Chuck Review: The Return of Costa Gravas

Who knew one little book about marriage, or more specifically “101 Conversations to Have With Your Partner Before You Say I do,” could throw so many people into a frenzy? I can’t say that this week’s episode addressed my qualms last week. The focus of the mission still remained relationship-centered, and over silly things at that, but at least we got some sweet Morgan moments and a lot more of Casey, which I’ve missed.

In “Chuck vs. the Coup d’état,” we picked up right where we left off, with Chuck and the CZ ring, and Sarah looking confused. Quickly, we got the awkwardness right out of the way, and that was reeeeealy awkward. Chuck admitted that this was not a plan at all, all coincidence, and Sarah looked relieved before the two went their separate ways. When Morgan and Chuck reviewed the surveillance tape, Morgan noted that they suck at communication (no duh!) and offered THE book to help get their conversations started. Of course, Chuck had no plans on telling Sarah that all these newfound discussion topics stemmed from a pre-marriage book.

Elsewhere, Awesome got a surprising and belated present from the Costa Gravan Generalissimo Goya (the perfectly cast Armand Assante). Remember, Costa did save him in last year’s hysterical “Chuck vs. the Angel de la Muerte,” so it’s been a long time coming. Ellie couldn’t have been happier. She’s been smothered by Awesome, who has already formed an unhealthy relationship with his wife’s belly and the almost-notn Woodcomb.

Commandante Turrini (Alex Fernandez), the head of Goya’s police, arrived in the US with the news, which surprised Beckman so she put Chuck and Sarah on the mission of discovering why, leaving the Angel de la Muerte (Casey if you’ve forgotten and/or are new to Chuck) sidelined in a wheelchair with Morgan taking care of him. When they discovered that Turrini had made a beeline to Awesome and Ellie posed no threat, Chuck and Sarah decid to take a vacation, and since Awesome and Ellie were invited to stay in Costa Gravas, what better place to have their relationship communication retreat vacation.

It wouldn’t be Chuck if something didn’t go horribly wrong, and on night one during their first ballroom party, Goya’s wife Hortencia (Tia Texada) staged a coup. If I was his wife, and I’d erected a huge, marble statue of Awesome in my ballroom instead of one of me, I’d be machine gun angry too. I’m sure a lot of people were brutally murdered during her takeover seeing as the last time that we saw her she was screaming for her husband’s head, but we didn’t have to worry about that. Everyone escaped on the General’s private jet and headed to the US, where he said he wouldn’t feel safer anywhere but Casey’s home. (Casey was an integral part of saving him last season, even if he didn’t really want to.)

Casey admits to the General that he always believed he would be betrayed by someone other than his wife. And when is Casey ever wrong?! Turrini and Casey quickly draw guns on each other, but the General sacrifices himself (and the safety of millions of others who would be incinerated by those nukes) to protect Casey.

With Chuck, Sarah and their returned third wheel back on the case, the three go back to Costa Graven to avert a nuclear crisis and save the Goya. While lying in wait in the walls, the same ones that Casey lived in for two weeks haunting the General years ago, Chuck recognized the sounds of squabbling between the General and his wife, and it sounded pretty similar to his problems with Sarah. He used all that knowledge from the “I Do” book (that got him nowhere with Sarah, by the way, except to confuse her more) and told them that even though things have changed, they don’t have to lose the love, and with love they can always get back to normal. Really, we have nukes, socialist revolution, a fighting wife and husband ruling a communist country, a fighting boyfriend and girlfriend playing HORRIBLE spies and this book. This is just TOOOOOOO much. I suspend a lot of disbelief when it comes to Chuck, but this was one step too many. Anyway, we’re supposed to think, “Awwww!” The General and his fiery lover made amends. Chuck and Sarah locked knowingly lock eyes. Why can’t they just look at each other like that all the time instead of fight?! Okay, fine! There was a slightly moist spot in the corner of my eye. Chuck still gets me even when it’s overtly saccharine. Goya also helped them with some Frost information. Apparently, he seemed to see her a kept woman, but he promised to give them all his files on his dealings with Volkoff. But he also warned them that they’re dangerous. (This is coming from the guy who still sleeps with a woman who wanted his head. Yep….just his head.)

Back at the Buy More, Morgan struggled with fending off his feelings for Alex (Mekenna Melvin), Casey’s daughter. With some advice from Big Mike, he finally showed his heart to her, and it was 100% reciprocated. In fact, she made the first move! As a lover of Morgan in love, I can’t wait to see him dive head first and get mangled by Casey at the same time. But you know, Casey will also show more of his soft side which is always endearing, and Morgan will help bring him closer to Alex too. With some advice from Big Mike, he finally showed his heart to her.

Back at home, Awesome and Ellie resolve their issues because, come on, they’re awesome! Chuck also divulged to Ellie that he’s searching for their mom. She was pretty impressed with how great he was as a spy but still believed that it was better he was out of the game and safe. I guess that’s what kept him from telling her everything. And, Sarah took a lesson from the “I Do” book and talked to Chuck while he was “sleeping.” She told him that she loved him, and if he did propose, she would have said yes. It was no surprise that Chuck was going to hear it all, but who cares about the obvious when it paid off in the end to see that smile on Chuck/Zachary Levi’s face. (Both are equally adorable.)

Hopefully, this will be the end of all that marriage talk, at least for awhile, seeing as they both can accept and believe that they love each other equally. Hopefully, that’ll be enough to abate the lovers’ madness. I don’t need Chuck to turn into A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘s kind of love sick craziness.

QUOTABLES

“Babe, is nine-foot marble me making you a little caliente?” – Awesome (That statue was way taller than nine feet!)

“Keep heading down the hall. Just follow the stank of Commi.” – Casey

“Yeah, yeah, we’re good man…(whispers)that was awesome Chuck.” – Awesome, after almost meeting a lead-riddled death.

“That’s not a daddy you want giving you a spanking.” – Big Mike, about dating a Casey.

“Alright! Yes! I have nuclear weapons control panel in my basement. This is such ugliness.” – Goya, scoffing at his interrogation

Season 4, Episode 4: Chuck vs. the Coup d’état (originally aired October 11, 2010)

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Images courtesy of NBC and Chris Haston.