CHUCK 3.14 - "Chuck Versus The Honeymooners"

WRITERS: Rafe Judkins & Lauren LeFranc (story by Allison Adler)
DIRECTOR: Robert Duncan McNeill
GUEST CAST: Bonita Friedericy, Carlos Lacamara, Lela Loren, Ron Provencal, Chino Binamo & Nico Cortez

[SPOILERS] After a short break, Chuck returns for its addendum season (six extra episodes that NBC ordered when the show returned to strong ratings), and given the big changes in "... The Other Guy" I'm sure every fan's desperate to see if the show hasn't ironically lost its mojo now Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) are an item. And to cut a long story: no, that hasn't happened. In fact, "Chuck Versus The Honeymooners" provides plenty of evidence that uniting its leads will actually take the show to new heights...

Following the unofficial "finale", Chuck and Sarah have gone AWOL from the CIA and are currently enjoying a romantic journey on a luxury train travelling though France, rarely venturing out of their carriage (or more accurately their bed.) Their relationship couldn't be better and both are making plans to leave the spy game behind forever, but naturally that proves harder than it sounds. Trouble brews when they independently notice they're sharing a train with Spanish spies, and comically both try to investigate the situation behind the other's back. Sarah sneaks off to snoop around a neighbouring carriage, forced to pretend she's a half-drunken Southern gal when she's caught, and Chuck likewise has a nose around the same carriage and is forced to escape through the window and onto the roof.

Back at Burbank, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) and Devon (Ryan McPartlin) were about to leave for their Doctors Without Borders program to Africa, and both were desperate to hear word from Chuck so he could attend their leaving party. And they weren't the only ones anxious to locate Chuck, as General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) came to the realization that both her agents have gone AWOL and orders Casey (Adam Baldwin) to bring them back home, with help from Morgan (Joshua Gomez) because he understands Chuck's thought processes better than anyone.

Second of Strahotness: Oh my!

"... The Honeymooners" was a strong and spritely episode for the series to return with, most notable because it was a relief to see the new Chuck/Sarah dynamic works brilliantly. Despite fears that will-they/won't-they TV romances rarely work when the lovebirds finally get it together, I'm already certain this was a wise move. Both Levi and Strahovski are just a lot more engaging when they're having clear fun together, and while their character's relationship may lack a frisson of tension now they can just jump into bed together whenever they please, that's a welcome change of pace and a welcome development. Plus, as I've said many times, particularly this season, it's been almost criminal that the writers kept finding ways to make Sarah look solemn and uneasy throughout nearly every episode. Strahovski lights up the screen when she smiles, and I almost had to adjust the contrast on my TV with this episode.

It also gave us a flavour of what I'd hoped the show would be with Chuck and Sarah as a couple; something more fun and romantic, with both coming to realize they can't simply turn their backs on who they are. Sarah's a natural born spy, Chuck's ambition is to be a spook, so why can't they have their cake and eat it? A relationship is no barrier to a productive working life, is it. Considering the fact nobody had a problem with Sarah and Shaw dating earlier this year, it didn't really make sense that Chuck and Sarah were so unsure about going public with their relationship and carrying on as usual, but I can let it slide. This episode was too much fun to nitpick, with Chuck and Sarah deciding to deal with the Spanish agents themselves as "one last mission", only to later realize that the entire situation has been misunderstood because they're ill-informed, just as Casey and Morgan became embroiled in events.

Overall, "... The Honeymooners" left a strong impression of what the tone and style of these final six episodes will be like. Essentially, it's The Mr & Mrs Smith-style action show I was predicting Chuck could become and avoid losing its raison d'etre just because the guy got the gal. I also loved how Morgan has already started proving himself valuable as an asset (using his geeky knowledge of Italy to punch holes in an enemy agent's story), and the symbolism of Chuck and Sarah making a ferociously good duo when literally connected by handcuffs wasn't lost on me.

Asides

• The return of Jeffster! at Ellie and Devon's leaving party was unusual, in that their choice of song was more subdued ("I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane") and it was clear that Lester (Vic Sahay) wasn't too bad of a singer. Like the Chuck/Sarah coupling, was that a sign of maturity creeping in, or will they be back to frat boy antics next week? Stupid question, I know.
• Y'know, I wish Ellie and Devon would go already. No offence, both characters served a purpose once upon a time, but they've become dead weight. Chuck doesn't really need sisterly support and Morgan makes a better confidant than Devon.
• General Beckman voices a whole fan community's thoughts on Chuck and Sarah revealing their love for each other: "... off the record, it's about damn time."
• Will Chuck be back for season 4? There are promising signs, despite the fact the back-half of this season has slipped in the ratings. NBC like the show, they love the support it gets online, Subway are behind it, it's cheaper to make than it once was, they have a lot of hours to fill next year, etc. I predict it'll be back.

26 APRIL 2010: NBC, 8/7c