Thursday, November 20, 2008

TV Series Review: Chuck, Season 1


As a Netflix subscriber, I end up watching most of my TV shows a year late on DVD. It's just easier than trying to keep up with a weekly show. Maybe some day I'll finally get a DVR, but until that day, Netflix is my refuge.

I just finished Season 1 of the NBC series, "Chuck". "Chuck" centers around the main character, Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), who works for the "Nerd Herd" at the Buy More (similar to the Geek Squad at Best Buy). In the series opener, Chuck receives an e-mail from his former college roommate, turned Super Spy. When he opens the e-mail, all the nation's top spy information is "downloaded" into Chuck's brain. Chuck becomes, what they call, "The Intersect".

The rest of the series centers on Chuck juggling his private life (family, friends, job) with his new life as a government spy. Chuck is protected by his CIA handler, and love interest Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and his NSA handler John Casey (Adam Baldwin).

I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars on Netflix. Chuck is one of the most likable characters in recent memory. There's almost nothing not to like about him. Sadly, that is one of the hardest parts of the show. While it's a comedy, you end up feeling bad for Chuck in almost every episode. I believe I said "Poor Chuck" at some point during every episode. The relationship between Chuck and Sarah is complex and adds some seriousness to the show.

The rest of the cast is great, and brings levity to the show. Adam Baldwin is terrific. He has made his niche playing this type of character (a gun-loving, pull no punches guy). If you like a light, funny, occasionally serious TV series, "Chuck" is for you. If you like a darker TV series, stay away from this series. I look forward to watching Season 2.

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