Chuck Versus the Cubic Z
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Cubic Z" is the third episode of the fourth season
of Chuck
. It originally aired October 4, 2010. A prison transfer delivers old foes, Heather Chandler and Hugo Panzer (Nicole Richie
and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
), to the Buy More
, canceling Chuck Bartowski
and Sarah
’s romantic mission. However, Chuck grows interested when the manipulative Heather claims to know a secret about his mother
. Meanwhile, as Morgan Grimes
prepares the Buy More for a huge video game release, he gets a surprise from Big Mike.
) and Heather Chandler (Nicole Richie
) are being transported by armored truck when the truck breaks down. The driver calls his superior and reports that the furthest they can make it before the truck is repaired will be 10 miles. They are directed to the Burbank Buy More
.
Sarah Walker
and John Casey
are sparring in Castle when General Beckman informs them that they must harbor the prisoners until helicopter transport arrives, forcing Chuck
and Sarah to cancel a mission to Monaco
.
After Chuck flashes on Chandler and learns she is connected to his mother
and Alexei Volkoff
, he and Sarah begin to interrogate her. While they discuss Chandler's demand of witness protection, Panzer escapes his cell with a rolled-up newspaper and attempts to kill Chandler. After Chuck and Sarah lock themselves inside the holding cell, Chandler reveals that she ruined a $500 million deal for Volkoff in "Chuck Versus the Cougars
." Volkoff had arranged for Chandler and Panzer to be on the same transfer, so Panzer could kill her. The new "Greta" (Stacy Keibler
) discovers that Hugo has escaped, but he quickly knocks her unconscious. When Casey calls Greta, Hugo reveals to him that she is "indisposed."
Panzer puts Castle in lockdown and opens the cell doors to enter and kill them. Casey uses a fire override from the outside, so that Heather, Chuck, and Sarah can escape in the ventilation system. When Hugo follows them, Casey directs them on how to escape through the ventilation ducts. When Panzer finally catches up with them, Chandler attempts to run but Sarah beats Heather to the ground while Chuck holds off Hugo. Chuck flashes on self-defense techniques when Hugo grabs his tie while falling down an air duct, but Casey manages to sneak up and capture him. Heather and Hugo, bound and ready for transport, are taken to the roof where the helicopter finally arrives but the transport turns out to be an ambush by Volkoff's men. Chuck follows Panzer, who has escaped his restraints and entered another air duct. After Casey is shot in the leg, Volkoff's men demand that they turn over Chandler. Chandler offers to sacrifice herself, but Sarah cuts her restraints so she can join in the gunfight. After seemingly killing the rest of the men, Heather and Sarah hold each other at gunpoint but Heather uses her last round to kill an operative sneaking up on Sarah.
Chuck catches up with Hugo, but he hesitates to shoot since they are so close to the store's gas line. The duct collapses into the cage in Buy More's repair department. After they brutally beat each other with various items (including repaired computers), Panzer is able to defeat Chuck by putting all his weight on him. Hugo attempts to exit the store while Big Mike lectures the customers, and Mike threatens to make an example out of him. Hugo encourages him to do so and uses Morgan as a human shield, but Mike manages to tase Hugo and release Morgan.
As Chandler and Panzer are finally transported away, Heather reveals what little she knows about Mrs. Bartowski: that when she met her in "Operation Beacon", Mary was very close to Volkoff himself.
and Greta prepare for the midnight release of the popular video game "Spy Attack", for which fanboys have camped outside the store for a week. Former manager Big Mike arrives and is rehired to help with the launch. Morgan then learns that the store is only receiving six copies of the game. He has Jeff and Lester
distract the customers with poetry while he tries to negotiate more copies. When Morgan fails to get more copies, and Lester's poetry fails to distract the customers, they reluctantly reveal the predicament. The customers revolt and a riot starts.
Big Mike begins a lecture and stops the riot. When Hugo Panzer attempts to escape, Mike decides to make an example out of him and tases him. He is subsequently promoted to assistant manager. As the employees clean the trashed store, Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother is sweeped into the vent.
