Chuck is sort of a more shy, less self-confident Xander. Sarah is like Buffy, in the butt-kicking and the looks department. (She could use some work in the making quips while fighting area, though.) Morgan is kind of like Oz, if Oz had all the actual coolness drained out of him. Ellie is like Dawn. John is like Spike if he were American and beefy.

The writers also love to throw their geek cred around, like the "Buffyverse" writers. The "What kind of sandwich would you take to a deserted island?" discussion was on the same level as the "Who would win: astronauts or cavemen" debate from "Angel" (Answer: astronauts).

 

With the exception of an occasional "Battlestar Galactica" reference, "VM" was much less nerdy in its pop culture references.

 

I'm hoping that one way "Chuck" differs from both is that it'll handle the romances on the show with a little more optimism. I really don't want to have a plot where John nearly rapes someone to prove that he loves them or where Capt. Awesome cheats on Ellie just because he's not really so awesome after all.

 

At the end of the day, of course, "Chuck" is its own show. I'm happy to let it evolve.

 

- posted by Raoul