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Episode Recap: "Chuck vs. the Imported Hard Salami"
Is it just me, or are these episodes getting better every week? The writing is top-notch, the storylines are deliciously deep and complex and the humor is right there. Each Monday I think it can't get any better, and then I am happily and pleasantly surprised.
So what happened tonight? Chuck seemed to have everything going his way: A beautiful "normal" woman (returning guest star Rachel Bilson) was interested in him... really interested, as the sweaty homage to Titanic illustrated. But the Intersect in his brain had to go and ruin it all. He flashed on the name of Lou's smuggler ex-boyfriend, and that lead to a downward spiral of mistake after mistake. He was ordered to wear a wire on a date with Lou to try to get some info, and he was so busy trying to do that that he ended up ignoring Lou. Sarah showing up didn't help either.
Chuck managed to make it up to her with a sexy sandwich order and a bouquet of Gerber daisies, but the intel he gathered the previous night ended up being compromised, and it looked like Lou had tipped them off. They had that incriminating photo after all, and it was just enough to send Chuck into his next big blunder of the night: He confronted Lou when he thought she was accepting weapons, and it turned out to be illegally imported deli meats. Certainly a threat to national security!
Next thing you know, Sarah is once again butting in, and that gets her and Chuck kidnapped without his tracking device. Luckily Casey figures out how to locate them and does so just in time to rescue them and find the real cargo: A very large and mysterious crate that seems to hold a bomb. A bomb that is ticking down very quickly. Just as the timer runs out, Sarah gives Chuck the kiss he only dreamed of. But then the "bomb" doesn't go off. It ends up being a cryogenic chamber that holds none other than Bryce... alive and presumably well.
OK, everyone all at once: "Awww, poor Chuck." He was a day late and a dollar short all evening. It was heartbreaking to watch him call Sarah, thinking he has a future with her (and why wouldn't he after that kiss?) as she opened the chamber and saw Bryce.
The B plot was equally surprising: Morgan and Anna got together. I really enjoyed how that came about. The pieces just seemed to fall into place and it didn't feel forced to me. I am so happy to see Morgan doing something that is not annoying.
The only complaint I have for this episode: no Ellie or Captain Awesome (shirtless or otherwise).
OK, moments worth mentioning:
• Casey saying as many times as possible that Sarah was dumped
• Sarah’s reaction to Lester when he went over to "console" her
• "He had me at pastrami."
• Casey’s reason for the rose. Too bad for Chuck it didn’t work.
• All the obvious little signs that Sarah was jealous and truly did care for Chuck: interfering with his date, telling Lou not to hurt him, sticking up for Chuck to Casey and their Washington contact, and my personal fave, the little catch in her throat when Chuck declared their mission was to make sure he "never had sex again."
• That powerhouse kiss. It was probably the first real moment those two have had.
I know I left out so many good scenes and lines, but I want you guys to share the fun of pointing out the winners from this episode, so let's hear what you all liked!
Be sure to stop in to our Online Video Guide for even more geektastic Chuck.
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Nov 19, 2007 10:22 PM
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best.episode.ever!
I am so glad i get to say that phrase every week because Chuck truly does get better each episode...
The kiss was better than expected and Josh Schwartz has a way of making every single final scene of each episode unforgettable bravo Mr. Schwartz, bravo....
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Nov 19, 2007 11:16 PM
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Another incredible episode. A little to angsty for me with the whole on and off with Lou thing. I would have much rather seen Chuck happy for a little bit longer. Still, I thought they ended it perfectly, with Lou knowing that Chuck is a "secret agent" for the FDA. That was excellent and leaves Rachel Bilson open for a return role some day. Her character was really really fun, so I hope she does come back.
Man what an ending. I thought I'd read somewhere that Bryce was still alive, but when they said that it was a countdown but rather an oxygen meter, I threw my hands up in excitement that they were actually bringing Bryce back alive. I really hope that they keep him alive for an extended run, rather than dispatching him quickly. He seems like such an important character to the entire mythology of the show, anything but a long long run for him would be disappointing.
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Nov 19, 2007 11:31 PM
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I loved the deli guy saying "He had me at pastrami".
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Nov 19, 2007 11:44 PM
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I stumbled on Chuck last week & I'm sure happy I did! I can't wait to catch up with all the earlier episodes.
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Nov 20, 2007 8:17 AM
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Nope, it's not just you Jeanette. This show is definitely getting better & better each week. Still my favorite of the new shows. I also really enjoy this blog! It is fun when you get into the season of a great show like this and those who really did not like it have already moved on & are no longer posting.
Casey was great (as always!) this week. Loved his laugh when he agreed with Stavros that Chuck does have a small neck. I was wondering when he was going to give Sarah grief about falling for the guys she works with & he finally did. Again, loved the "just so we're clear sister; not interested!"
I really don't mind Awesome's absence. He is an OK character and all, but he certainly is not my favorite. Last week I actually had a flash that Ellie and Casey could have been a pretty funny pairing IF they had written her character as single. I have come to like Awesome though, so I am not saying I would want that to happen now.
Leaving the guitar mic that Stavros had already noticed on Chuck earlier seemed to be a sort of stupid idea. The agents did not give him any grief about it, even congratulating him; so I guess I was wrong.
I never thought Bryce was dead, but it will be interesting to find out how he got from Casey shooting him to an oxygen chamber outside the country. Wouldn't the NSA have played "cleanup" after the shooting? It should be way interesting to see how this unfolds. By the by, If they were going for a surprise factor in the least for those who do not watch / read spoilers, they may have thought about saving Matthew Bomer's name for the end credits; especially since he did not even have a speaking part this episode.
The kiss was...well... awesome!
