Chuck vs Supernatural (Pt. 3)
Sunday, July 27th, 2008
As part of my ongoing experiment of watching Chuck and Supernatural while Scott watches Babylon 5 (See the articles I’ve pereviously written for more details on this), I’m bringing you an update on my progress. I have now completed the entirety of Chuck, and moved through the first three episodes of Supernatural. What did I think? Keep reading to find out.
As it turns out, I’ve taken a strong liking to Chuck. I’m not in love, but it’s definitely a strong liking. What was there to stop me from completely falling in love with the series? It didn’t get to finish it’s first season. It ended rather abruptly due to the writers’ strike. The show had just began to take off, and then it slows back down, and bumps into a brick wall.
Ultimately, I’ve ended up loving just about every character in the show. I even enjoy Captain Awesome, at least for what he is. The one thing that I didn’t love during the last few episodes is the angst with Sarah that happens. I didn’t mind the "will they or won’t they" hidden feelings moments nearly as badly as the "leave me alone, I’m torn" moments. I was glad to see after a couple episodes that she was seemingly back to her normal self. Honestly, I’m a little worried about that in the future, because I can see them bringing that back up again. And if there is one thing I hate in a show the dangles a relationship in front of your face, it’s when they decide to give you a glimpse of the pot of gold, then yank it out from under your nose an episode or two later. I’m hoping that someone will eventually find a better formula for dealing with what fans want in a different and more unique way.
After finishing the first season of Chuck, I happily moved on to Supernatural. After hearing about how it was the series that people enjoyed the most, I was eager to give it a try. And so far? It’s been…going through the motions. Setting things up, letting you get to know the characters. Building up the story. That may sound like a complaint. Maybe that it isn’t stepping outside it’s boundaries. But it’s not really a bad thing, I’ve come to find out. Because they are doing there job quite well. After only three episodes, I feel like I know the two brothers. I feel like they are definitely brothers. And I feel like I am familiar with how the show will go, at least for a while.
This isn’t to say I’m loving the show, or that I don’t expect more. I’m liking the show, sure. But I’m still expecting more out of it. I’m just not expecting that "more" to happen right now. It can continue to build the story and the characters so long as it does just that, continues to build. But other than that, I don’t have a whole lot to say about the show. Jared Padalecki is still the annoying/whiny twit I remember from Gilmore Girls. But in this case, it totally fits his character as the annoying/whiny twit little brother. Jensen Ackles pretty much kicks seven types of ass, as far as I’m concerned. He makes the show, and allows Jared to bask in it’s glow. But again, that’s fine, because that’s how the show seems to be setup.
Looking forward to continuing on. Though I do have to say that the thriller/MoTD/horror elements are still not golden to me. But they aren’t as over the top as I expected. Still, this is the CW. So I guess I should have expected that.
Posted By:
19 Comments
Subscribe to Comments FeedLeave a Reply
Book of the Month
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1-6From writer/artist Bryan Lee O'Malley comes the story of Scott Pilgrim, the 23 year old slacker who's precious little life is turned upside down when he meets the girl of his dreams (literally), Ramona Flowers, and discovers that in order to be with her, he must fight and destroy her seven evil ex boyfriends. Buy all SIX volumes and qualify for free shipping from IST!
You’re damn right Jensen Ackles kicks seven types of ass!! And just wait! He find at LEAST seven more!
That is all.
I’ve been meaning to watch Supernatural this summer but never got around to it. I’ve only seen a few episodes and enjoyed them.
I love Chuck. Did you like Rachel Bilson on the show?
It seemed to me that when Supernatural began, it really did start as a vehicle for Jared Padelecki with Jensen Ackles as support. You see how quickly that changes and as you move further into the coming episodes, and later, seasons, you see that the writers figure out that Jensen is way too good to be support, but that he IS the emotional roller coaster of the show. And yes, Jensen does kick seven types of ass. Just wait for Hell House – it sets up the premise for hysterical/scary episodes – similar to the X-files/Buffy vein.
@Pointy: Love Bilson. Love her. So yeah, I loved her on Chuck as an extension. I definitely saw some Summer in her, but ultimately I felt she did a solid job of being a much different character. Now what I would really love is for her to make an appearance on Gossip Girl. I’d love to see her channel her inner-bitch.
@Jenn: I definitely look forward to more of the focus shifting to Jensen. I think that Jared’s character is supposed to be the one you can sympathize with. And that’s mostly true. But as we move in, I think the connection with “Dean” will become stronger, thus warranting that shift.
I really enjoyed Chuck. Especially Casey. He is one of the highlights for me, and the Nerd Herd. Glad to hear you enjoyed it too.