Later, when the customers start a riot, Morgan loses the ring when it is knocked onto the floor. When Hugo later uses Morgan as a human shield, Big Mike tases Hugo and releases Morgan. After Morgan fails to find the ring, he gives Mike permission to marry his mother and promotes him to assistant manager. Mike quickly forgives him. The ring is then swept into a vent, and ends up in Castle.
," Sarah plans to discuss this with him before they go on a romantic "once in a lifetime" mission to Monaco. This mission however, is cancelled with the arrival of Chandler and Panzer. Chandler's repeated verbal abuse and mocking of their relationship further delays their conversation and greatly irritates Sarah.
Chuck and Sarah finally get to talk after Panzer and Chandler are transported away. As they agree to take things slowly, Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother slides through the vent onto the floor. Chuck kneels down on one knee and picks up the ring, giving the appearance that he is proposing to Sarah, leaving them both in an awkward state of shock.
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 October 4, 2010. A prison transfer delivers old foes, Heather Chandler and Hugo Panzer (Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie
Nicole Camille Richie is an American fashion designer, author, actress, singer and television personality. Her father was Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who played for a brief time with Lionel Richie, and her mother Karen was the executive assistant for Sheila Escovedo...
and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
), to the Buy More
Buy More
Buy More is a fictional big box electronics retail chain in NBC's action-comedy series Chuck. The Buy More is a parody of similar chains, particularly Best Buy....
, canceling 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
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...
’s romantic mission. However, Chuck grows interested when the manipulative Heather claims to know a secret about his 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:...
. Meanwhile, as 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....
prepares the Buy More for a huge video game release, he gets a surprise from Big Mike.
Main plot
Hugo Panzer ("Stone Cold" Steve AustinStone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
) and Heather Chandler (Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie
Nicole Camille Richie is an American fashion designer, author, actress, singer and television personality. Her father was Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who played for a brief time with Lionel Richie, and her mother Karen was the executive assistant for Sheila Escovedo...
) are being transported by armored truck when the truck breaks down. The driver calls his superior and reports that the furthest they can make it before the truck is repaired will be 10 miles. They are directed to the Burbank 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....
.
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...
and John 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....
are sparring in Castle when General Beckman informs them that they must harbor the prisoners until helicopter transport arrives, forcing Chuck
Chuck Bartowski
Charles Irving "Chuck" Bartowski is the main and titular character of the American fiction television show Chuck on NBC. He is portrayed by Zachary Levi.-Character profile:...
and Sarah to cancel a mission to Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
.
After Chuck flashes on Chandler and learns she is connected to his 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:...
and Alexei Volkoff
Alexei Volkoff
Alexei Volkoff is the alias and alter ego of Hartley Winterbottom , a fictional character on the television series Chuck. Volkoff is the head of Volkoff Industries. For the first six episodes of the fourth season, he was an unseen character, directing his operatives from behind the scenes...
, he and Sarah begin to interrogate her. While they discuss Chandler's demand of witness protection, Panzer escapes his cell with a rolled-up newspaper and attempts to kill Chandler. After Chuck and Sarah lock themselves inside the holding cell, Chandler reveals that she ruined a $500 million deal for Volkoff in "Chuck Versus the Cougars
Chuck Versus the Cougars
"Chuck Versus the Cougars" is the fourth episode of the second season of Chuck. It originally aired on October 20, 2008. Chuck Bartowski learns more about Sarah Walker's past when they run into her old high school nemesis Heather Chandler . Sarah's teenage insecurities come to surface and she tries...
." Volkoff had arranged for Chandler and Panzer to be on the same transfer, so Panzer could kill her. The new "Greta" (Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler is an American actress, model, and former professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment ....
) discovers that Hugo has escaped, but he quickly knocks her unconscious. When Casey calls Greta, Hugo reveals to him that she is "indisposed."
