Chuck Versus the Suitcase
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Suitcase" is the second episode of the fourth season
of Chuck
. It originally aired September 27, 2010. There are crimes of fashion when Chuck Bartowski
and Sarah Walker
go undercover in Milan for Fashion Week to seize a high-tech weapon, yet Chuck soon recognizes a flaw in his relationship with Sarah. Meanwhile, Morgan Grimes
discovers a vulnerability about the new Buy More
.
operative named Sofia Stepanova (Karolína Kurková
), who stole an ammunition clip containing smart bullet
s from a weapons development facility outside Paris. She slays him with one of the large smart bullets. In a Team Bartowski briefing, General Beckman reveals that Sofia is the executor of Volkoff's most important weapons deals. She uses her cover as a runway model to travel the world, get access to, and deliver illegal weapons. Beckman sends them to Milan Fashion Week to intercept the bullets, except Colonel Casey
, who stabbed a man with a stilleto at Yves St. Laurent.
When Sarah
notices that the bullets are in Sofia's purse, Chuck Bartowski
moves to retrieve them. This ends in embarrassment for Chuck when she turns and his hand lands on her bottom. When she accuses him of being a pervert, he unsuccessfully explains that he came with Victor (Bronson Pinchot
). Chuck and Sarah watch her deliver the purse to a bartender, and he immediately starts running. When they catch him, it is revealed to contain a ticking time bomb. Chuck then grabs it, triggering a dead man's switch
, but Sarah manages to defuse it with one second to spare.
They break into the Presidential Suite where Sofia is staying. As they start to open her safe, Sofia enters and takes a shower. While Chuck flashes to open the safe, Sarah encounters Sofia's long-time bodyguard (Lou Ferrigno
), who, thinking she is Sofia, professes his love to her. Just as Chuck removes the smart bullets from the safe, a naked Sofia holds him at gunpoint. Sarah incapacitates the bodyguard and she and Chuck escape with the bullets. They are then informed by General Beckman that Sofia was one step ahead of them, and the microchips have been removed from the bullets.
Chuck and Sarah return to Milan when they realize Sofia keeps the microchips in a sequined dress. They pass Sofia's sentries with tranquilizer gloves and Sarah changes into the dress. Chuck is challenged by her bodyguards, the leader of which is still angered that Chuck "messed things up with Ms. Sofia." Although Chuck defeats the bodyguards with a flash on staff fighting and his tranquilizer gloves, Sarah's fight with Sofia drags out onto the catwalk. Even though they are featured on a magazine cover, Sarah's cover is apparently intact.
begins to notice a serious flaw in the new Buy More
. The government personnel are so well trained that their excessive efficiency, pleasant demeanor and helpful service, all of which is completely opposite to the public perception of how a Buy More should be run, renders the store's cover virtually transparent. Morgan demonstrates this to General Beckman by intentionally spilling a drink, which is immediately cleaned up, then repeatedly and casually dropping merchandise, only to have it swiftly and acrobatically returned to the shelves. Beckman asks what he is suggesting.
With Beckman's approval, Morgan and Casey begin "recruiting" the store's former staff, starting with Jeff and Lester, who have been hiding out "in the wild" (actually an urban area seven minutes drive from Burbank, with traffic) since their alleged destruction of the Buy More in "Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
." When the duo realize that Morgan actually wants them to return, they begin to make demands, up until the point where Casey simply tranquilizes them (taking several darts in Jeff's case) in order to bring them back to the Buy More.
When Devon shops there, looking for baby equipment, the efficiency of the place immediately makes him speculate that Chuck has not, in fact, retired from the spy world, leading him to ask questions, first to Casey and Morgan, then to Sarah and Chuck directly. They point out to him that, while Chuck is supposedly retired, Casey and Sarah are still spies and thus the Buy More is still their cover. When Ellie
subsequently goes to the Buy More to return some of the baby goods Devon has bought, Morgan has augmented the government personnel with the store's former lazy, creepy, and surly staff, making the place feel more like its old inefficient self. In recognition of this, Beckman promotes him to store manager.
(Scott Bakula
) and mother
(Linda Hamilton
), belying her earlier protest that her mother's disappearance was of no importance to her.
