Miscellaneous Notes
I'm actually right around the same age as Chuck, and I was stunned at how much I have in common with the character. Seriously, I was like, “Erm, has someone been following me around for the past 5 years…?” A show about a directionless, awkward-yet-funny, inexperienced-with-the-opposite-sex, video-game-playing 27-year-old on a major network TV show? Seeing a character on television that you feel is actually representative of yourself is priceless. In fact, this is probably the most relatable thing I've seen on TV since I was a teenager when My So-Called Life was portraying teenagers. Hell, I'm a girl and I can still relate to Chuck, because in addition to the above, Chuck is not a sexist bonehead.
Character Notes
Chuck
A huge part of what sells Chuck as being an intelligent, quirky, endearing sort of nerd is Zach Levi's diction. Just the way he speaks somehow conveys the nebulous qualities of the smart, laconic, slacker nerd.
The chemistry between Chuck and Sarah is sparking even in this pilot episode. Certainly part of that is the actors, but it was also a very smart move for the writers to portray Chuck as being a bit awed by Sarah but not so afraid of her that he treats her like she’s made of glass—he has no problem calling her on making fun of his name or teasing her for not being able to name a favorite band. He also stands up for himself to Sarah and Casey at the end by asserting that they need him, so therefore he’s going to go home whether they like it or not.
Also, the writers seem to be deliberately pointing out a character flaw—Bryce screwed Chuck over, but Chuck is the one who allowed his life to stagnate, and it’s time for him to snap out of it. The Assistant Manager position seems to be shorthand for “Chuck is finally beginning to wake up and consider his future again.”
As far as how the Intersect in Chuck’s head functions, it’s a ridiculous concept to start with, so I’m not going to put much effort into trying to figure it out. The most important parts seem to be that a) the value of the Intersect, and therefore Chuck, lies in the fact that it contains all of the intel of both the CIA and the NSA, which allows Chuck to put together info that the CIA and NSA would be unable to piece together on their respective lonesomes. Also, Chuck is an intelligent and intuitive problem-solver, which is what allows him to actually make use of the Intersect and connect the various pieces of information.
Sarah
She doesn’t like music?! Woah. But very interesting that the writers specifically make a point of Sarah being so wrapped up in the spy life that she doesn’t have time to be a “normal” 20-something. So Chuck is someone who should’ve dragged himself out of his depression and tried to get on with his life long ago, and Sarah is someone who possibly longs for a life as normal as Chuck’s but can’t have one. Interesting.
She and Chuck also have a healthy, equalizing back-and-forth with the good-natured teasing.
Also, while she clearly knows who Casey is because she calls him a burnout, she doesn’t seem aware that Casey killed Bryce. Their relationship is far from friendly, but she also doesn’t look at him with the seething hatred I imagine she would feel for the man who killed her lover, regardless of how much said lover may have “deserved” it by going rogue.
Casey
Not much to him quite yet, aside from a wry, snarky sense of humor. There really doesn’t need to be much more to him, anyway—he’s Adam Baldwin! Also, he gets a lot of credit for not doing that “I tried to play up the sexual tension just in case” thing with Strahovski.
Ellie
Ellie seems to be a good sister—she’s very supportive of Chuck, but she also tells him that he needs to get over the Bryce fiasco and move on with his life.
Captain Awesome
This guy could be a 3rd buddy in a Bill and Ted movie, although I guess Bill, Ted, and Captain Awesome’s Excellent Adventure doesn’t have quite the same ring to it. Still, Ryan McPartlin does bring a rather Keanu-esque charm to the role. The character could have easily wound up a waste of space, but his mellowness and warmth make him likable.
Morgan
He’s certainly irritating, but he seems intended to be so. There’s also something bizarrely poignant about his sycophantic devotion to Chuck. Just imagine it: Chuck goes off to college, where he meets Bryce and pretty much forgets about Morgan. But Morgan doesn’t forget about Chuck—Morgan pines for Chuck. And when Chuck comes home with his tail between his legs after Bryce betrays him, Morgan is there to tend Chuck’s wounds. Poor, pathetic, loyal Morgan.
Nerd Herders
Anna, Lester, and Jeff are each played by very charming, quirky actors who know how to make the most of their small amount of screen time.
When Chuck shows everyone the Irene Demova porno-virus at work, he tells Anna not to look, but she looks anyway.
Jeff’s creepy wink was absolutely perfect—I’m waiting for the reveal that he has people parts in his freezer.
Quotes
Sarah: Wow, I didn’t think people still named their kids Chuck, or Morgan, for that matter.
Chuck: My parents are sadists, and carnival freaks found him in a dumpster.
Morgan: But they raised me as one of their own.
Chuck: I was thinking, ‘Either she’s a cannibal, or she’s not that funny…’ And I was pulling for cannibal ‘cause I’d never met one before.
Things to Note for Future Reference
- Where are Chuck and Ellie’s parents?
- Bryce says “It’s hard to say goodbye” when he’s in the process of destroying the Intersect.
- Sarah asking Chuck to talk to her reveals a lot about Sarah in light of later episodes—she’s warm and caring, she’s perceptive, and she’s better at listening to other people’s feelings than talking about her own.
- Bryce and Sarah are both already familiar with Casey. How have they interacted in the past?
- Jill’s name can be seen in Bryce’s address book on the handheld device he uses to send Chuck the Intersect data
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