Chuck Versus the Pink Slip
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Pink Slip" is the third season premiere episode of the television series Chuck
. It aired on January 10, 2010 in a special two-episode block. After failing "spy school", Chuck
must find his way back onto the team, and in the process repair his shattered relationship with Sarah
.
advises through his ear bug is in the room. When Yuri threatens Chuck with his sidearm, Chuck flashes to learn kung fu. He seizes Yuri's weapon, but despite Beckman's prompting is unable to shoot him. Instead he defeats the mobsters in hand to hand combat and flees with the briefcase. Guided by Beckman, he heads to a rooftop, but in his excited state is unable to flash on the necessary zip-line skill to escape, and is encircled. Beckman calls an end to what is revealed as a simulation. Dissatisfied with Chuck's inability to control the Intersect after months of training, Beckman terminates his training as a spy.
Chuck returns home, dejected and depressed. He's greeted at home by Ellie
and Devon, and mentions that he's lost Sarah. Chuck spends his days on the couch eating cheese balls and grows unkempt. Even a visit from Morgan
is unable to bring Chuck out of his depressed state. Prompted by Devon, he tries to call Sarah, but she ignores his call and throws her phone away into a pool where she's relaxing with another man. Later, he heads to the Buy More
when he runs out of cheese balls, but is confronted by Emmett, who begins to berate him. Chuck begins to flash and struggles to restrain an automatic attempt to throttle Emmett. Jeff and Lester mention having seen Sarah at the Orange Orange, and Chuck uses his key to sneak in. Instead he's caught by Casey
, who is in the process of cleaning out Castle. Chuck learns that he and Sarah have a mission, and when Casey refuses to let him join, he takes it on himself to clean up and go anyway.
He follows Casey to the nightclub he saw on the mission dossier and gains entry under the guise of a member of the Nerd Herd. He runs into Sarah, who to protect her cover has Chuck kiss her, then slaps him which knocks him out when her target sees them together. Sarah is cold to him, and she and Casey angrily tell Chuck to leave. While leaving, Casey does mention they are meeting a Ring courier named Javier Cruz, which Chuck flashes on and realizes the man is not a mere courier but an assassin. Casey and Sarah leave and have Chuck removed before he can warn them so Chuck tries to break back in anyway, and when his attempts to break down the door fails, he flashes on kung fu just as a mariachi
guitarist arrives. He inadvertently kicks the man when he surprises him and knocks him out. Chuck takes advantage of the man's clothing and guitar to regain entry, but before he can find Casey, is forced on stage. Casey and Sarah see him, but Sarah tells Casey not to tranquilize him, giving him a chance to flash on the guitar and immediately learns to play. He is able to warn Casey about the assassin and begins scanning the club hoping to flash on him. Outside, the mariachi player wakes him and removes his disguise, revealing that he is the assassin, Javier. He makes his way inside and aims through the door at Sarah and her date. Chuck sees his laser sight on Sarah and jumps off stage to knock her out of the way. The assassin flees and finds Chuck's Nerd Herd badge while Chuck is hauled off for ruining the operation.
Chuck returns to the living room couch and tells Devon he's been fired by the government, and his behavior is not just a cover. Morgan arrives again and takes Chuck to the Buy More in an effort to cheer him up, by revealing his own plans have fallen apart. He failed as a Benihana
chef, Anna left him for a classmate, and he now lives in the Buy More. Sarah arrives at the store to say goodbye, while he tries to explain himself. While they talk, Javier arrives in search of Chuck. Emmett confronts him by the loading dock and tells him Chuck no longer works there. As Javier turns to leave Emmett, making a fatal mistake, insults the assassin, who turns around and shoots him in the head. His men break into the store and capture Chuck and Sarah. In Castle, Casey is supervising the last of the cleanup when he sees Emmett lying dead by the loading dock and orders a search for Chuck and Sarah.
Chuck and Sarah are locked up, and Javier confronts Chuck. Chuck is unable to flash and is beaten senseless. When he comes around again he hears Sarah in the next room over, and he laments at his failures as a spy. Sarah instead encourages him, and with her life also now in danger is able to regain control of the Intersect. When Javier returns he flashes and knocks him out. Chuck takes his keys and a strange device, then flees the compound with Sarah. They are pinned down on a rooftop, but he flashes and they use a power line as a zip cord. Unfortunately they are once again surrounded. Just in time, Casey arrives in a helicopter gunship. Javier is killed during their attack and Chuck and Sarah are rescued.
