Chuck: episode 5X08 picspam/recap
Oh this episode. This glorious, Gruyère cheese, retcon maximus, episode. This episode that supposedly tells us a lot about Sarah's past but actually doesn't make the important issues clear (not for me, anyway.)
And still, even if the episode's structure looks a little weird and it feels a little disjointed and uneven, I love this episode. The Sarah-centric episode of this last season of Chuck. What can I say? I'm the "Happy Fan," I like all the episodes.
It begins with... A Flashback! You know, one of those flashbacks that muddles up Chuck's timeline instead of making it clearer. In this particular flashback, Sarah is listening to a voice message while she's in a mission in Budapest, five years ago. The message is from her mother, who asks her to talk to her when she can... after spending the last ten years in rehab? That was what I made up, because I couldn't understand why they didn't talk much in all that time (it almost looks as if that was the first time in ages that Sarah's mom could talk with her).
Sarah hangs up her cell phone as her handler (handler? Where's Bryce?) sends her a meaningful glare and orders her to begin her mission. And what's her mission, you may ask?
Being awesome.
Until her last scene with her handler, I thought that the point of this episode was to highlight how Sarah was the best spy in the world before meeting Chuck, but now that she's married to him she sucks :-)
But killing all those men wasn't the entire mission. No, there is something more in a room nearby.
OhGodIsAnAdorableBaby.
Did Sarah have a happy moment in her past? Did she have a moment when men weren't telling her to do morally controversial things? A moment when she thought "Well, my life doesn't completely suck"?
We jump to the present again. A beautiful present full of nice possibilities after Sarah discovered that the lovely Shaw had informed her former handler that the baby is, in fact, alive. All my hate to you, Shaw.
You ready for my big surprise?
Absolutely. You know how much I love surprises
What? You hate surprises. They provoke homicidal urges in you. OK, granted, I will be wary too: the last time Chuck gave a surprise to Sarah it was the CAT Squad.
Oh, my God, this is the house. It's our house. [I'm not tearing up. Shut up.] How, how did you do th...?
The real estate agent gave me the keys so we could try it out for the weekend. [Really?] Um, full disclosure-- I think she might have a little crush on me, so... [I think you shouldn't disclose those kind of things.]
Chuck, this is, this is beautiful, but we still can't afford it. [Yeah, because you're still poor. And apparently you can't sell an entire company, take the money and then work for the CIA as Beckman offered.]
Actually, we can. I was talking to Beckman, and apparently her offer to rejoin the CIA comes with a signing bonus, which is enough for a down payment on the house and that dresser I've been eyeing at Anthropologie. [And you own a company. Sell it. Except if you actually have big debts because of it, in which case... I can't do anything for you.]
Uh, I don't know what to say
Don't say anything. Just visualize. Think to yourself, "What would my life be like in such an amazing home with the most dashing
man I've ever met?"
Okay. [He always makes her smile. It's still cute.]
All right, all right, so after a hard day's work, we come home to the sweet, sweet sounds of Nina Simone emanating from our record player, [I approve of that scenario] which would fit perfectly-- I don't know-- say, in this corner right behind me. Huh? Open floor plan-- great for relaxing and watching your husband cook. [It cracks me up to think that Sarah does absolutely no housework] Cooking and talking, talking and cooking. This area right here-- perfect for my game chairs. [Sarah disapproves!] Or not. [She will have a word in the decoration.] Maybe we'll talk about that, [bye, bye, plastic flamingos!] but this, this is perfect. [The door frame?]
The door frame? [Thanks, Sarah.]
When Ellie and I were kids, our dad would measure us every year to see how tall we were getting. [I'm not visualizing Chuck doing the same with his and Sarah's children. Shut up.] I remember being so excited when I was finally taller than Ellie. It took a while, but tenth grade was a good year for me. [Sarah isn't as giddy as she should be.] What's the matter, what's the matter, what have I done? [Heh... Chuck is so conditioned that his first reaction is to think he did something wrong.] Something-Something's missing, something's wrong? Is it the game chairs? 'Cause those are negotiable. [No, they're not.]
No, Chuck, it's not that. Um, look, I want this house and I want the life that you have envisioned for us. I want every single part of it. [Even the chairs?] It's just that something urgent has come up
What is it? You know you can tell me anything
Well, that's just it. This time, Chuck, I can't tell you
This isn't as bad as it looks. In fact, it's a step forward for Sarah. In any other season she would have lied to Chuck and go secretly and by herself to kill Ryker. This time she doesn't tell Chuck what's happening, but at least she lets him know that something is happening. She doesn't go away by surprise. She's quiet about her problem, but it isn't exactly because she doesn't want to tell him.
Also, she admits out loud that she wants exactly what Chuck wants for their future. And although it isn't blatant, there is an indirect reference to children. So she wants children or, at least, is thinking about the possibility. Big steps!
We jump to the flashback again to see how Sarah saves the baby.
Using her as a bulletproof vest, apparently.
Wouldn't it be less dangerous to carry the baby at her back?
Anyway, present time again...
I thought we decided no more secrets, no more doing things on our own. Your words, not mine. [And still, you broke that rule how many times in the last two seasons, Chuck?]
Look, I know, I know that. It's just, I need you to trust me on this.
It's not that I don't trust you, this is not about trust. [Oh! Now you agree with me about what I said in 4X06, Vs. the Aisle of Terror! How nice of you.]
(...)
Where you going, Walker?
It's nothing; I'll be back soon
J-Just wait, just wait one second. Hear me out. Yes, I love you, so, of course, I'm going to want to know what's going on, why this mission needs to be so secretive, why you need so many guns, but I'm willing to put all that aside. [Really?]
Really?
Really?
Really? [I love that everybody thinks alike.]
Sure, husbands ask a lot of questions. You know who doesn't? Carmichael Industries, and as CEO of Carmichael Industries, [because Sarah is... what?] I would like to offer you our services-- pro bono, of course. [Does the Board of Directors know about that?]
Well, it wouldn't change anything. There are still things I can't tell you
You're the client, you're the boss
Whatever this is, Walker, backup couldn't hurt
So Sarah gives in and tells them about the mission in general terms: how they have to apprehend a man names Kieran Ryker.
Chuck is calm and collected all the time and I really thought that finally, he had learned something after four years.
Morgan, I need to know what's going on with Sarah, [*facepalm*] so I've done some research-- research on Hungarian culture cross-referenced with general horrible things that Sarah might want to keep a secret. [*headdesk*]
But didn't you tell Sarah that you wouldn't...?
Wikipedia-ing facts about Hungary is harmless. [Define "harmless."] I, for one, had no idea the Rubik's Cube was invented there. [What? Everybody knows that. Also, a Hungarian invented the ballpoint pen.]
Sure, I just think maybe you should give Sarah the benefit of the doubt. I mean, any time the two of you have ever disagreed about anything, she's been right. I can name four or five different times... [I agree with Yoda!Morgan here. If Sarah doesn't tell you something, maybe it's best if you don't know.]
