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My shows are back, guys.
Chuck:
1. Awesome. His lie growing from saving a cat to being attacked by a bear was the single most hilarious thing I've seen in a long, long time. Ellie's reactions were spot-on and thank god she didn't buy it. I love that Devon's a terrible liar, particularly to Ellie, since it's in keeping with his inability to lie to Ellie about Chuck's whereabouts last season in 2x20. He makes an excellent "Chuck" to Chuck's "Sarah" and it's nice to see him used so effectively to show how much Chuck has grown. Heehee to the Duck Hunt line, though. Chuck needs to have a tranq gun at all times, I think. It's the perfect weapon for him right now.
2. The Buy More Fight Club. First of all, HILARIOUS. This kind of insanity is exactly why Chuck is my happy show. I don't care that it's absolutely ridiculous. I love it when Chuck's spy life runs parallel Morgan's and it's so nice to see that Morgan has grown up. Hawaii has changed him for the better.
3. Angie Harmon. God this show is good at using its guest stars. Happy to see her back on my screen being a badass, and heehee to the Alias shoutout of her name being Sydney (but like, evil). The line reading of "Finally we meet. In an electronic store. Which is...different" was golden. All in all, a nice stint, and she even got the drop on Sarah.
4. Shaw. At first glance, I'm ambivalent about him. On one hand, I'm interested to see him as an unwelcome (but effective) mentor to Chuck's spy training. His refusal to help Chuck at the Buy More strikes me as both a lesson for Chuck that he can't be so dependent on Sarah and Casey and a test to see what Chuck, Sarah and Casey would do. I love Team Bartowski, but Chuck's plans always revolve around winging it until the reinforcements arrive and Sarah and Casey can't keep going off the reservation/against orders to protect Chuck and expect to keep their jobs. Someone needs to force them to expand their toolbox of methods and approaches, so Cole might be the kick in the pants they need to grow.
However, I have to wonder why he didn't just *tell* Chuck that he was going to fake his death, make it a clean shot, and oh, save me when it's over. Chuck wouldn't have freaked out as much if he had communicated that properly. Also, I dunno about the implied widower background and rumors that he's going to be a love interest for Sarah. He just gave that little speech about how spies can't have feelings, so it would be hypocritical for him to go after her, and I'm sort of tired of triangles when we know that Chuck and Sarah are the end game. We'll just have to see what happens, I guess, but I remain wary.
Everything else though? Classic Chuck. All in all, an excellent episode indeed. My happy show is happy again.
***
Castle:
I loved it. All of it. But things I loved in particular:
1. The pacing. Way to run the gamut of light, funny moments (Espisito and Castle's "I own a boat!", "That's so Miami Vice") to the serious, weighty moments (Kate excusing herself from the case, worrying about failing her mom). It hit all the right beats, and I'm happily surprised that this isn't one that they did for sweeps.
2. Nice twist there, resolving the case of who killed Kate's mom, but opening up another can of worms by making the serial killer into a contract killer. Resolution without killing the storyline. Excellent job there.
3. The uncomplicated hug that Beckett got from Martha. I love that Kate has a relationship with Martha and Alexis that is independent from Castle. It makes her part of the family more, without the anvil of OMG Castle and Beckett need to get together now.
4. The silent facial reactions of the cast- from Alexis' "but I want to stay" face to Lainie's eyes conveying the guilt/dread of being right to Montgomery's "oh shit" face to everyone's reaction to Kate performing CPR. This cast is really top notch.
5. The utterly adult relationship that Kate and Castle have, despite the silly banter and pigtail pulling. Castle is a total flirt and a complete manchild at times, but when it comes down to it, he knows how and when to be a mature adult. The "you're tall" line was perfect, as was the "whatever you need me to do, even if it's nothing at all." And Beckett admitting that that she likes having him around was unexpected and awesome. I like that the two of them use their words and TALK to each other like adults, even when they make mistakes, because it's so rarely allowed on TV.
6. Kate Beckett. She is totally turning into one of my favorite female characters because of how smart, real, and flawed they are letting her be. She's vulnerable. She's a fangirl. She doesn't always make the right call. But she's also damn good at her job and you believe Montgomery when he says she's the best he's ever trained because the casual way she let Castle know she noticed the girl and what is quickly becoming her trademark way of giving the worst news show us how good she is. She has her shit together without losing her personality and humor, which is all too rare in TV characters, let alone female ones. It's very easy to see why Castle is completely captivated by her.
I'm really starting to love this show a lot and I hope it sticks around because that was a FANTASTIC episode.
**
24 reaction post to follow later tonight.
