Chuck Versus the Balcony
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Balcony" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season
of Chuck
. It originally aired January 17, 2011. Chuck Bartowski
embarks on two secret quests. As he tries to locate a nano-chip in the vineyards of France, he also attempts to stealthily concoct a romantic getaway for Sarah Walker
. Meanwhile, Lester Patel pesters Big Mike to help him sort out his troubled love life.
, France
, Agent Rosenbaum (Eddie Davenport) is chased through a vineyard by several terrorists with dogs. Rosenbaum quickly injects a nano-chip into one of the wine bottles. When he is shot by Pierre Melville (Jean-Christophe Febbrari), Rosenbaum slides the automatic syringe under the wine rack.
Chuck Bartowski
and Sarah Walker
are on a romantic date at a fancy Italian restaurant, where it is revealed Chuck had intentions of proposing to Sarah at dinner. However, Chuck panics when Sarah mentions her parents' botched engagement at an Italian restaurant that was "the beginning of the end of their relationship" Chuck-already having the plans set in motion-aborts the proposal and leads her out of the restaurant a different way so she could not see any evidence. Sarah gets a call from General Beckman while Chuck is diverting the champagne and music away from their table.
Team Bartowski is assigned to retrieve the nano-chip from the chateau in France, as it contains secret locations and blueprints of CIA
blacksites in Europe
. After Chuck and Casey
leave, Sarah calls Beckman and tells her to inform her if there is anything she can do to bring back Chuck's mother
. The team goes undercover at a wine tasting and they track the nano-chip with special equipment. Casey sneaks into the cellar, where Pierre finds the syringe and deduces that the nano-chip is in a specific bottle of 1986 Chateau LeFranc, a "peppery pinot
with a stable on the label and a stork on the cork". After tracking the glass the wine has been poured into, Chuck steals it from a wine enthusiast (Braeden Marcott) and flashes to defend it from Pierre.
Chuck and Morgan Grimes
plan a sub-mission for Chuck's proposal to Sarah, but Chuck is interrupted during several opportunities to propose and never gets the chance. However, he gets a second chance as they go back to France, this time posing as rogue agents where Pierre will purchase a fake nano-chip and the CIA can track his location. Beckman gives Sarah direct orders to make the exchange rather than Chuck. While preparing for the mission, Sarah overhears Chuck and Morgan planning the proposal sub-mission. Sarah surprises Morgan in his office and tells him that the sub-mission is now under her control, as she does not like surprises. Casey, in turn, discovers the sub-mission and decides to help.
That night in France, Sarah is waiting in the garden to make the exchange while an unknown person spies on her. After Chuck witnesses the exchange and Sarah leaves the site to meet him, he is encountered by Pierre and his men, angry that they tried to deceive him. Chuck flashes to knock them unconscious, in the process dropping Sarah's engagement ring. As Sarah goes to meet Chuck at the eponymous balcony, she reveals to Morgan and Casey that for the first time in her life she is nervous. Morgan manages to calm her and gives her permission to marry Chuck. As Sarah gets to the balcony, Casey and Morgan notice that the ring is on the ground. Sarah gracefully picks it up and places it in Chuck's pocket without him noticing. As Chuck kneels to propose to Sarah, the CIA arrives and arrests Sarah for treason.
Back at Castle, Casey reveals that he proposed to Kathleen in a bus station before being deployed. He explains to Chuck that the only thing that matters is that he has Sarah. Chuck enters a holding cell to to propose to Sarah once more, when she suddenly reveals that she is going undercover in Volkoff Industries
, saying that Beckman arranged for her arrest so that she could enter the organization. Sarah believes that the only way to bring his mother back is if she goes inside. They share one more passionate kiss before she leaves.
, he is immediately attracted to her, but does not properly assert his own personality. Jinsana agrees to return in a half-hour for him to make a second impression. Lester attempts to impress her with several elements of their Canadian
, Indian
, and Jewish
culture, but she is overwhelmed. However, when he reveals that he trying to impress her, Jinsana admits that it was "cute". Lester attempts to make a third impression, where he sings Whitesnake
's "Is This Love
. Lester assumes that he was successful, but she describes it as the most uncomfortable five minutes of her life, before leaving him.
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 January 17, 2011. 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:...
embarks on two secret quests. As he tries to locate a nano-chip in the vineyards of France, he also attempts to stealthily concoct a romantic getaway for 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...
. Meanwhile, Lester Patel pesters Big Mike to help him sort out his troubled love life.
Main plot
Carrying a briefcase in Loire ValleyLoire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Agent Rosenbaum (Eddie Davenport) is chased through a vineyard by several terrorists with dogs. Rosenbaum quickly injects a nano-chip into one of the wine bottles. When he is shot by Pierre Melville (Jean-Christophe Febbrari), Rosenbaum slides the automatic syringe under the wine rack.
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...
are on a romantic date at a fancy Italian restaurant, where it is revealed Chuck had intentions of proposing to Sarah at dinner. However, Chuck panics when Sarah mentions her parents' botched engagement at an Italian restaurant that was "the beginning of the end of their relationship" Chuck-already having the plans set in motion-aborts the proposal and leads her out of the restaurant a different way so she could not see any evidence. Sarah gets a call from General Beckman while Chuck is diverting the champagne and music away from their table.
Team Bartowski is assigned to retrieve the nano-chip from the chateau in France, as it contains secret locations and blueprints of CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
blacksites in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. After Chuck and 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....
leave, Sarah calls Beckman and tells her to inform her if there is anything she can do to bring back Chuck's 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:...
