The Bullet Not Taken

Not knowing exactly where to start this blog, I’ll just jump into the topic that’s been on my mind: Chuck never took a bullet for Sarah. Now, in most cases, that wouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, I’ve never taken a bullet for my wife either — but in my defense, no one has ever shot at my wife.

The reason this bothers me is because someone else did. In Season 2, Cole Barker — Sarah’s two-episode love interest — takes a bullet for her. Ever since that moment, I’ve watched and waited for Chuck to make the same grand gesture. But… nothing. As the series drew to a close, I thought they finally did it. In Season 5, Episode 12, Quinn tries to shoot Sarah. Chuck dives to protect her — a perfect setup! But then, no. He’s wearing a bulletproof vest. From a writing perspective, I get it. It’s tough to tie up the story with Chuck recovering in a hospital bed, bullet wound to the back. Still, it felt like a missed opportunity.

Unwilling to let this injustice stand, I started watching for the right moment as I laid out new plots and arcs for a sixth season. And then — there it was. The perfect opportunity. I’ve heard writers talk about how sometimes the story writes itself, and I’ve been surprised by how often that’s happened on this project. I’d write a scene, unsure if it would ever make it into an episode, and then suddenly pieces would fit together like it was always meant to be.

And now? I’ve got an episode where Chuck absolutely takes that bullet — metaphorically, literally, and in every way fans like me have been waiting for. I won’t spoil it, but I will say this: I have finally corrected this... oversight, and I can’t wait for you to read it..