No! Nooooooo! I was all set to get all gushy about how awesome this episode of Chuck was -- we had truth serum, Marshall from Alias as a diabolical former gymnast/poisoner, nookie, lots of  inadvertent honesty, and Rachel Bilson as a deli savant to boot. And then, then! They crush my hopes and  dreams in the last five minutes. People: We may have seen the last of Harry Tang. Sob!

Truth is, there are spoilers coming.

Bare bones of the plot: Kevin Weisman (the aforementioned Marshall) is a poisoning fiend bent on stealing a virtual skeleton key for all US nuclear facilities and selling that info to the highest bidder. He uses a truth serum/poison on his victim, who scampers around town, finds the codes, and inconveniently collapses outside a sushi joint right in front of Ellie, Sarah and Chuck. Ellie goes into doctor mode, the soon-to-be-dead guy slips the pendant with the codes into her pocket, and Marshall (sorry, Kevin -- you'll always be Marshall to me) starts stalking Ellie, eventually poisoning her to get the codes. Chuck and the spies have to save her, stop the bad guy, and save the world. You know, the usual.

But this was so much more! First off, Chuck and Sarah are taking their fake relationship to the fake next level, so there's all sorts of angst there. Also, Chuck met Lou, an adorable tiny deli owner, and is smitten. Well, of course! Rachel Bilson already established herself as geek catnip in The OC. He wants to get to know her better, but the fake relationship with Sarah gets in the way. Alas.

Second, there's the truth serum. Oh, fabulous truth serum, font of so many comical moments. Ellie starts going nuts -- first speaking truth to the power that is Awesome, then invading Chuck's room when he's supposed to b romancing Sarah. Hilarity ensues something fierce. Then, Sarah, Chuck and Casey get hit with the poison, and they start spewing truths. I'll save some of those comments for the highlights. It was glorious.

Third, the spy stuff rocked this week. Hidden bugs, poisons, a bug detector hidden in a milk carton, shooting and fighting and all the rest. It's so very much fun.

And finally, there's the Buy More hijincks. Big Mike asks Morgan to help Mrs. Harry Tang pick out a present for Harry himself. Jeff and Les tape the encounter, and Harry Tang goes a bit nuts, thinking Morgan and his wife are getting it on. (mostly  because Mrs. Tang buried Morgan's face in her bosom.) His reaction is priceless.

But this leads to the tragic part of the episode: Harry Tang busts in on Chuck, Sarah and Casey talking to the big bosses in the home theater room, and Casey has to take care of him. No, he doesn't kill Harry -- he tells Harry that he was the real asset they've been interested in, and advises him to immediately move to Oahu and await further instructions on how to serve his country in a secret capacity. Harry is thrilled, everyone at Buy More is thrilled, but me? I'm absolutely heartbroken. Tell me this doesn't mean no more Harry Tang! Sob!

Highlights, quotes, and odds and ends:

• I love Rachel Bilson, and her character, Lou, seems equally adorable. She is obsessed with sandwiches: "I own a deli in the mall, and often think about meats and cheeses." It's her delivery that makes it perfect.
• Morgan calls Chuck on being a mind cheater, and dubs Lou "Licorice Hair": Her hair looked so much like licorice -- I wanted to chew on it until I made myself sick." That was disturbingly graphic.
• After meeting Sarah, Lou lays it on the line for Chuck: "I like you. I like almost everything about you. I think  you're cute, you're funny, our vast height difference intrigues me..." Hee!
• Awesome. Ah, Awesome. I know you're trying to help, but mentioning how Sarah and Chuck aren't boinking really isn't the more suave thing to do. "You guys are joined at the hip, but that's not where you're supposed to be joined..." And then there's his pep talk to Chuck (delivered in spandex bike gear): "I know it's been a  while since you've taken your bike out for a ride, you know? But it is time to oil up that rusty chain, hop on that seat and start peddling away, bro. You never forget how to ride, ok? Lock it out." This last bit is accompanied by a fist for Chuck to bump, which Chuck looks at uncomprehendingly. Also, Sarah can hear everything he's saying.
• Casey settles down for a night of surveillance with a  plate of chocolate chip cookies in front of a framed picture of Ronald Reagan.
• Ellie on her truth jag is hysterical -- Re: Awesome's bike gear: "What's up with the porno shorts!" When Awesome says, well, you know, she blows up: "If everything is awesome and there is no unawesome, then awesome by definition is just mediocre!"
• When Marshall runs away with the code chip, Casey drops him with a flung crutch he snags from a limping guy. Hee!
• Chuck contemplating death: "If had a blog, this would be a very big day for me: Done my laundry, check; saved my sister's life, check; saved my own life... final entry."
• Under the influence of the drug, Casey amuses himself by playing with an upturned wheelchair's wheels.
• They spies argue about who should pick the lock at Marshall's place. "Well, who's better at it?" "I am," says Sarah, grinning. "She is. Damn truth serum!" says Casey.
• Chuck on truth serum turns to Sarah: "God, you're so pretty!" Then to Casey: "Your jaw was sculpted by Michelangelo himself."
• The spies knock on Marshall's door. "Yes? Who is it?" he asks. "The NSA, the CIA and me... who's a little harder to explain, but..." says Chuck.
• Marshall tries to feed the spies the wrong antidote, but Chuck figures out it's not real -- "I've just read tons of comic books." Hee. When Marshall does a bunch of fancy gymnast moves to escape, Sarah shoots him in the knee. "Very unsportsmanlike," Casey growls. "I like it!"
• Sarah's admission under truth serum: She calls Casey her partner (he's touched)., then admits to Chuck that it's never going to happen between them. But wait! In the end, she tells Casey she was trained to resist truth serum! So she really does love Chuck? Sigh. Why was that the one thing she resisted telling the truth about?
• After the adventure is over, Chuck tells Sarah he wants to start checking things off his life list. Hs first item: Dump Sarah. That was not what she was expecting. 
• Casey tells Harry Chuck was just the thing used to lure in Harry Tang. "He's just small potatoes." "I'm the big potato?" stammers Harry.
• Big Mike admits to Morgan that the only reason he gave Harry the job is because he was diddling Harry's wife. "I will not miss the man at all, but I will forever dream about the Lady Tang." Lovely.

What do you think? Is truth serum the most awesome plot device ever? Is Lou for real? Does Sarah really love Chuck? And will you ever get over it Harry Tang is gone for good?

Comments

Here's what I'm pondering (and you are too, apparently): If Sarah really does like Chuck, why did she tell him there was no chance of anything happening? We can assume it's not that her principles are against mixing business with pleasure (since she was Bryce's girlfriend).
Also, it's kinda surprising that a girl, especially one like Rachel Bilson, would say "I like everything about you" after they had talked for a grand total of about five minutes. But because it's Rachel Bilson, I don't think most guys would mind. And she had some great lines.
But yes, I was very suprised that they would get rid of Harry Tang so early in the show.
The next couple of episodes sound pretty great. Although unfortunately I did read some episode descriptions, and have had next eps big secret spoiled (I encourage people to avoid the spoilers).

Billiam | Nov 12, 2007 7:39:25 PM | #

---

Great episode, but why oh why do they have to get rid of Harry Tang? His 3 minutes of screen time stole the show tonight! I'm hoping the actor who plays Tang has another show or something and had to be written off, and not that they had planned on writing him off all along, because that would cause me to lose some faith in the writers!

Also, I'm thinking that Sarah was able to lie to Chuck about not liking him because she had time to prepare herself and build a resistance to the toxin, whereas all the times she told the truth she was in the middle of a harrowing situation and didn't have time to prepare herself to lie. That, or lazy writing. Either way, it was a good show and I can't wait for next week.

Chris | Nov 12, 2007 8:37:42 PM | #

---

I LOVED seeing Rachel on the small screen again. She looked amazing, different but hot as ever. Hopefully she'll show up again before the filmed episodes are done.

True, it did seem weird Lew would confess her affection towards Chuck after only 1.5 of a meeting but you can tell she and he felt a connection from their first encounter.

What I really want to see more of is Bryce and Sarah's relationship, in the Pilot she seemed like he was her true love but now she never even talks or mentions him. I get she may be grieving but at lease she'd show some ease when it came to having "sex" with Chuck.

Chuck really disappointed me with it's 2nd ep, but now after seeing a lot of great episodes it has become my 2nd favorite new show after Josh's other creation Gossip Girl. Crossing fingers that both see the light of a new year and blossom into bigger hits.

