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Episode Recap: "Chuck vs. the Tango"
So, who out there wants to reach into the screen, grab Morgan by the neck and...? It seems tonight he was working overtime to make up for the lack of annoying behavior in last week's episode. And here I thought they were going to ease up on poor Morgan. I like the character, really I do! He just can't be used for every situation where something needs to go wrong! But wait, I am getting ahead of myself....
Instead of accidentally bumbling into a situation, Chuck was actually sent on his very first mission: The case involved a painting, plutonium and a dangerous arms dealer. Chuck literally framed himself while trying to act cool undercover, and under pressure, at the art auction; he really needs to learn how to keep his mouth shut. He ended up in the hands of a killer but managed to get away, mainly by demonstrating his incredible powers of computer repair to prove he was who he claimed to be, leaving Casey and Sarah to save the day, which they did with style.
Despite the overuse of Morgan-as-scapegoat, I thought this episode was funnier and more entertaining than the helicopter episode. So many great moments in this one! Here are some of the standouts:
• Casey once again was the comedic muscle. The way he delivered the mission message to Chuck (through the window blinds); his inside joke about the tango (was he making fun, or having fun with Chuck there?); his bonsai tree (I think that was the most tense he's ever been!); and the fight with the thugs in the store (which was better — taking out the guy with the microwave, or the punch to the face that left the bad guy's hand hurting?). And it seems there will be at least one thing each episode that Casey will "not kid" about. Last week it was quiche, this week it was about Chuck's life and the tango.
• Sarah once again got physical in a couple of really dazzling fight sequences. Yvonne Strahovski can really dish it out, and it really is her! (See this interview with Yvonne where she talks about her stuntwork.) She also showed her softer side: Could she really be falling for Chuck?
The supporting players had a lot to do this time. It was nice to see the Nerd Herd again. They had some great scenes and they all work really well together. Big Mike is a hoot and it's fun to see everyone, including Casey, jump when he shows up. Captain Awesome had some fancy footwork to contribute, too — who knew he could tango! It was priceless that he taught Chuck the woman’s steps, and Chuck rolled with it. That’s what I like so much about this show: The actors are willing to put themselves in embarrassing situations if that’s what it takes for the story.
Now if Morgan can just dial it down a notch or two. He started out decently, inspiring Chuck’s team to get to work on his behalf (and to keep the dreaded Tang from getting the promotion), but he used up all that credit quickly when he got locked in the computer cage and hounded Chuck to save him, followed by all his annoying antics at the store. I know he isn't aware of Chuck's life as a spy, but why does he have to be the one always getting Chuck into hot water?
The series seems to have found its footing with this episode. The cast came together like old friends and I like the overall direction it is taking. But please, give Joshua Gomez something substantial to work with as Morgan, I'd really like to see that character explored a little more.
What were some of your picks and peeves of this episode? Discuss!
Check out our Online Video Guide for more Chuck.
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Oct 8, 2007 10:45 PM
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A fun, well-rounded episode, but can Morgan get any more useless and irritating?
IMDB is still only showing Adam Baldwin being in the first 3 episodes, but it also only shows Captain Awesome in 2 episodes so we can hope that it's wrong.
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Oct 8, 2007 11:13 PM
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Well, I am watching...because it is new and there is nothing else on then..seriously who watches DWTS..I don't get it.
As for who's watching Chuck, I'm betting some pple switched the channel after 5 minutes, from Prison Break, permanently, and found Chuck if they hadn't already.
Hope it gets better, I don't find this show that funny at all...only a few shows actually make me laugh out loud..oh well.
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Oct 9, 2007 12:13 AM
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Don't worry about Adam: his job is safe. Come on, Casey has way more heads to bust than he can get to in just three episodes!
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Oct 9, 2007 12:17 AM
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I watch DWTS, but not much since Chuck premiered. Watched Chuck and El Ciudad do their Tango, and then turned during the commerical to see Jenny Garth and her partner do theirs (I liked Chuck's better, frankly).
I think this show is very funny. Everyone's timing is dead on.
I do agree Morgan is getting highly annoying, and they need to dial him down a notch or two.
I'm so happy Adam Baldwin has FINALLY found a gig on a show that has caught on. He'll always be Jayne to me.
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Oct 9, 2007 12:47 AM
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Chuck is hands down my favorite new show. I already gave up on bionic woman sadly. I like Morgan. I like the whole cast but especially Sarah and Chuck. I love the fight scenes too. It's just a really enjoyable hour of TV. I enjoy it more than Heroes and that's saying alot. So with The Office, Chuck and Heroes NBC is doing pretty good
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Oct 9, 2007 12:49 AM
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I am so happy with this show. I love Chuck more than I do Psych but not as much as I do The Reaper. But let's stick with Chuck.
This is one of the few shows that makes me laugh out loud. Psych and The Reaper are the other two.
The characters are so spot on and seemed to have eased into their roles and jelled - except for Morgan. I am going to personally take him out if the writers and directors do not tone him down. Honestly, you could remove him from the cast and he would not be missed.
I died laughing when Chuck learned to tango like a girl. That was hilarious and even funnier when he admitted it to the arms dealer and they rolled with it anyway.
And who is not loviing Adam Baldwin in his role? He gets to do all the things he has been doing for years - drama, comedy, action, etc. in one great show. He is so under-rated and overdue for a hit.
I love, love love the relationship between Chuck and his sister. They love each other, look out for each other, but give each other room to grow. That is so cool.
And I am loving the Nerd Herd, and that Chuck is one customer service oriented kinda guy. His boss? What a riot. And Tang - he is just too Napoleonic for words.
Overall a great episode. Let's hope that the writing stays sharp and the plots stay fresh.
I think it truly helps when a show does not take itself (since this is a spy show) too seriously. It worked for Buffy and Angel, and it is certainly working for Psych, The Reaper and Chuck.
I cannot wait for next week's episode.
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Oct 9, 2007 2:30 AM
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tvdiva, your post made me laugh more than any show I saw all day. 
Napoleonic...great word!!
I do like Adam Baldwin and Captain Awesome...but Morgan bugs me.
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Oct 9, 2007 4:41 AM
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I asked Yvonne about Adam Baldwin; he isn't going anywhere.
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Oct 9, 2007 6:47 AM
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I really am enjoying this show. Gives me a great way to pass the time until Psych and Burn Notice come back. I think that now they are starting the missions with Chuck the show will only get better from here. At least I am hoping it will. I want to know what the show's connection to Dexter (on Showtime) is...LOL. First Tang is played by the same guy who plays Masuka and then this week one of the arms dealers thugs was played by the same actor who played Little Chino last week on Dex. Yes, I understand that actors do works on other series all the time, I just find it amusing about these ones. Oh and has anyone else noticed that the actor who plays Morgan also does a commercial for one of the rent-a-car companies. He is the guy who while away on business falls in love with his GPS system and then you start hearing Bonnie Tyler's "Turn Around Bright Eyes". If you take off the stupid toupee and add facial hair to the guy - Voilla you have Morgan. 
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Oct 9, 2007 6:52 AM
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Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought Morgan knows about Chuck and his situation. He knows that Adam Baldwin's character lives next door, and I thought I recall him knowing about Casey not really being his girlfriend in the Helicopter episode.
I really like this show and I hope it is kept on the air. I have never liked the ratings system as I find it doesn't work, so maybe with the proposed overhaul it will work better. Also, is it me or have there been more good (or at least decent and watchable) series this season than in a looong time?
Chuck, Reaper, Pushing Daisies, Life, Bionic Woman, Big Bang, Kitchen Nightmares, and even Kid Nation are all better than most of the crap that's been tossed out the past several years.
Let's hope this is a trend.
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Oct 9, 2007 7:20 AM
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I'm pretty sure Morgan doesn't - and, really, *can't* - know about Chuck's "secret" life. There's just no way that Morgan wouldn't blab about it - he'd either blab about it to some girl to try and impress her ("...and did I ever tell you that I'm experienced in international espionage? Well, I don't do a lot of field work, but I provide a great deal of support ...moral support... for an international spy...") or just inadvertently blurt it out if someone were to start asking him questions or what-have-you. So I think he's going to have to be in the dark for a while. Hopefully, they'll just leave him in the dark and enough mold will grow on him that he will no longer be able to move, and Morgan will no longer be a factor on the show....
Other than Morgan, I'm really enjoying this show a lot. I really like Chuck - and I really like the way he manages to strike a balance between being very intelligent while still being flustered and uncertain by all of this stuff that's happening to him.
