While the episode isn't up to the new standards set by the first three episodes this season, "Chuck vs The Cougars" did provide one of the best music moments of it's short life. Yvonne Strahovski and Nicole Ritchie beating each other up to The Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" -- in a shower, no less.
And while the plot was lacking, there was even more pop cultural references than normal, most in the setting of Sarah's high school reunion. Gross Pointe Blank was an obvious one (a Russian hit man posing as a student? Check). Nicole Richie's mean girl character name is Heather Chandler (Heathers). Ben Savage's character name is Mark Ratner, one of the geeks from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. At the end, when Sarah (Jenny) is crowned queen, it looks like an homage to the infamous scene from Carrie. And finally, at the Buy More, the cleanup pays lip service to Risky Business, right down to the Tangerine Dream-like score. Add to that a lot of hits from 1998 and you have the potential for a classic Chuck episode, but for some reason, some things just didn't click. Things I'm glad for: The development of Secret Agent Charles Carmichael. Finally a back story for Sarah. "Yeah sorry, I'm working out some childhood issues." Indeed...speaks volumes for that simmering angst we see on display every so often.
Playlist: Chuck - Episode 2.04
1. "Tubthumping" - Chumbawamba
2. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" Backstreet Boys
3. "Mmmbop" - Hanson
4. "Beautiful Disaster" - 311
5. "I Don't Want To Wait" - Paula Cole (Dawson's Creek theme)
6. "Smack My Bitch Up" - Prodigy
7. Tangerine Dream (from Risky Business?)
Previously: Bryce is a Tool (Episode 2.03)
1 comment:
I always loved "Chuck" ever since its unlikely pilot story, but this one was genius! The shower scene was a sweet catfight, and when Sarah emerged victorious the Carrie connection was obvious. What gives this ep 5 stars was the celebration of geekdom: Ratner and Chuck and Jenny turned out well, while the jock and Heather are Russian collaborators. =)
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