Chuck, 3x01, “Chuck vs. the Pink Slip”

Episode Title: Chuck vs. the Pink Slip
Writers: Chris Fedak and Matt Miller

Director: Robert Duncan McNeil

Originally Aired: 01/10/2010
Grade: B-

I was less than impressed with this premiere, unfortunately. Too many things felt like rehashes of previous seasons, and Chuck and Sarah were written as deliberately dense and out-of-character in order to artificially push them away from each other.

Even the first few minutes, with Chuck being out of the spy game, feel reminiscent of the Season 2 opener. The main difference is that before Chuck was happy about it, and now he’s depressed. I see that difference, I really do, but this show’s habit of repeating itself can grate.

Also, how many times has Chuck freaked out about Sarah being touchy-feely with a mark? When is he going to grasp the concept? I hope the answer isn’t “never,” because it’s getting old. In fact, I’m tired of Chuck and Sarah’s epic pouty expressions and Chuck pouring his guts out about his feelings, period. They’ve never even had sex! It’s not stupid at the level of Twilight’s Bella and Edward yet, but it’s getting there.

The true heart of my problem with this episode lies in the Prague train station scene. Chuck’s explanation for not running away with Sarah was almost nonsensical. “I want to be a real spy because someone actually thinks I can be a real spy” would have been a good reason if it was added onto the end of a list of other reasons, but no, according to Chuck, that was the reason he couldn’t run away with her. The primary reasons should have been that a) they’d always be on the run, and thus still “spies” and not “normal people,” and b) Chuck would be cut off from his family and friends, who are what is most precious to him in the whole fucking world. Which Sarah already knows, and that’s a huge part of why she loves him!

So Chuck doesn’t say what most fans know should be his real reason, and Sarah somehow forgets one of Chuck’s most obvious and endearing character traits, as well? It’s like the writers got together and decided, “Let’s write this scene stupidly and out-of-character to artificially fuel the Chuck/Sarah angst. And we’ll play Frightened Rabbit in the background to make it even more emo!” Blech.

I like that Sarah is questioning how becoming a “real spy” will change Chuck, and that in itself should be enough of an obstacle to their relationship for a few months. But no, this show is shallow and the writers go for the easy way every time, so we get this sloppy Prague fiasco and no doubt a new temporary love interest for one or both of them. If the rest of the season is as bad as this episode, I won’t even be sad if the show isn’t renewed for a fourth season.

Other Stuff

-When the episode began, I thought, “Wow, what a generic, obvious ‘European’ set.” Then General Beckman popped up and told everyone to stop the simulation, and I thought, “Oh, it’s supposed to be a set!” Then we got the flashback. Nope, that was really supposed to be Prague…

-I liked Casey calling Chuck “The Lemon.” It felt like tough love, like the way a gruff, stoic family member would expresses his disappointment in another family member. It’s not like Casey would ever say, “I really care about Chuck and his future, and I’m disappointed that he screwed it up.”

-If Anna had to go due to the show’s budget cuts, the writers could have at least given her a less douchey send off than Morgan telling us she “took off with the prep chef.” Her character deserved better than being made to look like the bad guy in the breakup.

-“You’re a spy now, Chuck. You have to keep your feelings to yourself.” Pfft. As if.