Chuck Versus the Sensei
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Sensei" is the ninth episode of the second season
of Chuck
. It originally aired on December 1, 2008. Chuck Bartowski
is still reeling from the discovery that his ex-girlfriend Jill Roberts
was a Fulcrum
agent and goes on a mission to take his mind off of his shock. John Casey
gets a shock of his own when he finds out that his sensei
Ty Bennett (Carl Lumbly), who taught him everything he knows, is now one of the most wanted rogue agents. While on the search for Bennett, it becomes clear that Casey may be too emotionally involved to continue with the mission. Meanwhile, Devon Woodcomb's parents Honey (Morgan Fairchild
) and Woody (Bruce Boxleitner
) make a surprise visit to help Devon and Ellie Bartowski
plan their wedding. At the Buy More
, Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale
) reinstates the employee of the month contest, but Morgan Grimes
, Jeff Barnes, and Lester Patel have other plans.
, wearing a goatee
and long hair, trains with his sensei
Ty Bennett (Carl Lumbly). Bennett easily defeats Casey in a sparring
match and tells him that until he finds his "calm center", he will never win. In modern day, Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale
) lectures Casey about sales at the Buy More
.
At Castle, General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy
) explains that Chuck Bartowski
will use the Intersect
will check the Global Launch Agency for possible misfeasance. Chuck agrees, regretting not having any "me time" after the departure of Jill Roberts
in the previous episode
. As Chuck sits in the van, Casey and Sarah Walker
infiltrate the GLA disguised as lab technicians. Suddenly, a masked villain rappels from the ceiling, knocks Casey over, and steals an inertial guidance system. Casey gives chase, tackling the agile man on the agency's front lawn and removing the man's mask to reveal Ty Bennett, who escapes.
General Beckman explains that Bennett, previously a combat trainer with the NSA
, is a most-wanted rogue agent working as a global arms dealer. Beckman says that any personal knowledge Casey has could be vital, before giving Casey the location of a construction site where Bennett plans to sell the stolen system. At Casey's suggestion, Beckman orders Chuck sit the mission out. As Sarah and Casey stake out the construction site, the buyer drives up. Casey and Sarah charge, guns drawn, and find a briefcase in the back seat. When it beeps like a time bomb
, they narrowly escape an explosion.
Later, Bennett enters the Buy More looking for Casey. Chuck frantically calls the team, but does not get an answer, expressing the urgency to the voicemail
. Meanwhile, Morgan Grimes
treats the sensei like a low-level karate instructor in hopes of getting a bad customer review (see "Buy More"). An unamused Bennett intimidates Morgan by taking his soda can and crushing it with his bare hand, a feat Bennett is known for. After Bennett leaves, Chuck follows him to the parking lot, only to be ambushed and shoved in the trunk of a car. Sarah and Casey follow the tracking signal embedded in Chuck's watch and Casey attempts to ram his mentor's car even though he knows Chuck is trapped inside. After Bennett swerves into a parked car, Sarah saves Chuck while Casey confronts Bennett. Bennett invites Casey to be his student again and take his training to the next level, but Casey declines, growling that he is not a traitor. Bennett grabs a crane and swings to safety a floor below. At Castle, General Beckman is livid over Bennett's escape. She accuses Casey of being too close to the situation and lectures him for putting the Intersect in danger. She reveals that another team will be brought in to finish the mission, noting Casey's primary objective is to protect Chuck, greatly angering Casey.
After Casey unsuccessfully attempts to hack into the security database to stay on the case, he calls Chuck and asks if they can meet to talk about their feelings. Hoodwinked, Chuck joins Casey and is immediately put in a headlock. Casey uses Chuck's thumb print to get into the system and forces him to watch a video of the encounter in the parking garage. Chuck flashes and identifies a local dojo
as a cover for illegal activities. Casey then handcuffs him to a counter in the Orange Orange yogurt shop above Castle and heads to the dojo.