No, no, no, I-I know, I know, it's just, I'm worried that we won't be prepared if something goes wrong, but if you're here in Castle, I guess we'll be okay
Actually, I think that Chuck is being smart and rational and not whinny like other times. If he's going to get ready for a mission he needs to really get ready for it. It's a little sneaky to do so at his wife's back, but Sarah isn't making it easy.
And not only for Chuck, but for Casey too.
Hey, listen, I know you can't talk to Bartowski about what's really going on. That blabbermouth can't keep a secret to save his life. But you can tell me, hmm?
I appreciate that, John, [Jon!] but the less you know the better. Really.
Sure, no problem
Even if Sarah doesn't tell Casey anything, the Sarah And Casey Can Hug Because They're Like Siblings Campaing is happy because this episode acknowledges their friendship. It's one of the things I like most of this season.
Not telling Casey anything provokes another flashback in Sarah. This time we see that Sarah meets Ryker in a café in Budapest to talk about the baby. Ryker wants her because the baby is the key to her family's fortune. A man has to think about his future after the CIA. Of course, Sarah suspects that Ryker will kill the baby after he gets the money (congratulations, Shaw, we met somebody worse than you.) Sarah won't allow it and shoots Ryker in the middle of the street. She doesn't kill him, though. Then, she goes back to her hotel room.
I think that this is canonically, the first time that Sarah goes against a superior (it was her handler, after all.) See her face of sheer terror. She's aware of the trouble she's in. Alone. With a baby.
By the way... Sarah, I know that babies can throw up or shit themselves, but I wouldn't consider them weapons. No need to put the baby on the case where you carry your guns.
Again in the present, Carmichael Industries and their pro bono client travel to a demonstrators free Budapest, a city with the oldest cars in the planet (excluding Cuba), if we believe what we see in Chuck :-)
Can't we just set aside the whole CEO of Carmichael Industries thing just for a second?
No, Chuck, that wasn't part of the deal
Yeah, except that I'm your husband who would do anything in the world for you, and I'm worried
Okay, look, this isn't about me.There are lives in danger because of something that... Look, if I tell you, I'm not only compromising their safety, but your safety, as well. [That's not reassuring.]
Okay, so, when you see Ryker, what then? What are you gonna do?
I'm gonna kill him, Chuck
I might be crazy, but I think it's a good sign that Sarah confesses to Chuck that she's going to kill Ryker. I mean, we know that she always tries to shield him from that side of her, so it's positive to see that she's not afraid to show him her ugly parts.
Yon know what other thing is ugly?
Who do you think you are, Laura Holt?
But of course, there it comes the moment when Sarah does something stupid: she receives a message from Ryker and decides to go alone, giving Casey and Chuck false information about the waiter.
Sarah, wait, wait! Wait. Where are you going?!
Ryker figured out it was me. I'm sorry. I've got to go do this alone
martyr!Sarah, it's been so long. I would say we missed you, but I'd be lying.
While Morgan, Alex, Devon and Ellie play games in Castle (and try to easy the tension between Morgan and Alex), Casey and Chuck interrogate the waiter, who only speaks Hungarian. For the good of Hungarian people's ears, I wish the actors (for the waiter and the woman Chuck asks to translate) did actually speak a Hungarian that sounded like it. Also, I hope that what they say in the language makes any sense. Hungarian has this fame of being hard to learn. I mean, it has 35 cases or noun forms. That's complicated (and I speak Basque, which has 24.)
In the end, Casey threatens the waiter with a gun because he doesn't believe he's innocent.
On another part of the city, Sarah gets to Ryker, only to be distracted by the cries of a baby coming from somewhere in the house. And I hope that she doesn't believe it's the baby she saved because that would be very stupid, since five years went by. But it makes her have another flashback.
Oh, God, I don't know what you want. What do you want? What do you need? [It's a baby, Sarah, she doesn't speak yet.] Oh, my God. Okay. Okay. Um... [Suddenly, Sarah remembers she has a cell phone with her.]
Hello? [Hello, Mama W.]
Uh, hi, Mom. It's me
Honey? Are you okay? Where are you? [Are you eating all right? It's the weather nice? Those are also questions a mother would make.]
I'm just... I'm uh... I'm in a bit of a situation here
Are you hurt?
Uh, no, no, no, no, it's nothing like that. I was on a mission, and, um... Well, I'm looking after a baby, and she won't stop crying, and I'm not really sure what to do. Can you please help me? [You called you mom, not your dad. Hmmm... or she thinks her father wouldn't be of any help or her father was in jail at the time.]
Okay. Uh, yeah. [Oh, so the "non articulation" thing comes from her mom. Good to know.] Um, is she wet?
Uh, no. No, it's not that, and I... and I fed her an hour ago. [Did you pat her back, so she could burp?]
Did you try rocking her?
What? No
Okay, honey, I want you to bring her close to you. She needs to feel safe. She needs to feel your warmth.
Okay. Okay, she's close. Now what? [Stop acting as if she were going to explode.]
Okay, now just-just rock her. Slowly back and forth and...
Mom, this is not working. I'm not good at this. What am I supposed to do?
Don't freak out, honey.[Heh, that's very Chuck, Mama W.] It's okay. It's okay. Just, um... Just try singing to her
Um... what am I supposed to sing? [Rap.]
Do you remember the lullaby I used to sing to you when you were little?
Yeah. Uh, I-I think so
The scene is very beautiful and touching, even if Yvonne is slightly out of tune.
What I like most is that it shows how Sarah is quite obsessed with doing everything perfectly, and when she doesn't, she freaks out. She's a perfectionist. It helps that Yvonne herself was terrified to film with a baby in her arms, because she's not used to them. Best part? When she holds the baby with her knee. The way she holds the baby in the first cap of the last line is also hilarious. I've seen people awkward in front of babies (myself, for example) but this is too much.
It's nice how she bought things for the baby: diapers, napkins, feeding bottle... She didn't know what to do, but she was trying her best. That's nice for somebody whose first reaction at problems is running away.
In the present again, Sarah has fallen into a trap and is been knocked out. An how does Ryker wake her up again?
The second time in a row! First Shaw, now Ryker. And they hit her in the same cheek. She's going to have a permanent bruise in that side.
But does Ryker stop with that? Of course not! Some psychological torture was required.
You know why I requested to be your handler? ['Cause she's hot?] Why I brought you to Budapest in the first place? [To sexually harrass her?] Because your file screamed loner. You had no family to speak of, never trusted anyone. [She has a father, you know.] I knew that you could keep a secret because you had no one to tell. And you still don't, do you? [Hey!] I bet no one even knows that you're here. Do they? And that's why you're
gonna die today...
He is... right. After a fashion. Sarah has this tendency to do everything by herself, because she wants to control everything and that's the only way. It's hard to change your default behaviour. The thing is that Ryker's words make her realize that she's doing it wrong and that she must change, because she can (almost does) die. Before, she could put her life in danger to save anybody else (the baby, in this case), but now she has something to live for, a family, and she doesn't want to do this martyr routine of her anymore.
