Posted 24 April 2019
"Are you sure about this?" Chuck looked across the living room at his wife. He almost couldn't believe it. He wondered how he got this lucky in his life.
"Yep." Sarah smiled. "Put it in." She patted a seat next to her on the couch.
Chuck put the DVD in the player and closed its drawer. After taking the designated spot next to his wife, he asked her, "Why are you doing this?"
She locked her hand in his and pulled him tight against her side. "I know we wrote our own vows, and they didn't technically say 'for better or worse,' but that was implied. We've been through real worse, and I've heard these movies are worth seeing."
"There's a lot of them."
"I know. I'm sure I'll like some of them. If I don't like one, I still get to snuggle with you for a couple hours. I don't see much of a downside to that."
"But if you get a bad impression of them—"
"They can't all be that bad. Millions of people have seen them. I've never had a watching-partner like you who I've wanted at my side. We have the rest of our lives together. I need to figure out if any of this stuff is worth it for me or if I have a lifetime of movie nights in which you disappear for the evening to see them with Morgan. Let's try this way first. We can always stop."
"Why now? Morgan was building back his memories after his Intersect debacle. You don't remember these movies because you never saw them in the first place."
"Why didn't we watch them together? I had to have known that these things are part of what came from marrying a nerd. You like re-watching these movies a lot. I couldn't have wanted you away from me for that many nights."
Chuck turned his gaze to evade the question for a few seconds. He finally admitted. "I was hiding this from you because I figured you wouldn't be that interested."
Sarah gave him a look that said she wasn't buying it. They had been together for a few years.
Finally, Chuck relented, "Ok. We mostly did movies that weren't sci-fi or action classics. You wanted to try a movie once that was in my collection, so we did, and you objected to the movie's portrayal of spy protocol."
"Ok, so we won't watch that one this time. I've seen your extensive movie collection. There are plenty of choices. What happened with the next movie?"
"We never had a next movie. My brain was overheating from the Intersect because my dad hadn't built me a control watch. You didn't like the movie, so when I got out of that mental facility, we did other things."
"Well, the plan is back." She pecked him on the lips and handed him the remote control. "Please don't get frustrated if I have to ask for explanations. That just means I care enough to know more of what's going on. If it gets to be too much, I'll let you know."
Chuck nodded, but he had a another question before starting, "Why this movie?"
"It's on a poster on our wall. One possible benefit from this plan is I might understand more of this stuff."
"You really want to see that first?'
"Yes." She pulled up her feet into the corner between the sofa's arm and seat, and she moved closer to Chuck, both hands wrapped around an arm. He pulled it lose before wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling her right up on his side.
Sarah said, "Let's go. Nerd me up."
After Movie 1 with soundtrack by Wendy Carlos
As the credits died down, Chuck said, "That doesn't have to be your favorite movie, but please tell me you don't hate me because of it."
"Of course I don't hate you. The movie was fine. Why was it called 'Tron,' not 'Flynn?'
"I don't know. Maybe because Tron's awesome. They probably wanted the movie to sound more technological."
"And that's your favorite movie? It was good, but I wouldn't think of it as a favorite."
"'Favorite movie' is a complicated category. There's favorite retro movie, favorite series, favorite sci-fi, and favorite fantasy. That last two can start a debate because of sci-fi that isn't too science-based, so there's another category called 'space opera.' Tron was my favorite movie to watch with my dad."
"That makes sense. I do have one big problem with the movie. Flynn went inside a computer. I know computers don't really look like that on the inside. That's not it. It was just a movie. My problem is it works the other way around. You're not in a computer. You have a computer inside of your head."
"The movie came out in 1982."
"Hartley downloaded the Intersect before then."
"The general public doesn't know that people can download a computer into their brains. My dad gave me the poster, and he designed the Intersect. They reversed it because it was just how they made the story work."
Sarah shrugged and said, "I guess so. What's next?"
