During the flight to L.A., Devon apologizes to Ellie that their babymoon went so horribly awry. He says that when they get back, they should head straight to Malibu and finish their vacation. Ellie agrees and cuddles up next to Devon. Chuck, admiring his sister and brother-in-law, notes to Sarah that Devon and Ellie are "communication all-stars," and that he wants he and Sarah to be the same way. Sarah thinks that's great and all, but they have a coup on their hands so they can't worry about that now. Sarah figures that they cannot hide Goya at the Costa Gravan embassy without putting him in danger. In fact, there is only one person the Generalissimo trusts in L.A....the Angel de la Muerte, John Casey. When the group arrives at Casey's apartment, Goya comments, "The wheelchair is not as intimidating as I hoped," eliciting a classic Casey sneer. "Su casa es mi casa, no?" Goya laughs in reply.
At the Buy More, Morgan receives a text from Alex, asking if he's up for a movie marathon soon. He's freaking out over it (and the implications of dating Casey's daughter), so he calls in the one man who might have some advice, Big Mike. He tells Big Mike that Alex is a really great girl, but that he's afraid of being sent off to a black site by Casey. Big Mike simply asks if Morgan likes her, because if he does, than any injury is worth it.
Downstairs in Castle, as Sarah looks at the photos she snapped running through the weapons control room, she apologizes to Chuck that their vacation was ruined. Chuck says not to worry about it, because he still has a number of questions to ask Sarah, and the next few are about sex. Sarah seems increasingly wary of these questions and asks form where they came. As Chuck explains that Dr. Fred is a world-renowned relationship expert, Sarah catches a glimpse of the display of Dr. Fred's book on the Buy More security camera. She zooms in to see the book's title and that it is about marriage. Sarah is flabbergasted; she thought they had just talked about going slow. Why can't they just be as they currently are? Chuck is listening, but catches sight of one of the weapons pictures. He flashes that the weapons system is actually for nuclear weapons. "What if 'I do' changes everything?" Sarah asks. "It's nuclear," Chuck replies. "Yes!" Sarah responds. "No, no. The weapons system...it's for nuclear weapons," Chuck informs her.
"Costa Gravas is nuclear?!?" General Beckman explodes at Goya via video conference. Goya admits that there are a number of nuclear missiles hidden in the jungles of Costa Gravas, most of which are aimed at U.S. cities, but they are from the past. He has no intention of harming the U.S. Besides, two keys are needed to launch the missiles. He shows the one around his neck (which Turrini eyes widely - a gesture noticed by Casey). The other, well, he gave that one to his wife. Beckman orders Casey to continue watching Goya, while Chuck and Sarah are told to head back to Costa Gravas to get the other key from Hortencia.
Goya steps outside into the courtyard to smoke a cigar, followed by Turrini and Casey. He comments that it is funny that for all of those years he and Casey tried to kill each other, but now Casey is his protector. Casey agrees, saying that he didn't think this is how Goya's life would end up. In 1991, he wrote a report that found someone close to him would take him down, instead. As Casey explains the report, Turrini seems to get more and more nervous. Before Casey can finish, Turrini pulls a gun on Casey, who in turn aims his. "Don't make me shoot a man in a wheelchair," Turrini tells Casey. Slowly (and much akin to Westley at the end of The Princess Bride), Casey rises from his wheelchair, "Better?" Laser sights immediately focus on Casey from the surrounding Costa Gravan troops, which Casey laughs off. Goya steps next to Casey while the two men square off, and hits Casey over the head with a flower pot, knocking him out. He apologizes to his savior, and turns to Turrini. Casey's blood flows in his [Goya's] veins, so if Turrini promises to let Casey live, Goya will go with him back to Costa Gravas.
Roused by Chuck and Sarah, Casey plunges a hypodermic needle into his leg; he is going to Costa Gravas with them. They are to reinstall Goya as the leader of the country, and secure the nuclear missiles. The team arrives in Costa Gravas, and crawls through a tunnel leading into the palace. Meanwhile, at the Buy More, Dr. Fred is signing his book. Morgan approaches him and asks how is he supposed to know if it's right to ask someone out. Before he can get a sufficient answer, Big Mike whisks Morgan away, hurt that his "son" would go to another man for advice. All Morgan needs to do is kiss her, and see if "smooth jazz rises up from your soul!" He leaves Morgan to ponder whether he even likes smooth jazz.
Back in Costa Gravas, Hortencia is attempting to film a video announcing the coup, but her husband keeps interrupting. This is exactly why she has staged the coup in the first place! She has been very unhappy in their marriage for a long time. To make matters worse, Goya wouldn't go to marriage counseling, because "we have to do everything your way." They start arguing, and Goya is able to grab the pistol off Hortencia's belt.
Observing the standoff from their tunnel, Chuck wonders if they are all about to die because of a love problem. Chuck bursts into the room and says he just wants to mediate the dispute. Sarah enters, too, to help. She and Chuck are trained in these types of situations. Further, Hortencia is right about Goya. Hortencia explains that once they moved into the palace, everything changed. The rebel who led a revolution and loved her passionately disappeared. "So, change was bad?" Sarah pointedly asks. "But you do still love each other," Chuck quickly follows.
