Chuck Versus the Masquerade
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Masquerade" is the sixteenth episode of the fourth season
of Chuck
. Although taking place on and around Valentine's Day
, the episode actually aired originally on February 21, 2011, one week later. Valentine's Day is ruined when the team is dispatched to protect heiress Vivian McArthur (Lauren Cohan
). John Casey
is tempted by an offer from National Clandestine Service
Director Jane Bentley (Robin Givens
), and Morgan Grimes
makes a big decision.
operative Boris Kaminsky (David S. Lee) begins a search for a key that can unlock a part of Alexei Volkoff
's office to claim the organization. He kills two of Volkoff's lieutenants, leading him to a last one in Volkoff's organization, who tells him that he knows where the key currently is. The lieutenant is spared, but found dead later by the CIA
.
Elsewhere, Chuck Bartowski
picks his bedroom as Morgan Grimes
chooses the living room to spend their Valentine's Day in with their girlfriends. Chuck enters his bedroom and surprises Sarah Walker
with a shirt he is wearing, labeling him as a "Love Machine". Before Sarah unveils her own special outfit for Chuck, she tells him to get her chocolate strawberries she made in the kitchen.
Chuck then sneaks out of his room to get it, as Morgan and Alex McHugh (Mekenna Melvin
) are performing a spiritual act to feel each other while blindfolded. Chuck declines a phone call from General Beckman as Sarah takes the strawberry bowl from him, getting her dress coat stuck to a hook on the wall. Sarah removes the dress coat and surprises Chuck with a cupid
outfit. John Casey
arrives and grunts at the sight of both couples in the living room, interrupting Morgan and Alex. As Alex explains herself Casey, Morgan expresses his anger that Chuck and Sarah were in the living room. Casey tells them to leave for a mission immediately.
The team arrives at Castle to find it crowded with agents, whom Beckman reveals are from the NCS
to expand the facility. The team is briefed on a mission to arrest Vivian McArthur (Lauren Cohan
), who is believed to be Volkoff's chosen successor, in England to protect her from Boris.
The team attends the eponymous masquerade ball
at Vivian's manor in England. Chuck and Sarah split to find Vivian as Morgan and Casey are disguised as bartenders. Casey finds a woman who intimidates him by saying that he was born to be an impressive bartender, and Morgan promptly agrees that the drinks he has made are in fact fantastic. Morgan then mocks Casey's position in the team, but Casey backfires it to Morgan, who is feeling irrelevant since Chuck and Sarah are engaged.
Sarah runs into Boris, and they ask each other if they had seen Vivian. Meanwhile, Chuck unknowingly stumbles upon Vivian, who is not quite enjoying the party. The two then converse before Chuck asks if she had seen Vivian, to which she sarcastically responds in third person that no one ever really knows her and that the party was a failed attempt to get to know her neighbors. Sarah meets with Chuck and tells him that Boris is around as Chuck tells Sarah that he just found Vivian. They then head over to Vivian's staple ranch, where she is grooming her horse. Sarah holds Vivian at gunpoint, and confuses her by attempting to arrest her for being an associate of Alexei Volkoff. They are then interrupted when a group of former Volkoff's men attack them. Vivian then tells Sarah that she has nothing to do with Volkoff, as she has not seen him for years. She then reveals that she is Volkoff's daughter and has lived her whole life believing that he was an oil company executive. The team then escapes the manor in one of Vivian's cars and returns to Burbank, CA.
At Castle, the team learns that Vivian is merely a civilian and has nothing to do with her father's notorious organization. She explains that her father had never spent much time with her and kept sending her to more schools than she ever has traveling to other countries with him. Chuck tries to calm Vivian down and tells her that he once used to be like her, dragged into the spy world, but is now content with being a spy. Vivian then proposes to be bait to lure Boris and the other men looking for her, to find out more about the key to Volkoff's office.
