Chuck – When the super spy met the “Superman”

Who do you call when Captain Awesome has been kidnapped by Angie Harmon? Apparently, Superman. Brandon Routh joined the cast of Chuck last night as part of “Operation: Bartowski,” and I immediately don’t know if I can completely trust him. He’s apparently in for at least four episodes, and probably more, so there’s definitely a plan there.

Ryan McPartlin was great as Devon. The arc his character has already had in these four episodes has been simply flawless. Starting off with his enthusiastic desire to be a part of Chuck’s spy-world, to his readiness now to be done with it forever. Who knew letting him in on Chuck’s secret could be so much fun. Do you think they’ll let Morgan in on it next?

He showed a lot of growth this week, while tackling a bizarre Fight Club ring at the Buy More. Really, it’s all Chuck’s fault for roundhouse kicking Lester right in the face, making him feel alive for the first time. The scene in the cage with Jeff fighting one of the regular Buy More drones was hilarious. And even though the entire thing was so completely implausible, it helped set up Morgan as an effective AssMan — Ahem, Assistant Manager.

I was impressed and proud of how masterfully he handled Lester in shutting down the fight club, restoring order to the Buy More. He held onto Lester’s firing just long enough to reduce him to a loyal lapdog. Who knew Morgan had grown up enough to handle that situation so beautifully?

Devon’s explanation to Ellie of where he’d been since last episode was even better, though. The love between Devon and Ellie and their unending decency is what makes them such good characters on the show, so it was nice to know that Devon is such a terrible liar. It’s also further proof that he would make a terrible spy, though the visual image of him beheading an attacking bear is rather striking.

Angie Harmon was so effective in her role as Ring agent Sydney Prince, that I kept thinking she’d been on the show before. Devon’s infiltration of the CIA building, alongside Chuck, turned out to be a lot of fun, as was Routh’s introduction as Daniel Shaw, CIA agent and Ring expert.

It’ll be interesting seeing Routh run the show, considering his questionable tactics this week. I agree that Chuck needs to get a little more effective at working on his own, but leaving him alone to clean up the situation he created, to protect Devon, with Sydney and her goons in the Buy More seemed like a little too much tough love.

This is where I was having a hard time trusting him, though they explained it a bit later when he explained to Chuck that loved ones and personal connection are a weakness. I think he may have lifted his speech almost entirely from one Sarah had given Chuck before. This time, she defended Chuck saying it helps sometimes to know you have something to lose. Oh those wacky kids, get a room already!

Daniel did have effective intel about the Ring, revealing that if Sydney could be contained than Devon’s identity would remain out of Ring hands. They apparently don’t call in their bosses until the spy is brought fully into the fold. So Chuck’s plan to tweak the phone she gave Devon, which he did do thanks to his own electronics knowledge, and lure her in was a good one. He just doesn’t have reliable Intersect2.0 skills to handle her or her men. But that’s what Casey and Sarah are for.

The closing scene with the gang all together at Chuck and Morgan’s apartment for dinner showed again how tight a “family” they had become. It’s even nice to see Casey invited into the fold, even if Chuck’s “better lie” has Ellie thinking he’s a drunk who exposes himself in public.

Daniel’s simple act of putting on his wedding ring while watching this scene among people who care about one another added layers to his character, and made me reconsider that he can’t be trusted. He could just be incredibly damaged by the job, in the very way that Sarah has been trying to protect Chuck from.

Clacked by Jason Hughes
on Jan 19, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT