'Chuck': Diamonds are an underclad girl's best friend
Do you think the world's intelligence agencies hire unattractive spies? On TV, at least, they seem to recruit strictly from the ranks of America's Next Top Model (maybe that's what Victoria will do now that she's out). In real life, you'd think that it would be advantageous for a spy to look utterly unremarkable. But not on TV. Which is a long way of saying: This week on Chuck, we meet another spy, and she's a hottie. Shocker!
I spy, with my little eye, something that begins with spoilers.
Our spy story this week involves Karina, a sexy DEA agent who's in town to steal a diamond from a big-time drug financier. Apparently one of the job requirements for being a spy for the DEA is an allergy to clothing -- seriously, the girl strips down at every opportunity. Granted, she's gorgeous, and if I had that body I'd spend a fair bit of time in my skivvies, but it does start to get old. One of these days, I'm going to write a spy movie where all the women run around in baggy pants and parkas, just for the hell of it.
Besides being an exhibitionist, Karina is a wild card, a loose cannon, an insert-your-cliché here -- she doesn't follow the rules! She likes to improvise! She could get people killed! Girlfriend's got some impulse-control problems, is what we're saying. We see this when she decides to steal the diamond on what is supposed to be a scouting mission. Chuck is the one carrying the rock, and when they escape the house, he has to decide whether to give it to Karina or Sarah. Let's see: Sarah's been saving your ass for the past three episodes, and Karina almost got you killed. But, she did try to seduce Chuck, and she told him that Sarah used to date Bryce -- something Sarah had denied, then admitted when he confronted her -- so Karina gets the shiny object. Bad move -- she's also got a remote-control jet-ski waiting underwater, and she uses that to make her escape. Sarah is pissed.
When Casey goes to get the rock from Karina (Sarah has to go to work at Wienerlicious, which, hee!) he ends up tied to the bed. Karina has slipped the rock to Morgan, who had a date with her the night before for the express purpose of making this plot development possible. God knows it was pointless otherwise. Chuck ends up finding the diamond in Morgan's stuff, Sarah ends up finding (and photographing) Casey tied to the bed, and the drug guys end up finding Sarah and Casey at the hotel. Karina initially says she'll just leave with the diamond and Sarah will fend for herself, but Chuck deploys his Puppy Dog Eyes of Nerdly Persuasion and convinces her to help Sarah out. There's negotiating, a girl-bonding moment that precipitates butt-kicking, and Chuck ends up accidentally mailing the diamond to addresses unknown. That address is revealed to be the offices of the Big Bosses, who are appalled but somehow also impressed. And Chuck ends up on another "date" with Sarah, where he begs her for one authentic bit of information about herself. While Chuck is out of earshot, she confesses that her middle name is Lisa.
The Good Stuff:
Did I mention how much I love that Cake riff as the opening theme? Good stuff. - Morgan's possessiveness of Chuck during the opening newlywed-esque game. He all but pees on Chuck's leg to mark his territory. (He even did well on the questions about Chuck's sex life.) He's annoying, but it's funny and serves the story.
- Karina and Sarah's impressive "We're just dumb cute girls" act when they're surprised in the diamond room by Hairy McBadguy. This bolsters my theory that they were recruited form ANTM.
- Karina's jet-ski, and Chuck's response: "How am I supposed to know that Karina has a remote control jet-ski? It's not usually an option in real life!"
- The Nerd Herd guys discussing Sarah and Karina: "She is too good for this store! Isn't there a nicer establishment where beautiful people can shop?"
- Chuck at the briefing in the beginning -- just doesn't get the whole "Shut up and stand still" protocol at these things.
- Chuck entranced by the penguin movie. Awww.
- Sarah's Wienerlicious boss. He's no Harry Tang, but he's got potential.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
- No Harry Tang. Actually, not enough workplace stuff at all, for my tastes.
- Look! A nearly-naked spy-girl! And Sarah's going to fight her in a teeny little robe! Yeah, yeah, I know, it's in everything, but it's getting old.
- The Morgan/Karina double date. It seemed spackled on there. Does Morgan have a contract that specifies he'll get at least 10 minutes of screen time per episode?
- Sarah denying she was involved with Bryce and Chuck getting pissy when that's revealed to be a lie. Again, that seems a bit forced.
