I'm not a machine! Okay, I am a machine, but I'm also a person.

[alexiscartwheel]

This week's Chuck has got to be one of the best of the series so far. I think it nailed the balance between comedy, spy action, and emotion that makes the show so enjoyable to watch. And once again, it was all about the relationships at the heart of the show.

MORGAN GRIMES! How awesome was the Morgan/Chuck friendship in this episode? I've felt like this season was leading toward Ellie and Morgan finding out Chuck's secret, so I was excited to see that happen. As a bonus, it wasn't the predictable, "I can't believe you've been lying, so now we can't be friends" anymore. Leave it to Morgan to think it's the coolest thing in the world that his best buddy's a spy. I love Morgan's "don't freak out" and the triumphant shot of him emerging from Castle into the Orange Orange. How long before he tries installing a Morgan-door to Castle?



Chuck's emotional block on flashing could have easily been played off as romantic frustration—again, not super creative. Lying has taken a growing emotional toll from Chuck, culminating at the end of last episode with Chuck's conversation with Ellie and his break-up with Hannah. Telling Morgan isn't just an emotional outlet. It restores their friendship to the same level of trust and unconditional acceptance they've always had.

Also, is Diedrich Bader guest starring as someone annoying/evil in every show this year?



I love a good Buy More B-plot. Especially when it has Jeffster. And chaos.

Credit where it's due: screencaps come courtesy of desert_sky, cause I'm too busy to cap anything myself right now.

Comments

[ex-jo-blogs.livejournal.com]

I also loved Morgan's 'Don't freak out'.

I agree - very cool that it was Chuck's lying being the thing that stopped him flashing. As soon as he was able to come clean - not just to Morgan, but also to himself about Sarah - the Intersect worked again. It's all about him suppressing his real emotions - outwardly and inwardly. His increasing spy powers of deception are only going to work against him, because lying goes against his deepest nature. I'm kind of interested in what that might tell us about Shaw's agenda...

I liked all the developments, but thought Zachary Levi's performance wasn't up to his usual standard in this episode - no wonder given that his attention was divided by directing, but it did throw me off a bit.

Morgan, OTOH, was awesome!

[alexiscartwheel.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of interested in what that might tell us about Shaw's agenda...

Shaw seems kinda focused on defeating the Ring above all else, so molding Chuck into a perfect spy might suit his purpose. Clearly Chuck can't just suppress his emotions, since that makes the Intersect function even worse. That could throw a wrench in the works if Chuck has to stay Chuck in order to be a good agent.

...no wonder given that his attention was divided by directing, but it did throw me off a bit.

I agree about the divided attention. I thought it was a good directorial debut, so I can excuse it for a week.

And I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of Morgan trying to involve himself in spy business!