Type: Romantic
Show: NBC’s Chuck
Featured Characters: Ellie Bartowski and Devon Woodcomb
Devon “Awesome” Woodcomb and Ellie Bartowski are perhaps one of the greatest and most underrated couples in TV history. There’s never a dull moment between the two and while their story isn’t often the center of the series, Chuck wouldn’t have been the same without them. If you paid close attention, you’d notice that the way they love one another is truly ideal. The development of their relationship and all-around presence did an incredible job of grounding viewers from a world of outrageous shenanigans that spies go through.
Ellie and Devon are an impeccably solid team—whether they’re comforting one another after a hard day of work or simply adoring one another as they did upon first meeting, they’re always a breath of fresh air.
Devon and Ellie and Teamwork
They faced each of their obstacles head on, but more importantly, they were always honest with one another. It was easy to talk to each other. It was easy to be one. What always stood out above all other things was how insistent Devon was about telling Ellie the truth all the time.
He never truly wanted to be a part of the spy life because it meant lying to Ellie and that would physically and emotionally affect him. If that’s not how a partner is, then they’re wrong. Every single relationship should be based on trust and honesty—the steadfast devotion to always be truthful. The fact that they always wanted to be honest with one another thus, always fortified their relationship gorgeously.
Subverting Expectations in the Right Way
Society and thereby, often times television writers, have a tendency to categorize good-looking jocks as either jerks or idiots and their pretty girlfriends tend to be ditzy or obnoxious. The mean girls, if you will.
However, what Chuck has done remarkably is taken such figures and written them as the exact opposites. Debunking the conception that jocks and or pretty girls can’t be doctors and or genuinely kind people. Devon valued his appearance and took great care of his body, but at no point was he depicted as anything but a kind and loyal man.
Ellie was beautiful in every sense of the word, but what was often highlighted about her character was her mind. And it’s such a relief to see a different take on such a duo. It made their relationship that much more entertaining.
Stability often times bores viewers, which is astounding to me because not every relationship goes through numerous breakups and outbursts, but nonetheless, Ellie and Devon were always a delight on screen. Sometimes, the most dramatic things that happen are threatening illnesses outside of home that allowed them to take care of one another. It’s facing exhaustion together, arguing over appliances, and taking part in Operation Bartowski.
Sometimes, it’s sweet little moments such as not being able to decide on a baby name until the wife brings up something ridiculous like Grunka. Sometimes, it’s one ruined big wedding that leads to a beautifully intimate one on the beach surrounded by the closest people. Life is made up of all sorts of events, but their love was an exquisite depiction of the fact that when you’re married to your best friend, every moment is worthwhile. It was an exquisite depiction of the fact that simple moments can at times be even more beautiful than grand events.
Selfless Choices
Neither Devon nor Ellie had any egos when it came down to promotions, opportunities, or celebrations where one of them might have to give something up for the other.
Their teamwork was easily solidified by the decision to take chances on each other even if that meant that there might be a temporary halt on their dreams. They would listen to each other, choose each other, and make sure that whatever was in front of them, it was the best possible version of what their partner deserved. When Ellie worked, Devon was proud to stay at home with Clara. When Devon needed a break, Ellie was happy to take the escape. Their partnership was equal in every way, but never overtly stamped on to feel showy.
It felt real, because every moment between them was an organic display of healthy adoration amongst two giving (and mature) individuals.
Devon was always awesome, but what made him so was having such an awesome woman by his side. Ellie is his world. He loved and understood her in ways no one else did, and he appreciated each and every little detail of her soul beautifully. He complimented her so often by the third time, we’d lost track of how often. And Ellie looked to him as the ultimate hero. She saw him as the man who’d do anything for his family, and it’s exactly the kind she deserved after growing up in a divided home full of secrets.
There are no secrets between this awesome family—there’s only unwavering love and equality. A dedication to create a safe and healthy environment where baby Clara can grow up knowing she’s loved every moment of her life.
My one wish for the duo is the opportunity to have gotten to hear their wedding vows. Something tells me they would’ve been hysterically and beautifully awesome.
They not only added on to the exceptional comedic relief in the series, but Ellie and Devon give viewers an inside look into a simple, wonderful kind of love that only grows by the day. It’s the simple things in life that are often overlooked, and if there’s one thing we can take from this lovely duo it’s that true partnership is all that matters. A dedication to perpetually be loyal and adoring.
Ellie and Devon can have colossal fun together, but they can also unwind and confide in each other about whatever’s necessary. They can be big enough to put aside their goals for opportunities their partners get. Whether they’re sitting at home watching TV, working, exercising, or pretending to be spies, as long as they’re together, everything’s great. It’s all about making the other happy in any way they can and that kind of love is always the most beautiful. They were, and will always be, a breath of fresh air.
And lastly for more feels, I would like to guide you all to a wonderful little YouTube video I found earlier which gorgeously showcases the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Awesome. Kudos to the editor.