'Chuck' - 'Chuck Versus the Final Exam' Recap

(S03E11) In tonight's episode, Clark Kent was taking orders from Superman. Chuck did look a little like Clark Kent in that outfit, didn't he?
Hasn't General Beckman and the government given Chuck enough tests? He probably already has more field time than most of their other agents. It seems pretty obvious that Chuck doesn't actually want to be a spy, particularly when being a spy requires the ability to kill a person in cold blood. He just wants to be with Sarah. He'd be a better tech guy, the "Q" to Sarah's Bond.
More discussion after the jump.
Why even send Chuck out on a real mission for his final exam? Couldn't the NSA or CIA or whatever they want to call the government spy system give him a fake assignment? On the other hand, Chuck likely wouldn't flash during a fake test and then would be left to his natural abilities ... God help him in that situation.
While the entire premise of 'Chuck' is unrealistic (someday someone should invent a drinking game about the ludicrous aspects of the show), the agency must have wads of dough to keep sending self-destructing video players like that.
While 'Chuck' still isn't doing so great in the ratings and it's future may be in doubt as a result, it's nice that the show gives such obvious promotion to the sponsors that have gotten them this far. First we had Big Mike's tailor saying that he's lost weight while Mike was holding a Subway sandwich. Then, they actually have the showdown with Lester and Jeff in a Subway restaurant. Perhaps they'll even carry the "tunaroni" in the future.
The whole Buy More subplot was somewhat silly in context, considering all the crap Jeff and Lester have pulled in the past, but when Ellie, Awesome and Morgan aren't in the episode something has to be written.
The twist at the end was predictable the moment Chuck gave Casey his old gun. It does lead to the interesting situation in which Sarah thinks Chuck is a killer and has stopped loving him as a result while Casey actually now is a murderer. Granted, it's highly likely some situation will come up in the future where he's reinstated, but he did murder a man as a civilian. The writers should deal with that concept in the future, but that would involve giving Casey a conscience (granted, he has changed over the past three years and seems to be growing one).
Didn't Casey torture Lester a few episodes ago? Why didn't that kick in at all? Why didn't he give Lester a keyword to obey his commands? He probably forgot because he was so caught up in quelling the anti-Morgan rebellion.
Did anyone catch the 'Rocky' reference with "Ivan Drago"? Figures.
Did you also notice that when Sarah said to not look back, she looked back? Another hint of her feelings towards Chuck.
This episode wasn't the best, but wasn't the worst either. Adam Baldwin's performance was particularly notable, but then I like his character. As for the future, shows like 'Alias' and 'Heroes' made it to season five while sucking since season two. It's possible, even probable, we can get a couple more seasons out of 'Chuck'.
[Watch 'Chuck' at SlashControl.]

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