Chuck manages to call Sarah and explain the situation. Chuck disobeys Sarah's order to stay at the Orange Orange, freezing his cuffs with the material used to cool yogurt and breaking them with a serving scoop. When he drives to the dojo, he is immediately held at gunpoint. Meanwhile, Sarah has joined Casey at the dojo. They break down the door to find a captured Chuck, angering Casey. Suddenly, Bennett enters with a gun. At Casey's taunt that Bennett could defeat him without a gun, the two fight hand-to-hand, and a furious fight ensues. Casey, lying on the floor after a few particularly brutal blows, appears to be beaten. Chuck attempts to comfort Casey, angering him so much that he stands up and defeats Bennett. Chuck explains that Casey has an "angry center" in lieu of the "calm center" Bennett encouraged him to channel.
When Casey and Chuck return home, Casey mentions that he should probably thank Chuck for saving his life. Although Chuck tries to play the nicety off by saying that that that is what friends do, Casey softly says "thanks" as he closes his front door.
) having just returned from a brisk morning run. His mother "Honey" (Morgan Fairchild
) coos that she cannot wait to plan Ellie and Devon's dream wedding.
At dinner, Honey and Woody dominate the wedding plans until an overwhelmed Ellie cries that she can no longer answer, "yes", apologizing and storming from the table, followed by Devon.
Ellie later reveals to Chuck that she only wants for her father
to walk her down the aisle. Chuck promises to find him.
Emmett later confronts them with their customer service marks, revealing that their combined high score is one. He threatens that the employee with the lowest score will close the store every Saturday night for a month, motivating the employees to show hospitality to their customers.
The next day, Emmett announces the new Employee of the Month: Michael "Skip" Johnson, who apologizes for not being rude enough to the employees. Along with his name on a plaque, Skip wins a bonus gift: a 65-inch flat-screen television
. Morgan, Lester Patel, and Jeff Barnes turn pale, having been bested by Emmett.
, a recurring extra
since "Chuck Versus the Intersect
", as Skip Johnson. Chuck begins the search for his father, a major story arc for the season.
gave the episode a 7.4 out of 10, enjoying an episode centered around Casey, and writing that there were several fun moments as a result. However, Goldman wrote that there were also several missed opportunities, including the development of Bennett, his motives for betraying the NSA, and his relationship with Casey. Goldman wrote, "This was also one of those occasional episodes where Chuck was a bit too spastic and awkward – a little of this behavior goes a long way, and we've seen him be too clever to buy when he gets as silly as the scene where he makes Sarah play a game to guess where Casey's locked him up, rather than just tell her – Casey's (obviously empty) death threat aside."
Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club
gave the episode a B-, writing that most of the episode was dominated by a "labored back-and-forth between Chuck's desire for connection and Casey's fear of it." Heisler found Chuck's desperation to relate to Casey unrealistic, as Casey had just threatened to kill him in the previous scene. Among other criticisms, Heisler called the 23-year-old Casey "unfortunately hair-cutted".
Viewer response was also positive, with an 8.7/10 user rating at TV.com
. The episode drew 7.335 million viewers.
Chuck (season 2)
The second season of Chuck contains 22 episodes and was originally aired from September 29, 2008 to April 27, 2009. The season continues to focus on Chuck's constant struggle to keep his spy life and real life apart as he becomes more accustomed to being a spy. More background on the Intersect...
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 on December 1, 2008. 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:...
is still reeling from the discovery that his ex-girlfriend Jill Roberts
Jill Roberts
Dr. Jill Roberts is a recurring character on the action/comedy series Chuck on NBC. She is a prominent figure in the series mythology, though did not appear until the middle of the second season. Jill is Chuck's ex-girlfriend from Stanford, and is portrayed by Jordana Brewster...
was a Fulcrum
Fulcrum (Chuck)
Fulcrum is the codename of a fictional hostile espionage organization on the television series Chuck. Fulcrum serves as the series' main antagonists up until the end of season two, though their specific goals beyond acquiring the Intersect have not yet been fully revealed.-History:Very little...
agent and goes on a mission to take his mind off of his shock. 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....
gets a shock of his own when he finds out that his sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
Ty Bennett (Carl Lumbly), who taught him everything he knows, is now one of the most wanted rogue agents. While on the search for Bennett, it becomes clear that Casey may be too emotionally involved to continue with the mission. Meanwhile, Devon Woodcomb's parents Honey (Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild is an American actress. She achieved prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s with continuing roles in several television series, in which she usually conveyed a glamorous image. Fairchild has also performed in live theater and played guest roles in television comedies...
