Chuck 4.04 "Chuck vs. the Coup d'Etat" Recap

If you missed the last moments of last week's Chuck, "Chuck vs. the Cubic Z," speed thee to this recap!

This week's episode, "Chuck vs. the Coup d'Etat," begins immediately following Chuck's almost proposal. Sarah asks if Chuck is, in fact, proposing, but he assures her he is not. Both voice lame excuses before running out of Castle in opposite directions. The picture freezes as it is revealed that Morgan and Chuck are reviewing the video of the "proposal." In a relationship made up of awkward moments, this is the most awkward moment in all of Chuck and Sarah's relationship. What's really torturing Chuck is the question: Would Sarah have said yes if it was a real proposal? Sarah, unfortunately, isn't talking to him about the situation at all. Morgan asks Chuck a more important question: Would Chuck have been happy if Sarah said yes? "Maybe," Chuck responds. What they need to do is talk about it, but Morgan points out that Chuck and Sarah may be the worst communicators he knows. Luckily, he has an idea. From the Buy More show floor, Morgan picks up a book by the famous Dr. Fred: 100 Conversations Before "I Do." Chuck protests, saying that he and Sarah can't talk about marriage after they just said they were going to take it slow. But what if he used in secret? Hmmmm.....

At their apartment, Devon is talking to Ellie's stomach about all of the awesome things he and his baby will be doing in the future. Ellie mentions that her husband hasn't actually said anything to Ellie for the past hour. She tells Devon that she is feeling "over-babied," and would really like to go away, on a "babymoon" perhaps. Devon agrees that maybe they should go on a vacation. Meanwhile, down in Castle, General Beckman addresses Chuck, Sarah and a wheelchair-bound Casey. She tells them that Commandante Turrini, one of the Generalissimo of Costa Gravas' main advisers and head of the Costa Gravan secret police, has been detected inexplicably in California. Chuck and Sarah are to go go the Costa Gravan embassy in Los Angeles to determine Turrini's reasons for being in the U.S. Casey, despite his protestations, is ordered to stay in bed.

Outside the embassy in an observation van, Chuck tries to talk to Sarah about their relationship, but he can't get out the words. He wonders what the big deal is -- why can't they talk about what happened? Sarah agrees, "OK, let's talk." Chuck says that Morgan gave him a book that details topics of conversation about one's relationship. Sarah, a bit put off, wonders if Chuck wants her to read the book, but Chuck insists he will read it, and then engage Sarah in the conversations that arise from it. Chuck continues to babble, but he is cut off by General Beckman. Turrini isn't headed to the Embassy. If he isn't going there, Chuck wonders, then where?

There is a knock on an apartment door. When it is opened, it reveals Devon. The knocker is none other than Commandante Turrini. "Dr. Devon Woodcombe," Turrini announces, "Costa Gravas calls once more."

Chuck and Sarah rush back to Devon and Ellie's apartment and find a number of Costa Gravan soldiers in the apartment. Sarah reaches for her gun, but Devon and Ellie quickly appear, in no apparent distress. Turrini says he has a video from Generalissimo Alejandro Goya. In a rather funny green-screened video, Goya tells Devon (and his "beautiful bride") that in honor of Devon saving his life, he is inviting Devon and Ellie to fly on his private jet to Costa Gravas to enjoy their beaches and his palace. This is exactly what Ellie was wishing for, so she tells Devon that they should take advantage of the offer, as long as Costa Gravas is safe. Sarah assures her that the country is currently stable. "It's very stable," Turrini notes, "we have Subway sandwich shops!" (This was unabashed and rather funny BPP: Blatant Product Placement. The second of the night! See the end of the recap for the first one.) Chuck, sensing an opportunity, asks if he and Sarah can come along. It would be a great opportunity to relax, talk, and see Sarah in a bikini. Turrini tells them they are more than welcome to come.

Casey, unfortunately for him, must remain at home. Worse, he has Morgan taking care of him by putting a large woolly blanket on him. The doorbell rings. Casey tries to get to the door first, but Morgan beats him there. He opens the door and Alex, Casey's daughter enters. She throws her arms around Morgan, but then realizes her father is in a wheelchair: a worse condition than she was led to believe. With Casey literally in between Morgan and Alex (basic direction, but always effective), Alex asks Morgan if he had a chance to use the bratwurst recipe she gave him. He had, much to Casey's deepening chagrin. Morgan quickly changes the conversation from hot meat to the video Alex brought. "Roman Holiday? No way. This is my favorite sick-day movie," Morgan excitedly tells Alex. Casey has heard enough mutual sharing between the Bearded One and his daughter, so he kicks Morgan out. Alex says she has to get back to work, so she's leaving too. She says goodbye to Morgan and Casey and heads out the door. Morgan tries to quickly follow after her, but Casey grabs his arm. "Why don't you give her a five minute lead?" Morgan nods in agreement.

