Chuck Episode Recap: "Chuck versus The Cougars"
Before we even get to the opening credits we are blessed with a circa 1998 flashback of Sarah adorning braces and bad hair while she drives her bright yellow Volkswagen convertible down the street. Oh, there is justice in the world. Some hotties are made and others are born. Additionally, we get an extra treat as we learn a little backstory about our favorite mysterious CIA agent Sarah. Do I smell celebrity Dad in an upcoming episode?
Here's the spy story set-up with a double dose of celebrity. Nicole Richie plays hottie Heather Chandler who has married super sweaty math geek Mark Ratner (AKA Ben Savage – Boy Meets World and Fred Savage sibling) who has access to the F22 superbomber plans and wants to sell it to the highest bidder. Chuck flashes on Ben and using his own super spy talents as Charles Carmichael sets up a rendezvous with the bad guys to catch them in the act and keep America safe.
Back at Buy More, Mike the Manager literally goes fishing leaving Lester in charge. Following the tried and true formula of "parents leave kids home alone", Lester wants to revolutionize Buy More. This ultimately results in an overzealous unsupervised team selling merchandise with deep (read: unauthorized) discounts. This leaves a cash deficit which has to be filled using the other part of the "parents leave kids home alone" formula – the good ole' high school kegger. I guess I missed that particular part of high school. But the big question is: Who is Bunny, the new sales lady and where has she been?
There was some great mistaken identity and interplay between Casey and Chuck as they interrogated Savage's character in the secret offices under the Orange Orange. Savage thought Chuck saved his life and to get Savage to talk, Casey calls Chuck "mad dog" who proves his tenacity by crushing a Styrofoam cup. Classic Chuck.
I think I may have flashed a few times too as I was serenaded by the Back Street Boys, Hanson, and Paula Cole. It's a high school reunion only heightened in the worst way. Can you imagine walking in, slapping on a degrading nametag only then being accosted by enormous posters of your worst high school photo? As a spectator it was glorious, as a participant, a nightmare. There was the worst winded pick-up line to Sarah by the appropriately named ex-high school douchebag, Dick Duffy: "My buddies and I checked out the room and picked out the best lookin' girl here ...so I decided to introduce myself to the woman I'll be waking up with tomorrow," boasted Dick. 'Nuff said. Unfortunately, Dick pinched one too many tushes and got a karate kick to the head from Sarah. He's out cold and so are his chances.
So it turns out Richie is the head bad guy this time around. Sarah chases her into the locker room and then into the shower where they accidentally kick out a pipe spraying water all over themselves. Thank goodness no one was wearing anything too clingy or revealing! Sarah ends up kicking Richie's butt and winning the reunion crown. I suddenly got a flashback of Sissy Spacek's infamous role in Carrie. Wouldn't that have been an interesting take on the whole high school reunion?
As Chuck, Sarah and Casey live to save the world again, not all is lost on the love front. We leave Chuck comforting Sarah with a meat compress (it's sweet, trust me) as he hands her a burger declaring, "I know who you are – a gorilla I like to share a cheeseburger with."
What did you think of the episode? Did it have the right amount of character development, story and just plain enjoyment? Is this season taking Chuck to new heights or digging a deeper hole?
