Idiot Boxers Review: Chuck, Third Season Finale
TV review by Merrill Barr, co-host of The Idiot Boxers
Show: Chuck
Airs: FOX, Mondays, 8pm
Episodes: Season Three Finale
NOTE: This article contains spoilers after the first paragraph.
This season of Chuck took its title character to a place we have wanted to see him go for a while, the real spy world. This season was all about Chuck becoming the person he was always meant to be. The ending of this season, was Chuck’s final test if you will, and the final moments prove the suspicion we all already had.
When we last left Chuck we learned that his father had developed a way to control the intersect and keep it from “over heating” Chuck’s brain. We have also been confirmed in Chuck’s suspicion that Shaw is still alive. The last episode also left Ellie in a “CIA” base with her “handler.” When this episode begins everything is the same except that Chuck has spotted Shaw. Finally, Shaw’s face is seen for the first time in weeks. Everything is confirmed and so begins the build up to their final confrontation.
But some other things had to happen. First, the major development in the series is that Chuck no longer has to keep secrets from anyone. While attempting to break into the facility, he accidently finds Ellie who in turn learns the truth. This adds some much needed purpose to her character. Like Devin and Morgan before her, Ellie knowing Chuck’s secret puts her in peril, which is something we have all been asking for, for a while. She also finally takes priority over Sarah in one fell swoop when she goes “is my husband safe with you?” “Yes, why?” “Good, Chuck and I need to talk” and she speeds off with Chuck, brilliant move on the writers’ part.
Speaking of Devin and Morgan, they finally came into their own as well. In their own comical way that is. The dynamic of Devin and Morgan has changed greatly this season since learning the truth. From their reactions to finding a gun in Casey’s glove box, to firing a rocket at Chuck’s prison truck, they both grow a lot as characters. Something they have needed to do since season one.
We also see a “resolution” to the Casey-has-a-child story line. Alex learns the truth and this actually gives Adam Baldwin a chance to act like more than a comical tough guy. He still maintains his charm through his word less grunts though. One of the best ever came when the rocket blows up the prison truck he and the rest of the team are in, he sits up and realizes it was Morgan and Devin and he just silently groans and lays back down. Perfect comedic timing and, once again proving why he is one of the best characters in the series.
The first half of the finale ends on a very emotional note when Shaw kills Chuck’s father. This is one of those things you just never see coming. There was no reason to kill Chuck’s father. He is a guest character that only pops in from time to time. Killing him is far from expected, and quite frankly, a brilliant move. By killing him, Chuck now has a reason to take revenge on Shaw.
All of this leads to the final battle between Chuck and Shaw. This is one of the best fights we have seen in the entire series. With homage paid to everything from The Matrix to John Woo, Chuck and Shaw settle everything in their battle of intersect control. Eventually leading to Chuck gaining the opportunity to kill Shaw but chooses not to because “he already did that once.” That is when Sarah says the one thing we all needed to hear “that is what makes you great.” Though there are those who argue that Chuck can’t be a true spy if he doesn’t kill anyone, I argue that that’s what makes Chuck work. What’s the fun in having him kill everything in his path?
The fight also leads us to the final twist of the season. The twist lies in Chuck’s past however. We learn that Bryce Larkin was not the first person to give Chuck the intersect. No, that person was… Chuck. That’s when we learn why Chuck is special. He has been that way since birth. But that is not all. In one last move to kick off next season, we learn that Chuck’s mother is more than just a runaway.
So what are we supposed to make from this season? Well, that’s simple. This is the season that we have been waiting for. Chuck’s secrets are known, and he is finally the spy we have all wanted him to be. It will be interesting to see where the writers take the series with their reveal in the finale moments of the finale. I will say this though, with LOST and 24 now off the air, Chuck is the last great broadcast TV hero we have left.
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Tags: Chuck, CIA, NBC, Season Finale
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Kevin Carr crawled from the primordial ooze in the 1970s. He grew up watching movies to the point of irritation for his friends. He was a font of useless movie knowledge until he decided to put that knowledge to good use. He is now a professional film critic read worldwide, much to the chagrin of Michael Bay.
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