But no worries, because Chuck saves her, once again, brings her home and then decides to talk to her. Because this is season 5 and in season 5 Chuck and Sarah communicate. (Also, Ellie advices Morgan. It's a full circle, going back to what was their relationship in season 1. It's touching, really.)
You-you know that I'm, I'm not the kind of guy who says things like this, but... whatever it is that you thought you needed to hide... not telling me the truth, going out on you own like that, [pot, meet kettle. Kettle, pot] I think it was, uh... a mistake. I think that you were wrong
You're right. When Ryker captured me in Budapest, I kept thinking why am I doing it this way? Why do I feel like I have to do everything on my own? [See my point above :-)] But it's what my dad taught me. It's the way the CIA taught me, that you can only ever trust yourself. [Yes, we've seen Fair Game.] But the truth is that I trust you completely
This deserves a song.
Five seasons for this one. Five freaking seasons! But at last, the miracle. Sarah has said out loud that she trusts Chuck completely. And yes, giving him her spy will was proof, breaking her prenup (for stupid it was) was proof, marrying him was proof, but this is the first time that she says it. As we know, Sarah is the one who expresses her feelings through actions instead of words and Chuck is the one who is better wording them. Sarah is learning to express herself, which is important for Chuck. The other way around isn't really relevant, because Chuck had put his life at risk for Sarah more than once.
On the other hand, I don't know why the writers put such emphasis in Chuck's troubles to tell Sarah she's wrong. Look, I know that Chuck has problems to be assertive, even in his relationship with Sarah, but that's never been really the trouble. I mean, usually (since Chuck and Sarah began their relationship) if Chuck thought Sarah was wrong or could oppose his plans, he ignored her and did what he had planned at her back and then, if things went well, perfect, and if not, Sarah and Casey had to save him. See Vs. the Fear of Death as an example: Chuck wanted to be a spy without the Intersect, Sarah didn't want him to because she thought it was too dangerous, Chuck backed out when they argued and then he did whatever he wanted. But of course, if being more assertive with Sarah means that he won't do that again, then I'm happy with it, because maybe that was the problem.
Before going to the flashback that explains what Sarah did with the baby, let me point out something in the bedroom's decoration:
In Sarah's flashback we discover that her boss (hi, Tony Todd. Long time no see!) wants to know what she did with "the package." Seeing that Graham won't be able to protect the baby, she lies to him (which seems huge for her, because Graham seemed to have great trust in her) and decides to protect the baby herself.
This is your home, too. It doesn't have to be this way.
Mom, I've thought a lot about this, [and for "a lot" she means like two hours] and, uh, and... I can't stay.Because for both of you to be safe, well, I can never see you again. When the CIA recruited me, I was on the run with Dad, and we changed our identities so much that they never knew you existed. [Wait, what?] And we can't let them find out about you now
When you were a little girl, all I ever wanted for you was a normal life. [And you couldn't get that because...] But you went off with your father, [why?] and he was never one... You just... you never got to go trick-or-treating [how do you know that?] or play on the soccer team, [no, seriously, how do you know that?] or never got to go to prom or homecoming. [How can you know any of this?] I just wish I could have given you at least some of that
[Sarah kind of ignores her. The wound is still too fresh.] Oh, um... don't forget this. She likes to be wrapped up in a blanket. It... helps her sleep. And the sound of the rain-- she likes the sound of the rain. And I've noticed that car rides...
It's okay, honey. [No, let her speak! What about the car rides?] I'll take good care of her.
Yeah, I know. [How? It's not like she was a mom for you for long, Sarah.] I know. Um, Mom?
Yes?
Going to prom and... and soccer games and... and... and all those normal things that you wanted for me... will you just make sure that she gets them? [My sight is blurred for some reason.]
You can't do this to me, show. You can't make me build a resentment against Sarah's mom for so long and then tell me that she's good and nice and nothing is her fault and that Jack is that bad as a father. And you know what? I'm not convinced. If her mom is so good, why did Sarah ran away with her father? According to the writers, Jack technically kidnapped Sarah (which is a federal crime), and Sarah's mom did apparently nothing to recover her (which makes her look negligent, at best.) And the worst of this is that Sarah's mom knew Jack wouldn't be very good as a father to Sarah. Just... What?
I'm sure you noticed that Sarah's mom's house has a red door and a white picket fence. Did Sarah lie to Chuck when she told her that this was her ideal house because she had seen it in TV shows? Or do Sarah and her mom have some kind of mental connection that makes them want the same things?
And the car... Is that Sarah's old car? I'm not sure.
So the baby has been with your mom this whole time?
Yeah. Yeah, now I know that they're both safe. [Not having any news from them doesn't automatically mean they're sound and safe. Or alive, for that matter.] Ryker has no idea where she is. He has no idea that my mom ever existed. [Ryker isn't the only one. Chuck just discovered it.] I'm so sorry that I never told you any of this before. I really am. I just... I didn't want to put anybody else in danger. But thank you for trusting me
Babe, I love you
They didn't check Sarah for bugs? How is it possible that they're still alive in the spy business?
It's touching how relieved she seems after telling Chuck the truth. As if a very big weight was removed from her shoulders. She seems so happy and hopeful... Uh-oh... Something very bad is going to happen, isn't it? Something very, very bad is going to happen in the last part of this season to Sarah. I can feel it.
So, anyway, now Ryker knows that the baby is alive and that she's with Sarah's mom. And although nobody in the CIA could ever discover who Sarah's mom was (or if she ever existed), Ryker locates her in no time. This forces Sarah and company to act quickly. She sends a warning for her mother. They must save the baby. Why? Because she's an innocent child and because...
She's super cute! She's like a baby clone of Sarah. A mini-Sarah. She's as cute as Ella (Olivia's niece). And now I'm imagining fanfics with Molly and Ella as a detective pair in the future. Great.
Anyway, Ryker reaches Sarah's mom's house, but of course it was a trap, since Sarah is already there to "welcome" Ryker.
You came so close to keeping her safe, you really did, but I'm gonna kill you and then I'm gonna kill your mom. And then after I get that money, you know what I'm gonna do with that little girl? Hmm? [Oh, please, tell me you're just going to kill her. Please.] Get up. You just don't quit, do you? [No. She's like Captain America.] But you always manage to make the same mistake. Even when you have a team, here you are all alone. When the hell are you gonna learn?
[Sarah impales him.] I'm not alone. She'll never have nightmares and she'll never even know that you existed. She's going to have the life that she deserves, a normal one
Standing ovation. That's a great death. If he's really death, of course. Because maybe he isn't. Maybe the CIA healed him, erased his memory and made him a FBI agent that has to handle a memory erased Bryce, now called Neal Caffrey. What? It's perfectly possible.
I like what she tells Ryker when she kills him, because she's really talking about her and about everything she couldn't have. In a way, she has saved herself doing this. This is a very nice full circle for Sarah's character and I'm glad the writers gave her it, even with some of the plotholes :-)
Sarah meets her team, that has defeated Ryker's team.
