Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger
"Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" | |
---|---|
Chuck episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 24 |
Directed by | Robert Duncan McNeill |
Written by |
|
Production code | 3X6324 |
Original air date | May 16, 2011 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" is the
Chuck revolves around the Intersect, a government database designed by
In the season, Chuck and his team fulfill Stephen Bartowski's last wish to destroy
"Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. According to the
Plot
With
Chuck and Hartley go to Volkoff Industries, and Hartley reveals to Vivian that he went undercover voluntarily, resulting in his transformation into the villainous Volkoff. Chuck gives up the discs from Casey so Vivian and her father can start a new life. Chuck returns with the antidote to Burbank, California, where Decker is waiting for him. A standoff occurs, but as Chuck is backed up by a superior force made up of his friends, family, the C.A.T. Squad (Mini Andén and Mercedes Masöhn), and Volkoff's Spetsnaz paratroopers, Decker is forced to stand down. Using the information about Alexei as leverage against Decker, Chuck delivers the antidote.
The scene then changes to Chuck and Sarah's wedding, after which they receive a wedding present from Hartley. Two weeks later, Chuck returns from his honeymoon to a deserted Castle, where he learns from Decker that he has been manipulated his entire spy career, leading to him receiving the Intersect and facing Fulcrum, the Ring, Daniel Shaw, and Volkoff. It is then revealed that Hartley's gift was all of Volkoff Industries' assets, giving Chuck and Sarah almost a billion dollars. Chuck purchases the Buy More from the government's front company, and he, Sarah, Casey, and Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez) set up their own freelance spy operation in Castle to investigate the conspiracy involving Chuck. Morgan then spots a pair of glasses in a box of Chuck's belongings sent from Beckman. Morgan puts them on and accidentally uploads an Intersect.
Production
"Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" was one of many episodes to be directed by
Michael Ausiello had revealed in March 2011 that the fourth-season finale would be titled "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger".[10] Chris Fedak later confirmed that the episode, as the title suggests, would have a cliffhanger ending leading into a fifth season.[11] Fedak stated that cliffhangers tell "more story", citing The Empire Strikes Back and Batman Begins as examples.[12] The season had suffered two major declines in viewership, one before "Chuck Versus the Push Mix", and another after three weeks of repeated episodes,[2] and it was predicted that NBC would cancel Chuck before the fourth season ended, making "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" the de facto series finale.[2][12] However, a fifth and final season was ordered on May 13, 2011,[13] and is set to premiere October 21, 2011.[14]
"Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" is one of the few episodes since
"...I've always thought of cliffhangers as a great thing. It tells you more story... At the end of season 2, I always imagined that, no matter what happens, Chuck, Sarah and Casey are having amazing adventures, and the story is ongoing..."
– Chris Fedak explaining his decision to write a cliffhanger ending[12]
Yvonne Strahovski is given limited screen time in the episode due to her character, Sarah, being in a coma. However, the episode is augmented with flashbacks taking place five days before the events of the episode, in which Chuck and Sarah deal with pre-wedding jitters by having their own rehearsal in their apartment.[8][16] Thus, Chuck and Sarah's wedding vows are given added weight due to Sarah's being said early in the episode, and Chuck's being improvised from Sarah's.[2]
Fedak stated in an interview on the day of the episode's airing that "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" marks a major transition in the series.[12] As of the episode's ending, the main characters of the series are no longer government spies and no longer work for General Beckman; Chuck and Sarah have received an immense wealth; and Chuck has become the leader of a team to investigate a conspiracy involving his spy career.[8][9][12] According to Fedak, the episode institutes a storyline in which the series returns to its roots. Morgan will be portrayed by Joshua Gomez much like Chuck was by Zachary Levi in the early seasons of the series: as a newcomer to the spy world due to the presence of the Intersect in his brain. Meanwhile, Chuck will be portrayed as Morgan's protector, much like Casey and Sarah were to him in past seasons.[12]
Music and cultural references
Fedak revealed that the music for the season finale was completed the Wednesday night before the episode aired.
