Episode Review: CHUCK, "Chuck vs. the Other Guy"

Once again we got a new Chuck this week, and once again I have to proclaim this episode as the best yet (I think that's four or five times I've made that statement).

Last week we got Chuck telling Sarah how he feels, and this week Sarah finally tells him that she loves him too. I know some shippers went bat-shit crazy this year, but the wait was worth it, and the payoff was huge. To me, Sarah's answer didn't seem forced or out of place. It was the right time, the right place, and the right delivery. It was the perfect Chuck "I love you". But don't take my word for it because Alan Sepinwall is way more convincing.

Not only do we finally get to see Chuck and Sarah together, but we have another great relationship forming...between Morgan & Casey. I think Casey's dismissal did him some good, and while he's still a badass, I think he's going to tone down the hardassness until he has to smack Morgan back into line. I was initially weary of Morgan being brought into the inner circle, but I can just see some great comedic moments involving Casey putting up with Morgan's antics.

Speaking of Casey, we also got one of the best Casey/Chuck moments on the plane where the Colonel reminds the Intersect that he was a smart guy way before his life as a spy, and that's what he needs to use to save his dream girl. No flashes or Chuck-fu, just his brain and heart. Great moment.

Of course, I don't want to spend too much time on the plot twist that could be seen from space, but I still think the Shaw arc worked for the most part. Chuck needed a foil for Sarah's attention, a true antagonist, and we got that from Shaw. Sure, Routh's acting was wooden at times, and every once in a while you just wanted to punch Shaw in the face, but that was his role. Am I sad to see him go? No, but I'm not going to blame him for Chuck's downfall. With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Shaw comes back if Chuck is picked up for another season (fingers crossed).

Overall, "Other Guy" was as close to perfect as an episode can get, and to be honest, had this been the series finale, I would've been totally fine with it. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait for Season 3.2, and I still want a fourth season, but I did feel at peace after watching this week's episode. Le'ts just hope Team Chuck can keep the ball rolling.

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