. The team goes undercover at a wine tasting and they track the nano-chip with special equipment. Casey sneaks into the cellar, where Pierre finds the syringe and deduces that the nano-chip is in a specific bottle of 1986 Chateau LeFranc, a "peppery pinot
Pinot
-Grape varieties:* One of several grape varieties and associated wines** Pinot blanc ** Pinot gris ** Pinot meunier** Pinot noir...
with a stable on the label and a stork on the cork". After tracking the glass the wine has been poured into, Chuck steals it from a wine enthusiast (Braeden Marcott) and flashes to defend it from Pierre.
Chuck and 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....
plan a sub-mission for Chuck's proposal to Sarah, but Chuck is interrupted during several opportunities to propose and never gets the chance. However, he gets a second chance as they go back to France, this time posing as rogue agents where Pierre will purchase a fake nano-chip and the CIA can track his location. Beckman gives Sarah direct orders to make the exchange rather than Chuck. While preparing for the mission, Sarah overhears Chuck and Morgan planning the proposal sub-mission. Sarah surprises Morgan in his office and tells him that the sub-mission is now under her control, as she does not like surprises. Casey, in turn, discovers the sub-mission and decides to help.
That night in France, Sarah is waiting in the garden to make the exchange while an unknown person spies on her. After Chuck witnesses the exchange and Sarah leaves the site to meet him, he is encountered by Pierre and his men, angry that they tried to deceive him. Chuck flashes to knock them unconscious, in the process dropping Sarah's engagement ring. As Sarah goes to meet Chuck at the eponymous balcony, she reveals to Morgan and Casey that for the first time in her life she is nervous. Morgan manages to calm her and gives her permission to marry Chuck. As Sarah gets to the balcony, Casey and Morgan notice that the ring is on the ground. Sarah gracefully picks it up and places it in Chuck's pocket without him noticing. As Chuck kneels to propose to Sarah, the CIA arrives and arrests Sarah for treason.
Back at Castle, Casey reveals that he proposed to Kathleen in a bus station before being deployed. He explains to Chuck that the only thing that matters is that he has Sarah. Chuck enters a holding cell to to propose to Sarah once more, when she suddenly reveals that she is going undercover in Volkoff Industries
Volkoff 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...
, saying that Beckman arranged for her arrest so that she could enter the organization. Sarah believes that the only way to bring his mother back is if she goes inside. They share one more passionate kiss before she leaves.
Lester and the Bride
Lester Patel mentions to Big Mike how stressed he is that his parents have arranged a marriage for him. Big Mike agrees to help Lester sort out his troubled love life. However, when Lester meets his potential bride Jinsana (Pooja Kumar) at the Buy MoreBuy 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....
, he is immediately attracted to her, but does not properly assert his own personality. Jinsana agrees to return in a half-hour for him to make a second impression. Lester attempts to impress her with several elements of their Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Indian
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
culture, but she is overwhelmed. However, when he reveals that he trying to impress her, Jinsana admits that it was "cute". Lester attempts to make a third impression, where he sings Whitesnake
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...
's "Is This Love
Is This Love (Whitesnake song)
"Is This Love" is a song by the English hard rock band Whitesnake. The song is taken from their self-titled album, which released in 1987.The song was written by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes during the albums early writing process , but it was long rumored that the song had...
. Lester assumes that he was successful, but she describes it as the most uncomfortable five minutes of her life, before leaving him.
Production details
- Agent Rosenbaum is named after a former series writer, Scott Rosenbaum.
- The Chateau LeFranc references one of the series writers, Lauren LeFranc.
Flashes
- Chuck flashes to fight Pierre and his men without spilling the glass of wine.
- Chuck flashes to incapacitate Pierre and his men.
Cultural references
- Sarah tells Chuck he doesn't need to be like James BondJames BondJames Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
. - When referring to the wine, Chuck and Morgan use a similar play on words to that used by Danny KayeDanny KayeDanny Kaye was a celebrated American actor, singer, dancer, and comedian...
in The Court JesterThe Court JesterThe Court Jester is a 1956 musical-comedy film starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, and Angela Lansbury. The movie was co-written, co-directed, and co-produced by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama...
. - Morgan's line "Talk to me, Goose" is taken directly from Maverick in Top GunTop GunTop Gun may refer to:* Top Gun is a 1986 film starring Tom Cruise.**Top Gun , soundtrack to the movie**Top Gun , a number of games based on the movie...
.
Music
- "Brimful of AshaBrimful of Asha"Brimful of Asha" is a 1997 single by the British alternative rock band Cornershop, which originally reached number 60 in the UK Singles Chart in 1997...
" by CornershopCornershopCornershop are a British indie rock band formed in 1991 by Wolverhampton-born Tjinder Singh , his brother Avtar Singh , David Chambers and Ben Ayres , the first three having previously been members of Preston-based band General Havoc, who released one single in 1991... - "When I Go" by Slow ClubSlow ClubSlow Club is a folk-rock duo from Sheffield, England. The band formed in 2006, after the break-up of Sheffield band The Lonely Hearts.-History:The band is made up of Charles Watson and Rebecca Taylor...
- "Is This LoveIs This Love (Whitesnake song)"Is This Love" is a song by the English hard rock band Whitesnake. The song is taken from their self-titled album, which released in 1987.The song was written by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes during the albums early writing process , but it was long rumored that the song had...
" by WhitesnakeWhitesnakeWhitesnake are an English rock band, founded in 1978 by David Coverdale after his departure from his previous band, Deep Purple. The band's early material has been compared by critics to Deep Purple, but by the mid 1980s they had moved to a more commercial hard rock style...