The team returns to England, except for Morgan, who is preparing to move out of the apartment with Chuck and Sarah. Sarah poses as Vivian for Vivian's daily morning horse ride. Vivian gives Sarah her necklace from Volkoff to complete her disguise before leaving the manor to lure out the men hunting her. Casey is in position in the forest as a sniper
, waiting for Sarah to be tailed. Half way through the forest, Sarah falls unconscious off the horse when Boris has it panicking. The horse then runs back to the staple ranch where Chuck is waiting with Vivian. The two then ride into the forest on the horse to rescue Sarah as she is being approached by the men. The entire group is sniped away by Casey's sharpshooting skills, saving Sarah before they could kill her.
As Chuck and Vivian ride into the forest on her horse, they are tailed by two other men. Chuck flashes and hangs onto a tree, kicking the two men unconscious off of their horses. Chuck then runs to Casey and Sarah as she asks where Vivian is. Back at the staple ranch, Boris holds Vivian at gunpoint. He asks her for the key, but Vivian is still unaware what or where the key is. Boris then begins intimidating her that despite all the skills, education, and experiences she has, she is still just a weak little girl. Vivian then pulls out a shotgun
hidden beside the horse and shoots Boris at point-blank range
.
The team comfort Vivian through her first kill as if it was self defense. As Sarah returns Vivian's necklace, they ask Vivian if she at least now knows where the key is. Vivian looks sharply at her necklace, revealing a locket
with the letter "V" on it, and denies knowing where the key is. Casey assures her that Volkoff Industries will not be returning anymore without a leader, as Boris and the other lieutenants have been killed.
Vivian visits the sealed Volkoff Industries headquarters alone and enters Volkoff's office. She finds a horse paperweight marked with the letter "V" and connects the necklace to it, confirming that it is the key. This unlocks a secret compartment in Volkoff's office.
, the two find out that Clara would not stop crying until she is comforted by Rusted Root
's song "Send Me On My Way
" playing in a teddy bear
belonging to Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel. Ellie distracts Jeff and Lester, while Devon steals their teddy bear. They keep Clara comforted with the song playing in the teddy bear, but soon find that the song keeps them awake. They put her in her own room, as she is already three months old, and Morgan gives her his childhood Star Wars
collectibles that he bought with Chuck.
and Chewbacca
collectibles are used as a metaphor for their friendship, Morgan decides to give the collectibles to Clara to keep them in the family.
Meanwhile, Casey is persuaded by Jane Bentley (Robin Givens
), director of the CIA's NCS
and the woman who complimented his skills as a bartender, to lead a new team based in Burbank. The NCS remains at Castle for several days and begins expanding the facility. Bentley tempts Casey to join the NCS, as he joined the NSA
as the best sharpshooter in America, and is now serving in Team Bartowski disguising as bartenders, waiters, and doing paperwork. A sojourning transient for most of his adult life, Casey reveals that he has now put down roots by declining Bentley's offer on the basis of not wanting to leave Burbank. Bentley, however, explains that the assignment will be in Burbank and shows Casey an entrance to a new part of Castle, restricted to only NCS staff.
, is seen, depicting Chuck and Morgan.
gave the episode a D, criticizing the its horseback riding scene and writing, "'Chuck Versus The Masquerade' was one of the most forgettable episodes in Chuck's history, and it exemplifies everything that is wrong with this show. Remember how everyone used to hate Chuck during season two, but we loyal viewers were all like 'You just don't get it, maaaaaaan' [snaps fingers whilst wearing a beret
(s)]? This episode is everything they were talking about, only now the call is coming from inside the house."
Eric Goldman of IGN
gave this episode a score of 9 out of 10, finding Cohan's performance "impressive". Goldman also commented on the episode's subplot, writing that "the angst between Chuck and Morgan was both sweet and funny, including the integral use of their Han Solo and Chewbacca toys as a metaphor for their friendship." Goldman concluded, "All in all, this was a jam-packed, exciting episode that built towards a cool conclusion and looks to be setting the stage for some big events to come."
Viewer response was positive, with an 8.7/10 user rating at TV.com
. The episode drew 5.48 million viewers.
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...