Meanwhile, Chuck and Sarah's relationship faces a new obstacle: Sarah's unwillingness to "plant roots", demonstrated by the titular suitcase that she refuses to unpack. Sarah discloses that it's a spy thing, which Chuck disproves by noting that Sofia felt comfortable enough to unpack her wardrobe in the hotel's closet. When she reluctantly begins to do so after their first mission to Milan Chuck makes her stop, and tells her to wait until she's ready. At the end of the episode, she willingly unpacks the suitcase except for a photo of her and Chuck (something she keeps in her suitcase, no matter where she is), admitting to Chuck that he is her home, he always has been. As they lie down to go to sleep, Chuck comments that maybe they're "next" to get married and have children, leaving Sarah horrified.
Chuck (season 4)
The fourth season of Chuck was announced on May 13, 2010. Having initially ordered 13 episodes, NBC ordered an additional 11 on October 19, 2010 for a total of 24 episodes....
of Chuck
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 originally aired September 27, 2010. There are crimes of fashion when Chuck Bartowski
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:...
and Sarah Walker
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...
go undercover in Milan for Fashion Week to seize a high-tech weapon, yet Chuck soon recognizes a flaw in his relationship with Sarah. Meanwhile, Morgan Grimes
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....
discovers a vulnerability about the new 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....
.
Main plot
In Milan, a US intelligence operative chases a VolkoffVolkoff Industries
Volkoff Industries is a major organization on the television series Chuck. It is a public business front owned by an international arms dealer named Alexei Volkoff, portrayed by Timothy Dalton. Volkoff Industries is introduced in the third season finale as a threat against which Stephen J...
operative named Sofia Stepanova (Karolína Kurková
Karolína Kurková
Karolína Isela Kurková is a Czech model, best known as a former Victoria's Secret Angel, and an aspiring actress. Mario Testino said of Kurková, "The proportions of her body and her face, as well as her energy level, make her a model who could fit almost into any moment." Vogue editor Anna...
), who stole an ammunition clip containing smart bullet
Smart bullet
Smart bullet is a term that has been used to describe several theoretical and prototype bullets. The "smart" part comes from the bullet doing something other than simply following its given trajectory, e.g. turning, speeding up, slowing down, sending data, etc....
s from a weapons development facility outside Paris. She slays him with one of the large smart bullets. In a Team Bartowski briefing, General Beckman reveals that Sofia is the executor of Volkoff's most important weapons deals. She uses her cover as a runway model to travel the world, get access to, and deliver illegal weapons. Beckman sends them to Milan Fashion Week to intercept the bullets, except Colonel 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 stabbed a man with a stilleto at Yves St. Laurent.
When 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...
notices that the bullets are in Sofia's purse, Chuck Bartowski
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:...
moves to retrieve them. This ends in embarrassment for Chuck when she turns and his hand lands on her bottom. When she accuses him of being a pervert, he unsuccessfully explains that he came with Victor (Bronson Pinchot
Bronson Pinchot
Bronson Alcott Pinchot is an American actor. He has appeared in several feature films, including Risky Business, Beverly Hills Cop , The First Wives Club, True Romance, Courage Under Fire and It's My Party...
). Chuck and Sarah watch her deliver the purse to a bartender, and he immediately starts running. When they catch him, it is revealed to contain a ticking time bomb. Chuck then grabs it, triggering a dead man's switch
Dead man's switch
A dead man's switch is a switch that is automatically operated in case the human operator becomes incapacitated, such as through death or loss of consciousness....
, but Sarah manages to defuse it with one second to spare.
They break into the Presidential Suite where Sofia is staying. As they start to open her safe, Sofia enters and takes a shower. While Chuck flashes to open the safe, Sarah encounters Sofia's long-time bodyguard (Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno
Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron...
), who, thinking she is Sofia, professes his love to her. Just as Chuck removes the smart bullets from the safe, a naked Sofia holds him at gunpoint. Sarah incapacitates the bodyguard and she and Chuck escape with the bullets. They are then informed by General Beckman that Sofia was one step ahead of them, and the microchips have been removed from the bullets.