Back at Castle, Beckman is forced to acknowledge that Chuck is still vital to hunting the Ring and reinstates him. Casey and Sarah are ordered to help train him. Back at home, Devon and Ellie are moving out into another apartment in the complex, leaving Chuck on his own. He and Morgan decide to move in, against Ellie's frustration. Chuck, Morgan and Casey are all reinstated at the Buy More, where Casey tells Chuck that Emmett relocated to Anchorage
. The episode ends with Casey teaching Chuck boxing in Castle, Chuck flashes on how to box and confidently accepts the fight.
"), Chuck was ordered to undergo special spy training in Prague
. Instead, Sarah asked him to meet her at the train station there to run away with her so they could be together. Initially, Chuck happily agrees but when he meets her at the station three weeks later, Chuck tells her he can't go with her. Chuck tries to explain his actions throughout the episode, but a heartbroken Sarah is unwilling to listen.
Originally the premier was scheduled for March on the Monday following the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics, but on November 19, 2009 the premier was moved up to January 10 in a 2-episode block followed by "Chuck Versus the Three Words", with a third episode to air in the show's normal time slot the following night.
Chuck (TV series)
Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
. It aired on January 10, 2010 in a special two-episode block. After failing "spy school", Chuck
Chuck Bartowski
Charles Irving "Chuck" Bartowski is the main and titular character of the American fiction television show Chuck on NBC. He is portrayed by Zachary Levi.-Character profile:...
must find his way back onto the team, and in the process repair his shattered relationship with Sarah
Sarah Walker (Chuck)
Sarah Lisa Bartowski is the alias of one of the main characters of the fictional television show Chuck on NBC. She is portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski and is one of two agents assigned by the NSA and CIA to protect Chuck Bartowski after he unwittingly downloads the secret government computer known...
.
Main Plot
The episode begins, 6 months after the Intersect 2.0 upload, with Chuck imprisoned by a gang of Russian mobsters. Chuck demands their leader, Yuri, turn over a stolen briefcase which BeckmanDiane Beckman
Brigadier General M. Diane Beckman, USAF is a fictional character in the NBC television series Chuck. Beckman is a senior official of the National Security Agency, working within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She holds her rank of brigadier general in the United States Air...
advises through his ear bug is in the room. When Yuri threatens Chuck with his sidearm, Chuck flashes to learn kung fu. He seizes Yuri's weapon, but despite Beckman's prompting is unable to shoot him. Instead he defeats the mobsters in hand to hand combat and flees with the briefcase. Guided by Beckman, he heads to a rooftop, but in his excited state is unable to flash on the necessary zip-line skill to escape, and is encircled. Beckman calls an end to what is revealed as a simulation. Dissatisfied with Chuck's inability to control the Intersect after months of training, Beckman terminates his training as a spy.
Chuck returns home, dejected and depressed. He's greeted at home by Ellie
Ellie Bartowski
Eleanor Faye "Ellie" Bartowski Woodcomb, M.D., Ph.D., is the older sister of title character Chuck Bartowski on the television series Chuck. She is portrayed by actress Sarah Lancaster.-Biography:...
and Devon, and mentions that he's lost Sarah. Chuck spends his days on the couch eating cheese balls and grows unkempt. Even a visit from Morgan
Morgan Grimes
Morgan Guillermo Grimes is a major character on the television series Chuck. He is portrayed by actor Joshua Gomez, and is the best friend of Chuck Bartowski....
is unable to bring Chuck out of his depressed state. Prompted by Devon, he tries to call Sarah, but she ignores his call and throws her phone away into a pool where she's relaxing with another man. Later, he heads to the Buy More
Buy More
Buy More is a fictional big box electronics retail chain in NBC's action-comedy series Chuck. The Buy More is a parody of similar chains, particularly Best Buy....
when he runs out of cheese balls, but is confronted by Emmett, who begins to berate him. Chuck begins to flash and struggles to restrain an automatic attempt to throttle Emmett. Jeff and Lester mention having seen Sarah at the Orange Orange, and Chuck uses his key to sneak in. Instead he's caught by Casey
John Casey (Chuck)
Colonel John Casey is portrayed by actor Adam Baldwin on the television show Chuck on NBC. Prior to the episode "Chuck Versus the Tic Tac," he was partnered with CIA agent Sarah Walker to protect Chuck Bartowski....
, who is in the process of cleaning out Castle. Chuck learns that he and Sarah have a mission, and when Casey refuses to let him join, he takes it on himself to clean up and go anyway.
