Chuck vs the Beard

Original air date March 8, 2010

Season 3 episode 9

Synopsis

Chuck is emotionally traumatized by the events of the previous episode and can no longer flash. Shaw benches him after Sarah offers for him to talk to her and Shaw about his feelings, and he refuses. He is also refused by Devon, who no longer wants anything to do with Chuck’s spy life. Devon is taking Ellie away to a mini-honeymoon to get away from the danger of Chuck’s life.

Morgan calls Chuck into his office in the Buy More to question him about his life and activities; Chuck can’t tell him anything, and Morgan fires Chuck as his best friend.

Sarah, Shaw, and Casey go to a hotel after intercepting a Ring communication about trying to turn a CIA agent. Chuck is unable to flash to help with identifying the agent. After they leave Castle, Big Mike announces the store is being sold and there are interviews being conducted with the staff before the sale. The staff agrees to support each other when they think there are firings coming. The Ring team conducting the interviews under the guise of representing the new owner believes that Chuck is Agent Carmichael, left behind by Shaw to protect his base. Chuck continues to try to flash without success.

Lester conducts a spy mission on the “interviewers” and hears them discuss terminating everyone but Morgan and Chuck. He thinks they are all being fired.

At the hotel, Sarah and Shaw attempt to spot the CIA agent while Casey tracks a Ring phone to a hotel room. They have identifying information and spot the person; it is Devon. They talk to him at the pool and warn him he might be in danger. Casey finds the room and breaks in to find they have been set up. He tells Sarah and Shaw, and they relay to Devon that it’s all clear. He remains affected by being unable to escape Chuck’s life.

As Shaw, Sarah, and Casey talk about the set up, they come to the conclusion it was to pull them away from Castle, leaving Chuck alone and unable to flash.

Jeff asks Morgan to clear contraband from his locker before he is checked out. While attempting to do that, Morgan is interrupted by the Ring agents and hides on top of a shelving unit. They find the secret entrance to Castle behind the lockers, and he watches them open it and enter. Morgan quickly follows them. He overhears them plot to steal all the information in Castle and then destroy it.

Morgan finds Chuck and tries to tell him they need to save the Buy More. Chuck plays along, but all communications in the building are shut down, and they can’t call for help, nor can Sarah call in. Chuck agrees to help Morgan after making him promise to keep the secret base a secret. They are quickly apprehended by the Ring, but Chuck was able to contact the team from his watch before being caught.

Big Mike and the other employees decide to launch an uprising to defend the store, erecting a barricade and arming themselves with toy guns. Jeffster performs Fortunate Son.

Chuck and Morgan are interrogated, and Morgan denies Chuck having anything to do with being a spy. When the Ring threatens Morgan, Chuck is forced to be honest, finally. Sarah, Shaw, and Casey are spotted outside, and the agents leave to confront them. Chuck then tells Morgan the whole story and is relieved to have it all off his chest. Morgan asks about Sarah, and Chuck tells him it was all fake. Morgan points out that his love is real, and when Chuck denies it, Morgan assures him that he does. Chuck accepts the truth. 

The agents found the files and are ready to kill everyone and leave. Casey fails at getting in through the Buy More but is saved by Jeff when two Ring agents attack him. The rest of the agents return to kill Chuck and Morgan, but now Chuck flashes and uses advanced martial arts to take them all out.

Casey goes back to the Orange Orange to try to get in that way, but Shaw and Sarah are there. Shaw wants to launch an attack on the building to guard their secrets, but Sarah convinces him to wait five minutes; Chuck deserves that much. Just as the time expires, the entrance opens to Morgan and Chuck walking out.

Shaw detains Morgan in lock-up at Castle, telling Chuck he has to go into witness protection. Chuck argues that Morgan is very loyal, and his secret is safe; Sarah agrees, and Shaw relents.

They play Duck Hunt together at home, and Morgan accuses Chuck of using the Intersect to win the game.

Devon talks to Ellie about leaving Burbank, joining Doctors Without Borders for an adventure. He wants to go to Africa to escape Chuck’s spy life.

Shaw calls the Buy More masquerading as the owner and congratulates Big Mike on the dedication of the staff; the store won’t be sold.

It turns out the communication system was shut down before any information could be transmitted out, so all their secrets are safe. He tells Sarah they should have time for one final mission to bring the Ring down before they can take action against Castle. He can’t figure out why they didn’t kill him when they had the chance.

Casey is working in Castle, and a Ring phone rings. He answers, and a voice greets him by name, saying it’s been a long time.

Points Of Interest

• The episode marks the directorial debut of series star Zachary Levi.
• This episode also ranks as one of the favorites of Chuck fans and critics; definitely the favorite of season three, so far.
• All members of the cast are involved in this episode. First of only two episodes to have the whole cast this season (Ring, Pt 2).
• Chuck is emotionally upset by the events of Fake Name but can’t talk to Sarah, she only offers him herself and Shaw. Devon refuses to help him and he can’t confide in Morgan, for his own safety. Chuck’s emotions block his flashes.
• Ellie has already told Chuck that he loves Sarah but when Morgan says it, the truth finally sinks in and his denial crumbles.
• Having Morgan to confide in releases the dam and Chuck is able to be himself again. From here on he tries to win Sarah back.
• Chuck was trying to be a spy like the others he had been around. This begins his journey to discover how to be a spy and still be Chuck.

References

• Red Dawn– Emmett kept mace at the Buy More in case the Russians attacked- Red Dawn style.
• The barricade scene in the Buy More is an homage to Les Miserables, the famous Iwo Jima photograph and the VJ Day kiss photo. All are re-enacted in the scene.

Music

Bululu- Jesus Alejandro: Ellie and Devon’s trip to Malibu is interrupted.

On Sale Now- Daniel May: Morgan calls Chuck to his office for disciplinary action.

Dancing with Myself- Billy Idol: Chuck tries to flash while looking at photos.

Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival (Jeffster)– Jeffster performs while protecting the Buy More.

Bedside Manner- Dawes: The Buy More staff celebrates; Devon wants to go to Africa, Shaw wonders why the Ring didn’t kill him; Chuck and Morgan play Duck Hunt.