JimRochester

What he said^

Since they are trying to make the relationship such a big part of the plot, they can't make it seem that Sarah falls so easily for whoever she works with or the relationship with Chuck doesn't mean as much.

Michael Corvin

I wouldn't say that. She was attracted to Chuck because he was different, a civilian. All her other beaus were agents first and foremost, and serious. Chuck is a lighthearted friendly guy, it's easy to see why she fell for him. Them working together is just happenstance in this case, IMO.

DJariya

The complaining about Sarah hooking up with Shaw is ridiculous. It's a plot device that has been used millions of times in TV. Remember when everyone was rooting for Sydney Bristow to hook up with Vaughn? And then she disappeared and he ended up marrying Melissa George's character for 1 season. Same thing can be applied to other Will they or Won't they TV couples. It's typical TV couples writing 101. They will hook up eventually.

van der graaf

So, explain EXACTLY how it is ridiculous if it is a tired and warn out plot device? You accepting it is ridiculous.

TGM

They already said that if there is a next season that they will be a couple.

Holy shit.

What a bunch of ragging crybabies.

van der graaf

Way to miss the point.

TGM

how is that? people aren't bitching that they are using a tired plot device, they are bitching that these particular characters are not "a couple". Don't worry folks, when Chuck gets cancelled by NBC I'm sure Lifetime will pick it up and make it EVERYTHING you want it to be.

riley_dude

Very overused plot device and most people are not crazy that they are treating Chuck and Sarah like a couple on Gossip Girl, in and out of bed and then onto the next .
It doesn't work here very well.

Superman07

The boys on a mission together? Priceless!

"And maybe a new change of underwear."

Brief scene, but good segment with Ellie and Chuck. Anytime there is a family Bartowski moment the episode always gets bumped up a notch or two.

Guess I was right last week on Sarah's Red Test being Shaw's wife. Smart move by the writers to bring up a believable plot situation that causes conflict.

My biggest issue with these 12 episodes is still Shaw. For some odd reason tonight - 12 freakin' episodes in - Sarah finally has some chemistry with Shaw and he isn't acted entirely like a wooden board?! How...HOW!? If we had some semblance of chemistry I could have bought Sarah and her reasons for falling for him. Instead, we were left with those reasons by themselves and a "just go with it". So frustrating...

Then, on top of that we're faced with Sarah telling Chuck she can't be with him because he killed somebody. Despite her anger towards Chuck when does she not trust Chuck? Then all of a sudden Casey tells her and everything is okay?... I get that him killing makes him like all of the others, but it has come off as superficial. Despite her reservations it seemed like she wanted to go with Chuck after their last scene together, but maybe I read that wrong? EDIT: From Sepinwall's blog something I hadn't considered that makes the scene sit better for me: I understand the multiple threads for the characters and their plots, both individually and in pairs, but these front 12 episodes have really come across as executed badly. It's been a combination of acting, writing and production since a lot of the intended aspects have come off as unnatural. Again, frustrating since the intention is both logical and apparent.

Now, as for next week...I can see Chuck having to kill Shaw to save Sarah. However, that could come off as forced. Without Casey having told Sarah it could have served very well. It would fundamentally have made Sarah make a real choice, much like Chuck has always chosen Sarah over Sam. Now, is it really the same type of decision of he takes that action? Maybe, but even more pronounced? I think I'm on the fence.

As for cliffhanger will be a game changer; are they talking next week or episode 19?

TGM

Sarah will kill Shaw to save Chuck. You saw it here first.

Blu Man

Good episode, they stepped up their game a bit this week.

Kennyx

Sarah's already done that to protect Chuck. Im thinking it'll be the other way around. Chuck kills Shaw (his first kill), and strains the relationship with Sarah... hence the show can draw out the tension between the two for another season.

Superman07

I think he may kill Shaw to save her, but I don't think it will strain anything. She already knows he didn't kill the guy in the train yard so he's "not that guy". However, if he kills Shaw it's not to be a spy, but for her. I think she'd view those as different.

rfduncan

The 2-hour finale that will air May 24th (which includes a music video+ montage from Jeffster).

RoboDad

I agree. They may set it up so that he ends up killing Shaw not only to save Sarah, but himself as well. In other words, he will have no choice, which is totally different from a mission killing in Sarah's eyes (but not necessarily in the General's).

Superman07

I totally forgot!... Fro Yo-Ho.

Big Boy Laroux

Was it Shaw running through the steam/smoke around the corner from the alley in his suit? That was an absolute superman feel.

kevin75

Baron Of Hell

Really dug this episode but have to agree the bomber was a little silly.

wirefan

Just to be different, I'll say Casey bails out Chuck again and kills Shaw (and that is Casey's way to get back in?)

Then Sarah could:
A) Be happy for Chuck not killing someone and 'changing'
B) Be pissed off for Chuck not saving her
C) Jump Casey as a reward for saving her... she's done just about every other agent she's been with

Superman07

The writers seem to make a lot of call backs to previous seasons and characters moments (reference Chuck's declaration to Sarah and his insertion of 'anywhere, but I'd really like to get to Paris at some point'), so I wonder if the following will happen:

- Shaw may want to kill Sarah, or more appropriately kill Chuck since that would take from her what she took from him
- Would be great if Chuck traded himself for Sarah; during the exchange for him to tell her "Save you later."
- I'd rather Chuck deal with Shaw, but I wouldn't mind a Casey sniper shot

Original Desmond

i know i'm in the minority but i prefer the stand alone episodes

The triangle between Chuck, Sarah and Shaw and the other dramas are boring me

I would also like to see Chuck flash with more different skills than just hand to hand combat. They need to get imaginative. e.g. Parkour

Orbi-Wan Techno

That's exactly what I told my wife when it happened!

Michael Corvin

They are certainly getting their money's worth out of that 5 second animation.

JimRochester

True. I think it was better when the interesect wasn't working so well.