Jeffrey | Nov 12, 2007 8:46:14 PM | #

---

"Awesome" episode! This show's got it all. Comedy, action, and the always essential dramatic "angst". I too hope there's more Tang in the future. His expressions while watching that video was hilarious! This is practically the only show I watch on television besides sports, so a full season and more is needed.

Jimmy | Nov 12, 2007 9:12:03 PM | #

---

miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind cheeeeeeeeeeeeaterrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

bottomlesswells | Nov 13, 2007 12:17:40 AM | #

---

Harry Tang will be missed for sure. He is however on another fantastic show, Dexter. He plays the super perverted forensic specialist Masuka. He's equally delightful on that show as well.

Tyler | Nov 13, 2007 12:33:44 AM | #

---

I feel like there's going to be some big reveal about Sarah and her past, something more complex than her failed relationship with Bryce that's preventing a relationship with Chuck. They've vaguely hinted to her past. That said, it'll probably be a slow process, with us finding out her name first.

Tony | Nov 13, 2007 3:02:00 AM | #

---

Harry Tang was so noble at the end! When he puffed out his little chest and said he'd be honoured to serve his country I forgave him everything.
So many surprises in this ep. Awesome's name is Devon, Harry Tang has a wife, Big Mike is schtumping Harry Tang's wife - the revelations kept on coming! Casey's beginning to like Chuck, he's not so willing to shoot him now. Sarah and Casey's double act is zipping along nicely
Sarah: "Chuck's not wrong very often"
Casey: "but he's annoying all the time"
Captain Awesome will be so fantastic if Ellie gets pregnant, this ep proved he can handle her mood swings!
Fave Quotes: Sarah to Chuck on her way too revealing nightie (she couldn't get a shortie set from Victoria's Secret?!) "This is part of my cover" and chuck says "Well it doesn't cover a thing!"
Anyway, Sarah does not love Chuck it was not five minutes ago she was in love with Bryce and since after last week's ep she discovered he wasn't the Baddie she thought he was, she's not going to just fall in love with Chuck off the bat. Wonder what she'll do when she finds out Casey was the one who killed Bryce in the first place - won't want to be partners with him then. Rachel Bilson was excellent and she's got much more chemistry with Chuck than Sarah has. Sarah's more likely jealous another woman's in her Chuck territory though.

Sirius | Nov 13, 2007 3:43:57 AM | #

---

I think Sarah didn't tell Chuck she has feelings for him because she believes it is unprofessional - she does seem to take her profession/position very seriously. She's there as his guardian in a way and probably to her it would be wildly inappropriate for them to get involved romantically - that's my guess anyway.
Love this show - the writing just zings - it really is so stunning when you watch a show as well written as this, then a show as badly written as something like Bionic Woman.
With all the good writers in the world, there are still shows that are suffering with really bad ones - makes me appreciate the good ones all the more. I hope the writers prevail in this strike.

Lee | Nov 13, 2007 6:00:17 AM | #

---

Harry Tang, I will miss you. Your reaction to the tape was absolutely priceless. Who will be the Buymore nemesis now without you?

As for Lou dating Chuck I say: I'll be in my bunk...

Yossarian | Nov 13, 2007 6:21:55 AM | #

---

This was my favorite episode so far. I absolutely loved it! And I refer to Kevin as "The guy who played Marshall". And I kept refering to Veronica and Jess kissing on Heroes while Sark was next door.

Katya | Nov 13, 2007 6:29:34 AM | #

---

This was my favorite episode so far. I absolutely loved it! And I refer to Kevin as "The guy who played Marshall". And I kept refering to Veronica and Jess kissing on Heroes while Sark was next door.

Katya | Nov 13, 2007 6:29:37 AM | #

---

"Chuck" is still the show I go to when I need to turn 16 again. It's funny, sweet, action-packed, and the delivery by everyone (including the production team) is flawless.

Now who will fill the power-void (and secondary antagonist void) that Tang has left? Will it be Morgan? Les-Jeff? Anna, the only female in the stable formerly known as Chuck's Stable of Ho's? I still think Harry Tang might return much later (when Rachel Bilson's Lou's role gets more marginalized) to be a plot monkey-wrench to the spies one more time.