He follows Casey to the nightclub he saw on the mission dossier and gains entry under the guise of a member of the Nerd Herd. He runs into Sarah, who to protect her cover has Chuck kiss her, then slaps him which knocks him out when her target sees them together. Sarah is cold to him, and she and Casey angrily tell Chuck to leave. While leaving, Casey does mention they are meeting a Ring courier named Javier Cruz, which Chuck flashes on and realizes the man is not a mere courier but an assassin. Casey and Sarah leave and have Chuck removed before he can warn them so Chuck tries to break back in anyway, and when his attempts to break down the door fails, he flashes on kung fu just as a mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
guitarist arrives. He inadvertently kicks the man when he surprises him and knocks him out. Chuck takes advantage of the man's clothing and guitar to regain entry, but before he can find Casey, is forced on stage. Casey and Sarah see him, but Sarah tells Casey not to tranquilize him, giving him a chance to flash on the guitar and immediately learns to play. He is able to warn Casey about the assassin and begins scanning the club hoping to flash on him. Outside, the mariachi player wakes him and removes his disguise, revealing that he is the assassin, Javier. He makes his way inside and aims through the door at Sarah and her date. Chuck sees his laser sight on Sarah and jumps off stage to knock her out of the way. The assassin flees and finds Chuck's Nerd Herd badge while Chuck is hauled off for ruining the operation.
Chuck returns to the living room couch and tells Devon he's been fired by the government, and his behavior is not just a cover. Morgan arrives again and takes Chuck to the Buy More in an effort to cheer him up, by revealing his own plans have fallen apart. He failed as a Benihana
Benihana
Benihana can refer to:*Benihana, Benihana's Hibachi Restaurant*Benihana * Benihana, the Japanese word for safflower...
chef, Anna left him for a classmate, and he now lives in the Buy More. Sarah arrives at the store to say goodbye, while he tries to explain himself. While they talk, Javier arrives in search of Chuck. Emmett confronts him by the loading dock and tells him Chuck no longer works there. As Javier turns to leave Emmett, making a fatal mistake, insults the assassin, who turns around and shoots him in the head. His men break into the store and capture Chuck and Sarah. In Castle, Casey is supervising the last of the cleanup when he sees Emmett lying dead by the loading dock and orders a search for Chuck and Sarah.
Chuck and Sarah are locked up, and Javier confronts Chuck. Chuck is unable to flash and is beaten senseless. When he comes around again he hears Sarah in the next room over, and he laments at his failures as a spy. Sarah instead encourages him, and with her life also now in danger is able to regain control of the Intersect. When Javier returns he flashes and knocks him out. Chuck takes his keys and a strange device, then flees the compound with Sarah. They are pinned down on a rooftop, but he flashes and they use a power line as a zip cord. Unfortunately they are once again surrounded. Just in time, Casey arrives in a helicopter gunship. Javier is killed during their attack and Chuck and Sarah are rescued.
Back at Castle, Beckman is forced to acknowledge that Chuck is still vital to hunting the Ring and reinstates him. Casey and Sarah are ordered to help train him. Back at home, Devon and Ellie are moving out into another apartment in the complex, leaving Chuck on his own. He and Morgan decide to move in, against Ellie's frustration. Chuck, Morgan and Casey are all reinstated at the Buy More, where Casey tells Chuck that Emmett relocated to Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
. The episode ends with Casey teaching Chuck boxing in Castle, Chuck flashes on how to box and confidently accepts the fight.
Chuck and Sarah
The major subplot throughout the episode is Chuck and Sarah's relationship. Sarah is cold to Chuck for most of the episode, the reason for which is gradually revealed. Immediately following their escape from the Ring (in "Chuck Versus the RingChuck Versus the Ring
"Chuck Versus the Ring" is the second season finale of Chuck, which aired on April 27, 2009. The day of Ellie and Devon's wedding arrives, but Chuck finds himself forced to protect both his sister and the event from a vengeful Ted Roark....
"), Chuck was ordered to undergo special spy training in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. Instead, Sarah asked him to meet her at the train station there to run away with her so they could be together. Initially, Chuck happily agrees but when he meets her at the station three weeks later, Chuck tells her he can't go with her. Chuck tries to explain his actions throughout the episode, but a heartbroken Sarah is unwilling to listen.
Production
On May 17, 2009, it was announced that Chuck was picked up for a third season with an order for thirteen episodes and an option for the back nine. By July 24 a casting call was out for several prominent roles in the premier, including the episode's primary villain, Javier, with production beginning in August.Originally the premier was scheduled for March on the Monday following the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics, but on November 19, 2009 the premier was moved up to January 10 in a 2-episode block followed by "Chuck Versus the Three Words", with a third episode to air in the show's normal time slot the following night.