In their bedroom, Sarah is trying on a number of different bikinis (OK, I would normally stop here to comment on how absolutely incredible Yvonne Strahovski looked in those bathing suits, but that may just seem boorish and uninteresting to some, so I won't. Then again, for those not interested in beautiful women in bathing suits, there was also a 12 foot tall statue of Ryan McPartlin's rippling abs in the episode, so I guess it all evens out. Chuck: equal opportunity hot-body exploiters!). Chuck enters and is gobsmacked at how amazing his girlfriend looks, noting how he can't wait for vacation. Sarah asks if he really is just looking for this to be a relaxing vacation. He insists that is all he wants, but they might have an opportunity or two to work on their communication exercises. Sarah assures, as she slinks up directly in front of him, "There are many ways to communicate." Sarah leaves the room. With her gone, Chuck (reluctantly?) packs the D.r Fred book into his luggage.

Chuck, Sarah, Ellie and Devon arrive in Costa Gravas and attend a party at Generalissimo Goya's palace. He wraps Devon up in his arms, thanking Devon again for saving his life. He then takes Ellie's hand and begins to kiss it. And kiss it. And sniff it. "Ah, you are pregnant! There is nothing sweeter than ripe fruit!" Goya then introduces the group to his wife Hortencia, beautifully clad in a sweeping red dress. Goya whisks Devon and Ellie away, leaving Chuck and Sarah to start talking about their relationship. Chuck informs Sarah that he will need five hours a week for Morgan and he to get together to play Halo (BPP #3!). Sarah replies that she needs silence for thirty minutes before they go to bed. Chuck doesn't think he can agree to complete silence, so they compromise that every other night Sarah will get her silent half hour. Their conversation is cut short by Goya getting everyone's attention for an announcement. He tells the gathered party-goers that they are there to celebrate the hero that saved Goya's life: Dr. Devon Woodcombe. With his proclamation, the Generalissimo reveals a 12 foot tall marble statue of Devon, clad in a stethoscope, and little else. Devon is awestruck, only able to say, of course, "Awesome!"

Chuck looks away from the statue and sees a sign for the "Palacio de la Gente" and flashes. His flash reveals that there is a Soviet weapons system hidden behind a red door in the palace. Sarah notices his flash, so despite his desire to keep the vacation going, he tells her what he saw. She wants to investigate, but Chuck tells her he can't start spying around Ellie, when he told her he had quit. Meanwhile, Hortencia approaches one of the soldiers on duty that it is time to get their people in position. "Tonight our socialist dreams come true....Tonight our voices will be heard!" Tonight there is going to be a coup!

Sarah calls Casey and has Chuck relay him the information about his flash. Casey, having spent a lot of time in the palace waiting to kill the Generalissimo (including two weeks living in the walls of the palace), knows the building's layout well. He tells Chuck and Sarah where they need to go, but Chuck isn't so sure about this investigation. Perhaps they should just worry about the weapons at the end of their vacation. Besides, they need some diversion so they can sneak off. At that moment, Goya grabs a microphone and begins to serenade his wife with the strains of "Besame Mucho." During the song, Devon studies his statute. He notes that, compared to the statue's abs, he thinks he may have put on some baby weight. Ellie reminds him that they agreed that there would be no baby talk. On this trip, they are supposed to be just husband and wife. Noticing the look she is giving him, Devon asks if Ellie is getting a little hot and bothered because of his statue. She admits she is, as she beckons him to slip away with her. "Way to go marble me!" Devon tells his stone self, before giving the statue a pro athlete butt slap.

Casey instructs Chuck and Sarah to head down a hallway that should lead them to the red door. As they go, with drinks in hand, Chuck asks Sarah five words that describe him. "Brunette. Tall," she replies. "What about charming, and interminably handsome?" Chuck asks before cutting himself off. They have arrived at the red door. With no key, Sarah grabs the cherry-laden toothpicks from their drinks and picks the lock. They enter the next room, but immediately find another door. They close the red door and get to work on the second door's lock. All of a sudden, there is a very loud banging on the red door. Thinking someone is trying to barge in to capture them, Chuck begins to freak out, but the truth is much scarier. The banging is actually accompanied by some moaning. "Oh God, get me out of here!" Chuck pleads. Sarah throws open the door to find Devon and Ellie. Noting Chuck and Sarah's presence in the small room, Devon comments, "I guess Costa Gravas makes everyone run a little caliente."

Just then, gunshots ring out upstairs. Hortencia grabs a machine gun and sprays bullets into the air. Chuck, Sarah, Ellie and Devon reenter the main ballroom in time to see a soldier shoot the head off of Devon's statue. Ellie tells Chuck that she knows she told him he shouldn't be a government agent any more, but she really needs him to do some spy stuff right now. A soldier runs at them, but Chuck flashes his Chuck Fu skills, and disarms him. He flips the gun to Sarah, and the two spies dispatch a number of onrushing enemies. With the immediate danger gone, Devon remarks, "That was awesome, Chuck." Chuck calls Casey, who tells them to make their way into the basement. He knows a means of escape there. They meet up with Goya and Turrini who lead them through the weapons control center. Sarah, as she passes through, snaps a few pictures with a lipstick camera. The group escape the palace and board the Generalissimo's plane, heading for Los Angeles.

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