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We didn’t have to wait very long to see what Jane Bentley (Robin Givens) is up to: she is heading up a new Intersect program! I was wondering what the rest of this season of NBC’s Chuck is going to be about, and now I have my answer. Bentley is turning other agents into new Chucks, tweaking and downloading the computer program into more heads. Anyone else see a creepy parallel to Dollhouse and its series finale, where brains could be taken over remotely? Scary stuff!
Bentley’s operations are revealed when Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Chuck (Zachary Levi), bored at not getting any missions, spy on their own teammate, Casey (Adam Baldwin), steal his hand print, and break into the new super-secret lair within Castle. They are as surprised as viewers may have been to discover Chuck’s father’s laptop and two new Intersects. It seems the Greta program has a deeper purpose, as two Gretas (Stacy Keibler and Isaiah Mustafa) have already been loaded with a tweaked version of the program. Sarah and Chuck are reduced to B-Team status, picking up a puppy, while Casey and his new co-workers do the dangerous stuff. Until Casey gets both teams together, the Gretas screw things up, and Chuck has to save the day.
Keibler and Mustafa were welcome to see again, though I wish the other Gretas, Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart) and Summer Glau (Firefly, The Cape), had been included. I know both of the latter ladies have busier schedules than the ones used, but I still want to see more of them. I was disappointed that the Greta conceit seemed to be abandoned last fall after only four Gretas, so it’s nice to know there is a larger plan, and the possibility for returns.
Even better, I like when the Gretas are relieved to get the computer taken out of their heads. It gives a small insight into what Chuck deals with, having been the Intersect for four years now. Early in the series, we used to see Chuck struggle with what was going on, and for awhile, he was even experiencing pain from the cpmputer. I’m glad the show took time to remind us that, as easy as Chuck makes things look, being the Intersect is no walk in the park.
That being said, I am completely enthusiastic about Chuck taking control of the program. Next week, Chuck will be training a number of other possible Intersect candidates. We’ve gotten to see Chuck as a spy, and now a new side will be revealed as he becomes a leader and a teacher. I have no problem with new Intersects coming into the equation, as long as Chuck remains the best. After all, this reminds Chuck’s bosses just how valuable he is.
As to what Bentley will do next, that is anyone’s guess. She steals the laptop and takes it to Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), hoping that a Bartowski will be able to figure out the programming, as Bentley cannot. I assume, based on what we’ve seen of Ellie’s interaction with the device so far, Chuck’s sister will be able to help Bentley, albeit without knowing what Bentley is really wanting. Is this Ellie’s reintroduction to the spy world? And how will Bentley use what she finds? I think Bentley is bent on taking back the Intersect training program, and she is willing to cross some lines to do it.
Ellie and her husband, Devon a.k.a. Captain Awesome (Ryan McPartlin), flirted with the spy world earlier in the series, but have been away from it for awhile. Their main interest has been in raising their baby daughter, and that provides some comedic moments. Even put together, successful doctors like the two of them have trouble taking care of an infant. It is sweet, sweet justice that the only sounds that will keep their baby quiet are those of Jeffster, the amateur band formed by Jeff (Scott Krinsky) and Lester (Vik Sahay), two almost subhuman Buy More employees. They played baby Claire into the world, and now she is drawn to them. Best. Development. Ever. How soon til they babysit?
I like that Casey gets some focus this week, as he sometimes doesn’t get enough plot for my taste. There is never any doubt in my mind that the Colonel is still loyal to his old partners, as we had seen a couple of week’s ago Casey’s refusal to leave Burbank. I understand why he feels like a third wheel and wants a new, independent assignment. Bentley is right about Casey’s talents being wasted. However, Casey is happy with this group, and happiness sometimes means more than career aspirations. Casey has always put career first, but he’s never had such strong reasons not to. I predict even more drama, as I think Casey will soon be revealed to his daughter’s mother, whether he wants to be or not. Will that give him another reason to stay, or push him away?
Morgan (Joshua Gomez), too, is showing more of a striking out on his own individualism streak, allowing much personal development. While his screen time may have been limited this week, the last few episodes have found him finding a new apartment and getting pretty serious with his girlfriend, Casey’s daughter, Alex (Mekenna Melvin). And this week, Morgan stands up to Chuck and Sarah, showing off the spine he has been slowly growing. They are unable to get any information from him about Casey’s activities, which they assumed would be easy enough. Our little Morgan has become a man!
One of the current best shows on television, Chuck airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