) and Woody (Bruce Boxleitner
Bruce Boxleitner
Bruce William Boxleitner is an American actor, and science fiction and suspense writer. He is known for his leading roles in the television series How the West Was Won, Bring 'Em Back Alive, Scarecrow and Mrs. King , and Babylon 5...
) make a surprise visit to help Devon and Ellie Bartowski
Ellie Bartowski
Eleanor Faye "Ellie" Bartowski Woodcomb, M.D., Ph.D., is the older sister of title character Chuck Bartowski on the television series Chuck. She is portrayed by actress Sarah Lancaster.-Biography:...
plan their wedding. At 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....
, Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale
Tony Hale
Tony Hale is an American actor, best known for his role in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development as the neurotic Byron "Buster" Bluth.-Early life:...
) reinstates the employee of the month contest, but 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....
, Jeff Barnes, and Lester Patel have other plans.
Main plot
The episode begins with a flashback to a top-secret location in 1994, where John CaseyJohn 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....
, wearing a goatee
Goatee
Goatee refers to a style of facial hair incorporating hair on a man’s chin. The exact nature of the style has varied according to time and culture.Traditionally, goatee refers solely to a beard formed by a tuft of hair on the chin...
and long hair, trains with his sensei
Sensei
' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
Ty Bennett (Carl Lumbly). Bennett easily defeats Casey in a sparring
Sparring
Sparring is a form of training common to many martial arts. Although the precise form varies, it is essentially relatively 'free-form' fighting, with enough rules, customs, or agreements to make injuries unlikely...
match and tells him that until he finds his "calm center", he will never win. In modern day, Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale
Tony Hale
Tony Hale is an American actor, best known for his role in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development as the neurotic Byron "Buster" Bluth.-Early life:...
) lectures Casey about sales at 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....
.
At Castle, General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy
Bonita Friedericy
Bonita Friedericy is an American actress. She currently can be seen in the television series Chuck as NSA Director Diane Beckman. She has also appeared on Malcolm in the Middle, Veronica Mars, Star Trek: Enterprise, Bones, The Nine, The West Wing, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and in the film...
) explains that 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:...
will use the Intersect
The Intersect
The Intersect is a fictional secret technology appearing in the television series Chuck. Within the series, it is used to house and analyze large quantities of encoded data...
will check the Global Launch Agency for possible misfeasance. Chuck agrees, regretting not having any "me time" after the departure of Jill Roberts
Jill Roberts
Dr. Jill Roberts is a recurring character on the action/comedy series Chuck on NBC. She is a prominent figure in the series mythology, though did not appear until the middle of the second season. Jill is Chuck's ex-girlfriend from Stanford, and is portrayed by Jordana Brewster...
in the previous episode
Chuck Versus the Gravitron
"Chuck Versus the Gravitron" is the 8th episode of the second season of Chuck. It aired on November 24, 2008. Chuck, Sarah and Casey are shocked to discover that Chuck's girlfriend Jill is a Fulcrum agent in search of the Intersect...
. As Chuck sits in the van, Casey 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...
infiltrate the GLA disguised as lab technicians. Suddenly, a masked villain rappels from the ceiling, knocks Casey over, and steals an inertial guidance system. Casey gives chase, tackling the agile man on the agency's front lawn and removing the man's mask to reveal Ty Bennett, who escapes.
General Beckman explains that Bennett, previously a combat trainer with 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...
, is a most-wanted rogue agent working as a global arms dealer. Beckman says that any personal knowledge Casey has could be vital, before giving Casey the location of a construction site where Bennett plans to sell the stolen system. At Casey's suggestion, Beckman orders Chuck sit the mission out. As Sarah and Casey stake out the construction site, the buyer drives up. Casey and Sarah charge, guns drawn, and find a briefcase in the back seat. When it beeps like a time bomb
Time bomb
A time bomb is a bomb whose detonation is triggered by a timer. The use time bombs has been for various purposes ranging from insurance fraud to warfare to assassination; however, the most common use has been for politically-motivated terrorism.-Construction:The explosive charge is the main...
, they narrowly escape an explosion.