Chuck and Sarah return to Milan when they realize Sofia keeps the microchips in a sequined dress. They pass Sofia's sentries with tranquilizer gloves and Sarah changes into the dress. Chuck is challenged by her bodyguards, the leader of which is still angered that Chuck "messed things up with Ms. Sofia." Although Chuck defeats the bodyguards with a flash on staff fighting and his tranquilizer gloves, Sarah's fight with Sofia drags out onto the catwalk. Even though they are featured on a magazine cover, Sarah's cover is apparently intact.
Buy More
Morgan GrimesMorgan 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....
begins to notice a serious flaw in the new 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....
. The government personnel are so well trained that their excessive efficiency, pleasant demeanor and helpful service, all of which is completely opposite to the public perception of how a Buy More should be run, renders the store's cover virtually transparent. Morgan demonstrates this to General Beckman by intentionally spilling a drink, which is immediately cleaned up, then repeatedly and casually dropping merchandise, only to have it swiftly and acrobatically returned to the shelves. Beckman asks what he is suggesting.
With Beckman's approval, Morgan and Casey begin "recruiting" the store's former staff, starting with Jeff and Lester, who have been hiding out "in the wild" (actually an urban area seven minutes drive from Burbank, with traffic) since their alleged destruction of the Buy More in "Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
"Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II" is the 19th episode and season finale of the third season of Chuck. It was originally aired May 24, 2010 in a special two-hour block with "Chuck Versus the Subway." Team Bartowski escapes execution by Shaw, thanks to Morgan and Devon...
." When the duo realize that Morgan actually wants them to return, they begin to make demands, up until the point where Casey simply tranquilizes them (taking several darts in Jeff's case) in order to bring them back to the Buy More.
When Devon shops there, looking for baby equipment, the efficiency of the place immediately makes him speculate that Chuck has not, in fact, retired from the spy world, leading him to ask questions, first to Casey and Morgan, then to Sarah and Chuck directly. They point out to him that, while Chuck is supposedly retired, Casey and Sarah are still spies and thus the Buy More is still their cover. When 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:...
subsequently goes to the Buy More to return some of the baby goods Devon has bought, Morgan has augmented the government personnel with the store's former lazy, creepy, and surly staff, making the place feel more like its old inefficient self. In recognition of this, Beckman promotes him to store manager.
Family
Devon stresses over Ellie, who is 13 weeks pregnant and has not been sleeping well recently. He buys an excessive amount of baby merchandise and tries to keep her resting, reasoning that since she essentially raised Chuck alone without her mother, she shouldn't have to raise this child alone as well. Ellie reassures him that her mother's absence means nothing to her, and promises to let Devon help so long as he allows her to carry part of the load. Devon does try to stop her when she later goes to return some of the excess merchandise to the Buy More in fear the unusually efficient store will convince her Chuck is still a spy, but by the time she arrives Morgan has already returned the former staff. She later nostalgically looks through old photos of her fatherStephen J. Bartowski
Stephen J. Bartowski is a recurring character on the television series Chuck portrayed by actor Scott Bakula. Stephen is the estranged father of Chuck and Ellie Bartowski, and under the government codename "Orion" was the chief designer of the Intersect....
(Scott Bakula
Scott Bakula
Scott Stewart Bakula is an American actor, known for his role as Sam Beckett in the television series Quantum Leap, for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1991 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. He also had a prominent role as Captain Jonathan...
) and mother
Mary Elizabeth Bartowski
Mary Elizabeth Bartowski is a character on the television series Chuck. Mary is the estranged mother of Chuck and Ellie Bartowski. She is portrayed by Linda Hamilton.-Biography:...
(Linda Hamilton
Linda Hamilton
Linda Carroll Hamilton is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Sarah Connor in The Terminator and its sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Catherine Chandler in the television series Beauty and the Beast, for which she was nominated for two Golden Globes and an Emmy...
), belying her earlier protest that her mother's disappearance was of no importance to her.
