Chuck Chuck vs the Baby
After last week's feel good Santa episode, this week's Chuck is an expected weaker step that exists solely to provide some backstory to how Sarah became what she is today.
Chuck Chuck vs the Santa Suit
Chuck continues it's breakneck pacing with the revelation of the true mastermind behind the attack on Castle and the corruption of the CIA in "Chuck vs the Santa Suit."
Chuck Chuck vs the Curse
In "Chuck vs The Curse," we delve into a little of the concept that many of us might have believed since the show's inception, that Chuck himself is cursed to live a life of insanity and danger destined to repeat his father's history of being on the run. Fortunately for us, this time the Bartowski has a lot more help.
The episode itself does its job to remind us of two things that we've lost in this season's Chuck. First, Ellie and Awesome (Sarah Lancaster and Sarah Lancaster) are really, really hot. Through out the course of the series, Devon himself has probably spent as much time without a shirt as he has with one on, and this is the first time I can remember Ellie being all dressed up in the type of sexy dress that Sarah wears (coincidentally wearing one of her dresses). The whole episode plays out as a fun "what if we were spies" motif that of course puts them in real danger as they have to outwit the cunning Robin Cunnings (Rebecca Romijn, Ugly Betty). (ha)
It's pretty unsurprising that Ellie is pretty quick to figure out they were really hostages, but it was also cute/funny to see them actually try to help out Chuck and failing miserably.
Meanwhile, we got to see quite a bit of action between Morgan and Alex, whom I have missed since their breakup. Fortunately, it seems Morgan is back to his old silly and charming self, which it starting to wear down the broken and wary heart of Alex. It was pretty much expected that he had some momento of her in his P.A.N.T.S. though. (ha)
With another conspirator eliminated though, we are still no closer to figuring out who the true bad guy is, or what his final end game may be. Next week though, we have a special guest star that you'll surely want to catch!
Other Observations
- "Rescuing Bartowskis is our business"
- P.A.N.T.S. - Private Artifacts, Never to Share
- There was a pretty big OpenTable scripted promotion in the episode. But considering the demographic, it might not be so annoying. OpenTable allows you to make reservations at a restaurant via your phone wherever you are. The key is it will let you find open seating at any of it's restaurants for a specific time in the near future, allowing for semi impromptu outings.
- "Not the face"
- Beckman conveniently clears everyone after Robin confesses, but that still doesn't solve who's behind everything. Also, with that high of a CIA planting, how do we know it will stick.
- Chuck has the spy craft sarcastic one-liner comebacks during interrogations down pat.
- Seems as wiping out the entirety of the world's data also allowed them to disable a lock in a security prison.
- NBC is terrible at the fact they gave away the show's secret villain for next week..well..last week even..in the promos. Come on NBC, who is doing your marketing? I know you are going for viewership, but at this point, what new viewer would know who he is and what long time fan would want to be spoiled like that?
Music
- "Kiss Me" by Joie de Vivre
Community Regional Holiday Music
For 2011, Community treats us to another odd parody of a Christmas special, though this time the target of their mockery is non other than a certain popular musical based show on Fox.
How I Met Your Mother Symphony of Illumination
Symphony of Illumination is another "non funny" episode of How I Met Your Mother that instead plays on the very real emotions of Robin's heart to bring a very compelling and powerful episode similar to last year's "Last Words."
Following up on last week's revelation that Robin might be pregnant, we find that in fact, she isn't. But the worse idea that she actually cannot have children is devastating, as it would be for anyone. It's not quite the magnitude of the tragedy of Marshal's father's death, but it is still a heavy personal tragedy in itself for Robin, despite the idea that she never wanted kids to begin with. The idea that you can never have kids, and you have no choice, is a heavy burden.
Much of the episode actually takes place as a narrative of Robin to her imaginary children that will never be as she talks about how she met their father, Barney. It's a sobering self narrative that talks of some of the internal emotional turmoil going on inside of Robins head as she attempts to process the idea that she will never have children, the highpoint of which shows itself as Robin attempts to justify to herself that it is better this way. She may tell herself that it is ok that she'll never have these imaginary children, but deep down, it's quite obvious that the heartache will linger for her entire life.
Other Observations
- The side story of Marshal putting together a Christmas display is pretty much a throwaway.
- Robin and Barney's kids look like them, and his son wears a suit.
- Robin again enjoys a cigar and scotch.
- Oh'Cana'dorable
- Lily never connects the dots on the "pole vaulter" thing. Ted says Robin never became a pole vaulter, but says in in a way he implied that he knows what she really meant.
- You can never stop me from cheering you up. it's a fact of life.
- "Aw damit, that thing is cute as crap. Screw you baby!"
- Scott enjoys a sandwich in Marshall's house.
- Things the gang would do to help Robin
- Ted would overreact to help her
- Lily would implode
- Marshal would ask questions
- Barney would try to make her laugh.
- "I wouldn't go to cleavland for $125 million over 6 years." - Zing!
- Viking helmet on baby Jesus.
- Marshall's arms are called "Mannheim" and "Steamroller"
- According to the HIMYM Production crew, it took 2 days to setup the final AC/DC Highway to Hell light show.
Barneyisms
- Barney's reactions to Robin's pregnancy news
- Are you sure you're not getting fat?
- Looks like nobody told your boobs.
- One scotch for me, one ice tea on the rocks for mommy! Oops, i think i gave you the wrong one."