Original air date September 29, 2008

Season 2 episode 1

Synopsis

Chuck is being threatened and dangled out a window of a high rise. He is holding a device that the man wants. Sarah Walker and John Casey burst in to save him and the assailant escapes out the window. Chuck has secured the Cipher. Speaking later with Beckman and Graham they discover the Cipher is an artificial brain for the new intersect being built. When it’s done Chuck will get his old life back.

Chuck goes home, Sarah tells him he has the ability to do anything he wants despite him feeling inadequate as a spy. Casey is contacted by Beckman and told as soon as the new intersect is operational Chuck will have to be eliminated for security reasons. Casey is reluctant but will do his job.

Next morning, Chuck is happy as he gets ready for work. He also sees more of his sister and Devon in the bathroom that he wants and rushes out to eat his breakfast. During breakfast he informs Ellie he is ready to move on with his life and wants a different job. At the Buy More, Morgan consults him regarding their video game battle with Large Mart employees. Casey walks in and Chuck thanks him for protecting during their time together. Chuck is then called into Big Mike’s office to discuss the Assistant Manager job. When congratulated by his coworkers, Chuck replies he didn’t take the job. He now has the job of choosing the next assistant manager.

Sarah is now working in her new cover job at a yogurt shop, the Orange Orange. Chuck goes to see her and asks her on a real date, she agrees. As the get ready for their date, Casey prepares to eliminate Chuck. Target practice doesn’t go well as he misses the shot at Chuck’s photo.

As Chuck leaves, Ellie questions him about his job plans and Morgan shows up to further discuss their battle plan. As Chuck and Sarah have dinner at a Chinese restaurant, discussing their futures and appear to be leaning in for a kiss, Chuck flashes on people around them. They are in danger and Sarah left her gun at home, “you don’t bring a gun on a real date.”

Casey is attacked by the courier picking up the Cipher and is barely able to save himself from death. 

Chuck and Sarah meet Mr Colt, the man from the beginning of the story, and as he attempts to force them to leave with him, Casey drives into the restaurant and rescues them. But not before Colt punches him in the face, leaving an impression of the ring he is wearing. He tells them he lost the Cipher. Chuck realizes he is still the intersect.

Next morning Chuck is not happy as his alarm goes off. At the Buy More it will be time to pick the new assistant manager and interviews take place. When Casey enters during the process Chuck flashes on the wound from the ring and they know who Colt is working for. Chuck leaves the assistant manager decision up to Morgan as he want to go with Casey and Sarah. They refuse his help.

Morgan stages a cage fight to decide on the next assistant manager but Chuck is called away for a Nerd Herd call. As Chuck answers the call we find out Casey and Sarah were sent to a fake address. Chuck is now face to face with Colt and his men. He uses the video game strategy with Morgan to deceive Colt into believing he has a team and steals the Cipher. As he attempts to escape he is cornered by Colt and thrown thru the window but Casey is outside on the fire escape and catches him. Sarah burst in as Chuck was being dropped and screams, she then fights Colt and Casey arrives to help but Colt’s men arrive and outnumber them. Suddenly, Chuck burst on the roof with the CIA team and saves the day.

Later, Chuck decides to cook for Sarah for their makeup date. Casey is told by Beckman and Graham he will still have to eliminate Chuck. He attempts to offer alternative ideas but has to follow orders. Graham uses the Cipher to initiate the new intersect, it comes on line and explodes. Meanwhile, Sarah arrives for their date and Casey comes in the back to complete his order. Sarah tells Chuck what happened with the intersect and Casey quietly backs away.

Back at the Buy More the next day we find Chuck looking dejected and Lester appears dressed as the new assistant manager. Chuck, Casey and Morgan all then rush to the back to watch Jeff attempt to eat ninety Twinkies in under three minutes.

Points of Interest

• There was nine months between the end of season one and the start of season two.
• This episode premiered the new title sequence that included the supporting cast.
• In its homage to Groundhog Day, we see Chuck wake up to his alarm two days in a row at the same time. He has different Huey Lewis and the News songs for the two days and his emotional outlook is significantly different.
• We see an undamaged Norman, Big Mike has a new fish.
• Sarah definitely saw her date with Chuck as non spy related. She didn’t bring her gun for a real date.
• For one episode Langston Graham is seen as the Director of the CIA. Fulcrum eliminates him quickly.
• Chuck’s breakfast cereal is Nuts and More. Which he easts immediately after catching Devon and Ellie in the shower together.
• Yvonne Strahovski does her first wire work in the episode during the fight with Colt.
• Chuck tells Ellie that he and Sarah could backpack across Europe as part of his new life.

References

• The Godfather- Lester impersonates Don Corleone
• Star Wars- Millennium Falcon referenced
• The Beastmaster- direct reference
• Mad Max- Morgan’s process for picking the next assistant manager
• Call Of Duty- the game being played in the challenge with Large Mart
• Groundhog Day- Chuck waking up to his alarm at the same time each morning.
• Pulp Fiction- Casey saves himself with a syringe to the heart

Music

Hip To Be Square-Huey Lewis and the News: Chuck wakes up

Returning To The Fold-  The Thermals: Chuck enters the Buy More

Four Du Fafa- Flight of the Conchords: Sarah serving frozen yogurt

Dropped- Phantom Planet: Getting ready for the date

Power of Love- Huey Lewis and the News: Chuck wakes up the next day

Women’s Wear- Daniel May: Big Mike sends Chuck on a job

The Twist- Frightened Rabbit: New intersect boots up