The show has a feel that, for me, is much like "Burn Notice" which I *really* loved over the summer. It doesn't take itself too seriously. There are a number of things that aren't at all realistic - and I don't mean just the whole "computer in his brain" thing, but like no one really noticing that a Buy More sales clerk (Casey) is fighting big tough guys and chucking appliances at them - but with a few exceptions, it doesn't bother me because I know I'm not supposed to take the show as a anything more than some enjoyable fluff.
The biggest exceptions center on Chuck and the computer-in-his-brain thing. First, the whole idea is just preposterous. Obviously, it's also the point of the show, so I can overlook that, but some of what they do with it just rings wrong for me: The way that he seems to have not only the entire database, but the whole program for how the computer searches the data and pull together diverse bits of information to let them know what's going on. Beyond that, there's also - like tonight - how he was able to know when and where the meeting would be. I would think an entry about a noted international assassin planning to be at a movie gallery party would catch someone's attention even without the other info Chuck had.
And then there's the fact that he actually knew when the meeting would be. Meetings like that aren't usually set up months in advance, so - unless they're somehow updating Chuck's brain with new info as they get it (to keep the database fresh while they work on rebuilding it,) eventually its going to get to the point where Chuck isn't going to have all the information needed to make a connection like he can right now. I hope they find a way to address that.
Still, I really like the kind of light, breezy feel the show has so far, and I *really* like the characters (except Morgan.) The relationship with Chuck and his sister feels appropriate familial (I've seen a lot of shows where siblings either feel too distant from each other or too close to each other - hitting the right tone can be a trick since you don't want the pair giving off "romantic" vibes!) And I even like Captain Awesome who could so easily be the kind of obnoxious jerk who thinks any man whose not into "manly" stuff is somehow a wussy. He seems to have a genuine fondness for his brother-in-law, and a desire to see Chuck do well, especially because that's so important to his wife.
Sarah is GREAT, and I really love that they're letting the character be both tough and vulnerable. I think she probably is developing some feelings for Chuck - at least I hope so! I think she sees the innate goodness in him and her desire to protect that is also a desire to just be around someone like that. I just hope they don't drag that out forever!
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Oct 9, 2007 9:10 AM
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I love Chuck and all that goes with it. While I think Morgan's character does need fleshed out a bit, I also love him the way he is. Who doesn't know one person that is actually as annoying as Morgan? If you don't have someone like this in your life, you don't know how truly blessed you are! LOL
Glad Adam Baldwin is not going anywhere. I love his character and his Peeping Tom act is hysterical.
Chuck did step up this week and try to act all macho; but he does need to learn a little discretion. More experience will help.
Anyway, carry on Chuck - the world is depending on you!!
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Oct 9, 2007 9:14 AM
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Jeez, there is some major Morgan hate going on... I don't mind the character one bit. We're only 3 episodes in, so we can't really bemoan him "always being the scapegoat." Besides, Chuck has gotten himself in more trouble than Morgan has. I find him funny more often than not (though clearly the lesser sidekick when compared to Taylor Labine on Reaper).
For me, of all the great things going on in the show, the relationship between Chuck and his sister is the best. There's a touch of mystery in it, as we don't know what exactly happened to their dad, and aside from that they really love and support each other. It's reminiscent of Bradley Cooper in early episodes of Alias. Hopefully they won't stupidly ignore that relationship as the show progresses!
It hasn't been a ratings smash; I really hope this one sticks around for a few seasons though.
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Oct 9, 2007 9:22 AM
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My favorite part of the whole episode is when Morgan and Chuck's sister are going back and forth on the state of Chuck's life and where they see him going with it and why.. all the while Chuck's sitting on the couch, reading a computer magazine and eating cupcakes.
Priceless.
And SO glad Adam Baldwin isn't going anywhere... I almost flipped when I'd read someone doubting he would continue. Because honestly, I don't know if I'd watch the show without him.
This is one of my favorite shows of the new season. I find it hilarious that all of my new "crushes" are mild-mannered, a little on the geeky side, sweet guys (Chuck, Sam from Reaper, Ned from Pushing Daisies)... Here's to all the underappreciated "Nice Guys!"
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Oct 9, 2007 10:37 AM
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