Five Reasons to watch and 5 not to watch

[SerenityValley]

From TV.com:

NBC's spy comedy returns for season two on Monday; five reasons to watch and not to watch it inside.
In Five Reasons, TV.com takes an early look at upcoming episodes of shows and scoops what's good and bad about the program we just watched. We're not telling you to watch it or telling you to avoid it--we're just offering up our two cents as a helpful guide.

"That's kind of you to say, but I think my girlish screams in the face of danger kind of give me away"--Chuck Bartowski, Chuck

That's pretty much sums up most of the unsuperspy's missions in NBC's Chuck. The program was one of last fall's refreshing debuts, bringing a unique formula to Monday nights that mixed impressive action with geeky comedy.

Zachary Levi stars as Chuck, a normal Joe who just so happens to have every single government secret uploaded into his brain. The CIA and NSA both target Chuck as an asset, and the slacker begins working undercover with a pair of field agents, hottie Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and John (Adam Baldwin), while juggling his boring job as a tech guy at a Best Buy clone.

Chuck was cut short because of the writers' strike last season, but gets right back to spy games on Monday with the second-season premiere. Should you spy Chuck with your little eye? Five reasons to watch and not to watch follow.

Five reasons you should watch Chuck

1. The cast
Levi plays bumbling and spineless like he's done it his entire life, and you can't help but root for the guy, whether he's dodging bullets and trying to make moves on Sarah. Burly Adam Baldwin is good in everything he does, and is skilled at delivering subtle comedy between intimidating poses--he may snap your neck, but you just might die from laughing first.

2. It's put together well
Sometimes a show just looks good--Chuck is one of those shows. Viewed in HD, Chuck pops on the screen with bright colors, some creative camera tricks, and a general pace suitable for Ritalin junkies.

3. Appeals to the geek in all of us
Star Wars references, Call of Duty shout-outs...Chuck isn't afraid to let its nerd flag fly. And including Huey Lewis & The News? Yes, please!

4. Action action action!
Explosions! Car chases! Gun fights! Fist fights! YES YES YES!

5. Big Mike
Chuck's boss at the Buy More store where he works is hilarious. He hates his job, hates people, and doesn't understand responsibility.

Five reasons you shouldn't watch Chuck

1. Smacks of McG
Producer, director, in-your-face dude McG has put his stamp all over Chuck, and it can get a touch annoying. Known for leaning towards style over substance and shooting everything like its a Mountain Dew commercial, McG is felt in the almost constant soundtrack, unnecessary flamboyance, and gratuitous shots of Yvonne Strahovski in her skivvies. Okay, that last part isn't that bad, actually.

2. Still confused about the brain thing
So... Chuck uploaded all the secrets into his brain just by opening an e-mail? Really?

3. Some sappiness ruins the pace
Chuck chugs along at a blinding pace, but then all of a sudden hits walls with some sappy moments. It's a bit bi-polar, really.

4. Some seriousness ruins the pace
More bi-polarity here. At heart, Chuck shouldn't be taken seriously...it's a fun, goofy show. So when the few moments of seriousness sink in, it's a bit of a bummer, dude. We're already suspending belief, let's not make things too complicated.

5. Doesn't totally pop as a premiere
We were very excited to get our Chuck on again after a long hiatus, but left slightly less than super-satisfied after watching it. Don't get us wrong, it's good, we were just hoping for--as Chuck's sister's boyfriend says--"Awesome."

Chuck returns for season two on NBC on Monday at 8 p.m. Have a look and tell us what you think!

[Saxon]

[spoiler]Yeah, what's with the segment that shows Chuck getting ready for his date, and of course has to change his shirt three times *very purty*, Sarah getting ready, putting on make up while in her undies, then putting on a clingy underwear body suit thingy...but when they flash to Casey, who is getting ready to 'follow orders', he's not in his 'all together'? Why can't he be shirtless?? I've love it if they did show him, and have him all scarred up from all the missions...but yeah, unfair display of undress there. Doesn't McG know there's an audience for that? And btw..what kind of name is McG for a 40-something redheaded white guy? When I saw him, and heard them call him by that name, all I could think of was the song 'Pretty Fly for a White Guy'. heh.[/spoiler]