Awesome is very awesome. The fact that Sarah's prediction that they would be walked in on was funny. Elle freaking out (on a not-so-funny dose of penthol) was funny. Every time I see Casey is a smoking jacket eating comfort food while listening to Chuck's diatribes is funny.

"Your jaw was sculpted by Michelangelo himself." "Huh. Thanks."

"I was going to lie, grab the antidote, then run like hell to save my sister. Why did I just say that out loud?"

pakopako | Nov 13, 2007 6:46:54 AM | #

---

Love the show. Anyone know how many more episodes we're going to get before the strike causes the show to stop? I just hope this isn't one of the shows they decide it's not worth restarting once the strike finally ends...

I have to agree with those who thought that Sarah lied because she felt admitting her true feelings could lead to a real relationship which would compromise the mission (hence her response at the end).

himespau | Nov 13, 2007 7:20:38 AM | #

---

I love this show. I hope they keep it on. Sounds like it wont see ratings increase after Dancing with the Stars because they will run out of eps. Every year I get on a show and then boom its gone. I am glad Harry is gone. Annoying. love have Ellie with the poison. This show is funny, charning an exciting. Long live Chuck.

Nick | Nov 13, 2007 8:04:18 AM | #

---

Sarah, just giving fair warning that I'm stealing your "geek catnip" line for future consumption. I'll even give you credit when I use it. :)

Rishi | Nov 13, 2007 10:08:37 AM | #

---

I had to watch the picking the lock scene many times, Baldwin's reaction was hilarious as was "You're so pretty". Judging by her reaction in that scene, there must have been more jokes cut- she could barely keep from laughing. I hope the DVD has a gag reel. As for Harry Tang, I just never liked him so won't miss him at all. He just didn't seem that memorable.

kap | Nov 13, 2007 11:05:33 AM | #

---

This show is a real delight. The zinger's were coming fast and furious tonight. My favorite was when Elle on truth serum jumped onto Chuck's bed and said 'you're a big boy now, and she's a big...big...' while staring at Sarah's breasts.
Unfortunately, I heard that there are only 3 episodes left in the can. Damn it!

wmeador | Nov 13, 2007 11:09:24 AM | #

---

Harry Tang, actor C.S. Lee, is also Musaka on Dexter so maybe they had to write him out of Chuck so he could go film the new season of Dexter? Gosh, I hope he returns to Chuck as Harry Tang is a great character played by a great actor. But then again everything and everyone related to Chuck is great. Love the show and this latest episode could be the best one yet.

DaisyRose | Nov 13, 2007 11:10:28 AM | #

---

Noooo!!! They can't get rid of Harry Tang!! He was the funniest character on the show!! Please bring him back ASAP!!!

I'll miss you, HARRY TANG!!

GirlNamedChuck | Nov 13, 2007 12:16:14 PM | #

---

The show will air 5 more after this!!! Then hopefully we will be back after the strike.

ChuckCrew | Nov 13, 2007 12:25:12 PM | #

---

I love how this show is written except they seem to keep forgetting their own core - Casey is the bad guy people, he shot and killed Bryce in the beginning and he works for a different company to Sarah which is why both their bosses are seen giving them instructions on the TV screen and yet one of the bosses, Tony Todd, (whom I think is Sarah's boss) has been missing from the briefings twice now. Sarah is not supposed to be taking orders from Casey's boss even if they are (fr)enemies now. Second of all, this nonsense with the comic books, why complicate matters? The antidote Chuck gave Ellie was clearly bright green and yet bad guy Marshall - who is also Beth's sometime cameraman on Moonlight - gave them a pale honey coloured liquid as the antidote. Why couldn't either one of those highly trained spies notice it was the wrong colour? I did.
Who knew a place like Buy More could be full of such intrigue? I'm excited to go there every week to see what happens next with those crazy people.

