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While most of the population is too busy trying to buy the newest appliances or electronics at their local Best Buy, there are other forces at work while a simple laptop technician teams up with some of the CIA’s best to provide the country safety.
Well, not exactly. However, this is the plot that has worked for the NBC based action-comedy/spy-drama television show Chuck for the past four years. Also, Best Buy has been replaced by the “Buy More,” and the Geek Squad is better known as the “Nerd Herd.”
Yet, all of the show’s characters have made leaps and strides since the first episode back in 2007. Charles “Chuck” Bartowski (portrayed by Zachary Levi) is no longer the computer geek, but a cunning spy who is one of the CIA’s most important and valuable assets, simply known as “the intersect.” Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) has become both Chuck’s partner in the field of battle and partner for life. John Casey (Adam Baldwin) has continued to become an even more decorated spy, working his way up to the rank of Colonel, and actually showing some compassion towards his co-workers. Finally, Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez) has stepped out of the shadows and has proven to be a strong addition to the team, helping to keep Chuck calm, cool and collected in times of great stress.
Now, however, in the show’s fifth season, some of the characters have shifted roles. Chuck, for starters, is no longer the super-spy who has “the intersect” to rely on in the field of battle. He has been stripped of his power by a secret branch of the American government who hopes to prevent Chuck from further using his powers. Instead, the clumsy and unskilled Morgan has had “the intersect” installed in his brain and now finds himself in the driver’s seat of one of the CIA’s more powerful weapons. However, he struggles to control his new power and keep his cool in action. Chaos ensues while the four work in the private spy business as Carmichael Industries, working for personal hire to help individuals retain lost possessions and put an end to as much wrong as possible.
Yet, there is one offense that not even Chuck and his crew can fix. The show, in its fifth season, is also in its last season, as made apparent by the producers before filming for the season even began. Even more unpleasant is that the show was moved from its usual Monday nights at 8 p.m. to Friday nights at 8 p.m., sometimes better known as the “Friday night death slot” because so few viewers choose to stay in and watch television rather than go out and enjoy the beginning of their weekends.
Regardless of these tragic pieces of information, the producers are sure to pack a punch in the final season, leaving everything on the table and pleasing every Chuck fan along the way, as the final stand is sure to be an enjoyable one.
Nate Brown may be reached at nbrown3@springfieldcollege.edu