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Chuck is BACK! After three weeks worth of suffering through an absence of Chuck due to the even more insufferable Olympics being on NBC Chuck returns in the form of episode 3.08 "Chuck vs. the Fake Name."  Staff and cast of the show asked fans after last week to reserve judgement until the next few episodes had aired.  

Frankly I didn't mind last week's episode to much and I think this episode was potentially game changing but perhaps not in the sense we've seen previously. Let's get into it and I'll explain…

Spy World

Over the course of season three I've probably been the most vocal about being less than impressed by the Spy World plot. As we left off in the last episode we were treated to a shadowy scene where we learned that The Ring had officially put a hit out on Shaw.

This week we open with the capture of YARB (YARA? Yet Another Ring Assassin) by Sarah, Shaw and Casey. I'm starting to wonder if The Ring has some cloning facilities they seem to have an endless supply of baddie henchmen.  The mission this week is to figure out who the newly captured Ring assassin is in town to eliminate.

Casey with Chuck's help interrogates the Ring assassin Rafe and during the interrogation Chuck flashes and then does a pretty decent impression of Rafe. My theory is that this is the FOTW (Flash of the Week) and the the Intersect kicks in to allow Chuck to truly assume Rafe's identity.

Chuck and Casey go undercover to see some more Ring agents who for some reason (mostly comedic value it seems) are all channeling their inner Tony Sorprano. However during the meeting they're able to make Casey as not who he's claiming to be. Chuck really channels his dark side and rips a tooth out of Casey's mouth and then takes down the entire SWAT team just for kicks and escapes keeping his cover. It's obvious that Chuck is becoming more and more the darker real-spy version of himself.

Eventually we arrive at the final climax of the show.  Chuck shows up with the MobRingers at the place where he (as Rafe) is supposed to do the hit. As he steps up to the sniper riffle he learns that the target of the hit is Shaw and stumbles upon an interesting conversation between Shaw and Sarah where Sarah is talking about how she can't even remember the real her anymore and admits to Shaw that her real name is Sam.  Chuck dispenses with his cover after hearing this shocking conversation and rushes over to Shaw's apartment busting in on Shaw and Sarah. Chuck slugs Shaw clearly out of raw emotion and then covers as he convinces Shaw and Sarah that he's there to warn Shaw that he's the target. The real Rafe (who has shockingly escaped) busts in around this time and lays the beat down on all three members of Team Bartowski.  Thankfully the one member of Team Bartowski not consumed by the love triangle manages to find the original location Rafe was going the and makes the impressive sniper shot scoring himself a kill (of Rafe). Which is frankly a great moment where Casey gets to prove that he doesn't need an intersect to still be one of the best spies around.

Overall I don't think this episode was really about advancing the spy-plot to much although we do see a few themes developing.  First off Shaw's reliance on the Intersect relegating Sarah and particularly Casey to sub-par status.  Although we also see Casey developing a new found respect for the much darker spy side of Chuck, even going so far as to tell Chuck that he's proud of him. Will be interesting to see if we see Casey & Chuck grow much closer and distant to Sarah and Shaw.  Chuck and Casey sharing a beer or some whiskey seems like it could be a fun moment. Apparently Shaw is now sequestered in Castle now that Team B knows he's got a hit out on him.

I will say this, I congratulate the writers on the creation of the new dark Chuck. I totally bought it in this episode which was really about advancing the idea that Chuck is more and more all-in on the spy persona with each mission.  I actually wondered for a moment if Chuck wasn't going to takedown Shaw just to get him out of the picture. Would that have been stone-cold? Absolutely but it is a testament to the character and story development that I was even able to ponder a scenario where Chuck would do such a thing.

I think some of what we're going to deal with in the remaining parts of Season 3 will be the fallout of Chuck's continued progression towards real-spy, is there a point of no return? How far out on the limb will we go before it breaks and there is no coming back? Chuck is blind to this progression, he either doesn't see what he's becoming or he just wants it badly enough that he doesn't care.

Charah

So we start the episode with Sarah struggling with the possibility of getting into another relationship with a partner in Shaw, one would imagine that has multiple layers for her given what happened with Bryce.  Meanwhile everything seems to be going great for Chanah. Especially if the rampant PDA and Hannah in a towel are any indication.

So let's  jump ahead to the heart of the matter in where we end up.  When all is said and done Sarah seems at least intrigued by Shaw and has shared something about her real self with him, something that shouldn't be understated, an indulgence she never extended to Chuck.  Meanwhile Chuck dumps Hannah in front of her parents and then plants C4 on that bridge and blows it up. A moment which seems to echo the breakup with Lou, at least in the rationale, if not the coldness.