Meanwhile, Chuck and Sarah's relationship faces a new obstacle: Sarah's unwillingness to "plant roots", demonstrated by the titular suitcase that she refuses to unpack. Sarah discloses that it's a spy thing, which Chuck disproves by noting that Sofia felt comfortable enough to unpack her wardrobe in the hotel's closet. When she reluctantly begins to do so after their first mission to Milan Chuck makes her stop, and tells her to wait until she's ready. At the end of the episode, she willingly unpacks the suitcase except for a photo of her and Chuck (something she keeps in her suitcase, no matter where she is), admitting to Chuck that he is her home, he always has been. As they lie down to go to sleep, Chuck comments that maybe they're "next" to get married and have children, leaving Sarah horrified.
Production
This episode marked Isaiah Mustafa's first portrayal of the rotating character Greta.Production details
- A harbor shown as part of Milan after Chuck arrives is actually one of the most famous piers of HamburgHamburg-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany.
Continuity
- Ellie has been pregnant 13 weeks.
- Jeff and Lester have been on the run for 184 days since "Chuck Versus the Ring: Part IIChuck Versus the Ring: Part II"Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II" is the 19th episode and season finale of the third season of Chuck. It was originally aired May 24, 2010 in a special two-hour block with "Chuck Versus the Subway." Team Bartowski escapes execution by Shaw, thanks to Morgan and Devon...
."
Flashes
- Chuck flashes on mathematics to open Sofia's safe with probable combinations.
- Chuck flashes on staff fighting skills to defeat Sofia's bodyguards.
Cultural references
- Lester almost successfully pulls a Jedi mind trick on Morgan. The line "These are not the boys you're looking for" references Star Wars Episode IV: A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
. - Morgan gives Chuck a speech about his Achilles' heelAchilles' heelAn Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common.- Origin :In Greek...
and mentions several conflicted relationships: "Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
, Tristan and IsoldeTristan and IseultThe legend of Tristan and Iseult is an influential romance and tragedy, retold in numerous sources with as many variations. The tragic story is of the adulterous love between the Cornish knight Tristan and the Irish princess Iseult...
, Anakin and PadméPadmé AmidalaPadmé Amidala is a fictional character in the Star Wars science fiction franchise. She first appeared on film in the 1999 feature film, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, as the young queen of the planet Naboo. In subsequent prequel trilogy films, Padmé represents Naboo in the Galactic Senate...
." - Chuck is rejected in an attempt to replicate Peter and Mary Jane's kiss in Spider-ManSpider-Man (film)Spider-Man is a 2002 American superhero film, the first in the Spider-Man film series based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It was directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp...
. - When Chuck and Sarah return to Milan they are disguised as Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 from Get SmartGet SmartGet Smart is an American comedy television series that satirizes the secret agent genre. Created by Mel Brooks with Buck Henry, the show starred Don Adams , Barbara Feldon , and Edward Platt...
.
Music
- "A Girl, a Boy, and a Graveyard" - Jeremy MessersmithJeremy MessersmithJeremy Messersmith is an indie pop musician based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Biography:Jeremy Messersmith was born in Charleston, and grew up in the Tri-Cities area of Washington. He moved to Minneapolis in 1999 to attend North Central University...
(Sarah tells Chuck that he is her home) - "I Like That" - Richard VissionRichard VissionRichard "Humpty" Vission is a house music producer, remixer and DJ born Richard Gonzalez in Toronto, Ontario. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles, California....
ft. LucianaLucianaLuciana may also refer to:People with the given name Luciana:* Luciana Abreu, Portuguese singer and actress* Luciana Caporaso, British singer* Luciana Gimenez, Brazilian fashion model and TV show hostess of Lebanese origin...
(Played at the Milan fashion show while Chuck and Sarah went back there; also played during Sarah and Sofia's fight) - "Flaunt It" - TV RockTV RockTV Rock are an Australian dance music duo consisting of Grant Smillie and Ivan Gough.TV Rock entered the mainstream in February 2006 with their hit "Flaunt It" featuring Seany B. which reached #1 for 5 weeks and spent 39 weeks in the Australian ARIA Top 50...
(Chuck took the purse bomb in Milan) - "Feed My Frankenstein" - Alice CooperAlice CooperAlice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
(The old Buy More crew joins the new Buy More)