Chuck 4.17 "Chuck vs the First Bank of Evil" Recap

If you missed last week's romantic, and at times disturbing (Morgan being painted with chocolate!), episode, check out my recap here.

This week's episode picks up right where the last one left off, with Vivian in Volkoff's office, staring at the light emanating from the wall. Vivian approaches a panel in the wall which contains a clear plastic card, engraved with some very familiar numbers engraved on it (familiar to Lost fans, anyway). She removes the card and an unseen red light begins to blink. Vivian studies the card, and not divining its meaning, falls into Volkoff's chair and says, "I give up." A man's voice says that is a strange reaction to the gift she has just been given. The man enters the office and introduces himself as Riley, Volkoff's lawyer. Riley explains that Volkoff left Vivian a letter. He begins to recite it it an approximate Volkoff accent. When Vivian questions the affectation, Riley explains that Volkoff instructed that he read the letter that way to make her comfortable. Dropping the accent, Riley completes his recitation of the letter, concluding with Volkoff's desire that Vivian follow in his footsteps as the head of Volkoff Industries. Vivian does not seem receptive. Sensing this, Riley asks her how could she possibly say no? "No," she calmly states. In response, Riley pulls a gun saying that he can't let her say no. Vivian deftly knocks the gun away and stabs Riley in the hand with an envelope opener. She grabs the car and escapes.

In Echo Park, Ellie and Sarah look at flowers. Sarah just doesn't have a strong opinion about the flowers, or really, anything. Can't Ellie just make the choices? Ellie explains that every bride feels overwhelmed, but there is a moment where everything changes. Ellie was picking up her wedding bands when she realized that she was marrying the man of her dreams and just broke down. She knows it sounds cheesy, but everything became magical for her at that moment. Ellie promises that Sarah will have such a moment (and I noted that said moment would likely occur between 8:40 0and 8:50pm).

Over at the Buy More, Chuck and Morgan stand in front of the TV wall. Morgan says he's not going to get a TV for his new place. When Chuck practically falls over at this news, Morgan assures his best bud that he's just kidding. A 72 inch-er is more like it. Chuck asks how the apartment search is going. Morgan still hasn't found anything, and is living with his mom, but he has some prospects. Chuck gets a text to come down to Castle, so as he leaves he tells Morgan that he is happy everything is going so well for the bearded one. When Chuck leaves, Big Mike approaches Morgan and asks if he slept OK the night before. Morgan responds in the negative, citing some very loud cats. Big Mike informs Morgan that those "cats" are going to have a special dinner tonight, and could get a bit...frisky. Not wanting to hear about any more of Big Mike's nocturnal activities with Morgan's mother, Morgan says he needs to go place an ad for a roommate and quickly disengages from the conversation.

Vivian is in Castle, and tells Chuck and Sarah about Riley. She plunks card down the card from Volkoff's office on table. Upon seeing it, Chuck flashes. It turns out the card identifies a vault at the First Bank of Macau, a depository for all of Volkoff's wealth. General Beckman informs Chuck and Sarah that the bank is actually operated by the mob. The CIA (whatever happened to the NSA? Operation Bartowski used to be a joint CIA-NSA operation.) has tried to infiltrate it for years, but were always unsuccessful, losing a few agents in the process. They now have a perfect asset in Vivian because she's an account holder. Chuck protests that Vivian is not built for the spy world. "Well, you're a spy and she's an asset," the General retorts. Chuck needs to turn Vivian into a Volkoff.

Morgan sits in his office writing an apartment ad. Jeff and Lester stop by to ask Morgan to settle a debate for them. What is the best place to meet girls: a renaissance fair or a meth clinic? Morgan, just wanting to rid himself of the guys, answers renaissance fair. Lester immediately asks if they can have two weeks off to go to a renaissance fair? No, and he doesn't have time to answer any more questions as he needs to find a roommate. Lester says that he and Jeff have an extra bedroom in their apartment/van; Morgan can stay with them. Morgan wants no part of their van, and is saved by a call to come to the sales floor. When he leaves, Lester reads Morgan's apartment posting and notices that potential roommates will meet Morgan at the Buy More. Lester decides he is going to screw with Morgan to get Jeff and him their vacation.

Downstairs in Castle, Vivian tells Chuck that she doesn't want any part of the mission; she just found out her father is a criminal mastermind. Chuck replies that he can relate because his father left him when he was thirteen. What Chuck did learn, however, was that even though his father wasn't around, it didn't mean he wasn't thinking abut Chuck. Chuck can promise that he and Sarah will help her find some answers about Volkoff. With that, Vivian agrees to take part in the mission. She needs more evil clothes though. Chuck engages a computer which scans VIvian with a green laser. A hologram appears (whoa, so this is where Chuck was putting all of its special effects budget all season?) of Vivian in a new outfit. With the disguise approved, a mechanized closet brings the combination forward. Castle picks clothes! Chuck mentions that Castle has a great makeover feature too, not that he has tried it or anything.