Chuck:
1. Awesome. His lie growing from saving a cat to being attacked by a bear was the single most hilarious thing I've seen in a long, long time. Ellie's reactions were spot-on and thank god she didn't buy it. I love that Devon's a terrible liar, particularly to Ellie, since it's in keeping with his inability to lie to Ellie about Chuck's whereabouts last season in 2x20. He makes an excellent "Chuck" to Chuck's "Sarah" and it's nice to see him used so effectively to show how much Chuck has grown. Heehee to the Duck Hunt line, though. Chuck needs to have a tranq gun at all times, I think. It's the perfect weapon for him right now.
2. The Buy More Fight Club. First of all, HILARIOUS. This kind of insanity is exactly why Chuck is my happy show. I don't care that it's absolutely ridiculous. I love it when Chuck's spy life runs parallel Morgan's and it's so nice to see that Morgan has grown up. Hawaii has changed him for the better.
3. Angie Harmon. God this show is good at using its guest stars. Happy to see her back on my screen being a badass, and heehee to the Alias shoutout of her name being Sydney (but like, evil). The line reading of "Finally we meet. In an electronic store. Which is...different" was golden. All in all, a nice stint, and she even got the drop on Sarah.
4. Shaw. At first glance, I'm ambivalent about him. On one hand, I'm interested to see him as an unwelcome (but effective) mentor to Chuck's spy training. His refusal to help Chuck at the Buy More strikes me as both a lesson for Chuck that he can't be so dependent on Sarah and Casey and a test to see what Chuck, Sarah and Casey would do. I love Team Bartowski, but Chuck's plans always revolve around winging it until the reinforcements arrive and Sarah and Casey can't keep going off the reservation/against orders to protect Chuck and expect to keep their jobs. Someone needs to force them to expand their toolbox of methods and approaches, so Cole might be the kick in the pants they need to grow.
However, I have to wonder why he didn't just *tell* Chuck that he was going to fake his death, make it a clean shot, and oh, save me when it's over. Chuck wouldn't have freaked out as much if he had communicated that properly. Also, I dunno about the implied widower background and rumors that he's going to be a love interest for Sarah. He just gave that little speech about how spies can't have feelings, so it would be hypocritical for him to go after her, and I'm sort of tired of triangles when we know that Chuck and Sarah are the end game. We'll just have to see what happens, I guess, but I remain wary.
Everything else though? Classic Chuck. All in all, an excellent episode indeed. My happy show is happy again.
***
Castle:
I loved it. All of it. But things I loved in particular:
1. The pacing. Way to run the gamut of light, funny moments (Espisito and Castle's "I own a boat!", "That's so Miami Vice") to the serious, weighty moments (Kate excusing herself from the case, worrying about failing her mom). It hit all the right beats, and I'm happily surprised that this isn't one that they did for sweeps.
2. Nice twist there, resolving the case of who killed Kate's mom, but opening up another can of worms by making the serial killer into a contract killer. Resolution without killing the storyline. Excellent job there.
3. The uncomplicated hug that Beckett got from Martha. I love that Kate has a relationship with Martha and Alexis that is independent from Castle. It makes her part of the family more, without the anvil of OMG Castle and Beckett need to get together now.
4. The silent facial reactions of the cast- from Alexis' "but I want to stay" face to Lainie's eyes conveying the guilt/dread of being right to Montgomery's "oh shit" face to everyone's reaction to Kate performing CPR. This cast is really top notch.
5. The utterly adult relationship that Kate and Castle have, despite the silly banter and pigtail pulling. Castle is a total flirt and a complete manchild at times, but when it comes down to it, he knows how and when to be a mature adult. The "you're tall" line was perfect, as was the "whatever you need me to do, even if it's nothing at all." And Beckett admitting that that she likes having him around was unexpected and awesome. I like that the two of them use their words and TALK to each other like adults, even when they make mistakes, because it's so rarely allowed on TV.
6. Kate Beckett. She is totally turning into one of my favorite female characters because of how smart, real, and flawed they are letting her be. She's vulnerable. She's a fangirl. She doesn't always make the right call. But she's also damn good at her job and you believe Montgomery when he says she's the best he's ever trained because the casual way she let Castle know she noticed the girl and what is quickly becoming her trademark way of giving the worst news show us how good she is. She has her shit together without losing her personality and humor, which is all too rare in TV characters, let alone female ones. It's very easy to see why Castle is completely captivated by her.
I'm really starting to love this show a lot and I hope it sticks around because that was a FANTASTIC episode.
**
24 reaction post to follow later tonight.