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Nov 20, 2007 8:44 AM
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I loved this episode. Because I so want Chuck and Sarah together, I'm not sorry to see Lou go. Now Bryce is gonna ruin things for Chuck. 
I loved it when Lester and his co-worker started to quote Pat Benatar's song after seeing Sarah crying.
Sarah jumping on the counter and then proceeding to scare Lester away was hilarious.
At last, Chuck finally kissed Sarah. Very hot scene!! I actually clapped for joy.  Casey's reason for the rose cracked me up. I can't wait for next week.
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Nov 20, 2007 8:46 AM
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Casey was awesome last night. I loved how he alternated between teasing Sarah to totally calling her on her feelings for Chuck to giving Chuck a rose to give to Lou to offer to "talk" to Lou when she wouldn't answer Chuck's calls. Not to mention how he covered for Chuck by telling Lou he was an informant for the FDA!
My favorite line was when Chuck asked if the rose was to check Lou's mother's communist affilications I believe.
Also I got a huge kick out of seeing a brief glimpse of Anthony Ruivivar who played Carlos on Third Watch as the sniper towards the end of the show.
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Nov 20, 2007 8:54 AM
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I LOVE THIS SHOW!
Love it, love it, love it.
Its so weird because this is not the type of show I usually like and I hadn't even planned on watching it but the day it premiered Zachary Levi was on The View and I liked what he said about the show so just on a whim I set Tivo to record it and I'm so glad I did. By far, this is my favorite new show of the season and its fast becoming my favorite overall, as well.
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Nov 20, 2007 9:18 AM
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This show really is just plain fantastic. It really does seem to get better every week. I loved how the whole romance triangle played out. I loved how Casey was totally on Chuck's side, for once. I loved that Anna and Morgan got together, even if it is only briefly. But, here are some questions about Bryce. He was dead, full of bullets. How was the body recovered and shipped out of the country? How was he saved? Also, if the countdown was an oxygen meter, then the oxygen ran out when Chuck and Sara thought it was going to explode. Then, how long did it take for the NSA/CIA to open the container AFTER the oxygen ran out? How did Bryce survive without oxygen? Once again, I can't wait until the next episode!
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Nov 20, 2007 9:45 AM
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This is a really fun show. Though I hope that Bryce's stay is a short one. Casey and Chuck with a little Morgan are plenty for this show. They keep it serious and funny at the same time. For me Bryce will bring it down.
I hope they do decide to bring Rachel Bilson back from time to time. Though I don't know how they will write her in. I think it is pretty clear that Sarah and Chuck will not be able to have a relationship. Not for awhile anyway.
I have a question. Where did Stravarous get to? Did he get shot or did he get away?
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Nov 20, 2007 9:56 AM
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I'll echo a lot of you; I think this show is getting better and better. Plus, it's the kind of show where I can willingly suspend my disbelief. Sure, there are moments that normally might make me scratch my head, but so far, I'm perfectly happy to let them go and not worry about whether it all fits or not. The characters are compelling enough that it all works for me.
What a kiss! Whew! Very nice. I knew it wouldn't last, but y'know, it tides us over for a while. I like that instead of the slow burn sexual tension a lot of shows do (which, I admit, is very successful) this show has early on acknowledged the chemistry between the leads. I can't wait to see how it plays out.
(And really, this show was very well cast at all levels. That really helps. I've never once doubted that a hottie like Sarah would have a crush on the adorkable nerdy Chuck.)
Not only are we getting baddies of the week, but an overarching story line too, huh? Bryce? The sniper? Bring it all on! I'm thrilled to see Bryce back and I'm curious as to how this is all going to be explained to Ellie. Ooooh, I hope she goes all big-sister-furious on Bryce!
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Nov 20, 2007 10:10 AM
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Jayhawk, I agree that Ellie and Casey could have been a very fun couple..and although it would never, ever happen, Casey and Sarah could be interesting, too.
I'm sorry, but Morgan's man-crush on Chuck is creeping me out. He's finally getting some action with a cute girl (Anna) and breaks up as soon as he finds out Chuck is single again. How brokeback is that?
LOVED how Sarah came on to Lester. That was a heck of a stunt to jump up on the counter on all fours. She looked like a lioness ready to pounce!
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Nov 20, 2007 10:18 AM
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I actually think the scenes with the other Buy More employees (Morgan, Lester, etc.) are just as entertaining as the ones with the main cast. And nobody can deliver dry humor like Adam Baldwin. I sure hope this show lasts to Season 2. If NBC cancels it, I will boycott them foever.
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Nov 20, 2007 10:20 AM
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Another great episode. THey do just keep getting better and better.
Because I read the November Sweeps previews (BIG, BIG, BIG mistake) I knew it was Bryce in the chamber. Surprise ruined. THen seeing the commerials for this episode and seeing the "KISS", another great surprised ruined.
Lucky Chuck. He gets to kiss Lou (and be her best kisser ever) but also gets to plant a big wet one on Sarah. Where do I line up to become a spy..LOL.
I wish he had called Sarah out on her jealousy when it was so obvious after she told him about Lou's favorite flowers and how she got that info. Casey and the rose....AWESOME! (had to put that in since the was no Awesome and Ellie.
I hope Lou comes back soon. Especially now that she knows Chuck's an agent just with the wrong group. It would make it easier for her to accept his missions.
CAsey picking on Sarah about being dumped..great. Casey covering for Chuck with Lou..great.
It will be interesting to see what kind of results will occur now that Bryce is back in the picture. How will Chuck when he finds out that Bryce and Sarah were more than partners. I believe all Sarah has said to Chuck is that her and Bryce we partners not a couple.
Looking forward to the next installment!!!
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Nov 20, 2007 10:52 AM
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