Sirius | Nov 13, 2007 1:04:47 PM | #

---

Ah, a nearly perfect episode of a show that I was prepared to write off when it first started being promoted as some idiotic filler show until NBC dreamed up its next moronic "reality" show. Whew, long sentence. Anyway, what I like so much about this show is that even though it is called "Chuck," it is not so Chuck-centric that it doesn't allow its other regulars to shine. Captain Awesome has really grown on me, even though he initially made me roll my eyes even more than others do the same with Morgan. Ellie is probably my favorite of the non-spy characters, because she is obviously incredibly fond of her brother and wants to much for him to do well, given what happened to them as children. There is a sibling love there that I don't recall seeing in any show before now; it's quite refreshing, given the number of sitcoms and other shows that always have brothers and sisters bickering or competing or whatever. Most of the things I liked about this particular episode have already been mentioned, but there were two things that stood out...Big Mike saying how much he'll "miss the Lady Tang." There is a sexual undertone that, er, kinda left a weird taste in my mouth (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're obviously not a cunning linguist), but it was hilarious all the same. The other part was Casey seated next to a framed photo of Ronald Reagan; say what you will about the former president, but it certainly beats a photo of, say, Bill O'Reilly. Of course, now that Sarah has "admitted" that she and Chuck will never be a real item, you know that her exposing Lou as the bad person she'll end up being will not end well. I'm glad NBC has at least given Chuck and their other new shows a chance to continue, even if the ratings have not been spectacular. This show on another network would probably have folded after four episodes. Glad to know it'll be around for awhile, and hopefully will continue after the strike ends.

Dark Disciple | Nov 13, 2007 1:18:06 PM | #

---

The sculpted jaw remark was hilarious and sooo true.

Alia | Nov 13, 2007 1:21:39 PM | #

---

I think that Lou may be a plant by some evil organization.

John A | Nov 13, 2007 1:52:34 PM | #

---

I'm with Sirius, I noticed the colour difference of the viles right away also. I thought that was the reason Chuck was going to give, it was a bit odd for none of the 3 to not notice the colour difference.

Also, Yossarian I liked the Firefly reference. I think it's getting close to the time to rewatch that DVD again. :)

Rishi | Nov 13, 2007 2:31:47 PM | #

---

I say Harry Tang is out for awhile and while out he finds out that his wife is cheating on him and comes back divorced and more power hungry than ever.

Jason | Nov 13, 2007 4:24:11 PM | #

---

I don't know why I found this so funny, but when Ellie barges in on Chuck and Sarah and starts ranting on, she says something like "My words taste like peaches" and then walks out.

Renee | Nov 13, 2007 4:41:15 PM | #

---

Sarah did not tell Chuck how she really feels because maybe Bryce isn't dead? That or the typical plot twist..they're related. Which I doubt. Love this show more every week! This and Pushing Daisies make my week! So long, Harry! Maybe they'll find ways of bringing him back...when he's not too busy with Dexter.

serene | Nov 13, 2007 6:05:43 PM | #

---

Great move to get Kevin Weisman to guest star, since Marshall was the original lovable nerd working with spies. I no fan of Harry Tang either, but a hero is only as good as his nemesis. C.S. Lee shouldn't be that busy since most of the Dexter episodes were already in the can when the season started, so I definitely think he'll be back.

Scott | Nov 13, 2007 7:41:24 PM | #

---

I agree with most of the previous comments: BRING BACK HARRY! He was the perfect nemesis at the Buy More, so maybe the writers will bring him back in a future episode. After all, Harry thinks that Casey enlisted him as a spy, so eventually he would want to find out about his "mission".

This week's episode had the funniest lines since the pilot. I loved the scene where Sarah is wearing that sexy lingerie, and Chuck asks her why she couldn't have worn something less revealing. Sarah says, "I'm being professional", and Chuck relpies, "Yeah, you're working in the oldest profession." (Sorry, that was a paraphrased version.)

Also, it's nice to see some chemistry between Sarah and Casey. They still don't trust each other completely, but Sarah did admit that Casey was her "partner". Awwww! Also, loved the casting of Kevin Weisman as the villain. I would like to see more Alias alums in the future episodes. :-)

Paige | Nov 14, 2007 9:01:59 AM | #

---

I don't want to see this show go away... it just keeps getting better and better. Please keep it going, NBC!

John | Nov 14, 2007 12:41:42 PM | #

---

i love the exchange in the hospital when chuck reveals that he's just gonna give the antitode to his sister, then casey reveals he's gonna threaten to shoot chuck, then check asking asking if he'll really do it. great writing!

the world | Nov 18, 2007 6:09:42 PM | #

---

Ah..! No! Ugly!

pakopako | Nov 26, 2007 5:18:39 PM | #

---

Post a comment

Name:
Email Address:	optional
URL:	optional
Comments: