Chuck, 2x02, “Chuck vs. the Seduction”

Episode Title: Chuck vs. the Seduction
Writer: Matt Miller
Director: Allan Kroeker
Originally Aired: 10/06/2008
Grade: A

I thought they used the guest stars really well in this episode. With two in one ep, it could have easily been overkill, but I never felt like they were running the show. Everything they said and did related to either the episode plot or the development of the main character relationships. If they all play out like this, I think the plethora of guest stars this season will work out fine.

Yet another soft-focus Sarah porn intro in this episode… it’s still not bugging me too much because it feels at least as purposeful as it is shameless.

I actually thought the big Roan-ordered kiss looked lame in the promos, but it was somehow awesome in the actual episode. I fully admit I rewound both of the kisses, partly because they were just plain hot, and partly because I was surprised at how much more natural they felt than the one from last season. That one wasn't bad, just awkward, which made sense given the circumstances, but it was still nice to see these less awkward kisses.

I was slightly annoyed with Chuck for getting his panties in a bunch over Sarah telling Roan that she doesn't have feelings for Chuck and he's just an asset. I mean, I can understand that hearing those words would bother him a bit, that he would worry she's using him, but he knows Sarah is often not forthcoming about her life and her emotions even with people she knows pretty well. Obviously she could have just been telling the truth, and I know his self-esteem is still fairly low, but it would have been nice if it had occurred to him that she was lying to maintain her professionalism.

I didn't notice his name in the credits, but I knew Bryce was going to be in Sarah's room. Namely because had he not been, Chuck and Sarah might have actually had sex--she was just that into him in this episode--but I knew it would never happen so soon.

As for the Chuck/Sarah relationship, they're definitely selling it hard right now, probably to make sure that viewers have as many vivid Chuck/Sarah memories as possible when they inevitably tear them apart to date other people. It is all fairly predictable, but the characters are so likable that I can have fun with it anyway.