So another game-changing episode of Chuck has come and gone, and as many holes as there were with the plot, having guest stars Scott Bakula and Chevy Chase helped smooth over most concerns -- even if nobody watched (for a look at the numbers, scroll down).

Bakula (Quantum Leap), in particular, was great as Chuck and Ellie's estranged papa; the way he played up the absentminded professor act made the switch in demeanor upon the Orion reveal that much more badass. That switch is what ultimately saved a reveal that we've all been guessing since we found out Bakula was slated to play Papa Bartkowski. Meanwhile, Chase was only asked to work from his sweet spot, which is acting like an arrogant joker. He had little screen time, but even having him on screen is a win, considering how much the series apes from Spies Like Us and Fletch. Plus, he's Chevy Chase (and you're not).

As many good scenes as there were, the two that stuck out the most were helped incredibly by music. As Chuck makes his discovery about Roark Instruments, Crooked Fingers' haunting "Luisa's Bones" plays, a song about a ghost coming back to take revenge upon her killer, and as it plays through Chuck putting on Casey's tranq-gun gear, the scene felt a lot like the sort of thing Life has strived for but has rarely achieved this season. Both the song and the scenes are somehow made better through their coupling, and that's how music should work.

The second remarkable scene was the tearing apart of father and son, eerily like Spock and Kirk from The Wrath of Khan, and while it would've worked without music just as well, this is Josh Schwartz we're talking about, and you couldn't find a better choice than Glasvegas' "Daddy's Gone." Even though I don't really get all the hype around the Scottish band, the song works great in this context and somehow tricks me into liking the band more. And leave it to NBC to even use product placement through music, with the latest iPod Touch commercial song backer "Around The Bend" (by the Asteroids Galaxy Tour) playing for the TechExpo for Roark Instruments. As if the mention of Apple and use of iPhone and keyboards throughout wasn't enough.

So how did our endangered series play via the numbers? Not very well, I'm afraid. Sure, it was a busy night (NCAA Championship game, a very special House, DWTS, opening day/night for baseball), but you'd hope that with all the promotion leading up to this episode it would at least hold ground. Instead last night proved to be nearly the worst-rated night of the year thus far. So, in honor of baseball season starting, let's just say 'there's no joy at the Buy More, the mighty Chuck has struck out.'

Playlist: Chuck Episode 2.19
1. "Highschool Hoodlums" - The Datsuns
2. "Cool Cat" - Daniel May
3. "Around The Bend" - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
4. "Luisa's Bones" - Crooked Fingers
5. "Daddy's Gone" - Glasvegas

Previously: Chuck vs. the Renewal Notice

Papa Bartkowski: "I came up with in High School"

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