Chuck (S5 E1) Versus the Zoom Review

Chuck is back for its 5th and final season, and unlike most shows this far into their lifespan, Chuck has reinvigorated itself and hopes to go out on a high note. A feat which seemed increasingly impossible every year that went by.Chuck infamous for being perpetually "On the Bubble" was miraculously renewed by the skin of its teeth last year. As an immense fan of this show, I am extremely excited to have Chuck back for one last round. This is a show unlike anything on TV a show that progresses its characters and plots forward in believable and engaging ways, its a show that unfortunately gets short changed year after year, but Chuck is getting one last Hurrah and I couldn't be happier.

Season 5 begins a few months after recovering from the myriad of cliffhangers the show ended on last year. With the Intersect out of Chucks head and inside Morgans'. Team Bartowski has separated themselves from the CIA and started up their own freelance spy business, and with the final realization that everything in Chuck's life has been seemingly orchestrated by some of the most powerful people in the world, Chuck Season 5 has a lot to cover in its 13 episode final season. The Zoom starts with a cold open, Chuck and Sarah have been captured by a slimy euro-trash aristocrat played gleefully by Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Morgan is their last resort to get out of this alive. Which brings me to my first worry, Morgan is a character who even in small doses can be very overwhelming, his attitude is a fun foil to Chuck but a Morgan who thinks he is bad-ass risks becoming obnoxious very quickly. Thankfully Morgan is toned down, even if our favorite spy team is relying on him to complete missions, he is still incompetently endearing.

While this episode was a great season opener including all the thing that continue to make this show great, witty comedy, insanely hot outfits for Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah) to wear and a sincerity often lost in most modern television shows. The episode lacks any real forward progress, understandable since they have to introduce a whole new dynamic for the show but the only hint to the future was an ominous speech at the end of the episode from Clyde Decker a CIA agent out for revenge. The spy mission in this episode quickly becomes generic and an accuse to do some light spying while we see Chuck dealing with not having the Intersect and feeling more and more like the third wheel. As well as Morgan and his shenanigans having the time of his life as the Intersect. And how can we forget the furthering adventures of Chuck and Sarah's relationship. Sarah and Chuck married is a lot like Sarah and Chuck engaged which was a lot like Chuck and Sarah dating, its all a series of adorable and sweet romantic scenes spruced up with sex and laughs, its all a bit familiar,but damn me if it isn't satisfying to see a couple with such great chemistry on TV actually getting and staying together.

Chuck Versus the Zoom was a welcome return from a fantastic show if a bit unnecessary and redundant, its the groundwork for whats to come, and so gave us just a taste of the new and invaluable Morgan; a Chuck who needs to balance a profiting business, keeping his smoking hot wife happy, and coping with the fact that he no longer has the Intersect. Chuck is a show that for reasons that I cannot fathom speaks to me, a show that makes me smile from beginning to end, and a show I have become so invested in I am sad to see it go. I will save my tears for when the show is officially over, but till then I intend to enjoy every last second.

(3 out of 5)