This may have been one of the single best “Chuck” episodes ever, and was (IMHO) definitely the best episode this season.
The most obvious place to start would be the quality of the guest stars. Scott Bakula as Chuck’s addle pated father with delusions of grandeur (and an opportunity to say, “Oh boy,” just like he used to say on NBC a long time ago)? Or how about Chevy Chase as an evil clone of Bill Gates? The only downside of having such big stars in guest roles is that it I kept seeing them as their previous roles.
For both of the “Chuck” fans (“Chuckers”?) who haven’t noticed, all episodes of the show are titled “Chuck vs. … “ something. The Delorean. The In-Laws. The Spastic Colon. Something.
This episode could have been titled “Chuck vs. Philadelphia.” Those of us who didn’t sleep through government class—or, at least, stayed awake for the crucial bits—may remember that “Philadelphia” comes from the Greek word “phileo”, which means “brotherly love.” This episode of “Chuck”, while being one of the funniest episodes in a while, was all about brotherly love.
With apologies to Charles Dickens, “It was the best of episodes, it was the worst of episodes.”
I picture a writers conference for Chuck in which someone pitched the idea that Chuck and Sarah go undercover in a white-bread suburban neighborhood to try and ferret out a suspected terrorist who lives there. Producers, directors and whoever else would be at such a meeting reacted enthusiastically and the ball began to roll with speed.
Monday (Feb. 2 [“Groundhog Day!!”]) night saw the premiere of the most-hyped episode of “Chuck” since the series started. So, the question is: did it live up to the hype?
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