"There is a sequel. It came out in 2010, so even my dad got to see it."
"That's a long time in between the movies." Sarah observed. She shook off that thought and said, "Let's do it tomorrow night." She got up and pulled him down the hall to their bed.
Chuck followed after, amazed everything had not completely fallen apart. It was infinitely better than channel surfing, watching a news network, or reading a comic book while Sarah either read old mission files again or did work.
After Movie 2, with music from Daft Punk
"What'd you think?"
Sarah was laying completely on top of Chuck, so they both had watched the movie looking completely to the side. She held on to him tight, keeping them plastered together. "We both know the computer in your brain can do amazing things, but it looks like computers still have to improve a lot before the make people look real when making them look younger."
"It did look like a younger Jeff Bridges instead of somebody else, though."
"But it didn't look as real as the actual person. I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"The person-program Tron was good, right?"
"At the beginning of Tron Legacy, he was working for Clu because Clu controlled everything. At the end, he broke out of his reprogramming to be a hero again."
"The whole movie, I thought it was important that Tron be a good guy. I was relieved he was, but wanted to make sure I didn't miss something because he was still in the computer when it was shut down. I guess it would have been weird if he was walking around with that Alan guy running the company."
"You didn't miss anything. Tron fought for the users, in the end."
"Good. Now that the movie it over. Let's lay together in our bed instead of this couch."
Chuck agreed, "Sounds like a plan."
After Movie 3, a movie about a day written and directed by John Hughes
"You weren't like that in high school, were you?" Sarah asked, lying back on the other end of the couch, her legs entwined with Chuck's between them.
"I didn't ever ditch school and go downtown with my friends, if that's what you mean."
"You were always good with computers. You didn't hack in and change your absentee days on the school computers, did you? My school life was more colorful, but that doesn't seem like you."
"Of course not. I was trying to get into Stanford, so I didn't look for ways to miss school. Ellie was at UCLA when I was finishing high school, but I lived with her. She couldn't afford to deal with any shenanigans back then."
"But you wanted to repeat that day off?"
"The movie was a classic."
"At least you didn't drag Morgan along like Ferris pressured Cameron. Some of those places make sense now, though."
Before Movie 4, aka Episode IV, even though it's normally not called that: Music by John Williams
"Why are we starting with the fourth episode, not the first?"
"That's the order they were released."
"Ok. I trust you. I just might ask a lot of questions if I need to know stuff from the first three before watching the fourth."
After Movie 6, aka Episode 6
"We can watch those again. Someday. Just not too much. But those were pretty good."
"My life is so great. I'm married to the most beautiful woman on the planet, and she'll watch Star Wars with me. I don't think it gets better than this."
Sarah patted him firmly on the check and gave him a quick kiss. "We have all weekend. Let's watch the phantom movie."
After Movie 7: The fourth movie of the series, which is called Episode 1
"Morgan warned me about Jar Jar, but he's an alien. Of course he's weird, so I don't see what's so bad. The previous movie had walking teddy bears defeating a bunch of people in body armor using laser guns."
"Are you excusing Lucas for Jar Jar Binks?"
"I'm not going to 'stick up' for him if this is one of the things that would make me lose all nerd-cred. I still have you as my nerd, so that covers me, right?"
"I am yours. On a mission, I've seen you in horn-rimmed glasses and a cardigan trying to blend in as a nerd. It really doesn't work because you look too good, but that's not a problem. You thought Jar Jar was ok?"
"He wasn't my thing, but the Ewoks were for kids, so I just figured Jar Jar was for some people that weren't me. He wasn't the main character."
After Movie 9: aka Episode Three
"For all of the concern about Jar Jar, his part got smaller in each movie, and he talked at the senate session before they made Darth Sidious the Emperor, so he wasn't left in a good light. It seems like Lucas didn't like him much either."
"Do you understand about the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy?"
