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ReviewSexist, yet, provider of much needed giggles in this dark world
This is a post that may not be useful to most of you. It's a post only useful if someone is finding hard to find good giggles on tv, and needs a consistent tv binge watch before going to sleep.
The TV show Chuck does this for me. Me, I've watched way too much tv and movies in my life, I'm an old Gen-X. Seen it all, pretty deluded by the entertainment industry as a whole. And it's rare I find anything funny anymore.
I noticed this show in a binge suggestion list because of the Handmaid's Tale Yvonne Strahovski who I really like as an actress. No two roles could be further apart from each other!!! (superficially sexualised in Chuck, but kickass, but essentially and horribly materially sexualised in Handmaid's Tale, and subservient, this contrast alone would be worth discussing)
So first, I will admit that a whole lot of this negative critique is correct. Chuck vs. Half the Human Race
But, it gives me giggles! (and that release gets me to sleep before half the show is over) and we all need a release. The writing is at times hilarious, and that's too rare in this world. For context, I totally despise Shits Creek, I was never a fan of Friends or Gossip Girl or X Files, nor LofR, or Dexter or Mad Men or Breaking Bad or The Big Bang. I hate romance films. I have enjoyed The Good Wife, Xena, Buffy, Walking Dead, How to Get Away with Murder ... ... non exhaustive list of course. I like my women strong and battle ready. Sometimes they're sexy, sometimes not. But honestly, brutal honesty, if a woman is going to be battle ready, she is likely sexy, by that sheer appeal of physical fitness and battle ready mind set.
Let us not forget, the men of this show are mostly mere stereotypes, and in this regard, the sexism is "equal opportunity" because applied to both sexes.
Adam is not a good actor, so usually they have him grunting, that's about what he's good for, and that makes it perfectly hilarious.
Chuck is not only geeky, but soft and weak and effeminate (he refuses to kill, dislikes hurting anyone, even dislikes tranks) and only goes into action mode when the Intersect takes control. The opposite of most "geek" dudes.
Buy More Guys: total cringe, delete them, or fast forward.
IF you are in need of giggles, and you can overcome the sexism,...
I'm only 3/4 through season 3 of 5. Season 1 and 2 episodes are all pretty much stand alone episodes, but the end of season 2 becomes more intense and season 3 is more arc driven, a little more addictive.
and if you do happen to be into "romance" comedies, Chuck and Sarah have possibly the best chemistry of any show.
I did like Chuck, I binge watched it in university after it had finished airing. Lots of jokes, nerdy references, actors that are recognizable from other sci-fi shows. Carie-Anne Moss, Scott Bacula, Adam Baldwin, Matt Bomer, just to name a few.
The premise is also WILD, but a lot of fun. I am a sucker for spy stuff, and Zachary Levi was the original Adorable Geek for me. Not sure how I like the ending, but I agree that the romance between Chuck and Sarah was very sweet. I think I have the show downloaded, so maybe it's time for a re-watch (when I'm done with Parcs and Rec ).
Pfew! I thought I'd be alone :) Haven't seen all the celebrities that show up once the show was a success, that's coming. For me, s.2e16 was a turning point between random comedy and the more arc driven content. It was a good one.
Thoughts about Yvonne Strzechowski two sexist roles, the superficial sexism of makeup/heels/slowmo closeups, but with kickass physicality, vs the essentialist sexism of rape/surrogacy/prostitution/silencing/torture/death, with total compliance/subservience, to the religious beginnings, of The Handmaid's Tale. I see Canada becoming Gilead under Trudeau. Margaret Atwood was correct on a LOT of things, I just think she got the country wrong!
Woah lordy! I just watched him on Joe Rogan! I think he qualifies as dumbest tool in the shed! No wonder the show if funny, it's truly him!