Even without having much invested in Hannah it is hard not to feel bad for her. What of Chuk's motives though? He wants Sarah back now that he sees her and Shaw together (well that's convenient), is probably reeling from the Sam revelation, and once again realizes that his spy status means that he can only ever have a relationship built on lies with anyone non-spy.

Suddenly as dark Chuck emerges we are left wondering what should even become of Charah when last week we were so outraged with even the suggestion that it might not be Charah forever. Now there's questions like should Chuck and Sarah even be together? But here's the problem in that, we've given Sarah a real name…Sam. We're reminded that Sarah Walker is not Sarah Walker but a creation, a lie really. In effect there is no Sarah so how can there be a Chuck and Sarah? Given this revelation what could actually ever bring them back together? Clearly they are going light speed in opposite directions. With Sarah wanting more and more to be Sam and Chuck wanting more and and more to be Charles.

I think the only way back from the brink is for Chuck to realize what he's becoming. That seems unlikely in the foreseeable future. He's just gained real spyness I can't imagine he'll be quick to give that up, it hasn't even seemed a possibility to him in Season 3. Also a whole Intersect worth of brain and he still can't realize that Sarah liked him as Chuck and never wanted or needed him to be some super spy in order to really love him. The problem of course with this is that Chuck can't have it both ways can he? That's the point after all isn't it? Chuck's made some choices and now he has to live with them. He shouldn't expect to be able to just go running back to Sarah who at least as Chuck's known her (i.e. Season 2) no longer exists, something else he is also going to have to come to terms with.

We heard several times in the episode that Chuck must have made a deal with the devil in order to be so popular with the ladies.  I doubt it was a coincidence that we heard this phrase multiple times. Has Chuck made a deal with the devil (the Intersect) will he have to sell his soul and by then will it be to late?

So the answer, Can Chuck and Sarah ever be together again? No. Chuck and Sam? I think it's fair to say that Chuck and Sarah circa end of Season 2 exhibited real emotions for and towards each other but the foundation for those emotions were still rooted in the inherent lie of a cover.  

If I ever doubted the show or writers or storytelling process, and I don't think I ever truly did I can't imagine why after this episode.  It's just fun to watch how it all unfolds and progresses now that we've been freed of Charah, and there-in lies the game changing nature of this week's episode.  Can't wait to watch next week and see how everything is all upended once again! Stay tuned!

Things that are AWESOME

- "Casey you look like a guy who's pealed a few spuds in his time."
- Chuck: "I'm gonna need a hard out at five." Casey: "You can have a hard out with these give." (holds up fist)
- Casey making the Rafe shot "(grunt) Only five guys in the world who can make this shot hu? Guess I'm one of them."
- MobRingers armchair quarterbacking Chuck & Sarah "I hate those on again off again things."
- Kristin Kreuk - she's no Yvonne but still.
- Jeff & the Buymorians with their summary of Chuck's relationships. Jeff "Chucks light shines brightest when he's with Sarah." - I'm certainly amused by the choice of characters used to comment on the Charah situation even if it was written months ago particularly funny in light of last week's freakout!

Another Monday another new episode of Chuck and sadly the last one before the Olympics deprive us of the conclusion for the next 3 or 4 weeks.  It's also another pretty packed episode one thing is for sure about the episodes in season 3 they are clearly trying to cover as much ground in the 19 episodes as possible.  Alright here we go with Chuck v. the Mask.

Spy World

So this week starts with Shaw trapped in a museum vault in a scene that seems to harken back to Mission Impossible and as the security for the vault kicks in Shaw is force to call in the intersect (Chuck) for backup. As someone who is not really on the Shaw bandwagon that is pretty satisfying in its own way. Poor super-spy Shaw has to call in Chuck for backup.

Once again we see how non-spy members of Chuck's life seem to be drawn to the blackhole of the spy-world this season as Hannah, eager to go on an actual Nerd Herd call, shows up unannounced at the Museum just as Chuck is trying get his spy on. However it all works out as Chuck's main purpose is to hack the vault's computer and free Shaw which to Hannah just looks like a server reboot.

We end up back at the Museum once again with Hannah as she and Chuck are invited to monitor the computer systems during the opening of the exhibit. Shaw, Sarah and Casey are still trying to steal the mask as Shaw is convinced that the Ring is hiding something in it.  While watching the security feeds Chuck flashes on YARA (Yet Another Ring Agent) and Shaw informs Chuck and Sarah that his cover is at risk since he has a history with this particular Ring baddie.  Chuck takes off to steal the mask while Hannah and Shaw have a bit of a computer battle.  In the end the get they mask and make it out.

Unfortunately Mr. Ring Baddie interprets Chuck as the thief and Hannah as his girlfriend and lures her to the museum to use her as leverage against Chuck. Meanwhile at Castle Sarah and Shaw manage to set off the chemical weapon hidden in the real mask, enter our FOTW (Flash of the Week) as Chuck flashes on the computer display of the poison detector and sees the chemical formula and antidote.

