“Chuck Versus the Nemesis”
November 26th, 2007
NBC had four new hour-long series when they started this season, and it looks like they will be down to two by the end of the season – TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello has revealed that two series have made the cut while the other two will hit the chopping block. For Bionic Woman and Journeyman, this is bad news. The new is better for sleep hit Life, however…oh, and for a little show called Chuck. Looks like we’ll be seeing more of Chuck and company in the year ahead – the show has officially been picked up for a full season. Huzzah!
I’m elated at this news, because “Chuck Versus the Nemesis” represents a huge step forward for the series. An expansion of the series’ mythology accompanies the return of Bryce Larkin, as we start to learn what the intersect is and why it matters so much. The show retained its comic sensibilities, but the extension of its initial premise into a discussion of Operation Sand Wall and Project Fulcrum was handled with the same deft hand that has guided the series thus far. Josh Schwartz has done it – he has created the comic version of Alias. And while this isn’t quite its “Phase One,” its certainly a new level to Chuck’s narrative.
Bryce’s return was something that seemed inevitable both when Matthew Bomer’s Traveler was canceled and when he appeared in a recent flashback. However, his return to the show was handled in the right fashion – he is a disruptive element for Sarah and Chuck’s relationship, sure, but more importantly he represents a way to get some answers about the Intersect. Bomer’s performance was perfect – just enough ass-kicking and conspiracy talk to live up to his CIA reputation, but also enough humanity to display why Sarah fell in love with him and why he and Chuck were once friends.
More importantly, however, the new revelations regarding the conspiracy behind the intersect opens up a chance for a compelling central narrative. The episode didn’t lay it all out on the line, but it certainly represents the largest mythology shift in the show’s short life. Much like Alias, it has taken its rather simple logline (Girl becomes spy, Guy becomes spy computer) and allowed it to flesh itself out…but not so much that its comic side was lost.
The episode’s side story at the Buy More, for once, was intricately connected to the story’s main action. Black Friday certainly provided a strong excuse for more Ana/Morgan awkwardness, but it actually served as a major setpiece for the A-Story. The episode worked as a cohesive whole because the two stories spoke to one another – it’s somewhat humorous that the first time the show really delves into its mythology is also delivers perhaps its most satisfying balance of CIA/NSA/Normal Life activities.
Sure, the end of the episode Cliffhanger of Sarah having to choose between phone calls from Chuck and Bryce is pretty predictable – the latter has been set free and sent to a new assignment with a new name, and wants Sarah to come with him. The former, meanwhile, certainly presents a less volatile future…and, since she’s kind of in the cast, we already know what her decision is in the long term. Still, it felt like the show smartly avoided directly answering the relationship question, so Sarah deserves a little reflection at episode’s end.
That being said, I do think that we could have used a more definitive answer to the questions raised by Bryce in terms of Operation Sand Wall and the like. The episode chose to end on a character note, as opposed to a plot one, which is fine…but we do need to learn more about Fulcrum, and I hope this doesn’t just get swept under the rug in the episodes ahead.
Cultural Observations
- Zachary Levi continues to do great work as Chuck – loved his reaction to waking up to Sarah and then Casey (“Uglier!”), as well as his fainting at the sight of Bryce being shot.
- Speaking of Bryce being shot, the action was very good this week – specifically, Casey blowing away Bryce was certainly effective even if his immediate resurrection was engaging. Plus, we are sure to be seeing more of Bryce in the future whenever they desire to add some more action: consider him a good guy version of Sark, perhaps.
- We got to see more of our evil CIA associate (Portrayed by Anthony Ruivivar, who coincidentally starred on Traveler with Bomer), and we still don’t quite understand his motivations. We also didn’t really get to see what happened to him in the end, unless I’m seriously forgetting something. Seems odd to let the character off the hook like this – was he brought into custody? Hopefully he recurs in the weeks ahead so we can get some more answers.
Cultural Learnings 