Chuck: Series Review

It was 5 years ago when NBC took a chance on a new action comedy from the creator of “the O.C.” called “Chuck.” The show was a hit when it first came out, but like almost everything that was released that year it fell victim to the writer’s strike. Shows that were building an audience ended suddenly and didn’t come back for a long time. Since the series weren’t built to handle a short run when they came back for their second season the audience just wasn’t there, such was the case with “Chuck.” Every season from then on it was always a last minute decision on if the show would come back. Sometimes the show would only get a half season order just to get additional episodes added half way through. Thanks to NBC go through a nose dive ratings wise over the past 5 years we have been lucky to get “Chuck” for as long as we did.

“Chuck” became a show that if you were a nerd growing up in the 90’s then the show was made for you. Callbacks to great pop culture events from the 90’s was common place and was more than appreciated. Throwing in guest actors like Scott Bakula, Chevy Chase, Linda Hamilton and Timothy Dalton made the show feel special, like they were casting the show for people like me. After reading interviews with the creators I have realized that this is exactly what they were doing, but not to necessarily entertain me, but to entertain them. Add this to the great homage episodes to movies like “Die Hard” and “Star Wars” and the show was nerd heaven.

But the real heart of “Chuck” was in the story. I can’t really recall a couple that I loved more than Sarah and Chuck. The two of them together was what I wanted from day one and unlike other shows, once they were together it just worked. I never got bored with them as a couple and I was happy that the two of them got a happy ending. The journey they went through demanded it. But besides them we also got great side characters. John Casey grew so much over the series that I was disappointed to see him leave at the end. I wanted him to stay and keep guarding his picture of Reagan. Morgan, a character I thought I would hate for the run of the show turned into a great character. Not to mention all of the side characters throughout like Big Mike and Captain Awesome.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with Chuck. The show moved forward and adapted to the network requirements that made them craft 4 or 5 different series finales. Chuck ended when it should have and remained good throughout. It’s one of those shows that I always enjoyed watching, but probably won’t watch again anytime soon. Maybe in a few years on reruns, but for now my time with Chuck is finished. I give the series a very nerdy 4 out of 5 stars.