DRIIIIIINK!
So the bad guy is defeated and Sarah can go home to meet with her mom again.
Molly, I want you to meet someone very important. This is your sister Sarah
Hi, Molly. It's nice to meet you
Nice to meet you, too
I didn't make anything of Sarah's mom calling her Sarah. I mean, that's her name now, that's the name everybody that is her family now uses and since it's possible that Molly meets her again, it's better to use just one name instead of confusing the child with a real name and then another name that is real but maybe not so much.
By the way, Molly, honey, don't ask why your sister is like 25 years older than you. Of course she's your sister. What else could she be? Your real mother who gave birth away, a fact that the family hid, telling everybody that your grandmother was in fact your mother and your mother, your sister? Because... that's never happened. Nu-huh. Also, you'll have to wait a little before you can sleep in your room, because it's kinda destroyed, and there is blood there.
And I'm thinking... Molly is still the heiress of a Hungarian fortune. Is anybody going to tell her that one day? Go away, future!fics ideas! I have no time for you.
After this, we have a family reunion shot with music, something that it's very common in this last season. It's like if they wanted that any of the episodes could be the final wrap.
You know, I used to have a stuffed dog, too, when I was little,and I, I named him Bunny
That's a funny name for a dog
And what happened to Bunny? Did it perish with the rest of your belongins and family photos in the fire that destroyed your grandmother house? Because that would explain everything.
Molly is the cutest thing ever. And I don't like children.
You know, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that I get to meet you. [We can imagine!]
It means a lot to me, too, more than you know. Ah, it's been so long since I've seen her. She was always a tough little thing, you know, but I worried about her. [Apparently not enough to prevent her from running away with her father.] Growing up mostly with her father, [but why in hell would you allow that?] she always kept to herself; she wouldn't let people get close. I know I don't know you really well yet, but thank you for giving her this. [The plastic flamingos and game chairs?]
So now, at last, Chuck knows about Sarah's family, her friends and most part of her past. He can calm down now, right? Right?
The one who can calm down is Morgan, because the way he acted with Molly has made him recover Alex's love. Good one, Little Bearded Man.
Unrelated to this... Why is Chuck and Sarah's home full of their false photos?
Joining the CIA and giving up everything you did, did you ever think it would lead you here?
No. No, but, uh, Chuck's taught me that every now and then, it's okay to be surprised
Don't lie, Sarah, you still hate surprises.
Also, seeing Chuck with the child made me spontaneously pregnant. The image doesn't get Sarah pregnant but it's obvious she's considering it. For the first time I can see her ready for children.
This little chat with her mother makes Sarah have another flashback.
Well, you're not going to lose me, sir... but I am done with handlers
Oh, I agree. In fact, I think that it's time for you to become one. I have a new assignment for you-- something stateside. You think you can handle this one?
THEY RETCONNED BRYCE LARKIN!
Well, actually no, not entirely, but they did contradict the flashback in episode 3X06, Vs. the Nacho Sampler. That's worse, because that's completely canon. When Sarah and Bryce worked together... that's more ambiguous.
Of course, this contradicted the canon I made in my head, but that doesn't worry me much. But let me tell you what was my idea before trying to explain how this ending could work in Chuck's canon. To save myself time.
My original idea (completely destroyed in season 4) was that when Papa B was developing Project Intersect, his wife helped him. After Chuck downloaded it as a child (something that I just added after season 3) they realized that 1) Chuck could be in danger if the CIA found out and 2) the youngest the mind, the easiest was for the Intersect to work, if the person has some special characteristics. So Frost decided to make tests in different high schools to discover future candidates for the Intersects. And in one of these tests she met Sarah, whose name wasn't Sarah. Sarah passed the test with honors, of course, but when Frost went back to check on the girl, she discovered the girl wasn't there anymore. She also discovered that her name wasn't real. So Frost tried to find her, with Graham's help. That's why the CIA discovered and arrested Jack Burton and that's why Graham himself, in person, travelled from Washington to San Diego to recruit Sarah. So Sarah was a candidate for the Intersect, with Bryce and others, in Project Omaha. I thought that, in fact, Sarah was the first candidate, but something happened (I theorized her father left jail and that mde her lose focus) and in the end Bryce became the candidate for the Intersect. Sarah then, became his partner and future handler, when Bryce would download the computer into his mind. That's why when Bryce betrayed her and stole the Intersect she felt so guilty, because if she didn't fail, she would have been the Intersect, not Bryce and an innocent man like Chuck wouldn't be in such circumstances.
But of course, I was completely wrong (what's new), but I can save some parts of the theory to explain canon. So, forget Frost testing Sarah, but imagine that Graham read her file when they arrested Jack Burton and felt that this girl could be a good candidate for the Intersect. So there is still Project Omaha, but this is a long project, not a camp or something. Project Omaha checks future candidates, that means that Sarah would have time to work in the CAT Squad and latter, with Bryce (when in Project Omaha they realized Bryce and Sarah where the best ones). But something happened, and I'm guessing it has everything to do with Sarah's Red Test and how it affected her, so Bryce was chosen to be the Intersect and Sarah passed to be tutored by a handler to learn to be a handler herself. And the baby she saved in Budapest and the fact that Chuck was her first asset would explain why she was so anxious all the time. This was her acid test.
And yes, I'm perfectly aware that this has also been proven wrong in the last episode of Chuck, but I wanted to be honest. I had this review written before it, and I'm leaving it like this.
And with this, we go to the last Chuck And Sarah Moment of the Episode (tm).
You know, I, I really want the life that you imagined for us, Chuck, but if we go back to the CIA, it's just going to be missions and secrets that we have no control over
What are you saying?
I gave my life to the CIA for a really long time and I chose it over my family and my friends, [the CAT Squad were your friends!] and that was the right thing for me to do at the time, [it's nice that she doesn't regret her past life. That's a step forward] but... I'm different now. You know, things have changed. You've changed me. I don't want to go back. I want to turn down Beckman's offer
Okay. Okay. We don't need that bonus and... we don't need this house [don't be defeatist, Chuck, it's so middle class] because all we need is each other. Sarah? Wha-- hey, hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? [Vandalizing someone else's house, apparently.]
I am carving our names into the frame
Honey, you know we don't own this home
I know, [it's kind of a crime, Sarah] but we will one day. Might not be tomorrow or the next day, and it might take us months or years of hard work, but one day this will all be ours. And when it is, I would like to always remember this moment. [But you are aware that tomorrow someone wil come and erase what you just carved, aren't you?] So what do you say? You still in?
This is lovely, but I can't get out of my mind the fact that they'll have to pay a fine for what they just did. It's hilarious.
As it seems, Chuck and Sarah are ready to face whatever the future brings for them. Together.
PS: I'm very sorry for this awful delay, but between the lack of time and the fact that my photoshop doesn't always work, it took me a lot of time. And it didn't help that the light went off like in five occasions while I was writing and I lost all what I had written each time (when I'm focused in writing I forget to save it.) But I'm decided to finish all the recaps, cost what it may.