. Although taking place on and around Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, the episode actually aired originally on February 21, 2011, one week later. Valentine's Day is ruined when the team is dispatched to protect heiress Vivian McArthur (Lauren Cohan
Lauren Cohan
Lauren Cohan is an American actress. Her most recognized role to date is that of the role of Bela Talbot on Supernatural...
). 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....
is tempted by an offer from National Clandestine Service
National Clandestine Service
The National Clandestine Service is one of the four main components of the Central Intelligence Agency...
Director Jane Bentley (Robin Givens
Robin Givens
Robin Simone Givens is an American model and film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for her role as Darlene Merriman on the television series Head of the Class.-Early life:...
), 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....
makes a big decision.
Main plot
Former Volkoff IndustriesVolkoff Industries
Volkoff Industries is a major organization on the television series Chuck. It is a public business front owned by an international arms dealer named Alexei Volkoff, portrayed by Timothy Dalton. Volkoff Industries is introduced in the third season finale as a threat against which Stephen J...
operative Boris Kaminsky (David S. Lee) begins a search for a key that can unlock a part of 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...
's office to claim the organization. He kills two of Volkoff's lieutenants, leading him to a last one in Volkoff's organization, who tells him that he knows where the key currently is. The lieutenant is spared, but found dead later by the 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...
.
Elsewhere, 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:...
picks his bedroom 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....
chooses the living room to spend their Valentine's Day in with their girlfriends. Chuck enters his bedroom and surprises 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...
with a shirt he is wearing, labeling him as a "Love Machine". Before Sarah unveils her own special outfit for Chuck, she tells him to get her chocolate strawberries she made in the kitchen.
Chuck then sneaks out of his room to get it, as Morgan and Alex McHugh (Mekenna Melvin
Mekenna Melvin
Mekenna Melvin is an American actress known for playing the role of Alex McHugh in Chuck, Angela in Three Rivers, and Stefanie Fife in Lie to Me. She also co-created and will be starring as Amber Hannold in Amber Lake, an independent film due for release in 2010.- Personal life :Melvin was born...
) are performing a spiritual act to feel each other while blindfolded. Chuck declines a phone call from General Beckman as Sarah takes the strawberry bowl from him, getting her dress coat stuck to a hook on the wall. Sarah removes the dress coat and surprises Chuck with a cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
outfit. 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....
arrives and grunts at the sight of both couples in the living room, interrupting Morgan and Alex. As Alex explains herself Casey, Morgan expresses his anger that Chuck and Sarah were in the living room. Casey tells them to leave for a mission immediately.
The team arrives at Castle to find it crowded with agents, whom Beckman reveals are from the NCS
National Clandestine Service
The National Clandestine Service is one of the four main components of the Central Intelligence Agency...
to expand the facility. The team is briefed on a mission to arrest Vivian McArthur (Lauren Cohan
Lauren Cohan
Lauren Cohan is an American actress. Her most recognized role to date is that of the role of Bela Talbot on Supernatural...
), who is believed to be Volkoff's chosen successor, in England to protect her from Boris.
The team attends the eponymous masquerade ball
Masquerade ball
A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. - History :...
at Vivian's manor in England. Chuck and Sarah split to find Vivian as Morgan and Casey are disguised as bartenders. Casey finds a woman who intimidates him by saying that he was born to be an impressive bartender, and Morgan promptly agrees that the drinks he has made are in fact fantastic. Morgan then mocks Casey's position in the team, but Casey backfires it to Morgan, who is feeling irrelevant since Chuck and Sarah are engaged.
Sarah runs into Boris, and they ask each other if they had seen Vivian. Meanwhile, Chuck unknowingly stumbles upon Vivian, who is not quite enjoying the party. The two then converse before Chuck asks if she had seen Vivian, to which she sarcastically responds in third person that no one ever really knows her and that the party was a failed attempt to get to know her neighbors. Sarah meets with Chuck and tells him that Boris is around as Chuck tells Sarah that he just found Vivian. They then head over to Vivian's staple ranch, where she is grooming her horse. Sarah holds Vivian at gunpoint, and confuses her by attempting to arrest her for being an associate of Alexei Volkoff. They are then interrupted when a group of former Volkoff's men attack them. Vivian then tells Sarah that she has nothing to do with Volkoff, as she has not seen him for years. She then reveals that she is Volkoff's daughter and has lived her whole life believing that he was an oil company executive. The team then escapes the manor in one of Vivian's cars and returns to Burbank, CA.
