In the day 2 article, I discussed the shipping, or not shipping, of Chuck and Sarah. This time, let's discuss the weight of that romantic relationship. Why was it so potent? What drove fans into such a wild frenzy, not seen on most shows?
From the moment she meets Chuck, Sarah is smitten. This cold-blooded, hard-nosed, martial arts and weapons master who kills on command suddenly finds herself in a dizzying situation. She's instantly in love but doesn't know it. All she knows is that she has to protect this weird, big-bird tall geek, Chuck Bartowski. Even when her bosses try to pull the plug, having only known him for a few minutes, she fights to keep him safe. Is it because the mission is that important to her? Sarah of season 1 would at least want you to believe that. Though, Sarah of midway through season 3 will confess otherwise.
Sarah Walker, aka Jenny Burton, aka Sam Lisa something, fell in love with Chuck the moment she met him. But how is that possible? Instant true love? Is that even real? Does it need to be?
Funnily enough, everyone around them recognizes that Sarah has feelings for Chuck. Everyone that is but Chuck. He, along with the audience, is constantly guessing whether her actions are for the mission or for him. And yet he never gives up trying to tell her how he feels about her. Well, maybe a couple of times he gives up, like when he decides to go date other girls (Lou, Jill again, and hot little Hannah).
No matter what got in the way of their potential love, they eventually (never with many episodes in between) returned the show back to Chuck pining for Sarah. And Sarah either pining or hiding her pining for Chuck. This constant pulling at the heart strings of the audience is part of what made people so passionate about the show. It is definitely what helped motivate the shippers and crazy shippers to write inspired comments all over the Internet about the show.
But why did Sarah fall for Chuck? A beautiful CIA agent who could have any man. Who, previous to dating Chuck was with a man so beautiful that it could blind you, Bryce Larkin. And then was sexed up by a smoldering super spy from England named Cole Barker. Finally, before fully giving herself over to Mr. Bartwoski, she had a tall, dark, and massive Daniel Shaw to show her every position in the book.
Yet only Chuck won her completely. Sure, Bryce died. Cole probably got stuck in some blood sausage factory in Essex. And Daniel Shaw? Well, there was the small matter of her killing his wife and he then trying to kill her. So, perhaps she just ran out of options? Hell no! She was smitten from day one. Chuck was the opposite of her. He represented the things she wanted in life. Friends, family, love, kindness, and above all else, nerdy cuteness! Sarah fell for Chuck because he made her feel the way she wanted to feel. She fell for him because he was willing to die for the people he cared most about, even when he should have known better than to try to save the day. And perhaps most of all, she fell for him because Chuck would put his very awkward and untrained life in danger over and over to save HER.
Why did Chuck fall for Sarah? Because she's a hot blond. Duh.
And maybe because he could see in her eyes the love she felt for him and it made him feel like he could do anything. Because, boys and girls, if the person you think you are in love with doesn't make you feel like you can slay a dragon while curing cancer and figuring out warp drive technology all while changing poopy diapers, don't marry them. Die alone.
Chuck and Sarah reminded their shipper and crazy shipper and romance loving audience what falling in love should feel like. Over and over and over and over again. Each week, like it was a new experience.
So, what did you think about the Chuck and Sarah romance over the years? Why do you feel it worked so well?
(Side note: they say beautiful women are happier when they marry men who are not as good looking)