Chuck 1.2

Chuck isn’t the big convoluted drama that Heroes is so it probably doesn’t really need a post every week.

But if I post about Chuck every week, I get to go hunting for Yvonne Strzechowski pictures every week. Therefore, I think posting about Chuck is a great idea.

Last week, I wrote my review of the pilot. What really stood out about it was the promise of a great show to come, with a cast of characters worth watching.

This episode was the first step in the realization of that premise.

Most of the shaky plot and incomplete character portraits were ironed out by this episode, and we get to see the show settle in to its whacky concept.

Chuck is now being watched by NSA Agent Casey (aka Jayne) who works at the Buy More (aka Best Buy) with him. This alone delivered a few laughs, such as the opening scene where Casey chases down a shoplifter and almost beats him silly.

Then there’s Sarah who now works at the Wienerlicious across the street. From this vantage point she can keep an eye on Chuck while the local teenage boys keep an eye on her in her hot German garb.

We find out that part of Sarah’s cover is to be Chuck’s girlfriend, which sets up some obvious humor and angst. This sort of stuff drives comedies, but the writers have to remember that keeping them apart is key to making it all work.

One of the highlights of the episode is a Wienerlicious fight scene between Casey and Sarah. Like the dance club fight scene from the pilot, this scene uses improvised weapons and impossible agility for a good laugh.

Chuck’s friend was less of a downer this time around, but his sister is about the worst actress on the planet. I’ve literally seen paper bags act better than her.

Overall, Chuck is gaining momentum and as long as it keeps up this level of humor I’ll stick around. It’s not the funniest show I’ve ever seen, but the charismatic cast makes the entire thing totally worth the time investment.