At Castle, the team learns that Vivian is merely a civilian and has nothing to do with her father's notorious organization. She explains that her father had never spent much time with her and kept sending her to more schools than she ever has traveling to other countries with him. Chuck tries to calm Vivian down and tells her that he once used to be like her, dragged into the spy world, but is now content with being a spy. Vivian then proposes to be bait to lure Boris and the other men looking for her, to find out more about the key to Volkoff's office.
The team returns to England, except for Morgan, who is preparing to move out of the apartment with Chuck and Sarah. Sarah poses as Vivian for Vivian's daily morning horse ride. Vivian gives Sarah her necklace from Volkoff to complete her disguise before leaving the manor to lure out the men hunting her. Casey is in position in the forest as a sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
, waiting for Sarah to be tailed. Half way through the forest, Sarah falls unconscious off the horse when Boris has it panicking. The horse then runs back to the staple ranch where Chuck is waiting with Vivian. The two then ride into the forest on the horse to rescue Sarah as she is being approached by the men. The entire group is sniped away by Casey's sharpshooting skills, saving Sarah before they could kill her.
As Chuck and Vivian ride into the forest on her horse, they are tailed by two other men. Chuck flashes and hangs onto a tree, kicking the two men unconscious off of their horses. Chuck then runs to Casey and Sarah as she asks where Vivian is. Back at the staple ranch, Boris holds Vivian at gunpoint. He asks her for the key, but Vivian is still unaware what or where the key is. Boris then begins intimidating her that despite all the skills, education, and experiences she has, she is still just a weak little girl. Vivian then pulls out a shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
hidden beside the horse and shoots Boris at point-blank range
Point-blank range
In external ballistics, point-blank range is the distance between a firearm and a target of a given size such that the bullet in flight is expected to strike the target without adjusting the elevation of the firearm. The point-blank range will vary with the firearm and its particular ballistic...
.
The team comfort Vivian through her first kill as if it was self defense. As Sarah returns Vivian's necklace, they ask Vivian if she at least now knows where the key is. Vivian looks sharply at her necklace, revealing a locket
Locket
A locket is a pendant that opens to reveal a space used for storing a photograph or other small item such as a curl of hair. Lockets are usually given to loved ones on holidays such as Valentine's Day and occasions such as Christenings, weddings and, most noticeably during the Victorian Age,...
with the letter "V" on it, and denies knowing where the key is. Casey assures her that Volkoff Industries will not be returning anymore without a leader, as Boris and the other lieutenants have been killed.
Vivian visits the sealed Volkoff Industries headquarters alone and enters Volkoff's office. She finds a horse paperweight marked with the letter "V" and connects the necklace to it, confirming that it is the key. This unlocks a secret compartment in Volkoff's office.
The Woodcombs
Devon and Ellie Woodcomb experience an incredible amount of stress handling their baby. While 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....
, the two find out that Clara would not stop crying until she is comforted by Rusted Root
Rusted Root
Rusted Root is a band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known for their unique fusion of acoustic, rock, world and other styles of music, with a strong percussion section that draws from African, Latin American, Native American, and Indian influences...
's song "Send Me On My Way
When I Woke
When I Woke is the second album and major-label debut of the American world rock band, Rusted Root. It has since been certified Platinum in the United States.-Track listing:All songs written by Michael Glabicki and Rusted Root except where noted....
" playing in a teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
belonging to Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel. Ellie distracts Jeff and Lester, while Devon steals their teddy bear. They keep Clara comforted with the song playing in the teddy bear, but soon find that the song keeps them awake. They put her in her own room, as she is already three months old, and Morgan gives her his childhood Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
collectibles that he bought with Chuck.
