Chuck vs. The Seduction

Original air date October 6, 2008

Season 2 episode 2

Synopsis

Chuck arrives at the Buy More the day after the Intersect computer was destroyed. He tells Casey he is disappointed that he is still the Intersect and can’t have a normal life. Casey tells him that not only was the computer destroyed but Director Graham also was killed.

Lester is on a power trip as the new assistant manager.

Sarah arrives while Chuck fantasizes her seductive entrance and tells him there is a national emergency after kissing him. At the Orange Orange they access a new underground bunker that the CIA has built for them. Chuck is impressed and wants to know if Burbank will be a permanent location. General Beckman gives a briefing regarding finding the real Cipher and it might be in the possession of Sasha Banacheck, a former KGB agent, who might be in town to sell it. Beckman tells them they will need the help of Roan Montgomery, an agent with a history with her, to help capture her. 

Roan is off the grid and Team Bartowski is to find him. Casey has a history with Roan too. He failed his course of seduction twice in spy school. Chuck refuses the mission and as Beckman questions their ability to control him, Sarah follows him out and promises him a better future if he cooperates. One with anyone he chooses.

Looking at the file, Chuck flashes on Roan and they go to Palm Springs to find him. At his house, he is passed out with an empty alcohol bottle in his hand. 

Ellie and Awesome are having some problems. Ellie is feeling ignored and is envious of Chuck and Sarah’s relationship.

Back at Casey’s apartment, Casey and Sarah tell Beckman what a mess Roan is and they will need to find another way to catch Sasha Banacheck. Roan appears, dressed elegantly, and Beckman is flustered. He suggests Sasha will need to be seduced to be fooled and Chuck is the right choice (calling Casey, Agent Frankenstein).

At the Buy More Chuck bails on his assigned work from Lester and is given his assignment, to seduce Sasha. He will need a quick course on seduction using Sarah as his guinea pig.  Both are uncomfortable but Roan taunts Chuck into kissing Sarah passionately. She excuses herself after the kiss, seemingly unsteady. Roan surmises that wasn’t the first time they kissed. Awesome comes to the Buy More and receives seduction advise for Ellie from Morgan; using the eighth grade based advise from Morgan, Devon is unsuccessful in seducing his wife. Ellie is annoyed.

Preparing for the mission, Sarah instills some confidence in Chuck by telling him that his charm worked on her. On the mission, Chuck has Roan in his ear and Casey as the bartender. His initial moves don’t work and he uses the information on Sasha’s favorite club in St. Tropez to get her attention. As Roan spills his Martini on their surveillance equipment, Chuck is in need of their assistance and Sasha tries to leave in disappointment. When coming back on line, Chuck overhears Sarah tell Roan that Chuck is just an asset. They have been arguing about her feelings for Chuck in the van. Chuck reacts by charging after Sasha and coming on strong, she invites him upstairs. Sarah leaves the van to head inside, she and Casey arrive as the elevator doors close.

In Sasha’s room, Chuck flashes on the necklace she is wearing and it’s the Cipher. She lets Chuck and Roan know she is on to them. Casey and Sarah are out in the hall to rescue him but have to get through the guards. Chuck retreats to the balcony, grabs the Cipher and escapes but Sasha captures Casey and Sarah. She uses them to force Chuck to meet her to turn over the Cipher.

At the Buy More, Lester’s strong arm tactics leads to everyone quitting.

Roan meets Chuck at his apartment and warns him against trying to save his partners. When Chuck insists then Roan accuses him of being in love with Sarah. He also tells him Sarah has feelings for him, reminds him that spies don’t fall in love. Chuck admits he’s not much of a spy and Roan is not much of a legend.

Chuck can’t get Beckman on the phone but goes to the Buy More and discovers what Lester has done. He leaves and Lester has to eat crow to get his staff back. Roan shows up and intercepts Chuck, he has changed his mind and they launch a plan to save Sarah and Casey and keep the Cipher. They lure Sasha to the Buy More where their plan goes awry but Chuck again is heroic and saves the day. At the debriefing, Chuck is told that the Intersect will soon be ready and he will be free.

Roan leaves but first gives Chuck some romantic advice for he and Sarah, using the Montgomery method. Chuck shows up at Sarah’s hotel room and finds Bryce Larkin with her.

Points of Interest

• First episode to mention Ass Man, the nickname for the assistant manager of the Buy More.
• Ellie’s favorite film is Casablanca.
• Diane Beckman gets some backstory. It seems she and Roan have a history.
• The photo taken during the shoot of this episode is the one that Sarah carries with her in her suitcase as well as the one she throws the pencil through in Cougars. The backyard of Roan’s house is used for that photo shoot.

References

• Gotcha (1985)- Sasha Banacheck is a character in the film about a CIA agent that seduces a college student. Also the name of the game played in Alma Mater by Chuck and Bryce. The actress playing Sasha (Melinda Clark) also played in Firefly with Adam Baldwin.
• Casablanca- Ellie’s favorite film.
• Blade Runner- Morgan’s shoulder bag labeled Tyrell Corporation. Used also in Wookie.
• Wheel of Fortune- Lester and the Buy More staff play “Wheel of Misfortune”.
• Sister Act- Morgan tells Devon it is Ellie’s favorite film.
• Hamlet- ‘The lady doth protest too much” quotes Roan in reference to Sarah.

Music

Desert Eagle- Rattan: Chuck and Casey discuss the Intersect explosion.

At The Checkout Counter- Billy Martin: Morgan gives Chuck a pep talk.

Do You Believe In Love- Huey Lewis and the News: Sarah enters the Buy More.

Just Browsing- Billy Martin: Big Mike advises Lester.

65 Bars and A Taste of Soul- Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band: Roan gets ready.

Right Here Waiting- Richard Marx: Devon seduces Ellie.

Love It All- The Kooks: Chuck goes to see Sarah at her hotel.

Di Tu Se Fedele- Un Ballo In Maschera opera by Giuseppe Verde: Chuck seduces Sasha Banacheck.