Supernatural gets into the big story arc about episode 9, Home. For me, that’s when the show really kicked into another gear (with the exception of Rte 666). I agree, originally this show was supposed to be more about Luke (Sam) than about Han Solo (Dean). But Jensen’s Dean kicked all kind of a$$ from the get-go and they figured out the story is about both brothers. Watchout for Sammy though, his character (and Jared’s performance) grows and develops more in the back half of season 1. Looking forward to more comments, especially around the Season 1 finale.
Home is definitely a great episode and is the beginning of what the show ultimately becomes with the Season One finale. Rte 666, IMO of course, was still a great episode. I really think that they do stand alone (monster of the week) episodes better than any show of its kind. The quality of story telling is just there week in and week out. A lot of people point at that episode as being a weak episode, but I don’t really see that at all.
*shrug*
And just for an update: I finally have Babylon 5 as of right this second. So I will be starting it very soon
I agree that Supernatural does standalone monster-of-the week episodes (the scary ones and the comedic ones too), better than just about any show. The week-to-week quality of the show is impressive considering the constraints of a TV show format (limited time and money.)
Question: Should I start with the B5 TV Movie “The Gathering” or the first episode of Season One?
Up to you. Several people have already suggested starting with a TV movie. I’m a big fan on watching TV series in the order they occurred, rather than factoring in prequels and such before hand.
The Gathering was the pilot movie for the series, and aired before season 1, so I’d suggest you watch that first. But like any other pilot, there are several changes from the actual series.
Yeah, I forgot my titles. He watched it, and I’m sure will have some opinions posted on it sometime soon.
Like Randy I’m not usually into suspense but I started watching Supernatural 2 weeks ago and just finished the season 3 finale last night. I loved the show and will definetly be watching season 4 as they come out.
I agree that the show does stand alone episodes really well. One of my favorite episodes of the whole series is Road Kill from season 2, and it didn’t have anything to do with the season arc.
So, I’m almost done watching Supernatural (I just have the season 3 finale left to watch) and OMG, how did I not watch this show from the beginning???
It has everything I need in a show: two hot guys fight demons and the forces of darkness- all to one of the best soundtracks on network TV right now. And I echo the sentiments of other comments- I find Dean’s character far more interesting than Sam’s. Possibly because I know guys like that. Guys who hide behind their car, music, and leather jacket but really have a ton going on in their psyche.
I love how they draw on urban legends and ‘real’ stories for their episodes. It did start off a little shakey but I have to say by the end of the first season it really hit it’s a game.
It seems to me to be a more adult version of Buffy- but not quite as doom and gloom as Angel was. And the balance of humor/horror is awesome. Two of my favorite episodes were Hollywood Babylon and Bad Day at Bad Rock. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard at something in forever.
Ugh, now I gotta wait another month for season 4.
vote for all the podcasts at podcast alley!!!
speaking of supernatural, seasons 1-2 are $18.99 at target stores nation (world?) wide
I am glad there are more SN fans coming! I have been pushing the show on my friends and family since is started. I was hooked from the promos the WB aired.
@Sunshineyness, I agree. I love the soundtrack from SN, the brothers (especially Dean), the stories, everything. It has action, suspense, drama, and humour all in one awesome package. I love Dean, and only could get my best friend to watch at first because of him, lol. I loved the episodes you mentioned, but the ones I LMAO the most in were the eps with the Trickster in them. Did you watch the previously on SN before Tall Tales in season2? OMG, I never ROFLMAO so hard in my life. “Bitch, jerk…” whack, slap……..
The Trickster episodes are fantastic, but I have agree with Sunshineyness… the rabbit foot episode was almost unbearably funny.
“What’s wrong with you?” “I… I lost my shoe…” LMAO
OMG, I loooved the ‘previously on’ for Tall Tales!! I re-watched it three times with my roommate because we were cracking up so bad. I adored the Christmas episode from this year (I loved the vintage presentation of it and the flashback) and the Ghosthunters parody was spot on.
I really love their chemistry together (Jared and Jenson’s) and I completely buy them as brothers. My only wish is that they could keep a female for more than a few episodes before dropping her (I really liked Jo and Ellen) but… maybe next season. I didn’t really care much for Bella though.
And I seriously love Jenson Ackles. I remember him from when he was Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives (shut up. Soaps and super hero comics are exactly the same and I dare to you disagree with me) from the mid 90’s (the height of when I watched it) and I remember thinking than that he was going to go on to better things. I didn’t really like him in Smallville, but that was more of his character (and that he was hooking up with Lana of all lame-o’s)
bu filmin hasyasıyım varya ölüyorum bu film için özellikle sam seni çok seviyorum nolur bir ara türkiyeye gelin senin saşlarına bayılıyorum hastanım senin .I love you sam I love you