"I understand. We can snuggle and watch the first three again, but I don't need to see the prequels again. The laser sword fights kept getting better in each movie, but I've used a bo enough myself that I don't need to see a special effects fight over and over. There are just six movies? That's a lot."
"Well, there's an animated Clone Wars movie and TV show that just finished season four. It takes place after Episode 2. There was also a made-for-TV Christmas special which Lucas has said he wished all copies everywhere were destroyed."
"And Lucas is the authority for all things Star Wars?"
"I wouldn't say that, but... well maybe. Generally, Jar Jar is considered a bad idea, and the prequels weren't as great as the first three. The 'Special Editions' are sometimes considered a bad idea."
"Wasn't that what we saw?"
"Right. Some of the changes were really good because the special effects were getting dated in places after twenty years, but others were considered unnecessary."
"I never saw them the other way, and what I saw was fine."
"That's it for these movies, though. There was this idea of three trilogies, but Lucas finished doing the prequels. I seriously doubt he's doing another three, and he owns the rights, so it's just the six."
Before Movie 10, the beginning of the next series: With music by Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Leonard Rosenman, and Cliff Eidelman
"I thought you said there were no more of these movies."
"That was Star Wars. This is Star Trek."
"There's a difference. You'll see."
"Which is better?"
"Ooo. That's a controversial question. Some people strongly prefer one or the other, but people are allowed to like both."
"Will I like both?"
"We'll see."
"Ok. Get back over here. I want my Chuck."
After Movie 11. Khaaaaaan!
"He was supposed to be the best villain? I still don't get who he was. He came out of nowhere, kind of like Quinn."
"He was in an episode of the original series."
"What does that mean?"
"Oh, I guess you didn't know Star Trek was a TV show."
"That sounds a little familiar, but when we started these movies, I thought I had it wrong."
"The original series was aired three seasons in the sixties. The next three series aired a couple decades later. They were about 170 episodes each."
"Kirk is from one of these series."
"Yeah the first one."
"The prequel series?"
"No that was a fifth series which had a different captain. The last one was set before the other ones and was on four seasons. Kirk was captain in the original one that aired in the sixties."
"That makes a little more sense. All of these people are kind of old. I've noticed movies normally cast younger people, but if these movies were from many years later, they'd be older. I'm not sure about seeing the one episode with Khan though. That sounds like a way to get me to watch seven hundred other episodes."
"We have a whole life together."
"Yes we do, but we have at least twenty more movies, probably many more, to watch first."
After Movie 13: Voyage Home
"Let me get this straight. They brought Spock back from the dead, traveled in time, and saved the planet. But as a result of going rogue and stealing a spaceship, Kirk was demoted to a rank he wanted anyway. How is is that punishment?"
"It wasn't really."
"Then why did they call it a punishment? Normally, the people in charge decide to act magnanimous that they are letting the situation slide, or they privately say how they liked it."
"It's a movie."
"I like the Star Wars movies better than these Star Trek ones. The first has long periods when nothing is really going, so we can put that in the background if you want to just make-out. Or we don't have to put anything on."
Sarah raised her eyebrows repeatedly, and Chuck joined her.
"Understood. The Star Trek universe is bigger if you put the movies in the context of the five TV series."
"Maybe."
"And you've only seen the first four movies. There are seven more."
"I guess we better keep watching." Sarah switched out the movie and returned even closer to Chuck's side.
Before Movie 14: The Final Frontier
Chuck pushed himself back and held Sarah at arms' length. The distance was necessary.
"As much as I love making out with you on the couch, we can't do that again, or we'll never get through this movie. We stopped it in the middle last night and shouldn't keep doing that. This one uses an episode from the original series too, but you don't need to see it. I admit this movie is probably the worst one, but Star Trek VI is better."
Sarah frowned but agreed. She re-positioned them in front of the TV with her legs diagonally over his.
Before Movie 16: Generations
Chuck repeated a warning before starting the night's movie. "This movie is a transition between the first six movies and the following three. It has cast members from the original series and the Next Generation series."