Panzer puts Castle in lockdown and opens the cell doors to enter and kill them. Casey uses a fire override from the outside, so that Heather, Chuck, and Sarah can escape in the ventilation system. When Hugo follows them, Casey directs them on how to escape through the ventilation ducts. When Panzer finally catches up with them, Chandler attempts to run but Sarah beats Heather to the ground while Chuck holds off Hugo. Chuck flashes on self-defense techniques when Hugo grabs his tie while falling down an air duct, but Casey manages to sneak up and capture him. Heather and Hugo, bound and ready for transport, are taken to the roof where the helicopter finally arrives but the transport turns out to be an ambush by Volkoff's men. Chuck follows Panzer, who has escaped his restraints and entered another air duct. After Casey is shot in the leg, Volkoff's men demand that they turn over Chandler. Chandler offers to sacrifice herself, but Sarah cuts her restraints so she can join in the gunfight. After seemingly killing the rest of the men, Heather and Sarah hold each other at gunpoint but Heather uses her last round to kill an operative sneaking up on Sarah.
Chuck catches up with Hugo, but he hesitates to shoot since they are so close to the store's gas line. The duct collapses into the cage in Buy More's repair department. After they brutally beat each other with various items (including repaired computers), Panzer is able to defeat Chuck by putting all his weight on him. Hugo attempts to exit the store while Big Mike lectures the customers, and Mike threatens to make an example out of him. Hugo encourages him to do so and uses Morgan as a human shield, but Mike manages to tase Hugo and release Morgan.
As Chandler and Panzer are finally transported away, Heather reveals what little she knows about Mrs. Bartowski: that when she met her in "Operation Beacon", Mary was very close to Volkoff himself.
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....
and Greta prepare for the midnight release of the popular video game "Spy Attack", for which fanboys have camped outside the store for a week. Former manager Big Mike arrives and is rehired to help with the launch. Morgan then learns that the store is only receiving six copies of the game. He has Jeff and Lester
Jeffster!
Jeffster! is a fictional cover band on the television series Chuck. Its principal members are Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel , both of whom work in the Nerd Herd division of the Buy More...
distract the customers with poetry while he tries to negotiate more copies. When Morgan fails to get more copies, and Lester's poetry fails to distract the customers, they reluctantly reveal the predicament. The customers revolt and a riot starts.
Big Mike begins a lecture and stops the riot. When Hugo Panzer attempts to escape, Mike decides to make an example out of him and tases him. He is subsequently promoted to assistant manager. As the employees clean the trashed store, Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother is sweeped into the vent.
Morgan and Big Mike
Morgan has been avoiding his mother's house so he wouldn't have to face Big Mike (whose job he now holds), and is worried when Mike arrives. However, Big Mike reveals that he is proud of Morgan. After spending months out at sea, he has realized that Morgan's mother is the source of his happiness, and reveals his intention to propose to her with a half-carat, pear-cut cubic zirconium. Morgan hires him as a "greenshirt" and Big Mike entrusts Morgan with the ring until Morgan judges him "worthy of [his] mother's love."Later, when the customers start a riot, Morgan loses the ring when it is knocked onto the floor. When Hugo later uses Morgan as a human shield, Big Mike tases Hugo and releases Morgan. After Morgan fails to find the ring, he gives Mike permission to marry his mother and promotes him to assistant manager. Mike quickly forgives him. The ring is then swept into a vent, and ends up in Castle.
Chuck and Sarah
After Chuck mentioned getting married and having children in "Chuck Versus the SuitcaseChuck Versus the Suitcase
"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...
," Sarah plans to discuss this with him before they go on a romantic "once in a lifetime" mission to Monaco. This mission however, is cancelled with the arrival of Chandler and Panzer. Chandler's repeated verbal abuse and mocking of their relationship further delays their conversation and greatly irritates Sarah.
Chuck and Sarah finally get to talk after Panzer and Chandler are transported away. As they agree to take things slowly, Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother slides through the vent onto the floor. Chuck kneels down on one knee and picks up the ring, giving the appearance that he is proposing to Sarah, leaving them both in an awkward state of shock.
Production
This episode marked Stacy Keibler's first portrayal of the rotating character Greta.Continuity
- Upon seeing Sarah for the first time, Heather uses her "Jenny Burton" alias, the first time this name is used since the second season.
