To be honest, I’m quite tired of the “Chuck vs. X” naming convention, but I suppose each show needs their gimmick.
Ratings for last night’s episode are out, and things look good. According to The Programming Insider
“Over at NBC, it looks like Chuck has settled in, with 8.23 million viewers (#2) and a 3.2/ 9 among adults 18-49 (#2t) from 8-9 p.m. While the results could certainly be worse, one year earlier former occupant Deal or No Deal averaged 17.47 million viewers and a 5.2/14 in the demo.”
Last week’s ratings were in the 7 million range, which means that Chuck is going back up on the charts. Online reviews are mostly positive. Several are saying that last night’s episode was the best one yet.
I can’t say that I agree or disagree on that front. I’m beginning to wonder if the show is moving too quickly. They’re revealing so much so quickly, where will they have to go from here? But it was a fun episode, and I like how it started to focus on Sarah’s character and fleshing her out as more than just a girl who fights in a short skirt. The show does like it’s eye candy though, doesn’t it?
On thing does seem to be universal: people aren’t liking Morgan. Most reviews that mention him are negative, the fan blogs focus on Casey, Chuck, and Sarah. People beg for more Captain Awesome, but Morgan? I think this episode was his poorest showing yet. It’s a common theme in television: if you have a main character who is a geek or socially inept, you easily make him likable by having a geekier best friend who is MORE socially inept. I think Chuck would be perfectly likable if his best friend wasn’t a clueless hanger-on. I start to pity Morgan after a while, and I don’t really think that’s what the writers are aiming for.
This post was Authored by Elizabeth, Our Resident Authority on all things Chuck
Comments
I like this show. I think it’s one of the best new shows of the season.
I disagree about Morgan. I like that character.
As far as the show moving too quickly, that seems to be true of a lot of new shows in the four years. Many come out of the gate so fresh and so strong, that they have almost no place to go but down. It’s not like the ’80s & ’90s when a show could incubate for a few seasons and finally hit its stride by year 3 or 4. Nowadays, it’s usually the exact opposite. You got to make an impression by middle of season one, and even you do and get renewed, you risk the sophomore year slump.
I do worry that the romantic tension between Chuck & Sarah may peak by mid to late season one, leaving too much room for misdirection and relationship stalling in future seasons.
I would disagree…sort of with the Morgan character. The writing for him was spot on for the first episode and then stopped abruptly for ep.2 on. I don’t know why, I realize he’s a Seth Green wannabe, but I liked him alot in the first episode, much wackier, much MUCH funnier, and then …yea. Oh well.
Initially I watched the show simply out of curiosity. I am now a fan who has grown to look forward to Mondays because of “Chuck”. It’s an engaging show with nice writing, and the characters are being developed along nicely.
Zackary Levi, what a find. He’s the total package, great comic timing, expressive, able to go from a humorous scene to a sensitive scene and convey the emotion believably. The fact he’s got gorgeous eyes, lovely to look at simply gravy.
Here’s to hoping NBC realizes what a great little show this really is.
I’m SO on the “send Morgan to a Buy More in Zimbabwe” train. Though I’m certain the awkward he brings is planned- it makes me look away from the screen. I end up cringing through his every scene. I would happily trade 18 Morgans for just one more Adam Baldwin scene every week. Long live creepy neighbor Agent Casey! Whoowhoo!