"Are you saying we need to stop watching movies for a while and watch several hundred TV episodes?"
"Let's just stick with the movies for now."
After Movie 19: Nemesis
"This would have worked better if I had seen the shows. That's a lot of movies that assume I already know everything about the characters. You've told me I haven't seen any of these shows together since we met."
"Yeah, Star Trek wasn't the best movie series for your nerd education. Are you still up to continue this?"
"Yes. I liked Star Trek V."
"That probably has more to do with what we kept doing during the movie, not the movie itself. We have only one move left. It's less reliant on a series. There is a new, younger cast, and it kind of resets everything. Sort of. But it still connects with everything else."
"How does that work?"
"Time travel."
Sarah wrinkled her nose. "At this point, we might as well finish the series. But after this movie, we're taking a break from 'star' movies. I know there are enough other nerdy movies."
"What? No Starman or The Last Starfighter?"
"There's two more 'star' movie series?"
"I was just kidding. They are both not at the level of Star Wars or Star Trek. We can see other stuff."
"As long we get to snuggle, this is still working for me." Sarah raised and lowered her eyebrows a couple times. Chuck blushed, and Sarah yanked him down to the seat next to her.
Before Movie 20: A comic book movie with music by Danny Elfman
Chuck was practically giddy. He had refused to tell his wife his choice for the evening. It was a little surprising as Chuck couldn't hide any secrets from her. She hadn't pushed this time, because she would find out soon enough when the movie started.
During Movie 20: During Batman
Sarah sat up and grabs the remote, pausing the movie.
"Why do I know the name 'Vicki Vale?'"
Check didn't try hiding his grin. It got bigger. "On the first day you walked into the Buy More, Morgan said to 'stop the presses' and said you looked like Vicki Vale. I did a little chant thing as I was on hold on the phone, and didn't see you initially. I told you then it was from Batman.
"I've heard of this movie, but I've never seen it. I remember there was a big Prince album in the late eighties, I guess when this movie came out, but I never saw the movie itself."
"You recognized the name because I told you over five years ago it was from Batman."
"Do you think I look like her?" Sarah asked.
"No. You are so much better."
Sarah held a small smirk as she settled back and restarted the movie.
After Movie 21: Batman Returns
Chuck cautiously said, "Do I even want to know what you think?"
"It seemed a little weird for Vicki Vale to be so important in the first one, but she was gone in the second. Wouldn't people buy the whole idea of her leaving?"
"I think most people liked that it was a Batman movie and didn't care what fictional person he was involved with."
"I care. If their love was real, it shouldn't have been written away."
Chuck shrugged. "Next one?"
"Let's do it."
After Movie 22: Batman Forever
Sarah had stayed quiet the entire movie, but once the credits started, she couldn't hold it in anymore. "That was stupid. It was supposed to be the same Batman, but didn't people know it was a different person?"
"It was just a different actor. And the public didn't know who Batman was. With the cowl on, no one could tell the difference."
"But Bruce Wayne was a public figure. People would know that's not the same person. Do nerds actually accept stuff like that? Space movies and superhero gadgets are one thing, but this has people changing."
"Like I said, it was just the actor. Some people don't like it, but nerds get to have long debates about which actor makes a better Batman."
"Is that like nerds arguing about the best sandwich on a deserted island? Casey warned me about that. Maybe we should ignore the whole thing and move on to the next one."
After Movie 23: Batman and Robin
Sarah started with, "I said I'm ignoring it, so I'm sticking with that. I just have to say it appears anyone can be Batman. However, I don't get Mr. Freeze. Isn't he the governor of California?"
"The character was played by the person who was governor until last year. We have somebody else now."
"I just remember the state with all of the actors in Hollywood elected an actor. I didn't realize they elected someone who played bad guys."
"We wasn't always a bad guy. He's best known for the Terminator movies."
"Are they 'nerd-worthy?'"