- Heather reveals that the F-22 plans she intended to have extorted from her husband in "Chuck Versus the CougarsChuck Versus the Cougars"Chuck Versus the Cougars" is the fourth episode of the second season of Chuck. It originally aired on October 20, 2008. Chuck Bartowski learns more about Sarah Walker's past when they run into her old high school nemesis Heather Chandler . Sarah's teenage insecurities come to surface and she tries...
" were earmarked for Volkoff.
Flashes
- Chuck flashes on Heather, revealing that she was involved with Frost (Mary Bartowski).
- Chuck flashes on grappling techniques when Hugo grabs his tie.
- Chuck flashes on an acrobatic martial art in his cage fight with Hugo.
Cultural references
- Most of the episode is spent in the Buy More/Castle ventilation system, which Chuck notes is common is his favorite action movies, such as AliensAliens (film)Aliens is a 1986 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, and Bill Paxton...
and Die HardDie HardDie Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
. - Morgan states that he is "like Cobra" and "De NiroRobert De NiroRobert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
serious", but Chuck says he is "Russell CroweRussell CroweRussell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
serious." - Lester's poem contains the line "Will I cry? No, McFly!" This is a reference to Marty McFlyMarty McFlyMartin Seamus "Marty" McFly, Sr. is the protagonist in the Back to the Future film trilogy, and is portrayed by actor Michael J. Fox. Marty was also the protagonist in the animated series where he was voiced by David Kaufman...
of the Back to the Future trilogy. - The riot scene in the Buy More references the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a 1984 American adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the second film in the Indiana Jones franchise and prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark . After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone...
. - Big Mike refers to his cattle prod as a "disco stick", a reference to the song "LoveGameLoveGame"LoveGame" is an electropop song by American recording artist Lady Gaga from her debut album, The Fame . Produced by RedOne, the track was released as the album's third single in North America and Europe and the fourth single in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden after "Eh, Eh "...
" by Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
. - Mark Christopher LawrenceMark Christopher LawrenceMark Christopher Lawrence is an American character actor, stand-up comedian and voice-over artist. He is perhaps best known for his role as esoteric D.J., Tone Deaf, in the 1994 satirical rap mockumentary, Fear of a Black Hat. He has co-starred in popular films such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day,...
(who portrays Big Mike) earlier played a burly attendant in Terminator 2: Judgment DayTerminator 2: Judgment DayTerminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and written by Cameron and William Wisher Jr.. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong...
, who similarly used a cattle prod to subdue Sarah Conner when she was in Pescadero State Hospital. - Steve Austin and Stacy Keibler, who briefly fight in this episode, have both wrestled professionallyProfessional wrestlingProfessional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
for World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE).
Music
- "Beat the Devil's TattooBeat the Devil's TattooBeat the Devil's Tattoo is the sixth album by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, released on March 8, 2010 in Europe and on March 9, 2010 in North America. It is the second full-length on the band's own Abstract Dragon label, in partnership with Vagrant Records and Cooperative Music Group...
" by Black Rebel Motorcycle ClubBlack Rebel Motorcycle ClubBlack Rebel Motorcycle Club is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T...
(Played during the opening; repeated when Chuck, Sarah & Heather crawl through the air ducts; repeated when Sarah & Heather face Volkoff’s men on the roof) - "Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)" by DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
(Chuck & Sarah realized that Hugo has locked them in the cell) - "Land of the Freak" by King Khan and the ShrinesKing Khan and the ShrinesKing Khan and the Shrines, sometimes referred to as King Khan and Sensational Shrines or The Supreme Genius of King Khan and His Sensational Shrines, are a Berlin-based garage rock and psychedelic soul band.-History:...
(The Buy More crowd riots; Chuck fights Hugo; Morgan loses the engagement ring; Big Mike takes control) - "In The Valley" by Chief (Morgan asks Big Mike to be assistant manager; Chuck & Sarah talk as the ring makes its way down to them)