Two words: Roan Montgomery.I'm speaking, of course, about last night's episode of Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Seduction"), which pitted our Chuck Bartowski against the wiles of both aging former superspy Roan Montgomery (guest star John Larroquette) and the ministrations of the beautiful and dangerous Sasha Banacheck (guest star Melinda Clarke), a.k.a. The Black Widow.
How much did you LOVE the flash Chuck got when he looked at Roan's file, complete with jazzy '70s music and pics of him with all of his, uh, lady friends? Or the musical montage of Sarah crawling on the ground and sauntering, her hair blowing in the breeze, to the tune of Huey Lewis' "Do You Believe in Love"? As Devon would say, awesome.
Just a few quick thoughts about last night's episode.
I absolutely loved Larroquette as the soused Roan and really hope that he turns up again later this season. Roan is everything that Chuck is not: suave, sophisticated, and at heart absolutely a coward. I loved that Roan did have an Achilles heel, especially given the fact that Chuck initially looks up to him for his skills with the ladies. (Hell, he even gets sourpuss General Beckman to smile for a change.) I was also pleased as punch to see the return of "Charles Carmichael," who proves himself a somewhat capable student of the master. (But how sad was Roan's "never fall in love" speech?) At least he redeemed himself at the end by showing up at the Buy More to rescue the team... and reminding Chuck about Thailand, enabling him to save the day.
It was nice to see a fun subplot for Morgan that didn't involve the Buy More as he gives the absolute worst possible advice for Devon, who is looking to spring a romantic evening on Ellie but ends up planning the perfect evening for an eighth grade Ellie. (Ouch.) It was nice to see Devon trying to woo Ellie for a change... and failing completely at his attempts at "intense seduction," including Richard Marx tunes, Sister Act, and a Klondike bar. (Never, ever take romantic advice from "furry little bastard" Morgan.)
And, as I mentioned in my advance review of the first three episodes, I was glad to see that the NSA/CIA finally gave the gang a sleek superspy HQ in the basement of Orange Orange, the Pinkberry-esque frozen yogurt place where Sarah is working as her cover.
As for Lester, his shtick (i.e., the Wheel of Misfortune) could get old fast, if we thought it was permanent, that is. We all know that Tony Hale is coming aboard Chuck as the new assistant manager, so it seems like Lester won't be getting too comfortable in his new position any time soon.
And Chuck better not be getting too cozy with Sarah, now that Bryce Larkin has turned up again. (Though did anyone else think that Matthew Bomer looked a little... odd? As if he lost a little too much weight?) Poor Chuck, getting up the nerve to surprise Sarah with romance in the form of a bottle of Chateau Margaux, a white dinner jacket, and a "Montgomery" (maybe Roan did teach him something after all), only to discover that a tuxedo-clad Bryce is already inside Sarah's apartment. Sigh.
Best line of the evening: "His liver must look like camouflage."
Next week on Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Breakup"), Chuck is jealous when Bryce Larkin makes an unexpected return; Sarah and Bryce must pose as a couple on their latest mission; Morgan must face down a gang of bullies from a nearby sporting goods store; Sarah is injured during a mission.
Comments
I hope John Larroquette comes back - he would be a fun full time character, especially since Boston Legal will be done shooting its final season very soon and he'll be back to being available.
The only thing I didn't like - Chuck's communication device... Why did he have to talk directly into the watch when they've had other comms before where he didn't have to? Odd.
All the bad guys are geting hit with Charles Carmichael... Only a matter of time before he starts getting a reputation in the evil doer industry himself!
The one thing that bothered me though is that they put Matthew Bomer's name in the opening credits so I immediately knew at the end that he would be in Sarah's apartment since he wasn't in the rest of the episode.
Can't wait to see what happens next!
I hope the writers will be more original than the typical back-and-forth of people who like each other. She's jealous when he kisses the mark. He's jealous when she's with Bryce. She misunderstands something he says. He misunderstands something she says. Predictable. Boring. But I have faith!
I think Roan as special guest star could be fun, but as a full-time character, he'd quickly bore.