Chuck: Chuck Vs the Mask Review - Mania.com



TV Review

Mania Grade: C

5 Comments | Add

 

Rate & Share:

 

Related Links:

 

Info:

  • TV Series: Chuck
  • Episode: Chuck vs. the Mask
  • Starring: Zachary Levi, Sarah Lancaster, Adam Baldwin, Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez
  • Written By: Phil Klemmer
  • Directed By: Michael Schultz
  • Network: NBC
  • Series:

Chuck: Chuck Vs the Mask Review

The Bad Guys Think Chuck’s a Stud

By Stephen Lackey     February 09, 2010


Chuck Review
© NBC/Bob Trate

 

You know, if there’s one thing that this show really needed it’s another love triangle. Sure, Sarah and Chuck have decided that they can’t be together for whatever reason and Chuck should get to move on to other opportunities but this means the show is back to watching them pine away for each other. Early on in the series Chuck pined for Sarah at least now, those roles appear to be reversed. Sarah has an opportunity in front of her but she still seems held back by her feelings for Chuck. All of this is so frustrating because you know there’s going to be the episode or episodes where the two of them try to make each other jealous with their new relationships. Sure, it might be mildly funny when it happens but it’s still just so been there done that. Now on top of that, there’s going to be a pathetic Morgan because Chuck took his girl, at least in his own eyes.
 
This week, Shaw is back and trying to steal an artifact from a museum that supposedly housed something the ring smuggled into the country. The alarms and vault doors are all computer controlled requiring Chuck’s assistance. Hannah, desperate to prove herself as a member of the Buy More team, and desperate to get close to Chuck, follows him to the museum and ends up becoming a part of the mission. Honestly, overall the mission isn’t extremely interesting and it doesn’t even offer up many laughs. There are a few smirk inducing scenes but nothing really humorous. Also, the mission seemed awfully anticlimactic as far as what The Ring was actually smuggling into the country. The whole thing seems overly complicated for what they inevitably were up too.
 
When the chips are down, everyone trusts Chuck implicitly, even Casey. Chuck is becoming a capable agent in his own right, even though he’s had the most minimal amount of training compared to the other agents on the team that have spent years getting trained. Sure, Chuck has the intersect, but a computer brain doesn’t make a good agent. A fantastic camera in the hands of a novice will still render terrible pictures. With that said, there does seem to be a new direction in the works for Chuck for better or for worse.
 
There has to be more than meets the eye with Hannah. A really strong story could be in the works if she is a Ring agent and she not only tries to eventually kill Chuck but she also breaks his heart. Recently Chuck found himself getting drunk “Casey style” after having to use an asset he actually found himself befriending. If the writers can get back to the bad side of being a secret agent with Chuck, and have Hannah break his heart, Chuck could end up being a very different person by season’s end and that could be really interesting. This episode was fairly pedestrian outside of some melodrama and it wasn’t even that funny. Kristen Kreuk continues to feel out of place in this show but that’ll end up being ok if she’s a Ring agent. The new detective team of Morgan and Chuck’s sister looked as if it was going to be fun but now it’s already over, too bad. It was quite cool to see the inside of The Ring even if it did look sort of like a gothy Mork from Ork sort of thing minus the fog, of course.

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

Showing items 1 - 5 of 5
1 
noahbody 2/9/2010 2:39:58 PM

Something has to happen with Morgan, he has to find out. "I have my best guys on it" turned into nothing with a single line of dialog. Could have been epic to have those two Bozos following Chuck instesd of Hanna.

 

karas1 2/10/2010 6:39:23 AM

Didn't Chuck already have his heart broken by a girl who turned out to be an enemy agent?  Let's not go there again.

isgrimner 2/10/2010 7:53:54 AM

I forget the exact scene, but there was a point where Hannah was by herself in the computer room, and really seemed sad that Chuck went after Sarah.  I'd have to rewatch it, but that seemed to be a good indication that she was legit.   Though, I suppose they could either ignore it, or write that she knew there were cameras on her at the time.  Perhaps they'll write it that she has been brainwashed or is a type of Manchurian Candidate. 

If Sarah and Shaw hook up, will Casey be next?  I mean, her track record wouldn't be to clean with her partners.  Bryce, Chuck, Shaw, logically I'm thinking her and Shaw won't work out.   So Casey, you're on deck.

I know the main reason they had Chuck and Hannah making out at the Buy More after hours was so Morgan could catch them, but really?  I assume Hannah has an apartment of some such, wouldn't that have been a better choice?

Pretty much agree with the review of this episode.  Kind of a filler ep. 

noahbody 2/10/2010 9:04:30 AM

Gotta say the Buy More coach must be a pretty nasty piece of furniture, seems like everyone hooks up there!

heath0920 2/11/2010 5:45:49 AM

I had the opposite reaction from Mr. Lackey - I was THRILLED at the end when Chuck and Sarah go their own way. It provides an impetus to move forward. We've spent the first five eps of the season seeing them share these whistful looks and longing expressions, which is pretty much a repeat of the FIRST and most of the SECOND season. The two of them only really hooked up for all of sixteen seconds in the last eps of last year.  I think the fans are ready for somethine different

Do something with the characters - we know that if you pair up Sarah and Chuck, it's the Moonlighting scenario so at least give them workable relationships with other people. That scene at the end seemed genuine  yes, they care for each other but they realikze that their jobs and lives will ALWAYS get in the way. So say a personal goodbye. 

I do agree that the mask plot seemed too contrived, however. I would prefer a more compelling spy caper.

1 

ADD A COMMENT

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Please click here to login.

POPULAR TOPICS