Flashes
- A flashback was shown to Chuck's flash at the end of "Chuck Versus the Ring".
- Chuck flashed to learn kung fu during the spy training simulation.
- When being berated by Emmett in the Buy More, Chuck flashed on close-quarters combat, but forcibly restrained himself.
- Chuck flashes on the name of the Ring courier Casey and Sarah were waiting for.
- Chuck flashed on kung fu again while trying to break back into the nightclub.
- Another skill flash taught Chuck how to play the guitar while on stage.
- After encouragement from Sarah, Chuck successfully flashed on kung fu to disable Javier and help them escape.
- While escaping, Chuck flashes on how to zip-line. Chuck had unsuccessfully attempted this same flash during his training at the beginning of this episode.
- While training with Casey in boxing at the end of the episode, after some encouragement, Chuck was able to flash on boxing abilities, and begin sparring with Casey.
Music
- "Black and GoldBlack and GoldBlack and Gold is a Cornish folk song written by Will Coleman.Black and gold are the Cornish colours, and can be found on the banner and coat of arms of the Duchy of Cornwall. Traditionally furse used to be the major form of fuel in Cornwall, and was widely employed for domestic use...
" by Sam SparroSam SparroSam Sparro is an Australian singer-songwriter, music producer, and former child actor. His stage name was derived from a family nickname, which in turn was inspired by the Dagenham radio mascot Sammy Sparrow... - "Wait It Out" by Imogen HeapImogen HeapImogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
- "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)" by Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
and The First EditionThe First EditionThe First Edition was a country music/rock band. Its stalwart members being Kenny Rogers , Mickey Jones and Terry Williams... - "Hold OnHold On (Wilson Phillips song)"Hold On" is the title of a song recorded by American vocal group Wilson Phillips. It was released in February 1990 as the lead single from their album, Wilson Phillips. The song won the Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year for 1990...
" by Wilson PhillipsWilson Phillips-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Singles:-Other charted songs:-Awards and nominations:... - "Backwards Walk" by Frightened RabbitFrightened RabbitFrightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...
- "Young Adult Friction" by The Pains Of Being Pure At HeartThe Pains of Being Pure at HeartThe Pains of Being Pure at Heart are an indie pop band from New York City. Their first album was a self-released EP which came out in 2007 through the Painbow label. Their debut self-titled full length album was released on February 3, 2009 via Slumberland Records. The band name comes from an...
- "Eye of the TigerEye of the Tiger"Eye of the Tiger" is a single by American rock band Survivor, from their third album Eye of the Tiger. It was released as a single on May 29, 1982, the same year as the album. It was written at the request of actor Sylvester Stallone, who was unable to get permission for Queen's "Another One Bites...
" by SurvivorSurvivor (band)Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
Reception
"Chuck Versus the Pink Slip" drew 7.7 million viewers, for a score of 3.0 in the 18–49 share.Music
- "Black & Gold" - Sam SparroSam SparroSam Sparro is an Australian singer-songwriter, music producer, and former child actor. His stage name was derived from a family nickname, which in turn was inspired by the Dagenham radio mascot Sammy Sparrow...
- played during Chuck's fight with Yuri & the gang - "Wait It Out" - Imogen HeapImogen HeapImogen Jennifer Jane Heap is a Grammy Award-winning English singer, composer and songwriter from Havering, Essex. She is known for her work as part of the musical duo Frou Frou and her solo albums, which she writes, produces, and mixes...
- played when Chuck entered and saw Sarah at El Bucho - "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" - Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
- played to show Chuck's depression - "Hold On" - Wilson PhillipsWilson Phillips-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Singles:-Other charted songs:-Awards and nominations:...
- played in Emmett's car (herder) as he was signing out at the end of a day - "Backwards Walk" - Frightened RabbitFrightened RabbitFrightened Rabbit are a Scottish indie rock band from Selkirk, formed in 2003. The lineup consists of lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Scott Hutchison, guitarist and bassist Billy Kennedy, guitarist Andy Monaghan, drummer Grant Hutchison and guitarist and keyboardist Gordon Skene...
- played during the train station scene where Chuck refused to go AWOL with Sarah - "Young Adult Friction" - Pains of Being Pure at Heart - played during Devon and Ellie's moving to new apartment
- "Eye of the Tiger" - SurvivorSurvivor (band)Survivor is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1978. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with its AOR sound, which garnered many charting singles, especially in the United States. The band is best known for its double platinum-certified 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger", the theme...
- played during the boxing training of Chuck with Casey at the episode end