When Vivian goes off to try on the clothes, Chuck calls up a hologram of him in a tux. Sarah comments that it is a bit formal for a bank job. Chuck agrees, but he's showing it to Sarah because that is what he is choosing to wear for the wedding. Sarah agrees it's nice, but her comment seems forced. When called on her reaction, she apologizes to Chuck; she feels like she's letting everyone down because she's not into wedding planning. Chuck tells her not to worry about it; he'll call of Ellie if Sarah wants. No, she will try harder for everyone involved. At that moment, Casey walks by, but he doesn't stop to talk to them. Chuck asks where he is off to, and Casey responds that he's going for a Hot Pocket. Chuck notes that they haven't seen Casey in a while. Casey replies that General Beckman has a separate mission for him, but he can't say what it is. They'll talk later. With that, Casey rushes off, leaving Chuck and Sarah quite confused.

Upstairs in his office, Morgan has his first potential roommate come by. The guy is a renaissance fair king. After asking Morgan to kiss his ring as ruler of the realm, the king is followed by a wench and a half-man/half-goat faun. Morgan is exasperated, and when he next looks up, he is staring into the gruff face of the Colonel. Casey is not there for the roommate ad. Morgan want to know why weirdos keep showing up. He looks out the window an sees the renaissance fair characters reveling outside with Jeff and Lester. It dawns on Morgan that the guys screwed with his ad. Morgan then realizes that Casey has an extra room in his apartment. When Morgan inquires, Casey curtly replies, "Don't even think about it."

Macau. Chuck, Sarah and Vivian prepare for the mission in a van outside the bank. Chuck tells Vivian that she needs to think like her father. Chuck will, like Kevin Costner, be her bodyguard. There will be rigid security that will test her identity. Vivian replies that she is not good at tests; what if she fails? Chuck's only further advice is, "Just pass." He promises he will stay close. Chuck and Vivian enter the bank (with Sarah monitoring from the van), and are greeted by none other than Dr. Pierre Chang (yeah, second Lost reference)!! He tells Vivian that he wasn't aware Volkoff's account had changed hands, but when he scans the account card, he notes that it is legitimate. This bank manager leads Vivian to the vault, but Chuck is not allowed in. Chuck protests, but Vivian says its OK; she is not backing out of the mission. With Chuck's assent, Vivian goes up the stairs to the vault alone.

Chuck radios Sarah and tells her security stopped him. Sarah tries to direct him to another avenue to the vault, but he needs a key card to get up to the vault level. "It's time to be a spy," Chuck says before approaching the security mercenary. He asks the guard how will he know Vivian will be properly protected? What if a Kung Fu master broke in and started wheeling his arms around for a fight. The guard delivers a punch to Chuck's midsection, which staggers Chuck to his knees. As the guard helps him up, Chuck grabs the guard's card, and makes his way to the locked stairwell. Up in the vault, Vivian walks up to a console. The bank manager tells her this is standard security procedure, and asks her to place her hand down on the console. A needle pricks her finger and draws blood for a DNA test. Meanwhile, Chuck arrives on the vault level but sees no sign of Vivian. "Oh, no!" exclaims Sarah. Is everything OK, Chuck wonders. Sarah just received a text from Ellie about going cake testing. "Yeah, cake testing. That's so terrible," Chuck replies. Sarah, hearing his sarcasm, admits she knows wedding stuff should be fun, but she's finding it a little overwhelming. Chuck suggests she pick at least one thing to get excited about. "Ease your way in," he recommends. Chuck then sees into a vault and spies an entire room full of computer equipment. He flashes that the equipment is stolen Chinese army computer servers. Chuck notes that the bank wouldn't have military grade tech if it wasn't up to something sinister.

Back in the vault, Vivian is asked her name, her purpose for being in the vault, and if she is with a law enforcement agency. Vivian gives her responses, and the bank manager reappears. She has passed the test, and as a result, subsequent visits will be sufficiently less evasive. Vivian is handed solely a safe deposit box. When she asks if the box is it, the manager tells her that Volkoff said all of his prized possessions were contained inside. Vivian inspects the box's contents and finds pictures and news clippings of her. Meanwhile, Chuck makes his way toward the vault, but is stopped by a guard. Sarah asks if he needs help, but Chuck says he can handle it. A second guard approaches Chuck from behind and grasps him around the neck. "Now I need help!" he radios to Sarah. Vivian leaves the vault and is met by the two guards and Chuck in zip tie handcuffs. She is told that her bodyguard was found in an off-limits area. Chuck apologizes to "Ms. Volkoff." Picking up on his hint, Vivian slaps Chuck and pulls a gun on him. She bellows that she trusted him, and has never been lied to like she has. She swears she is about to shoot Chuck, but the manager stops her, explaining that there is "no need to do this on bank property." The guards escort Vivian and Chuck toward the door as Sarah enters. Vivian explains that they can hand Chuck over to her new head of security, Sarah. As she departs, the bank manager says that despite his feelings earlier, he can now see Volkoff in Vivian.

But Wait...There's More on Page 2!!