Original air date March 1, 2010

Season 3 episode 8

Synopsis

Ellie is in Chuck’s apartment to talk to him about how secretive he has been. She hears the shower running and begins talking to him through the door. The door opens, and Hannah comes out with a towel wrapped around her. Chuck enters carrying a box of donuts and awkwardly introduces them but doesn’t call Hannah his girlfriend. They make plans for dinner later.

Sarah is having breakfast with Shaw in an outdoor café. She tells Shaw she doesn’t want to have another relationship with a co-worker. He seems disappointed. A car drives up, and a valet is handing over the keys when the owner of the vehicle is tranquilized and put in the car by Sarah and Shaw.

In Castle, they discuss the man captured. Rafe Gruber is an assassin and sniper. Shaw wants Chuck to impersonate him to find out why the Ring paid him a million dollars. Chuck arrives with his box of donuts and is in a great mood. Casey comments he must have gotten lucky; Sarah appears pained.

Chuck studies Gruber briefly then intercepts a phone call and sets up a meeting with the men who hired him. The two men at the bar where they rendezvous are old-school mobsters who recognize Casey as a possible Fed and mention the name Alex Coburn.

Chuck flashes on the name but has to remain in character and torture Casey to extract information for the mobsters. With Casey’s encouragement, Chuck extracts a tooth to convince the mobsters. Sarah and Shaw stage a raid, and Chuck flashes, beating up Sarah but briefly freaks out, and Sarah has to encourage him. Chuck makes a date to meet the two mobsters later when things calm down.

Back at Castle, Chuck apologizes to Casey, who is impressed with Chuck’s performance. Gruber is collected by Federal agents while Sarah and Shaw helped Chuck out by preparing dinner for him and his family, including Hannah as his date. She makes a toast about how great her new relationship is. Chuck now looks pained.

Next morning at the Buy More, Hannah answers the phone and then tells Chuck that two guys are coming to the store to see him. Chuck quickly disguises himself as Rafe and meets them at the loading dock. They bring a watch as a gift and destroy his CIA watch, then go to an apartment high-rise to show him his mark. Looking through a sniper scope, Chuck sees Shaw and realizes the Ring has targeted him. The apartment is also bugged and Chuck can hear Shaw and Sarah talking.

Surprised, Chuck lets slip that Shaw is with his girl and uses their sympathy to explain he wants to confront his rival directly rather than shoot him from far away. 

He has overheard Sarah tell Shaw how upset she is by how much Chuck has changed and how easy it is for him to lie. She is questioning who she is after seeing what has happened to Chuck. She tells Shaw her name is Sam and he kisses her, but Chuck interrupts, knocking at the door. He confronts Shaw as he enters and punches him, calling Sarah by the name Sam. He also quietly reveals that Shaw is the target and they have to stage a confrontation. They fight as the mobsters watch through the scope. 

Gruber has escaped custody and tracks Chuck. He kills the two mobsters and sees Chuck with Shaw and Sarah. He enters their apartment and quickly takes all of them out, holding Sarah as a hostage. Casey also tracked their location and shoots Gruber with the sniper rifle, saving Sarah.

Hannah asks Chuck to come meet her family, but Chuck is distraught by everything that has happened and goes to talk to Ellie. He tells her he feels like he’s not himself anymore. She tells him his problem might be that no matter how much he likes Hannah, he still loves Sarah. Chuck seems relieved and agrees.

 Chuck meets Hannah and tells her he is breaking up with her, telling her he can’t really be honest with her and she deserves better. She angrily responds that he is not a nice guy and he deceived her. She quits her job and disappears.

Now that Shaw is targeted, he will remain in Castle for protection. Sarah brings him some food, and they kiss.

Points of Interest

• There was a three week break between Mask and Fake Name. The controversy caused by Mask among the fan base is continued with this episode.
• The fake name of the title seems to refer to more than one person. Chuck is using a fake name to impersonate an assassin. Casey’s real name, Alex Coburn, is brought up by the mobsters and we are reminded he has also changed his identity. Sarah tells Shaw her name is Sam and it’s not clear which is her fake name and if she is lying to Shaw.
• We see Shaw react to Chuck’s entrance to his apartment with rage and Chuck encourages him to lighten up. Is Shaw angry about being a target or about Chuck interrupting his moves on Sarah?
• Chuck has changed so much that he doesn’t even recognize himself. Sarah is freaked out that the man she loves is becoming the type of spy she used to be and that the other spies she knows have become.
• Sarah’s efforts to provide for Shaw while he is confined shows her trying to make a connection, like trying to anchor herself while feeling adrift.
• Chuck tells Sarah in Three Words that he wants to be a spy to help people and because he loves her. His efforts are to be an equal so their lives can be compatible. He realizes now that he changed into something she doesn’t want.
• Sarah tells Chuck in the bar raid that he has to live the lie. The one thing she really doesn’t want, for him to become that person.
• Sarah’s line to Shaw while watching Chuck as Rafe- “I barely remember who I am anymore.” Chuck’s line to Ellie when he talks to her about his conflict- “I feel like I’m not me anymore.” They are both having the same crisis and for the same reason. Chuck has lost who he is. Chuck realizes this when he overhears Sarah tell Shaw about her emotional devastation watching Chuck change.

References

Fiddler On The Roof- Chuck says he played Perchik, a character in the story.

The Sopranos- Matty and Scotty, the two mobsters who hire Rafe, are played by two actors in similar roles in the movie.

Growing Pains- Chuck’s first crush was on Mrs Seaver in the show.

Seems Like Old Times- Chicken Pepperoni, the only dish Chuck knows how to make, is a plot device.

Die Hard- Rafe Gruber is from Hans Gruber with the first name of the writer, Rafe Judkins, on the show.

Marathon Man- dental torture

Music

Faces In The Dark- The Generationals: Ellie talks to Devon about Chuck and Hannah.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion- Ennio Marricone: Chuck meets with the mobsters.

A Sleep Be Told- The Traditionalists: Sarah and Shaw make dinner.

Living A Lie- Daniel Zott: Chuck asks Ellie for advice; Chuck breaks up with Hannah; Sarah brings Shaw support. Also used in Angel De La Muerte when Chuck and Sarah agree to be friends.