Sunday, May 16, 2010

Chuck, 3x16, “Chuck vs. the Tooth”

Episode Title: Chuck vs. the Tooth
Writers: Zev Borow and Max Denby
Director: Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Originally Aired: 05/10/2010
Grade: B+

This episode was weaker than the previous two, but I still enjoyed it. I think I’ve actually said in the past that I’d like to see Chuck and Sarah do mundane things like watch TV together, so I was happy to see them cuddling on the couch doing just that.


I wasn’t thrilled with the “I love you” component of the storyline, though. For one thing, Sarah admitted to loving him only a couple of episode ago. He asked, “Do you love me?” and she said “Yes.” Granted she didn’t say the actual phrase herself, but they’ve only been together for, what, a month? It’s a little soon for Chuck to be freaking out because she hasn’t said those three words. The ending with Sarah finally blurting out “I love you” and Chuck subsequently changing his mind about being honest with her was one of the biggest clichés in the book, too, and I really could have done without it.


Chuck shooting Shaw repeatedly was immensely, disturbingly satisfying, even in a dream sequence. However, the reveal that Shaw really is still alive? First of all, it’s trite and predictable, and second of all, it’s a rehash of Bryce. Fuck you, show. Just fuck you. I know I sound harsh, but bringing back a character that nearly every fan very clearly loathed with a burning passion is just stubborn and stupid.


However, despite my complaints, I did, as I said above, enjoy this episode. It was still miles better than many of the initial thirteen.


Other Stuff


-I could only roll my eyes at Chuck telling Morgan to put a lid on the personal chitchat and focus on their mission. That had to be a nod to fans who were annoyed with Chuck’s emotional diarrhea of the mouth early in the season.


-I don’t want to hate on Julia Ling, but either she was a little rusty and had forgotten how to play her character, or Ana was supposed to have developed into a different person. She just seemed like Generic Hot Girl A, where before she was quirky and feisty.

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