Morgan and Casey
Throughout the episode, both Morgan and Casey display a strong feeling of being left out. While Morgan feels irrelevant as Chuck and Sarah are engaged, Casey feels left out as he has been put to serve as bartenders and paperwork. Morgan decides to move out from Echo Park, as he feels that Chuck and Sarah deserve their own home. After a conversation where Chuck and Morgan discuss splitting the various collectibles the two collected since childhood, in which Han SoloHan Solo
Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise played by Harrison Ford. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire...
and Chewbacca
Chewbacca
Chewbacca, also known as Chewie, is a character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by Peter Mayhew. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
collectibles are used as a metaphor for their friendship, Morgan decides to give the collectibles to Clara to keep them in the family.
Meanwhile, Casey is persuaded by Jane Bentley (Robin Givens
Robin Givens
Robin Simone Givens is an American model and film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for her role as Darlene Merriman on the television series Head of the Class.-Early life:...
), director of the CIA's NCS
National Clandestine Service
The National Clandestine Service is one of the four main components of the Central Intelligence Agency...
and the woman who complimented his skills as a bartender, to lead a new team based in Burbank. The NCS remains at Castle for several days and begins expanding the facility. Bentley tempts Casey to join the NCS, as he joined the NSA
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
as the best sharpshooter in America, and is now serving in Team Bartowski disguising as bartenders, waiters, and doing paperwork. A sojourning transient for most of his adult life, Casey reveals that he has now put down roots by declining Bentley's offer on the basis of not wanting to leave Burbank. Bentley, however, explains that the assignment will be in Burbank and shows Casey an entrance to a new part of Castle, restricted to only NCS staff.
Production
It was announced in February 2011 that the episode would mark the first appearance of Lauren Cohan and Robin Givens in their recurring roles of Vivian McArthur and Jane Bentley, respectively. It was originally to be titled as "Chuck Versus the First Mate". When Morgan looks through his old stuff before moving out, one of the earliest promotional photographs, released prior to the pilot episodeChuck Versus the Intersect
"Chuck Versus the Intersect" is the pilot episode of the American action-comedy television series Chuck. The episode was directed by McG and written by series co-creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak...
, is seen, depicting Chuck and Morgan.
Continuity
- Clara Woodcomb is stated to be three months old. However, if the date of the episode is Valentine's Day, this would have placed her birth near the events of "Chuck Versus the LeftoversChuck Versus the Leftovers"Chuck Versus the Leftovers" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of Chuck. It originally aired November 29, 2010. Chuck Bartowski's mother comes over for "Thanksgiving leftovers" dinner the day after the holiday...
". - Clara seems to like the same music as her father; Devon mentions in "Chuck Versus the Push MixChuck Versus the Push Mix"Chuck Versus the Push Mix" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of Chuck. It originally aired on January 31, 2011. Much like "Chuck Versus the Other Guy" in the third season, this episode was intended to be the fourth season finale before an additional eleven episodes were ordered...
" that his favorite band is Rusted Root.
Cultural references
- Chuck plans to watch Love ActuallyLove ActuallyLove Actually is a 2003 British romantic comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis. The screenplay delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a wide variety of individuals, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their tales progress...
. - Chuck and Vivian both compare the masquerade to Eyes Wide ShutEyes Wide ShutEyes Wide Shut is a 1999 drama film based upon Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella Traumnovelle . The film was directed, produced and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, and was his last film. The story, set in and around New York City, follows the sexually-charged adventures of Dr...
. - Chuck directly quotes and cites Vivian Ward (Julia RobertsJulia RobertsJulia Fiona Roberts is an American actress. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman , which grossed $464 million worldwide...
) in Pretty WomanPretty WomanPretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film set in Los Angeles, California. Written by J.F. Lawton and directed by Garry Marshall, this motion picture features Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and also Hector Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. Roberts played the only...
