Chuck Review: Who's Luke Skywalker?
Last week's season premiere introduced us all to Morgan Grimes with the intersect, making us all wonder whether or not this was the correct path for the show to take. "Chuck vs. the Bearded Bandit" expanded on that theme in a number of ways, both for good and for bad.
Intersect Morgan is all riled up and ready to take on all bad guys all the time. This can be good, as it proved to be hilarious when he named himself the Bearded Bandit and started talking in weird, deep voices. It also provided a ton of great action sequences because our Bearded friend wanted to fight anyone and anything that was in the way.
This was also bad, though, because he continued to get the gang into trouble. Whether it was getting his picture in the paper for being a terrible vigilante after the convenient store fiasco, or taking no regard for anyone else's ideas in running into Schneider's house all alone, Morgan forced Carmichael Industries to make a number of difficult decisions this week.
Worst of all is what the intersect seems to be doing to Morgan's brain. Throughout the episode I thought nothing of the bearded boys' actions, pointing towards intersect mood swings when trying to understand why he was so aggressive and forgetting clearly recognizable Indiana Jones references, but the final scene made it seem much more dangerous than that.
His final question to Gertrude when applying for the new position at Verbanski Industries - Who's Luke Skywalker? - made it pretty clear that the intersect is severely messing with Morgan Guillermo Grimes's head, and somebody is going to need to save him from himself. That is unless I'm completely wrong, and he's just having mood issues. Which do you think it is?
Although Morgan was prominently featured in "Chuck vs. the Bearded Bandit," the rest of the gang did a fine job this week, making for a very well rounded Chuck Triple Threat. Let's take a look...
Comedy
- Chuck thinking Casey's grunting was a bit.
- Awesome used public speaking tips to woo Ellie.
- The Buy More was so empty that there was an actual tumbleweed.
- The entire conversation between Big Mike and Awesome about shooting the commercial.
- Casey's fake phone call to Verbanski...followed by his real immediate hang-up.
Action
Morgan was all over the place, and it's still super obvious that it's stunt double in there during all fight scenes, but it's still fun to see him get in on the action. My favorite action bit had to be the double jump kick by Morgan and Chuck at Schneider's house.
I also loved it when Morgan explained to the bad guys "I'm gonna punch you in the face" while taking them down behind the nicely shaded door.
And how about Sarah Walker climbing that rock? Did I miss something? Because it seemed strange that Casey and Chuck were right by her side after she just spent the better part of 10 minutes climbing up that very dangerous rock. How did the other two get up there?
Heart
There were a couple of scenes between Chuck and Morgan that made it seem like Casa Forcella was getting a bit dusty. Chuckles cares so much about his friend, it's hard to see him have trouble handling the Bearded Bandit. He just wants to protect him, so when Morgan leaves and claims that Trilogy Night is more Chuck's thing, it's pretty heart-breaking.
Moving Forward
I'm super excited to see what happens between Casey and his old flame Verbanski. Carrie-Anne Moss proved up to the challenge of taking on Adam Baldwin in a toughness battle, but will Gertrude be able to break the hard shell of Casey? I can't wait to find out.
I was a bit disappointed in the fact that Jeff Fahey did not look like he just stepped out of a Burt Reynolds movie. Other than that, he made a pretty believable rich jerk.
I thought "Chuck vs. the Bearded Bandit" was a great second episode to Chuck's final season. What did you all think?
Dan Forcella is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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Quinn: What's happening? Chuck: One word…Jeffster!
November 13th, 2011 5:55 AM
how come chuck can suddenly fight
Rank: Recurring Character
November 7th, 2011 5:43 PM
@EnjoyingtheFinalSeason YES!! I'm glad there are other people who are seeing the STORY and not just the characters. There is sooo much complaining about Morgan having the intersect, and so few people actually seeing how Chuck is growing as a spy because of that very reason. The next episode looks like it will be a great showdown.
And I had to rewatch that clip to get the Firefly reference...nice catch! The hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne...
November 6th, 2011 7:32 PM
Have any (most) of you commenters actually *watched* Chuck over the last few seasons? Every season the show has shifted gears at least once.
Chuck had to lose the Intersect so that he could develop as a character (and I'm sure he'll get it back). Morgan getting the Intersect (which, as has been shown in previous storylines) has never really worked for anyone *except* Chuck) opens up a potentially *very* interesting storyline. I have no doubt that the 'real' Morgan will return when he's de-Intersected.
By the way... the Awesome commercial. Did *nobody* catch the Firefly reference uttered by Casey??? Think back to Kaylee in "Jaynestown".
November 6th, 2011 4:19 PM
Well, hey I did warn them. I said don't make Morgan the intersect for the whole final season, I pointed out on numerous occasions while Chuck was being filmed about how the fans felt about that and all went ignored.
Basically I took it as the producers and writers FU to the fans (and still do btw). If it had been written properly they might have taken up a back nine but I wouldn't expect that now.
My (that's MY) original idea was for Chuck to man up, stop whining, get the girl and take care of her and lose the intersect for about 6 ep's in the meantime learning to think on his own and have Morgan beg to put it back in Chuck after he realized just how 1. Dangerous it can be and 2. Finally understanding the full responsibility of having the intersect..
if your going to write crap you are going to have a crap show and it gets cancelled.
I'm over it...
November 6th, 2011 12:51 AM
Okay, is Morgan's daddy a Big Shot producer/corporate guy/whatever to get the camera focused on him instead of Chuck, original star of "Chuck" ?
Not happy about this zig in the original storyline.
What happened to the cut-above writers on "Chuck" ? Out sick or mistakenly dumped because they wanted more money?
Last night's show was not even fun to watch. I found myself cringing.
My reaction was, "What? Oh crap. Could have gone a thousand ways but this way just rubs me the wrong way." and then, "This show could teach and entertain. might even evolve to be educational and enjoyable.
The format stay the same, the storylines more meaningful. I think the actors could handle ratcheting this up a bit.
Okay, here I'm going ot have to tell the truth. Ellie is two dimensional way wrong. We can mix and mingle here, her Awesome party can solidify himself and still be smoking hot. He doesn't have to announce it anymore. It could have been a quick commercial for Buymore and it probably
Rank: Extra
November 5th, 2011 8:02 PM
after this episode i can no longer say that morgan is one of my favorite characters.
he was annoyingly obnoxious about being the intersect and would not listen to chuck who was trying to help him. i wanted to throw something at my tv when ever he appeared on screen.
i also hated that morgan made chuck doubt his part in the team and his place in his relationship with sarah. as if not being the intersect wasn't enough!
otherwise it was great episode :D
Rank: New User
November 5th, 2011 7:47 PM
I agree totally on the comment of joyeful. Although the episode felt less fun because Morgan was such a jerk, it did set up an ultimate storyline for the next couple of episodes. With a season of probably 13 episodes it would have been a waste to have an independent episode not working on the story and it is a good sign that they are moving forward in just the right gear. I cannot wait until the next episode to find out if Morgan will once again remember who Luke Skywalker is.
November 5th, 2011 5:28 PM
I don't like Morgan as the intersect. Thw tone of the show has changed and I think the characters are being written in a different way. I like the tumbleweed blowing thru the buy more and Awesome being the spokesperson for the store.
November 5th, 2011 12:14 PM
Notice that all the comments are about other characters than the guy the show is named for. No surprise since they have changed Chuck's personality so much. Where did the bumbling, charming guy go that made this show? What a shame there will be another opening for another reality show next season when this gets cancelled.
Rank: Staff Member
November 5th, 2011 9:57 AM
Joyeful, yeah I guess that could make sense regarding the rock climbing. Good call.