And still, even if the episode's structure looks a little weird and it feels a little disjointed and uneven, I love this episode. The Sarah-centric episode of this last season of Chuck. What can I say? I'm the "Happy Fan," I like all the episodes.
It begins with... A Flashback! You know, one of those flashbacks that muddles up Chuck's timeline instead of making it clearer. In this particular flashback, Sarah is listening to a voice message while she's in a mission in Budapest, five years ago. The message is from her mother, who asks her to talk to her when she can... after spending the last ten years in rehab? That was what I made up, because I couldn't understand why they didn't talk much in all that time (it almost looks as if that was the first time in ages that Sarah's mom could talk with her).
Sarah hangs up her cell phone as her handler (handler? Where's Bryce?) sends her a meaningful glare and orders her to begin her mission. And what's her mission, you may ask?
Being awesome.
Until her last scene with her handler, I thought that the point of this episode was to highlight how Sarah was the best spy in the world before meeting Chuck, but now that she's married to him she sucks :-)
But killing all those men wasn't the entire mission. No, there is something more in a room nearby.
OhGodIsAnAdorableBaby.
Did Sarah have a happy moment in her past? Did she have a moment when men weren't telling her to do morally controversial things? A moment when she thought "Well, my life doesn't completely suck"?
We jump to the present again. A beautiful present full of nice possibilities after Sarah discovered that the lovely Shaw had informed her former handler that the baby is, in fact, alive. All my hate to you, Shaw.
You ready for my big surprise?
Absolutely. You know how much I love surprises
What? You hate surprises. They provoke homicidal urges in you. OK, granted, I will be wary too: the last time Chuck gave a surprise to Sarah it was the CAT Squad.
Oh, my God, this is the house. It's our house. [I'm not tearing up. Shut up.] How, how did you do th...?
The real estate agent gave me the keys so we could try it out for the weekend. [Really?] Um, full disclosure-- I think she might have a little crush on me, so... [I think you shouldn't disclose those kind of things.]
Chuck, this is, this is beautiful, but we still can't afford it. [Yeah, because you're still poor. And apparently you can't sell an entire company, take the money and then work for the CIA as Beckman offered.]
Actually, we can. I was talking to Beckman, and apparently her offer to rejoin the CIA comes with a signing bonus, which is enough for a down payment on the house and that dresser I've been eyeing at Anthropologie. [And you own a company. Sell it. Except if you actually have big debts because of it, in which case... I can't do anything for you.]
Uh, I don't know what to say
Don't say anything. Just visualize. Think to yourself, "What would my life be like in such an amazing home with the most dashing
man I've ever met?"
Okay. [He always makes her smile. It's still cute.]
All right, all right, so after a hard day's work, we come home to the sweet, sweet sounds of Nina Simone emanating from our record player, [I approve of that scenario] which would fit perfectly-- I don't know-- say, in this corner right behind me. Huh? Open floor plan-- great for relaxing and watching your husband cook. [It cracks me up to think that Sarah does absolutely no housework] Cooking and talking, talking and cooking. This area right here-- perfect for my game chairs. [Sarah disapproves!] Or not. [She will have a word in the decoration.] Maybe we'll talk about that, [bye, bye, plastic flamingos!] but this, this is perfect. [The door frame?]
The door frame? [Thanks, Sarah.]
When Ellie and I were kids, our dad would measure us every year to see how tall we were getting. [I'm not visualizing Chuck doing the same with his and Sarah's children. Shut up.] I remember being so excited when I was finally taller than Ellie. It took a while, but tenth grade was a good year for me. [Sarah isn't as giddy as she should be.] What's the matter, what's the matter, what have I done? [Heh... Chuck is so conditioned that his first reaction is to think he did something wrong.] Something-Something's missing, something's wrong? Is it the game chairs? 'Cause those are negotiable. [No, they're not.]
No, Chuck, it's not that. Um, look, I want this house and I want the life that you have envisioned for us. I want every single part of it. [Even the chairs?] It's just that something urgent has come up
What is it? You know you can tell me anything
Well, that's just it. This time, Chuck, I can't tell you
This isn't as bad as it looks. In fact, it's a step forward for Sarah. In any other season she would have lied to Chuck and go secretly and by herself to kill Ryker. This time she doesn't tell Chuck what's happening, but at least she lets him know that something is happening. She doesn't go away by surprise. She's quiet about her problem, but it isn't exactly because she doesn't want to tell him.
Also, she admits out loud that she wants exactly what Chuck wants for their future. And although it isn't blatant, there is an indirect reference to children. So she wants children or, at least, is thinking about the possibility. Big steps!
We jump to the flashback again to see how Sarah saves the baby.
Using her as a bulletproof vest, apparently.
Wouldn't it be less dangerous to carry the baby at her back?
Anyway, present time again...
I thought we decided no more secrets, no more doing things on our own. Your words, not mine. [And still, you broke that rule how many times in the last two seasons, Chuck?]
Look, I know, I know that. It's just, I need you to trust me on this.
It's not that I don't trust you, this is not about trust. [Oh! Now you agree with me about what I said in 4X06, Vs. the Aisle of Terror! How nice of you.]
(...)
Where you going, Walker?
It's nothing; I'll be back soon
J-Just wait, just wait one second. Hear me out. Yes, I love you, so, of course, I'm going to want to know what's going on, why this mission needs to be so secretive, why you need so many guns, but I'm willing to put all that aside. [Really?]
Really?
Really?
Really? [I love that everybody thinks alike.]
Sure, husbands ask a lot of questions. You know who doesn't? Carmichael Industries, and as CEO of Carmichael Industries, [because Sarah is... what?] I would like to offer you our services-- pro bono, of course. [Does the Board of Directors know about that?]
Well, it wouldn't change anything. There are still things I can't tell you
You're the client, you're the boss
Whatever this is, Walker, backup couldn't hurt
So Sarah gives in and tells them about the mission in general terms: how they have to apprehend a man names Kieran Ryker.
Chuck is calm and collected all the time and I really thought that finally, he had learned something after four years.
Morgan, I need to know what's going on with Sarah, [*facepalm*] so I've done some research-- research on Hungarian culture cross-referenced with general horrible things that Sarah might want to keep a secret. [*headdesk*]
But didn't you tell Sarah that you wouldn't...?
Wikipedia-ing facts about Hungary is harmless. [Define "harmless."] I, for one, had no idea the Rubik's Cube was invented there. [What? Everybody knows that. Also, a Hungarian invented the ballpoint pen.]
Sure, I just think maybe you should give Sarah the benefit of the doubt. I mean, any time the two of you have ever disagreed about anything, she's been right. I can name four or five different times... [I agree with Yoda!Morgan here. If Sarah doesn't tell you something, maybe it's best if you don't know.]
