X-box?




5. Chuck saves the day, as only Chuck can

Chuck makes a plan, Chuck follows through and Chuck saves the day...that is just how that nerd rolls.

Chuck outsmarted Shaw that was a given; Shaw may be a great spy but in a battle of wits & smarts the contest is more one sided then the eternal battle between hammer and nail, Chuck is operating at a level above Shaw. However what was rewarding to see was Chuck kicking Shaw's wooden ass up and down the Buy More!! The push-ups and the heavy bag work paid off, so much so that for most of the fight Chuck was like a buzzsaw cutting though that lousy lump of lumber otherwise known as Shaw.

Eventually Shaw does get the drop on Chuck and resorts to pulling a gun on him; but one thing Chuck has that Shaw never will.... FAMILY that has his back! This time it was Ellie and many times before it has been Sarah, Casey and even Morgan.

Shaw never had what takes to beat Chuck; because you are never fighting just Chuck!! When you are with Team Bartowski... you never walk alone!

Despite the darkness of the episode, I appreciated the sentiment it delivered. Life can be hard and it can get difficult... complicated even; but if you are lucky enough the love of friends and family can see you through. After all it was Christmas and nothing beats family at Christmas!



Christmas with the family is great but it can be a little tiring

 PS: For me the lead up to the new year is often a time of reflection on the year's experiences (good, bad, happy and sad). But I just want to wish all you guys and gals reading this a happy new year! May 2012 bring you all the happiness & success I know each of you deserve. I hope you all have a blast on NYE and to see you all back here next year.

Chuck FC Part 1

Just to bring a different spin to the blog and perhaps separate it from other CHUCK blogs out there, I have decided to start a series of posts about different characters from CHUCK and comparing them to different Football (Futbol) teams. Not sure why I have decided to do this other then that I enjoy making comparisons and links between the things I feel passionate about. CHUCK and Football are two of my stronger passions so here goes...

Chuck Bartowki is Arsenal F.C. (EPL)

Seriously, was he going to be anything else? Those of you who aren’t Arsenal supporters may just be face-palming at this premise but please hang with me. 

Chuck is smart, nerdy and loves a good plan to dismantle whatever threat is in his way. Where as Arsenal are a cerebral football fan's dream, passing the ball around with a series of intricate one-touch lay-offs, through balls and slide-rule passes. A lot of the times Chuck/Arsenal are playing chess while the opposition are playing checkers. Seeing Chuck bring a plan together can be as awesome as a Robin van Persie volley…truly awe-inspiring.

Chuck is also a paragon of virtue who abides by his moral code even to his own detriment and by extension those he loves as well. Without getting too technical Arsenal has a similar resolve relating to the way they play and conduct themselves as business; from a capped wage structure and fiscally responsible transfer policy.  In a world of moral grey areas and financial doping Chuck & Arsenal try to keep the moral compass as close to true north as possible. 

Sarah Walker is Netherlands (National Team)

Where do I start with the Brilliant Oranje or should that be the Brilliant Oranje Oranje?

Dutch football has been described as Sexy football or Total football; now replace the word “Football” with the words “kick-ass spy” and you totally have Sarah Walker! The Dutch team are renowned for their flair, adaptability and use of space in football. I don’t know about you guys but I think Sarah always rocks the space she is working in!  Dutch football and Dutch footballers have been responsible for some of the most breathtaking things ever seen of a football field & Sarah Walker is responsible for a lot of the breathtaking stuff we’ve seen on Chuck.

There are certain players who have played for both Arsenal & the Netherlands who are in a very special bracket of players who I do/have followed with a similar dedication to Chuck and Sarah; namely Dennis Bergkamp & Robin van Persie. In fact if you listen to this commentary from Bergkamp’s match winning goal in the 1998 World Cup Quarter Final vs. Argentina. The first commentator does bring his intensity close to what I am sure most Chuck fans felt in the end of “Chuck vs. The Other Guy”; Both occurred in France…coincidence?...I think not!!

John Casey is Germany (National Team)

The Colonel as Die Mannschaft, not much of a stretch is it? Former England player Gary Lineker said it best when he said “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.” Casey is just like Germany in that regard he is not the smartest or most skillful spy but he may just have the strongest will and the most stamina!

He just does what it takes to win in an efficient fashion usually by following orders and keeping it simple…tranc & explode mostly! Like the Die Mannschaft, he is often written off as a one trick pony but the truth is he has multiple skills he could use, but why use them if all you need to do is win the day?

The other reason I like the Casey/Germany comparison has to do with Casey and Sarah’s relationship being similar to that of German and Dutch Football. Perhaps to not as heated; but Casey never misses a chance to bust Sarah’s chops for whatever reason. Much the same as Germany continues to remind the Dutch of the multiple world cups they have won and the lack Dutch world cups despite the “Sexy Football”.

Bryce Larkin is FC Barcelona (Spanish Liga)

Barcelona are the best football team in the world…I said it!!

Bryce Larkin is the best spy in the Chuck-verse…I said it!!

Just because both statements are the truth, doesn’t mean I have to like it; as they say the truth hurts…a lot.

Both Barca & Bryce have a swaggering confidence and air of superiority and why wouldn't they? They do what they do better then anyone else. If FC Barcelona was a person that person would be Bryce Larkin with his designer stubble, flawless features, animal magnetism, smooth-talking, good with the ladies…it’s enough to make you sick! Add to that the fact the guy can handle himself in a fight and is great with a gun!

Seriously how can one man be that good? He just is…and so is Barca sadly.  I wouldn’t mind it so much but for the only character blemish which is humility (lack there of).  But then again it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way!!

This is still a very raw topic with former Arsenal FC captain Cesc Fabregas leaving this month to play for FC Barcelona (which is his hometown club). The way Barca has treated Arsenal in the past reminds me of how Bryce treats Chuck in the show. By that I mean Bryce insists he is Chuck’s friend but is continually condescending towards the Chuckster. Don’t get me started on his constant attempts to win over Sarah right under Chuck’s nose even though he knows Sarah and Chuck have feelings for each other.  Nobody like a grass-cutter Bryce; you’d do well to remember that too Barca!!

Having said that nobody can doubt Barca play the game on the pitch better then any other, same as nobody can doubt that Bryce Larkin is the best spy you can find to defend a country…which is more then I can say for either this next guy or team…

Daniel Shaw is Real Madrid (Spanish Liga)

I really really…really hate Daniel Shaw and there is no love lost on my part for Los Merengues but both Shaw and Madrid as a club are smooth operators who you have to credit for a history of winning and getting the job done on the European stage.  Madrid is the most successful teams in European Football and Shaw’s back-story involved him having a meritorious spy career in Europe.

But I dislike the arrogance both Shaw and Madrid display. Madrid’s coach Jose Mourinho and star player Christiano Ronaldo make a habit of antagonising Arsenal (and various other opponents) much the same as Daniel Shaw does with Chuck.

The history of Real Madrid is very interesting and here is perhaps not the best forum to discuss it further but let me just say the following video makes me very happy…

Well that is just a few of these to whet your appetite, if you are a Barca or Madrid fan I hope you don't take too much offence; just having a bit of fun.  I hope to be back with more of these CHUCK FC comparisons soon. I have at least another 13 characters or so planned to discuss.

Did I get the first five characters right; or do you think they match up with another football team better?

Feel free to add predictions for what teams you think I will compare other characters to...if you guess right I will give you a shout-out on the blog!

Also please keep commenting on what you thought I got right, wrong or even what I need to do better...

Stay Aces

-Moggy