. - Morgan uses Han Solo and Chewbacca toys as a metaphor for his friendship with Chuck.
- The scene where Morgan gives his toys to Ellie for Clara's room alludes to Toy Story 3Toy Story 3Toy Story 3 is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy-adventure film, and the third installment in the Toy Story series. It was produced by Pixar and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It was directed by Lee Unkrich. The film was released worldwide from June through October in Disney Digital...
.
Music
Songs listed by Alan Sepinwall.- "Felicia" by The ConstellationsThe Constellations (band)The Constellations are an American hip hop/rock band formed in Atlanta, GA. They have a psychedelic soul-rock sound.Their song “We’re Here To Save The Day” was featured in the NBC season premiere of Chuck on Sept...
- "Love Insurance" by Mike James Kirkland
- "Immunize" by PendulumPendulum (band)Pendulum is an Australian drum and bass and electronic rock band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul Harding.Swire and McGrillen were members of the rock band known as Xygen. After hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a club, they were inspired to enter into the drum and...
(featuring Liam HowlettLiam HowlettLiam Paris Howlett known as Liam Howlett , is a member of the English band The Prodigy, occasional DJ, and a music producer.-Life and career:...
) - "Send Me On My WayWhen I WokeWhen I Woke is the second album and major-label debut of the American world rock band, Rusted Root. It has since been certified Platinum in the United States.-Track listing:All songs written by Michael Glabicki and Rusted Root except where noted....
" by Rusted RootRusted RootRusted Root is a band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known for their unique fusion of acoustic, rock, world and other styles of music, with a strong percussion section that draws from African, Latin American, Native American, and Indian influences... - "Crinan Wood" by Alexi MurdochAlexi MurdochAlexi Murdoch is a singer-songwriter born in London and raised in Scotland, Greece and France, now living in Berlin.- Background :Murdoch was born in London to a Greek father and Scottish-French mother and raised in Greece, just outside of Athens until he was ten, when his family moved to...
- "No Time for Dreams" by Last Days of AprilLast Days of April-History:Last Days of April formed in 1996. The band found some underground success with their first demo release. A full-length was issued in 1997, then an EP on Bad Taste Records in 1998. Their sophomore effort, Rainmaker, was released in both Europe and Japan , and the group toured with The...
Reception
"Chuck Versus the Masquerade" received mixed reviews from critics. HitFix writer Alan Sepinwall wrote that the episode was "a much denser episode of 'Chuck' than we often get, and one that handled almost all of its assignments superbly. Lots going on, but it didn't feel too busy." Sepinwall also found found that "the Morgan end of things was even more fun, starting with that hilarious glimpse of Morgan and Alex 'transferring energy' while a baffled and scared Chuck and Sarah watched, then going on to Sarah trying to have a playdate with Morgan..., followed by some serious bromantice moments for Chuck (who has dressed as Han Solo, at least in a CIA-manufactured photo) and Morgan (who is furry enough, but not tall enough, to pass for Chewbacca). However, Steve Heisler of The A.V. ClubThe A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave the episode a D, criticizing the its horseback riding scene and writing, "'Chuck Versus The Masquerade' was one of the most forgettable episodes in Chuck's history, and it exemplifies everything that is wrong with this show. Remember how everyone used to hate Chuck during season two, but we loyal viewers were all like 'You just don't get it, maaaaaaan' [snaps fingers whilst wearing a beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
(s)]? This episode is everything they were talking about, only now the call is coming from inside the house."
Eric Goldman of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave this episode a score of 9 out of 10, finding Cohan's performance "impressive". Goldman also commented on the episode's subplot, writing that "the angst between Chuck and Morgan was both sweet and funny, including the integral use of their Han Solo and Chewbacca toys as a metaphor for their friendship." Goldman concluded, "All in all, this was a jam-packed, exciting episode that built towards a cool conclusion and looks to be setting the stage for some big events to come."
Viewer response was positive, with an 8.7/10 user rating at TV.com
TV.com
TV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...
. The episode drew 5.48 million viewers.