No, no, no, I-I know, I know, it's just, I'm worried that we won't be prepared if something goes wrong, but if you're here in Castle, I guess we'll be okay
Actually, I think that Chuck is being smart and rational and not whinny like other times. If he's going to get ready for a mission he needs to really get ready for it. It's a little sneaky to do so at his wife's back, but Sarah isn't making it easy.
And not only for Chuck, but for Casey too.
Hey, listen, I know you can't talk to Bartowski about what's really going on. That blabbermouth can't keep a secret to save his life. But you can tell me, hmm?
I appreciate that, John, [Jon!] but the less you know the better. Really.
Sure, no problem
Even if Sarah doesn't tell Casey anything, the Sarah And Casey Can Hug Because They're Like Siblings Campaing is happy because this episode acknowledges their friendship. It's one of the things I like most of this season.
Not telling Casey anything provokes another flashback in Sarah. This time we see that Sarah meets Ryker in a café in Budapest to talk about the baby. Ryker wants her because the baby is the key to her family's fortune. A man has to think about his future after the CIA. Of course, Sarah suspects that Ryker will kill the baby after he gets the money (congratulations, Shaw, we met somebody worse than you.) Sarah won't allow it and shoots Ryker in the middle of the street. She doesn't kill him, though. Then, she goes back to her hotel room.
I think that this is canonically, the first time that Sarah goes against a superior (it was her handler, after all.) See her face of sheer terror. She's aware of the trouble she's in. Alone. With a baby.
By the way... Sarah, I know that babies can throw up or shit themselves, but I wouldn't consider them weapons. No need to put the baby on the case where you carry your guns.
Again in the present, Carmichael Industries and their pro bono client travel to a demonstrators free Budapest, a city with the oldest cars in the planet (excluding Cuba), if we believe what we see in Chuck :-)
Can't we just set aside the whole CEO of Carmichael Industries thing just for a second?
No, Chuck, that wasn't part of the deal
Yeah, except that I'm your husband who would do anything in the world for you, and I'm worried
Okay, look, this isn't about me.There are lives in danger because of something that... Look, if I tell you, I'm not only compromising their safety, but your safety, as well. [That's not reassuring.]
Okay, so, when you see Ryker, what then? What are you gonna do?
I'm gonna kill him, Chuck
I might be crazy, but I think it's a good sign that Sarah confesses to Chuck that she's going to kill Ryker. I mean, we know that she always tries to shield him from that side of her, so it's positive to see that she's not afraid to show him her ugly parts.
Yon know what other thing is ugly?
Who do you think you are, Laura Holt?
But of course, there it comes the moment when Sarah does something stupid: she receives a message from Ryker and decides to go alone, giving Casey and Chuck false information about the waiter.
Sarah, wait, wait! Wait. Where are you going?!
Ryker figured out it was me. I'm sorry. I've got to go do this alone
martyr!Sarah, it's been so long. I would say we missed you, but I'd be lying.
While Morgan, Alex, Devon and Ellie play games in Castle (and try to easy the tension between Morgan and Alex), Casey and Chuck interrogate the waiter, who only speaks Hungarian. For the good of Hungarian people's ears, I wish the actors (for the waiter and the woman Chuck asks to translate) did actually speak a Hungarian that sounded like it. Also, I hope that what they say in the language makes any sense. Hungarian has this fame of being hard to learn. I mean, it has 35 cases or noun forms. That's complicated (and I speak Basque, which has 24.)
In the end, Casey threatens the waiter with a gun because he doesn't believe he's innocent.
On another part of the city, Sarah gets to Ryker, only to be distracted by the cries of a baby coming from somewhere in the house. And I hope that she doesn't believe it's the baby she saved because that would be very stupid, since five years went by. But it makes her have another flashback.
Oh, God, I don't know what you want. What do you want? What do you need? [It's a baby, Sarah, she doesn't speak yet.] Oh, my God. Okay. Okay. Um... [Suddenly, Sarah remembers she has a cell phone with her.]
Hello? [Hello, Mama W.]
Uh, hi, Mom. It's me
Honey? Are you okay? Where are you? [Are you eating all right? It's the weather nice? Those are also questions a mother would make.]
I'm just... I'm uh... I'm in a bit of a situation here
Are you hurt?
Uh, no, no, no, no, it's nothing like that. I was on a mission, and, um... Well, I'm looking after a baby, and she won't stop crying, and I'm not really sure what to do. Can you please help me? [You called you mom, not your dad. Hmmm... or she thinks her father wouldn't be of any help or her father was in jail at the time.]
Okay. Uh, yeah. [Oh, so the "non articulation" thing comes from her mom. Good to know.] Um, is she wet?
Uh, no. No, it's not that, and I... and I fed her an hour ago. [Did you pat her back, so she could burp?]
Did you try rocking her?
What? No
Okay, honey, I want you to bring her close to you. She needs to feel safe. She needs to feel your warmth.
Okay. Okay, she's close. Now what? [Stop acting as if she were going to explode.]
Okay, now just-just rock her. Slowly back and forth and...
Mom, this is not working. I'm not good at this. What am I supposed to do?
Don't freak out, honey.[Heh, that's very Chuck, Mama W.] It's okay. It's okay. Just, um... Just try singing to her
Um... what am I supposed to sing? [Rap.]
Do you remember the lullaby I used to sing to you when you were little?
Yeah. Uh, I-I think so
The scene is very beautiful and touching, even if Yvonne is slightly out of tune.
What I like most is that it shows how Sarah is quite obsessed with doing everything perfectly, and when she doesn't, she freaks out. She's a perfectionist. It helps that Yvonne herself was terrified to film with a baby in her arms, because she's not used to them. Best part? When she holds the baby with her knee. The way she holds the baby in the first cap of the last line is also hilarious. I've seen people awkward in front of babies (myself, for example) but this is too much.
It's nice how she bought things for the baby: diapers, napkins, feeding bottle... She didn't know what to do, but she was trying her best. That's nice for somebody whose first reaction at problems is running away.
In the present again, Sarah has fallen into a trap and is been knocked out. An how does Ryker wake her up again?
The second time in a row! First Shaw, now Ryker. And they hit her in the same cheek. She's going to have a permanent bruise in that side.
But does Ryker stop with that? Of course not! Some psychological torture was required.
You know why I requested to be your handler? ['Cause she's hot?] Why I brought you to Budapest in the first place? [To sexually harrass her?] Because your file screamed loner. You had no family to speak of, never trusted anyone. [She has a father, you know.] I knew that you could keep a secret because you had no one to tell. And you still don't, do you? [Hey!] I bet no one even knows that you're here. Do they? And that's why you're
gonna die today...
He is... right. After a fashion. Sarah has this tendency to do everything by herself, because she wants to control everything and that's the only way. It's hard to change your default behaviour. The thing is that Ryker's words make her realize that she's doing it wrong and that she must change, because she can (almost does) die. Before, she could put her life in danger to save anybody else (the baby, in this case), but now she has something to live for, a family, and she doesn't want to do this martyr routine of her anymore.
