"#Chuck vs. Operation Awesome" vs. My Take

Wow! To say tonight's episode was a jam packed episode seems like a gross understatement. New responsibilities, new jobs, new characters…OH MY! I would say that any change in dynamic up to this point pales in comparison to what happened in "Chuck vs. Operation Awesome."  So let's get into it! Oh yeah and as a reminder I talk openly about all the events of the episode so if you haven't seen it yet then SPOILERS AHEAD!! O:)

Spy World

Something I've been thinking about over the last few episodes is the way that Chuck is developing as a spy.  I really like how they have kept who non-spy Chuck is relevant in the spy-world.  What I keep coming back to is the idea that Chuck reminds me a lot MacGyver (as if I could like this show anymore!).  He is very resourceful and we've seen him MacGyver it up with the torch in the "Jail Juice", as well as tonight we see him use the electrified cage at the Buy More to take down the random Ring henchmen. I like that his MacGyver-esque skills get him by when the Intersect can't or doesn't kick in. Oh and of course very much like MacGyver Chuck hates guns, I hope that sticks.  I also have to say that I am happy to see Chuck as the computer geek back, as a kind of a throwback to the pilot, when tonight Chuck hacks the Ring phone much as he used the virus way back in the pilot.  Many have also mentioned on Twitter as well that it is also nice to see Chuck kind of being more confident and taking charge a bit more, and it is hard to dispute that.

FOTW (Flash of the Week), So what was FOTW this week? I'm not really sure I think that it has to be the language when Chuck tells off the Asian woman at the Buy More since that is a skill that we haven't seen yet from the Intersect but it makes sense that that would be an intersect capability.  Overall I wouldn't say there was anything particularly special about the scene I mean it was comical in a sense but not necessarily laugh out loud.  It struck me as though the Intersect was almost hic-uping during that scene with the language and the kick of Lester and really no ability to control it.

Shaw, Shaw, Shaw, Shaw! By far the game changer of this episode was the introduction of Shaw.  Interesting that he is being positioned as the new Beckman, essentially, I think the rumor mill kind of hinted that this was coming.  I think we've seen as a result of Prague that it isn't business as usual for Charah and I think that a big part of Shaw's role is to insure that it isn't business as usual on the Team Bartowski and to push and Agents Walker and Casey outside their comfort zones.  Frankly I guess I get why they wanted to bring in someone new as the sheriff but I might have liked to see Casey call the shots for a bit.  I wonder if Casey can pull rank as the Colonel? We saw it in "vs. Pink Slip" and it struck me as something they were specifically calling attention to but maybe it was just a throwback.

I suppose it is bit of an understatement to say that Shaw has a different tact in how he approaches things.  It was interesting to see Sarah and Casey neutralize Shaw when they disagreed with him I think this really shows how Sarah and Casey now truly consider each other partners at this point and they had each other's back.  Frankly I don't think Shaw should be to surprised he did come in pretty hard and pulled rank and obviously he was just thrown into the team and started waving the sword around not exactly the quickest way to instill loyalty. For the moment it seems like he is a down to business kind of guy.  It also appears as though he clearly feels that Chuck isn't being properly motivated by Sarah and Casey and maybe they are still too in the protector role which is an additional argument for needing someone new on the team to shake it up.

The existence of Shaw doesn't really jive for me in general though, it seems very convenient.  At the end of S2 it seems as though the Ring is something that everyone is just finding out about for the first time. If we've been tracking the ring for the last 5 years and the Intersect is what all intelligence flows through why is there nothing on the Ring in either Intersect? Also if we've known about the ring for the last 5 years why were we wasting time with Fulcrum in the first place? Suddenly they seem a LOT less significant when we learn we've been chasing the Ring for 5 years already.

Clearly there is WAY more to Shaw than meets the eye.  For example what is up with his lighter obsession? We've seen it twice now which seems like a pretty good indication it means something more.  He appears to put on a public face of clearly being on the anti-feelings bandwagon and then we see the final scene of him looking longingly at, the now group of friends as equals, and slipping on a wedding ring.  

Many have suggested on Twitter that Shaw some how helps Sarah work through her hurt.  With the final scene with Shaw it seems like a reasonable guess that he was once hurt as well perhaps or maybe he was forced to make a choice similar to Chuck? That's my guess at least.

Charah

So what's new in the Charah world? Well I like the final scene of the episode at Chuck and Morgan's apartment.  Just a dinner with friends and of course Morgan would be cooking!  What I think was really cool about the scene is that they were all genuinely there as equals, as friends. I think that even Casey, though he might never openly admit it, would consider Chuck and Sarah real friends.  Of course inviting Casey makes Sarah feel more at ease with the whole we're all friends here vibe.  Overall I like it, it had a "the gang's all here" feel to the scene.  I look forward to more I think a great friends activity at some point would be for the gang to all go play paintball.  That seems like gold obviously Casey would be totally into it, and awesome, and then you could have Chuck flash on it or something. Just a thought if Ali or Josh is listening! :D

I think the scene that we "shippers" yeah I guess that is the term. I don't know does it have a negative connotation? I've got a history I was hardcore Pacey & Joey forever back in the day, yeah I'm secure enough to admit it so there! :P  ANYways I think the real Charah bone the writers decided to throw us this week was the scene where Sarah comes to Chuck's defense in front of Shaw in terms of the anti-feelings situation, "Sometimes it helps to remember you have something to loose."  It is clear that her approach to the feelings, emotions, etc. situation is continually evolving this season. I'm not reading an incredible amount into it and maybe it's just that she is still a bit unsure of Shaw but it is clearly walked back quite bit from "you need to learn to keep your feelings to yourself."  

Viva Buymoria!

We returned to Buymoria tonight and frankly I thought it was all hilarious.  Morgan is the new "ASSMAN" which actually makes total sense he has proven himself time and time again taking charge when needed even if he tries to maintain his slacker persona.  Plus is there anyone more loyal to the Buy More than Morgan?  The best part to me though is the total shout out to "Office Space" with Morgan having pieces of flair on his vest!

The fight club his hilarious and just absolutely classic Lester.  I agree with others that the electrified cage definitely takes Leter's more sadistic side to the next level.  Having that cage back there really comes in quite handy in the Buy More world! :D

Once again we see parallels between Chuck and Morgan's lives.  Both are attempting to grow into their new roles of increased responsibility.  It is also interesting to hear Morgan's line to Big Mike about "I thought we were all friends." And Big Mike reminds him that it's not always about friends.  Of course the parallels to Chuck's realizations of what being a spy means are fairly clear I think.

Things that are AWESOME

- Morgan's Vest Flare - Come on Office Space is like the best movie EVER, Office Space Flare Scene. :D

- Double Secret Probation reference.

- The sofa table at Chuck/morgan's apartment is full of old school game console controllers! They're clearly after this geek's heart :) (I hope we get a online tour of Chuck/Morgan's apartment decor at some point!)

- The security guard conversation with Awesome where he thinks Awesome has a thing for Chuck :D haha

- The drunken Casey cover story.

- Tonight's Honda commercial - Ellie: "Morgan! Don't hug the Moose!"