I sure as hell am, and I am officially proposing the moniker change for next season. It’s certainly appropriate considering what went down at the end of the episode, and it fits in perfectly with the geek sensibility of the show. When the writers promised that everything would change on Chuck by the end of this season, they weren’t kidding.
We still don’t know where a lot of the characters are going and what could possibly be planned next, but the stakes are higher than we imagined and the potential for this series just rose exponentially. It’s a credit to the quality of the writing that halfway into this I felt sure that it was almost over, and again ten minutes later. They packed so much action and drama in such a short amount of time it’s amazing they got it all in. And we did get everything.
After Morgan’s dramatic departure from the Buy More last week, it was all too appropriate that Chuck, and Casey, walked this time around. Granted Operation: Bartowski was complete and there was no need for Casey to stick around, but this was a big move for Chuck. Now he’s finally free to get on with the rest of his life, which at the time could have meant anything. Remember he finally got that degree from Stanford. Oh the Places You’ll Go indeed!
He turned down the General’s offer to be involved in the new Intersect project. He didn’t know what he wanted to do but knew it would be something different. Without the Buy More, and with Morgan considering leaving for Hawaii and his own dreams, Chuck was adrift.
All of this provided a beautiful sense of closure for the series. If it were to have ended with Ellie’s second wedding, it would have been an incredibly satisfying conclusion. Hell, even the ending we got wasn’t bad as a series finale. But how how good is it as a season finale!?
Chuck wired up with a new Intersect with capabilities and functionality Orion doesn’t even know about. I’m sure the kung fu surprise was just the first of many that could come. And with Fulcrum revealing that they are just a piece of a larger conglomerate, The Ring, how amazing could the show get next year?
Without the Buy More, though, I’m not sure how they would balance that patented Chuck humor and drama. I would hope they wouldn’t abandon it altogether, but at the same time it would be disappointing if Chuck were to have to return to the Buy More and re-establish his cover. Why can’t he be a college instructor for his cover? Or take over Roark?
I wonder if they’re considering a sweeping change in cast and tone for next year, if they get one. Eliminate the Buy More goons, keeping probably Anna, Big Mike and Morgan since they have a more personal connection to Chuck. Establish a whole new locale and give the show a whole different feel? Do you think that would work, or should they leave well enough alone? I do hope we get another season to find out what they come up with next, no matter what it is!
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Apr 28, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
I’m liking that you are thinking for sure that the show is coming back. I really hope so, but I’m not so sure, since the NBC/Chuck website said this morning that it was a series finale. That’s gone off the site now, so I have high hopes that it’s coming back. I also don;t think they are going to get rid of Jeffster, especially since they launch a website for it this morning.
https://www.joeonthetube.com
Acutally, I think that Orion did know about the changes to the Intersect. During his last conversation with Chase he mentioned something about reprogramming a few things. I doubt he did that knowing that Chuck would save the world once again.
BTW, no one has mentioned that Chuck’s Dad also had an Intersect in his head. That was a nice little twist they could use if both Scott Bakula and the show came back next season.
I like your idea of Chuck taking over Roark. It would also be a great way to keep some of the Buy More goons by having Chuck hire them. Plus, with Roark being such a huge corporation there could be some new goons introduced in seasons 3, 4, 5 & 12 (thinking positive here!).
I watch and enjoy both Chuck and Heroes, but I’d take Chuck over Heroes any day. If NBC can find reason to renew Heroes, why not the show that spawned a band like Jeffster and cool moves like “The Morgan”?
What a great finale. What a great show. I know it was a cheap laugh, but the “Guys…I know kung fu” line had me rolling on the floor. And the music…how awesome is the music on this show?
Please let them renew Chuck, pleaaase let them renew Chuck!
Oh so Chuck is now in the Matrix or what?
Since when does “knowing Kung Fu” also generate the necessary muscles to apply it?
God I try and try and try and every time I’m coming back to Chuck I later on hate myself for doing it. This show’s story has more holes than Swiss Cheese. If only the actors weren’t so lovable. I really like these people but the scripts suck so god damn much it pains me. I’m going to watch the finale nonetheless no matter how much it might pain me. *sigh*
Are we watching the same show? I honestly don’t understand your constant frustration with Chuck. Yep, there’re plot holes…but since when were we supposed to take the premise of this show seriously? Ever? FYI, my friend, your disbelief should be firmly suspended. Do you watch Superman and lament that you just don’t buy that Lex Luthor could blow California into the ocean (or that Superman can turn back time by flying around the Earth really fast)? No! If we only wanted to see plausible crap on tv, we wouldn’t watch tv. Or read books…or have any kind of will to live.
The finale was awesome!
I’m also a little concerned that the Buy More staff will be replaced, but its possible that if Chuck needs to lay low as the new Intersect, he’ll return to a non-demanding job like Nerd Herder again. What that spells for him and Sarah, however….
I was really excited for the episode, and am very relieved that not only wasn’t I let down, it far exceeded expectations!