Later, Bennett enters the Buy More looking for Casey. Chuck frantically calls the team, but does not get an answer, expressing the urgency to the voicemail
Voicemail
Voicemail is a computer based system that allows users and subscribers to exchange personal voice messages; to select and deliver voice information; and to process transactions relating to individuals, organizations, products and services, using an ordinary telephone...
. Meanwhile, Morgan Grimes
Morgan Grimes
Morgan Guillermo Grimes is a major character on the television series Chuck. He is portrayed by actor Joshua Gomez, and is the best friend of Chuck Bartowski....
treats the sensei like a low-level karate instructor in hopes of getting a bad customer review (see "Buy More"). An unamused Bennett intimidates Morgan by taking his soda can and crushing it with his bare hand, a feat Bennett is known for. After Bennett leaves, Chuck follows him to the parking lot, only to be ambushed and shoved in the trunk of a car. Sarah and Casey follow the tracking signal embedded in Chuck's watch and Casey attempts to ram his mentor's car even though he knows Chuck is trapped inside. After Bennett swerves into a parked car, Sarah saves Chuck while Casey confronts Bennett. Bennett invites Casey to be his student again and take his training to the next level, but Casey declines, growling that he is not a traitor. Bennett grabs a crane and swings to safety a floor below. At Castle, General Beckman is livid over Bennett's escape. She accuses Casey of being too close to the situation and lectures him for putting the Intersect in danger. She reveals that another team will be brought in to finish the mission, noting Casey's primary objective is to protect Chuck, greatly angering Casey.
After Casey unsuccessfully attempts to hack into the security database to stay on the case, he calls Chuck and asks if they can meet to talk about their feelings. Hoodwinked, Chuck joins Casey and is immediately put in a headlock. Casey uses Chuck's thumb print to get into the system and forces him to watch a video of the encounter in the parking garage. Chuck flashes and identifies a local dojo
Dojo
A is a Japanese term which literally means "place of the way". Initially, dōjōs were adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to...
as a cover for illegal activities. Casey then handcuffs him to a counter in the Orange Orange yogurt shop above Castle and heads to the dojo.
Chuck manages to call Sarah and explain the situation. Chuck disobeys Sarah's order to stay at the Orange Orange, freezing his cuffs with the material used to cool yogurt and breaking them with a serving scoop. When he drives to the dojo, he is immediately held at gunpoint. Meanwhile, Sarah has joined Casey at the dojo. They break down the door to find a captured Chuck, angering Casey. Suddenly, Bennett enters with a gun. At Casey's taunt that Bennett could defeat him without a gun, the two fight hand-to-hand, and a furious fight ensues. Casey, lying on the floor after a few particularly brutal blows, appears to be beaten. Chuck attempts to comfort Casey, angering him so much that he stands up and defeats Bennett. Chuck explains that Casey has an "angry center" in lieu of the "calm center" Bennett encouraged him to channel.
When Casey and Chuck return home, Casey mentions that he should probably thank Chuck for saving his life. Although Chuck tries to play the nicety off by saying that that that is what friends do, Casey softly says "thanks" as he closes his front door.
Family
Ellie Bartowski awakens Chuck with an emergency: Devon Woodcomb's parents, both doctors and "awesome" like their son, have come to visit. In fact, they are already in the living room, Devon and his father "Woody" (Bruce BoxleitnerBruce Boxleitner
Bruce William Boxleitner is an American actor, and science fiction and suspense writer. He is known for his leading roles in the television series How the West Was Won, Bring 'Em Back Alive, Scarecrow and Mrs. King , and Babylon 5...
) having just returned from a brisk morning run. His mother "Honey" (Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild is an American actress. She achieved prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s with continuing roles in several television series, in which she usually conveyed a glamorous image. Fairchild has also performed in live theater and played guest roles in television comedies...
) coos that she cannot wait to plan Ellie and Devon's dream wedding.
At dinner, Honey and Woody dominate the wedding plans until an overwhelmed Ellie cries that she can no longer answer, "yes", apologizing and storming from the table, followed by Devon.
Ellie later reveals to Chuck that she only wants for her father
Stephen J. Bartowski
Stephen J. Bartowski is a recurring character on the television series Chuck portrayed by actor Scott Bakula. Stephen is the estranged father of Chuck and Ellie Bartowski, and under the government codename "Orion" was the chief designer of the Intersect....
to walk her down the aisle. Chuck promises to find him.