Chuck nodded.
Sarah pecked his lips and said, "Add them to the list."
After Movie 26: Batman Beyond, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rising
Sarah and Chuck laid entwined as the third of the trilogy ended. It seemed like they found a different comfortable position even time. Chuck patiently waited for Sarah's opinion.
"Those were dark… very good, but less fun. I see why they called that 'The Dark Knight.'"
"Batman had that name in the comics long before those movies. The just ignored it when the movies wanted to be less serious."
"At least these started the story over and kept the same actor," Sarah said.
After a moment, Sarah poked Chuck in the side and said, "By the way… no more faking driving a car or plane with a bomb that blows up. I remember that wasn't fun the first time. I did figure out what this Batman had done, though. I understand getting something like that away from people, but please don't let me think you died."
"Yes ma'am."
"I do have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Batman is supposed to be a superhero. Right?"
"Right."
"Superheroes have special powers, right? Like you have the Intersect, and you're my own personal superhero."
After a few seconds of ensuing kissing, Chuck said, "Most superheroes have special powers. You're just amazing by yourself, but in the movies, virtually all superheroes have special powers."
"Ok. What is Batman's special power?"
"Um, well. He's rich."
"You were a superhero despite the Intersect, despite making $13 an hour."
"Thank you for not saying $12."
"We had your old pay stubs in your file."
"You probably know more about what the government knew about me than I do."
"I probably do. But what about this guy?"
Chuck shrugged. "He's 'Batman.' That's just how he is."
"Well you're my superhero with or without your superpowers and with or without your money. You're better than Batman."
Songs:
"Ending Titles" from Tron by Wendy Carlos
"Flynn Lives" from Tron: Legacy by Daft Punk
"Main Title" from Star Wars by John Williams
"The Imperial March" from The Empire Strikes Back and "Chuck vs The Last Details" by John Williams
"The Return of the Jedi" from Return of the Jedi by John Williams
"Duel of the Fates" from The Phantom Menace by John Williams
"Across the Stars" from Attack of the Clones by John Williams
"Battle of the Heroes" from Revenge of the Sith by John Williams
"Ilia's Theme" from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith
"Enterprise Clears Moorings" from The Wrath of Khan by James Horner
"Returning To Vulcan" from The Search for Spock by James Horner
"Chekov's Run" and some whale song from The Voyage Home by Leonard Rosenman
"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" from The Final Frontier
"The Battle for Peace" from The Undiscovered Country by Cliff Eidelman
"The Enterprise B" from Generations by Dennis McCarthy
"Ba'Ku Village" from Insurrection by Jerry Goldsmith
"Red Alert" from First Contact by Jerry Goldsmith
"A New Ending" from Nemesis by Jerry Goldsmith
"Star Trek" from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino
"Attack of the Batwing" from Batman by Danny Elfman
"Batdance" inspired by Batman by Prince
"Beautiful Dreamer" from Batman
"Cat Suite" from Batman Returns by Danny Elfman
"Kiss from a Rose" from Batman Forever by Seal
"Molassus" from Batman Begins by Hans Zimmer
"Why So Serious?" from The Dark Knight by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard
"Why Do We Fall?" from The Dark Knight Rising by Hans Zimmer
A/N: Yes, we are really doing this for multiple chapters, or I should say Chuck and Sarah are really doing this. After this chapter, they have been doing this for about a month. This has become the start of a final "part 5" which could be called something like "Sarah vs Pop Culture Knowledge" or "Charah vs What to Do on Ordinary Days at Home." (Chuck vs the Doldrums is already taken and has a completely different plot, set after "Chuck vs The Santa Claus.")
The main idea has been hinted by Chuck vs 3XK, one subtle detail in Chuck vs the Hunt's chapter 2, and another in chapter 11 of that story. From this story, it kind of follows up Chapter 7 (but isn't about the wooden Indian in the room) and Chapter 22.