Chuck heads to the museum to try and get the antidote from Mr. Ring Baddie and comes up with a MacGyver-esque plan to trick the Ring dude into thinking he is being poisoned and revealing the location of the antidote, nice work Chuck. In the end it all works out Shaw carries Sarah in all hero style and gives her the antidote and Chuck manages to free a shall we say grateful Hannah from the vault.

Initially this felt like just another formulaic Ring plot with some more throw away Ring baddies. That is until the final scene of the episode where we finally get a glimpse at the more shadowy elements of the Ring let's say council. Ironically and comically they dispense with Ring baddie and declare that they are heading after Shaw next.
I have to admit I am still wondering if Shaw is completely a good guy or perhaps he defected from the Ring.  He seems WAY to quick to declare himself the safest guy in there is to Sarah. Some how I think he's the opposite. It is interesting there's lots of talk about relationships being dangerous but what about the arrogance Shaw seems to exude. Confidence yes that is one thing you'd want that in a good spy but arrogance and perceived invincibility which Shaw seems to have in spades (heck one of his first plans was to cheat death!) seem like they could get someone kill eventually. I still think it would add a cool twist if Shaw were a bad guy or had been and it could be used to explain a lot. So in the end I was very glad to see this final scene it gives me hope that there could be a larger plot and mythology at work with the Ring.

Charah

Well there's a lot going on here but this week I would say it is all about the pairings and a will they or won't they.  In the first half of the episode Sarah and Chuck are still clearly kinda trying to figure out what the heck is up at this point.  Shaw is very obviously making the moves on Sarah with the coffee, the cover at the party, etc.  It seemed like he was coming on a bit strong but I suppose that is mostly due to how strongly Sarah was rebuking him.

On the Chuck/Hannah front in Act I it feels much like Lou Part II again when Chuck messes up and form Hannah's point of view runs off with his ex after she basically throws himself at her. Not usually the best strategy.

In the end though we arrive at the point where we all probably realistically knew we would with the pairings of Shaw/Sarah and Chuck/Hannah being firmly established. Of course I am not a fan of either pairing.  The final scene at Castle is interesting we seem to get some realization from all corners of Team Bartowski that Team Bartowski isn't really sustainable. What that means I don't really have a clue.  I wonder if we won't see a scattering of the team much the way we did at the end of season 2.  Sarah and Chuck seem to come to terms with the pairings I guess, and Sarah makes the comment that she is in his way on multiple fronts, eluding to Hannah of course.  I suppose that is what you are suppose to do when you break up, see other people.

All of that being said accepting that Charah is out of the picture for the foreseeable future and as much as I'll always be a Charah shipper and still absolutely want them together at the moment there is nothing that can really be done about it other than accept that Charah is going to go separate ways for now and probably for a while. I may not like it but what can I do, not much for now. Except…So for the moment I'll concede that point to the writers and that being the case the relationship I am rooting for with the new dynamic is: Morgan and Hannah.

Buy More

So we pick up the Morgan/Ellie storyline from last week where they are still trying to figure out what it is that Chuck is up to.  They decide that Chuck has once again hit rock bottom after breaking up with Sarah and has sought refuge in his video game addiction.  They decide that they need to have an intervention but be for they can Morgan chickens out on Ellie and heads to work with Chuck.  It isn't until the final minutes that Morgan and Ellie plot their intervention.

The two show up at the Buy More in time to catch Chuck sneaking in the back entrance of the Buy More and heading for the Home Theater Room.  What they find is Chuck and Hannah lip locked on the couch. Ellie is of course elated and she is probably, for now, convinced that she knows Chucks "secret."

Morgan on the other hand is totally crushed, with good reason, and I actually feel really bad for him.  I think that part of this season is an exploration of what exactly is Chuck and Morgan's friendship these days.  Here Morgan is liking Hannah and Chuck going after her is just one more smack in the face to him, one more thing Chuck has that he doesn't.  I actually feel for him and as I mentioned I will be rooting for Morgan while Charah is on hiatus.

I've also been enjoying the Morgan/Ellie scenes and stories and while things have settled for the moment I hope that we get to see more interaction between them there is something that I have always liked about their dynamic and relationship such as it is.

Things that are AWESOME

- Casey switching the mic off so that Chuck and Sarah can talk without Shaw hearing. Wondering if the tweeps aren't right in thinking that Casey is really a Charah shipper.

- Sarah's kick but fight scene on the ascension line and above the vault.

- Casey "When am I gonna get to blow something up!?"

- Casey's grunt at the end when Shaw and Sarah say they're going to stay at Castle. That one short grunt says "Oh brother here we go all over again!"