But no worries, because Chuck saves her, once again, brings her home and then decides to talk to her. Because this is season 5 and in season 5 Chuck and Sarah communicate. (Also, Ellie advices Morgan. It's a full circle, going back to what was their relationship in season 1. It's touching, really.)
You-you know that I'm, I'm not the kind of guy who says things like this, but... whatever it is that you thought you needed to hide... not telling me the truth, going out on you own like that, [pot, meet kettle. Kettle, pot] I think it was, uh... a mistake. I think that you were wrong
You're right. When Ryker captured me in Budapest, I kept thinking why am I doing it this way? Why do I feel like I have to do everything on my own? [See my point above :-)] But it's what my dad taught me. It's the way the CIA taught me, that you can only ever trust yourself. [Yes, we've seen Fair Game.] But the truth is that I trust you completely
This deserves a song.
Five seasons for this one. Five freaking seasons! But at last, the miracle. Sarah has said out loud that she trusts Chuck completely. And yes, giving him her spy will was proof, breaking her prenup (for stupid it was) was proof, marrying him was proof, but this is the first time that she says it. As we know, Sarah is the one who expresses her feelings through actions instead of words and Chuck is the one who is better wording them. Sarah is learning to express herself, which is important for Chuck. The other way around isn't really relevant, because Chuck had put his life at risk for Sarah more than once.
On the other hand, I don't know why the writers put such emphasis in Chuck's troubles to tell Sarah she's wrong. Look, I know that Chuck has problems to be assertive, even in his relationship with Sarah, but that's never been really the trouble. I mean, usually (since Chuck and Sarah began their relationship) if Chuck thought Sarah was wrong or could oppose his plans, he ignored her and did what he had planned at her back and then, if things went well, perfect, and if not, Sarah and Casey had to save him. See Vs. the Fear of Death as an example: Chuck wanted to be a spy without the Intersect, Sarah didn't want him to because she thought it was too dangerous, Chuck backed out when they argued and then he did whatever he wanted. But of course, if being more assertive with Sarah means that he won't do that again, then I'm happy with it, because maybe that was the problem.
Before going to the flashback that explains what Sarah did with the baby, let me point out something in the bedroom's decoration:
In Sarah's flashback we discover that her boss (hi, Tony Todd. Long time no see!) wants to know what she did with "the package." Seeing that Graham won't be able to protect the baby, she lies to him (which seems huge for her, because Graham seemed to have great trust in her) and decides to protect the baby herself.
This is your home, too. It doesn't have to be this way.
Mom, I've thought a lot about this, [and for "a lot" she means like two hours] and, uh, and... I can't stay.Because for both of you to be safe, well, I can never see you again. When the CIA recruited me, I was on the run with Dad, and we changed our identities so much that they never knew you existed. [Wait, what?] And we can't let them find out about you now
When you were a little girl, all I ever wanted for you was a normal life. [And you couldn't get that because...] But you went off with your father, [why?] and he was never one... You just... you never got to go trick-or-treating [how do you know that?] or play on the soccer team, [no, seriously, how do you know that?] or never got to go to prom or homecoming. [How can you know any of this?] I just wish I could have given you at least some of that
[Sarah kind of ignores her. The wound is still too fresh.] Oh, um... don't forget this. She likes to be wrapped up in a blanket. It... helps her sleep. And the sound of the rain-- she likes the sound of the rain. And I've noticed that car rides...
It's okay, honey. [No, let her speak! What about the car rides?] I'll take good care of her.
Yeah, I know. [How? It's not like she was a mom for you for long, Sarah.] I know. Um, Mom?
Yes?
Going to prom and... and soccer games and... and... and all those normal things that you wanted for me... will you just make sure that she gets them? [My sight is blurred for some reason.]
You can't do this to me, show. You can't make me build a resentment against Sarah's mom for so long and then tell me that she's good and nice and nothing is her fault and that Jack is that bad as a father. And you know what? I'm not convinced. If her mom is so good, why did Sarah ran away with her father? According to the writers, Jack technically kidnapped Sarah (which is a federal crime), and Sarah's mom did apparently nothing to recover her (which makes her look negligent, at best.) And the worst of this is that Sarah's mom knew Jack wouldn't be very good as a father to Sarah. Just... What?
I'm sure you noticed that Sarah's mom's house has a red door and a white picket fence. Did Sarah lie to Chuck when she told her that this was her ideal house because she had seen it in TV shows? Or do Sarah and her mom have some kind of mental connection that makes them want the same things?
And the car... Is that Sarah's old car? I'm not sure.
So the baby has been with your mom this whole time?
Yeah. Yeah, now I know that they're both safe. [Not having any news from them doesn't automatically mean they're sound and safe. Or alive, for that matter.] Ryker has no idea where she is. He has no idea that my mom ever existed. [Ryker isn't the only one. Chuck just discovered it.] I'm so sorry that I never told you any of this before. I really am. I just... I didn't want to put anybody else in danger. But thank you for trusting me
Babe, I love you
They didn't check Sarah for bugs? How is it possible that they're still alive in the spy business?
It's touching how relieved she seems after telling Chuck the truth. As if a very big weight was removed from her shoulders. She seems so happy and hopeful... Uh-oh... Something very bad is going to happen, isn't it? Something very, very bad is going to happen in the last part of this season to Sarah. I can feel it.
So, anyway, now Ryker knows that the baby is alive and that she's with Sarah's mom. And although nobody in the CIA could ever discover who Sarah's mom was (or if she ever existed), Ryker locates her in no time. This forces Sarah and company to act quickly. She sends a warning for her mother. They must save the baby. Why? Because she's an innocent child and because...
She's super cute! She's like a baby clone of Sarah. A mini-Sarah. She's as cute as Ella (Olivia's niece). And now I'm imagining fanfics with Molly and Ella as a detective pair in the future. Great.
Anyway, Ryker reaches Sarah's mom's house, but of course it was a trap, since Sarah is already there to "welcome" Ryker.
You came so close to keeping her safe, you really did, but I'm gonna kill you and then I'm gonna kill your mom. And then after I get that money, you know what I'm gonna do with that little girl? Hmm? [Oh, please, tell me you're just going to kill her. Please.] Get up. You just don't quit, do you? [No. She's like Captain America.] But you always manage to make the same mistake. Even when you have a team, here you are all alone. When the hell are you gonna learn?
[Sarah impales him.] I'm not alone. She'll never have nightmares and she'll never even know that you existed. She's going to have the life that she deserves, a normal one
Standing ovation. That's a great death. If he's really death, of course. Because maybe he isn't. Maybe the CIA healed him, erased his memory and made him a FBI agent that has to handle a memory erased Bryce, now called Neal Caffrey. What? It's perfectly possible.
I like what she tells Ryker when she kills him, because she's really talking about her and about everything she couldn't have. In a way, she has saved herself doing this. This is a very nice full circle for Sarah's character and I'm glad the writers gave her it, even with some of the plotholes :-)
Sarah meets her team, that has defeated Ryker's team.
DRIIIIIINK!