Multiple references are made to former
When Sarah asks Chuck what was in the letter from Hartley he responds with "Oh boy!", a reference to the television show Quantum Leap. Quantum Leap featured Scott Bakula who also played Chuck's father Stephen J. Bartowski.
When Clyde Decker video conferences with Chuck at the end of the episode, he says, "I guess this is the start of a new chapter, eh, boy?" Chuck responds with, "I'd watch that boy talk, redneck." This is a reference to Blazing Saddles in which the main character says "I'd watch that boy shit, redneck."
Reception
According to the
The episode received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote that "as Chuck began laying out his plan to be freelance spies, and as Morgan took out the Intersect sunglasses General Beckman had so thoughtfully hidden in Chuck's going-away box, all I could feel was gratitude: I'm so glad NBC ordered one more season, because that is a show I want to see!"
"Let's put it this way. Watching Chuck strip away all aspects of his life for the sole purpose of saving Sarah's life? Fantastic. Watching Chuck and a reformed Hartley Winterbottom talk for 10 minutes in the main hallway of Volkoff Industries without anyone noticing who they were? Semi-excruciating."
– Ryan McGee in his review of the episode for The Onion's A.V. Club[17]
Brittany Frederick of Starpulse.com wrote, "It wasn't the whiz-bang finale I was expecting after all the hype, but it was one that was true to what the show stands for, and that's good enough for me."
References
- ^ Anders, Charlie Jane (2010-04-22). "From Star Trek Actor To Chuck Producer: The Evolution Of Robert Duncan McNeil". io9. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Sepinwall, Alan (2011-05-16). "Season finale review: Chuck - 'Chuck vs. the Cliffhanger': Saving Sarah". HitFix. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
- ^ a b Jester, Alice (2011-03-21). "C2E2 Report: Interview With Chuck Executive Producer Chris Fedak". TV For the Rest of Us. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- Warner Bros. Television. Wootton credited at 07:47.
- ^ "Chuck Episode: "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger"". TV Guide. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
- ^ White, Cindy (2011-05-14). "Chuck: What to Expect in the Season 4 Finale". IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
- ^ "Chuck : Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger". Zap2it. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Goldman, Eric (2011-05-16). "Chuck: "Chuck Versus The Cliffhanger" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-16.
- ^ a b c d e f Frederick, Brittany (2011-05-17). "Chuck 4.22 'Chuck Versus The Cliffhanger' Review". Starpulse.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (2011-03-15). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Glee, Bones, Castle, Fringe, Chuck, Fringe and More!". TVLine. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
- ^ Moro, Eric (2011-03-25). "C2E2: Chuck S4 Secrets Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sepinwall, Alan (2011-05-16). "Interview: Chuck co-creator Chris Fedak post-mortems season 4". HitFix. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
- ^ Hibberd, James (2011-05-13). "Official: NBC renews Chuck for final season". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-05-13.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (2011-07-06). "NBC Announces Fall Premiere Dates - Chuck, Grimm Premiere October 21; Early Premiere for Parenthood". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (2007-10-09). "Chuck: "Chuck Versus the Tango" Review". IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
- ^ a b c Gibson, Brody (2011-05-17). "Chuck – "Chuck Versus The Cliffhanger" – review". Boom Tron. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ a b c d McGee, Ryan (2011-05-16). "Chuck Versus The Cliffhanger". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
- ^ "Chuck Panel: Comic-Con 2011". NBC. 2011-07-25. Archived from the original on 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (2011-05-18). "Monday Final Ratings: Dancing, Hawaii Five-0, How I Met Your Mother, Mad Love, Mike & Molly Adjusted Up; The Chicago Code Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (2011-03-15). "Monday Final Ratings: Harry's Law Adjusted Up; No Adjustment For Chuck, The Event Or Any Other New Show". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
External links
- "Chuck Versus the Cliffhanger" at IMDb