Overall, good stuff. Not quite up to last week's episode, but it's difficult to equal the sight of Chuck doing the woman's part of the tango.
What did you think?
This actually happened this night, not last night like the webpage says!
Under the bad stuff...Sarah denies having been involved with Bryce, not with Chuck.
Next...Morgan...ugh! I know he's supposed to be the annoying friend, but does he have to play the part soooo convincingly? I'm so tired of this character already. If he moved the plot forward at all, that might be different!
Lastly, I'd love to see a review for last night's "near-nudie" episode written by a straight male! I think we'd get a different perspective.
I actually loved last night's episode. The show is just plain fun and that is why I keep coming back. The spy in the bikini didn't bother me at all because I saw it as an homage to James Bond films. I thought that just upped the fun/campy factor. I could have used more Captain Awesome actually saying 'awesome' during the show. I am also loving the opening credits - fantastic!
Chuck's own personal skill set is starting to get some play. He recognized the spy cameras because they sold them in the spy shop in the mall. He printed a mailing label for the diamond on a computer. I figure he just said that he did not know where he was sending it.
By the way, Karina concealing the diamond on Morgan - I read about that trick in a comic book in the early 60s.
This is definetly the best new show of the season. All the characters crack me up...they're great!
"Chuck" is definitely my favorite new show of the season. Of course, Sarah and Karina were fighting off bad guys in skimpy clothes -- just like those James Bond girls (as VTRosebud mentioned).
I agree that Morgan had too much screentime last night, while Casey (my favorite character) did not have enough. The guys got to see Sarah and Karina in their underwear, but us girls got to see Casey in a t-shirt and boxer shorts! :-)
Although I find this show to be somewhat similar to "Jake 2.0", the main difference is that Chuck did not acquire any superpowers (just the information from the database). This certainly lends to more comedic moments when Chuck has to fend for himself as an inexperienced field agent (this episode he was hiding under a coffee table while Sarah and Karina kicked butt). Fortunately, he has his Nerd Herd knowledge to help out on the mission, like defusing the bomb by sending a virus to the laptop.
My favorite quote from last night was Casey's remark to the bodyguard who was smoking: "Read a newspaper... from the '60s."
Morgan is better this episode. A lot more integrated into the plot (patsy for the new girl) which means he goes from being the key "annoying mascot" to "patsy plot device." This was a good episode for him. I hope he gets tossed around characters a lot (like Tang or the Goons last episode) because the way he talks inspires me to punch him if he gets on a pedastal for ten minutes (like what he almost did last episode to inspire the Herd).
The opening is funny and definetly fits the mood of the show.
Catrina actually being hit by the flying dish. Boo. Sarah was better than that.
I like the "girls in outfits" -- yes, it is shallow, but it doesn't seem that overdone YET. I will concede that this episode might have been more "Sweeps-centric" with three or four sequences of girls wiggling around (and one guy in clovers, and two guys sweating over a penguin movie), but I will say that they are acceptable (not to mention the pool scene) except for the one of Sarah changing into her waitress outfit.
You shouldn't do that to a main character unless you are in sweeps or are announcing that's the well you'll be visiting often, and there are better things she can be doing that would add more to her character. (And THEN you can strip her down.)
Guest stars can be as loose-moraled as they want seeing as they are just dropping by anyway.
Carey comic-hero liner of the night: "Told ya smoking was bad for your health."
Just wanted to add that Casey looking at the limo then the SUV and smiling was a nice touch. (It's the little things... thank goodness for small favors!)
This episode Chuck was hiding under a coffee table... and hit his head at least once while under it. (Comedic GOLD I tells ya!)
Good episode overall. It is still finding its footing and the right tone, but there seems to be some good potential there.
One thing that really bothered me though: The last scene where Chuck brings Sarah a pizza, he says that he know she doesn't like olives so there are no olives on the pizza. Cut to a shot of the pizza and THERE ARE OLIVES ON IT!!! I know this is very nit-picky but why even have that line? It is probably the same pizza being used in every scene so why not change the line to "I know you don't like anchovies so there aren't any anchovies"? Is the fact that Sarah doesn't like olives that big of a deal.
This just shows a lack of attention to detail and that bothers me probably more than it should.
I loved Jayne's part... I mean Adam Baldwin's part. Nobody plays hormonal-macho-brainless-butt kicking guy better. Nobody.