So the bad guy is defeated and Sarah can go home to meet with her mom again.
Molly, I want you to meet someone very important. This is your sister Sarah
Hi, Molly. It's nice to meet you
Nice to meet you, too
I didn't make anything of Sarah's mom calling her Sarah. I mean, that's her name now, that's the name everybody that is her family now uses and since it's possible that Molly meets her again, it's better to use just one name instead of confusing the child with a real name and then another name that is real but maybe not so much.
By the way, Molly, honey, don't ask why your sister is like 25 years older than you. Of course she's your sister. What else could she be? Your real mother who gave birth away, a fact that the family hid, telling everybody that your grandmother was in fact your mother and your mother, your sister? Because... that's never happened. Nu-huh. Also, you'll have to wait a little before you can sleep in your room, because it's kinda destroyed, and there is blood there.
And I'm thinking... Molly is still the heiress of a Hungarian fortune. Is anybody going to tell her that one day? Go away, future!fics ideas! I have no time for you.
After this, we have a family reunion shot with music, something that it's very common in this last season. It's like if they wanted that any of the episodes could be the final wrap.
You know, I used to have a stuffed dog, too, when I was little,and I, I named him Bunny
That's a funny name for a dog
And what happened to Bunny? Did it perish with the rest of your belongins and family photos in the fire that destroyed your grandmother house? Because that would explain everything.
Molly is the cutest thing ever. And I don't like children.
You know, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that I get to meet you. [We can imagine!]
It means a lot to me, too, more than you know. Ah, it's been so long since I've seen her. She was always a tough little thing, you know, but I worried about her. [Apparently not enough to prevent her from running away with her father.] Growing up mostly with her father, [but why in hell would you allow that?] she always kept to herself; she wouldn't let people get close. I know I don't know you really well yet, but thank you for giving her this. [The plastic flamingos and game chairs?]
So now, at last, Chuck knows about Sarah's family, her friends and most part of her past. He can calm down now, right? Right?
The one who can calm down is Morgan, because the way he acted with Molly has made him recover Alex's love. Good one, Little Bearded Man.
Unrelated to this... Why is Chuck and Sarah's home full of their false photos?
Joining the CIA and giving up everything you did, did you ever think it would lead you here?
No. No, but, uh, Chuck's taught me that every now and then, it's okay to be surprised
Don't lie, Sarah, you still hate surprises.
Also, seeing Chuck with the child made me spontaneously pregnant. The image doesn't get Sarah pregnant but it's obvious she's considering it. For the first time I can see her ready for children.
This little chat with her mother makes Sarah have another flashback.
Well, you're not going to lose me, sir... but I am done with handlers
Oh, I agree. In fact, I think that it's time for you to become one. I have a new assignment for you-- something stateside. You think you can handle this one?
THEY RETCONNED BRYCE LARKIN!
Well, actually no, not entirely, but they did contradict the flashback in episode 3X06, Vs. the Nacho Sampler. That's worse, because that's completely canon. When Sarah and Bryce worked together... that's more ambiguous.
Of course, this contradicted the canon I made in my head, but that doesn't worry me much. But let me tell you what was my idea before trying to explain how this ending could work in Chuck's canon. To save myself time.
My original idea (completely destroyed in season 4) was that when Papa B was developing Project Intersect, his wife helped him. After Chuck downloaded it as a child (something that I just added after season 3) they realized that 1) Chuck could be in danger if the CIA found out and 2) the youngest the mind, the easiest was for the Intersect to work, if the person has some special characteristics. So Frost decided to make tests in different high schools to discover future candidates for the Intersects. And in one of these tests she met Sarah, whose name wasn't Sarah. Sarah passed the test with honors, of course, but when Frost went back to check on the girl, she discovered the girl wasn't there anymore. She also discovered that her name wasn't real. So Frost tried to find her, with Graham's help. That's why the CIA discovered and arrested Jack Burton and that's why Graham himself, in person, travelled from Washington to San Diego to recruit Sarah. So Sarah was a candidate for the Intersect, with Bryce and others, in Project Omaha. I thought that, in fact, Sarah was the first candidate, but something happened (I theorized her father left jail and that mde her lose focus) and in the end Bryce became the candidate for the Intersect. Sarah then, became his partner and future handler, when Bryce would download the computer into his mind. That's why when Bryce betrayed her and stole the Intersect she felt so guilty, because if she didn't fail, she would have been the Intersect, not Bryce and an innocent man like Chuck wouldn't be in such circumstances.
But of course, I was completely wrong (what's new), but I can save some parts of the theory to explain canon. So, forget Frost testing Sarah, but imagine that Graham read her file when they arrested Jack Burton and felt that this girl could be a good candidate for the Intersect. So there is still Project Omaha, but this is a long project, not a camp or something. Project Omaha checks future candidates, that means that Sarah would have time to work in the CAT Squad and latter, with Bryce (when in Project Omaha they realized Bryce and Sarah where the best ones). But something happened, and I'm guessing it has everything to do with Sarah's Red Test and how it affected her, so Bryce was chosen to be the Intersect and Sarah passed to be tutored by a handler to learn to be a handler herself. And the baby she saved in Budapest and the fact that Chuck was her first asset would explain why she was so anxious all the time. This was her acid test.
And yes, I'm perfectly aware that this has also been proven wrong in the last episode of Chuck, but I wanted to be honest. I had this review written before it, and I'm leaving it like this.
And with this, we go to the last Chuck And Sarah Moment of the Episode (tm).
You know, I, I really want the life that you imagined for us, Chuck, but if we go back to the CIA, it's just going to be missions and secrets that we have no control over
What are you saying?
I gave my life to the CIA for a really long time and I chose it over my family and my friends, [the CAT Squad were your friends!] and that was the right thing for me to do at the time, [it's nice that she doesn't regret her past life. That's a step forward] but... I'm different now. You know, things have changed. You've changed me. I don't want to go back. I want to turn down Beckman's offer
Okay. Okay. We don't need that bonus and... we don't need this house [don't be defeatist, Chuck, it's so middle class] because all we need is each other. Sarah? Wha-- hey, hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? [Vandalizing someone else's house, apparently.]
I am carving our names into the frame
Honey, you know we don't own this home
I know, [it's kind of a crime, Sarah] but we will one day. Might not be tomorrow or the next day, and it might take us months or years of hard work, but one day this will all be ours. And when it is, I would like to always remember this moment. [But you are aware that tomorrow someone wil come and erase what you just carved, aren't you?] So what do you say? You still in?
This is lovely, but I can't get out of my mind the fact that they'll have to pay a fine for what they just did. It's hilarious.
As it seems, Chuck and Sarah are ready to face whatever the future brings for them. Together.
PS: I'm very sorry for this awful delay, but between the lack of time and the fact that my photoshop doesn't always work, it took me a lot of time. And it didn't help that the light went off like in five occasions while I was writing and I lost all what I had written each time (when I'm focused in writing I forget to save it.) But I'm decided to finish all the recaps, cost what it may.