Chuck Episode Recap: "Chuck versus The Break-Up"
In Episode 3 of Season 2, Bryce comes back, a tug-o-love ensues between Chuck and Bryce for Sarah's attention, and yes, there is a break up. But you won't believe who does it and why. So put your spy sunglasses on and jump on the Chuck wagon. All aboard!
In last episode's cliffhanger, just as we left Chuck dressed smashingly in his white dinner jacket over a Sex Pistols t-shirt standing with a bottle of
Château Mouton Rothschild and a single red rose, Bryce pokes his head out to thwart any further affection. Bryce isn't just in town to pop Chuck's balloon, he's here for the new mission.
Back at Buy More, which we recently visited (see our set visits here), the muscle-bound meatheads from the Mighty Jocks Sporting Goods Store have taken over the home theatre room playing the latest PSP hockey game. Led by former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, it's the jocks versus the geeks as Mitt, played by the gap-tooth grinning Strahan, threatens Morgan and the even more defenseless new Assistant Manager, Lester Patel, who faints at the mere notion of a physical showdown. Round 1 goes to the Jocks. Geeks will overcome!
The new Fulcrum threat is a recently stolen top-secret chip that, if decrypted, would give away all government secrets. The assignment — to steal back the chip from Von Hayes. General Beckman decides to send in Bryce and Sarah covering as a married couple passionately in love while Chuck goes in as Jorge the Waiter to see if he can flash on anything. Bryce and Sarah have previously played the happily married couple Mr. & Mrs. Anderson successfully both in the smooching and getting-the-job-done department. In the thwarting love department, poor Ellie sees Sarah holding hands with Bryce but only from behind because she still doesn't know Bryce is alive and a spy. She tells Chuck who is, of course, heart-broken.
The lavish birthday party of Von Hayes is in full swing. Bryce and Sarah play the hormonal couple as Chuck tries to get close to Von Hayes. Chuck is distracted by the sexily dressed Sarah and the provocative dancing she does with Bryce. They're practically dry humping on the dance floor. Chuck accidentally spills a $1000 bottle of champagne of the host only to get fired. Luckily John Casey in the ubiquitous super-spy black van, breaks into the security system to let Chuck back in to do more snooping. Chuck is interrupted and ducks under the nearest banquet-sized dining table as the Fulcrum agent decides to screw over Von Hayes by shooting his assistant and spooking him to giving up the chip in exchange for his life. Luckily, Von Hayes drops his keys to the vault which gives Chuck an eagle-eye view that triggers a flash. Bingo — the chip is on the key chain but oops, he uses his outside voice to tell John Casey how creepy scary the Fulcrum agent is. Said creepy scary agent hears him and points a very big gun at his head. Enter Sarah and Bryce who have to choose between saving Chuck from certain death or getting the chip back from Von Hayes. Against the advice of Bryce, Sarah goes off to save Chuck. She gets Chuck away from the escaping Fulcrum agent who tosses out a high-tech red blinking device which Sarah figures as a bomb at the last second. It explodes underneath a car throwing Sarah to the pavement. Chuck narrowly misses injury only to find Sarah twisted, bruised, and unconscious.
Looking surprisingly dewy and delicious after such a terrific accident, Sarah is lying in a bed at the Westside Medical Center where Captain Awesome, who is studying cardio-thoracic medicine (so he knows a few things about the heart) and Chuck's sis, Ellie check in on her. Chuck brings get-well gardenias, her favorite, to cheer her up. Is he a good catch or what? As Chuck turns to put them on the table he is emotionally assaulted with 20 different arrangements from - guess who – Bryce. Damn that ex-best friend nemesis! Back at the main desk, Ellie wants to help her brother and confront Bryce but Captain Awesome steps in instead. He tells Bryce that Sarah has feelings for Chuck. Bryce is completely unaware of the attraction and has a furrowed brow — is he jealous, angry, or worried? As Sarah sleeps quietly, a mysterious visitor is shown her room only to grab a vacant doctor's white coat and clip chart.
Back at Buy More, Morgan secretly pays off Mitt and Mighty Jocks with new PSPs but because he doesn't want to look like a complete wimp in front of his new love Anna Wu, he practically pounds his chest with bravado authority. It's a cheap win. Round 2 still goes to the jocks! Is there no justice for the less-than-physically-inclined?
Our mysterious Dr. Impersonator comes in to check on Sarah. The doctor pulls out a giant imposing needle to give her an injection. Feigning weakness, Sarah gives him a one-two-three and before you know it, Dr. Impersonator is in a chokehold with that same needle pointed at his throat. Either he gives up the info about Fulcrum or he gets some of his own medicine — literally.
Presumably as this is all going down, Captain Awesome intercepts some more flowers headed for Sarah and gives them to Chuck. Thinking they're from Bryce, Chuck calls the phone number on the card only to find out it's Von Hayes trying to give the chip to Sarah. Using his best spy training, Chuck decides to make his own plan and save the day. It'll only cost $4.5 million in small-unmarked bills. That's a bargain bailout these days. Meeting at the train station, Chuck tries to exchange the money for the chip only to be thwarted by more Fulcrum thugs. Luckily Bryce and Casey arrive for the standoff. Chuck comes in carrying the bag-o-money and buys off the thugs to take the money and run without the chip. They do and he does. Problem solved. Just as they're backslapping each other, the scary creepy bomb throwing lead Fulcrum agent sneaks up on Chuck to get back the chip. Sarah comes out from around the corner with a clear shot but can't because she's afraid she'll miss and hit Chuck. This is the second lapse in judgment Sarah has had when it's concerning the asset, or should I say, her love Chuck. Luckily, from behind, Casey takes her out.
There's no justice at Buy More either. Mitt and his Mighty Jocks are back wreaking havoc in the theatre room. Morgan must confront them to save face as Anna Wu watches. He does by pouring soda on his head. Fight! Fight! The only choice is a Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome-style cage match to the death. Morgan swallows deeply as the gate closes behind him. Mitt cracks his knuckles and his neck in preparation. Suddenly Anna Wu steps in, tripods blazing like futuristic AK-47s. "I don't fight girls," Mitt exclaims. "I don't either," retorts Wu. It's on! With several well-choreographed hits, Wu knocks Mitt to the ground in triumph. Round 3 goes to the tough supportive and mysterious geek women of the world. Victory is sweet!
Back at home as Bryce is about to take off and warns Chuck that getting further into a relationship with Sarah could spell disaster for either one of them. Since Chuck wants to be a spy, Bryce tries to give him his ultra-hip sunglasses. Chuck says, "…I'm just a normal guy who wants a normal life." That's what he tells Sarah. Holding back the tears she accepts his decision. What choice does she have? They're supposed to remain professional but how can two exceptionally good-looking people just not be attracted to one another? For the good of humanity I beg you!
We leave Chuck alone in his bedroom contemplating all that's happened to him as he looks in the mirror. By his side sit Bryce's super-hip sunglasses. Hmmm… maybe Chuck can be a good spy. He puts on the sunglasses and takes a good long look in the mirror. Not bad. Suddenly, his eyes bulge and millions of images pop in front of him. Those are no ordinary sunglasses. Flashes stop and the screen reads "Intersect Update Complete". Welcome to Chuck 2.0.
What did you think about the episode? How was this week's guest star Michael Strahan? Did you expect Chuck to break up with Sarah?
Next week, Nicole Richie pays a visit as a nemesis for Sarah. What other guest stars would you like to see on Chuck?