Turrini, having heard enough proclamations of love, and Chuck and Sarah's bantering about their own relationship, says he is just going to kill the Americans and Goya himself. Chuck flashes some Chuck Fu, chops the gun out of Turrini's hand, and throws him into Casey (who had entered the room), who puts Turrini in a choke hold. Sarah continues, telling Hortencia that love doesn't have to change. Goya agrees, saying that his love for his wife has never died. He asks if his wife will help him lead the country together. Hortencia lowers her gun. Will she get an official role? "You'll be Secretary of State!" he replies. There is much rejoicing, so Sarah slyly grabs Hortencia's nuclear key from the control panel. The nukes are now in U.S. custody.
At the Buy More, Morgan makes a pro and con list for dating Alex. He is interrupted by her arrival in his office. Morgan, tentatively, admits there has been a flirtation between the two,
but he's not so sure...well, Dr. Fred says..., but before he can say anything more, Alex kisses him. She pulls back and tells Morgan that she likes him. Morgan is shaken. He stammers, saying that there are steps to be taken, and questions to be asked before they can start anything. With Big Mike watching outside the office, Alex appears crestfallen. She begins to leave. The dulcet tones of Al Green Lewis LaMedica crescendo as Morgan finally says, "Oh, screw it!" He grabs Alex's arm, spins her around and lays a big kiss on her. Big Mike walks away, triumphant.
In Costa Gravas, U.S. troops secure the nuclear weapons. Chuck glances at one of the control panels and flashes. This system was purchased from Volkoff Industries. He asks Goya about Volkoff and whether he has any knowledge of Frost. Goya says that the purchase was codenamed "Project Beacon," the same operation Heather had mentioned days before. Also, he did know of Frost; she was Volkoff's "kept woman." He warns Chuck to proceed with caution -- these are people Chuck doesn't want to find.
Back at home, Chuck finds Ellie in the courtyard. She tells him that he is very good at the spy stuff; he seems to come alive because of it. She knows that he gave up a lot when he stopped being a spy, but with the baby coming, and Chuck being her only family, they just can't keep secrets from each other. Hearing Ellie's earnestness, Chuck blurts out that he is looking for their mother. Ellie asks why. He responds that they need to know the whole truth. Maybe their mother had to go. Maybe she was forced to leave. Maybe there's another side to the story. "What if there is no other side?" Ellie tearily asks. "What if our mother is exactly who we think she is?" "Well," Chuck replies, "we'll find that out too."
Sarah lies in bed next to a sleeping Chuck. She asks if he is still awake. There is no reply. "Can you hear me?" she asks. Again, closed eyes and silence. "I love you, Chuck. Nothing's ever gonna change that. And if you asked me for real, then my answer would be yes." She turns over to fall asleep. The camera closes on Chuck's face, as a smile slowly grows across it.
Commentary
While not the funniest episode of Chuck ever (i.e. jokes per hour), I thoroughly enjoyed it. Call me old-fashioned, call me what you will, but I really liked the sweet, romantic air to this week's show. Last week's cliffhanger had to be dealt with, and I thought it was handled nicely. Communication is a common issue in relationships (I can attest to that!), so it makes sense that after Chuck and Sarah had just spoken about taking it slow, and then the "proposal" happened, communication problems would be at the fore. I'm not sure the Dr. Fred book had to be introduced, as the communication issue was paralleled in the Morgan/Alex, Goya/Hortencia, and Devon/Ellie stories, but it wasn't overly distracting, so it's a wash. There was just a nice, sweet air to the hour that allowed Chuck and Sarah's relationship to grow without overblown histrionics.
Of course, there was also the big reveal at the end that Sarah would say yes to Chuck's proposal, and Chuck actually hearing it. Thank God he did! I would have hated to have had the artificial roadblock set up that Chuck where he would have to continually try to suss out whether Sarah wants to marry him. That's the kind of plot that plagued most of Season Three, so I'm happy it didn't happen here.
As far as the return of Generalissimo Goya, I thought it was great. I loved the idea that the country wanted to celebrate Devon, and the statue was probably the funniest gag on the show in a long time. Armand Assante gleefully amplifies the "characterness" of Goya, but it never feels overdone to me. If there is a way to have him back a third time, I'm all for it.
I mentioned last week that I am willing to forego Jeff and Lester for more Devon and Ellie, so the former's absence didn't bother me. How can it when any scene where Zachary Levi and Sarah Lancaster talk alone is so perfect. It was common among the commentariat in Chuck's early seasons to note that Levi and Lancaster had better chemistry than Levi and Yvonne Strahovski. In my opinion, that is no longer true (Levi and Strahovski currently sizzle), but there is still something very electric (not in a sexual way) between Levi and Lancaster that I love seeing on screen. More of this please!
So, overall, I had a good time with "Chuck vs. the Coup d'Etat." What did you think of the episode? Would you welcome a third visit from the Generalissimo? Are you looking forward to more Morgan/Casey interaction regarding Alex (you know I am)? When do you think Chuck will ask Sarah to marry him for real? In episode 13? Before that? Leave your questions, comments and theories below or in our Chuck Forum. Also, be sure to check out some more opinionating on this week's episode in Brittany's review. I'll be back next week with another recap. Until then, I'm off to buy an awesome minivan...the Toyota Siena, safest family auto in its class (BPP!!).
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Love this! This is amazing!Beyond brilliant.