"Chuck" - It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life

Man it is beyond wonderful to have Chuck back. As great as the last episode was, I almost prefer this week's "Chuck vs. the Honeymooners." With all the Shaw business wrapped up, this was the first episode where we got to see Chuck and Sarah as a legitimate, out and open couple. And boy, they are quite the power couple. First they had to deal with all the built-up sexual tension over the past few years, and then they were quick to get caught up in some business involving Interpol and Basque terrorists. I'm not really in the habit of recapping things because I assume if you're reading someone's opinion on an episode, you already saw it. If you want recaps, go to ew.com or tv.com or basically anywhere else. So here's what I loved about the episode:

• The fight sequences. This show has, hands down, the best fight sequences I've ever seen on television. They completely deserved the Emmys they won for Outstanding Stunt Coordination. They are absolutely brilliantly choreographed and just when I think they can't get any more inventive, they stage a fight sequence in a train car with handcuffs. I loved the last fight scene with Chuck and Sarah vs. the Basque terrorists because it was incredibly reminiscent of the first time Chuck sees Sarah and Bryce fight together and he realizes that they really are great together. Well, now Chuck and Sarah are great together, like we always knew they would be.


• On that note, Yvonne Strahovski. I think they couldn't have cast a better actress for this role. I haven't been down on her this season like others have as I think her problems committing to Chuck or Shaw were very understandable. She handles the fight scenes in a way that seems effortless, she nails the American accent and whatever other accent she needs (how fun was she as a boozy, Texas wife?) and she can handle other languages as well. It doesn't hurt that she actually speaks Polish and got to use it this episode (I was really proud of myself for understanding a large portion of it). It's nice to see Sarah so happy now.


• We actually got to see some Ellie and Awesome. And they worked in Jeffster nicely as well. I liked the tame Jeffster performance; I normally love it when they get to do their thing. I was happy that, in the end, Ellie admitted that she felt guilty that she was leaving her little brother. All the worrying over Chuck's absences has been getting a little old, and I've been really afraid she's about to verge into Rita from "Dexter" territory, where people loathe her for "nagging" constantly (I never understood the passionate hatred of Rita fans had. Her complaints were totally legitimate!) I really really hope we see more of Ellie and Awesome, not less. The trick is finding some way to include them that isn't tacked on simply to appease the fans.


• Morgan getting involved. I've never been crazy in love with Morgan, and I was certainly hesitant with the idea of him getting involved in missions. But he's loyal, reliable, and turning out to be smarter than he seems. He normally stumbles onto the truth awkwardly, but he knows more than you'd think and I like that they didn't just keep writing him as a one-dimensional, endearing yet annoying best friend.


• Casey's evolution. Once again, they could have continued writing Casey as a one-dimensional, gruff tough guy. But he's changed so much since the first season and he's grown to respect Chuck, which is logical considering all that they've been through.


• "Feelin' Good" as their song. I, like other people, was expecting some 80s song so I was pleasantly surprised to hear this song. It is a really sexy song; I thought it fit perfectly.

Some random fun quotes:

"I can't fake this, Chuck, not with you-"
"What, you've been faking it the whole time?!" - Sarah & Chuck

"My god, you even make terrorist groups sound sexy." - Chuck

"Attention Mr. and Mrs. whatever your last name is." - Jeffster

"Off the record, it's about damn time." - Beckman

"They're having intercourse, idiot." - Casey

I'll never understand how this show didn't catch on. Okay, I can. That damn writer's strike killed its momentum and it never got it back. And the general populace doesn't like shows that you have to tune in for each week to understand, better to watch procedurals that are mildly entertaining but never really go anywhere. "Chuck" is the perfect combination of comedy, drama, and action - who wouldn't love it? NBC would be crazy to cancel it now, since it's one of their only good shows left. (Especially after they unceremoniously cancelled "Southland" and it found new life on a network that actually appreciates it.)