Buy More
Emmett reinstates the Employee of the Month program, which will be based on customer comment cards. The winner gets his or her photograph framed to a picture of Moses Finkelstein, founder and CEO of Buy More. Morgan seems skeptical and gathers the employees in the break room, conveying his opinion that hard work would and higher sales would only benefit Emmett. The employees make a side bet to see who can score the lowest on their comment cards.Emmett later confronts them with their customer service marks, revealing that their combined high score is one. He threatens that the employee with the lowest score will close the store every Saturday night for a month, motivating the employees to show hospitality to their customers.
The next day, Emmett announces the new Employee of the Month: Michael "Skip" Johnson, who apologizes for not being rude enough to the employees. Along with his name on a plaque, Skip wins a bonus gift: a 65-inch flat-screen television
Flat panel display
Flat panel displays encompass a growing number of electronic visual display technologies. They are far lighter and thinner than traditional television sets and video displays that use cathode ray tubes , and are usually less than thick...
. Morgan, Lester Patel, and Jeff Barnes turn pale, having been bested by Emmett.
Production
This episode marked the first and so far only speaking part of Michael KawczynskiMichael Kawczynski
Michael Kawczynski is an American actor most widely known for his television work, including his role on the NBC series Chuck.-References:...
, a recurring extra
Extra (actor)
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background...
since "Chuck Versus the Intersect
Chuck 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...
", as Skip Johnson. Chuck begins the search for his father, a major story arc for the season.
Flashes
- Chuck flashes on a video of the encounter in the parking garage, identifying a local dojo as a cover for illegal activities.
Cultural references
- Chuck's token TronTron (film)Tron is a 1982 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Lisberger, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It stars Jeff Bridges as the protagonist Kevin Flynn; Bruce Boxleitner in a dual role as security program Tron and Tron's "User", computer programmer Alan Bradley; Cindy...
poster is briefly shown moments before Ellie introduces Chuck to her soon-to-be father-in-law, played by Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed the eponymous character of Tron. - Chuck attributes his escape from the Orange Orange to seven years of watching MacGyverMacGyverMacGyver is an American action-adventure television series created by Lee David Zlotoff. Henry Winkler and John Rich were the executive producers. The show ran for seven seasons on ABC in the United States and various other networks abroad from 1985 to 1992. The series was filmed in Los Angeles...
. - Casey asserts that Sarah "can't keep [her] chocolate out of Bartowski's peanut butter," alluding to a series of commercials that aired for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in the 1970s and 1980s.
- When Chuck is handcuffed in the Orange Orange he says, "Use the Force, Chuck", referencing Star Wars Episode IV: A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
, where Obi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several primary characters in the Star Wars series. Along with Darth Vader, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear in all six Star Wars films...
says, "Use the Force, LukeLuke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...
."
Music
- "New SongNew SongNew Song may refer to:* The New Song movement, Nueva cancion, a Latin American movement and musical genre whose lyrics focus on social justice issues, originating in the 1960s...
" by DatarockDatarockDatarock, derived from the Norwegian word for computer – datamaskin and the word rock , is a Norwegian electro rock band. The band formed in 2000 as Fredrik Saroea, Ketil Mosnes and Kevin O'Brien and soon hired Tom Mæland. O'Brien and Mæland later left the band, but the duo of Saroea and Mosnes... - "Shake Your Blood" by ProbotProbotProbot was a heavy metal side project of ex-Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters rhythm guitarist and lead-singer Dave Grohl. An album was recorded out of the material and released in February 2004...
- "Don't Worry" by Love as LaughterLove as LaughterLove as Laughter is an American indie band. The band was formed in 1994 by vocalist and guitarist Sam Jayne as a solo project following the break-up of his previous band, Lync. The band currently features Ivan Berko on bass, Nic Gonzales on drums, Andy Macleod on guitar and Robbie Lee on keyboards...
Critical response
"Chuck Versus the Sensei" received positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of IGNIGN
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 the episode a 7.4 out of 10, enjoying an episode centered around Casey, and writing that there were several fun moments as a result. However, Goldman wrote that there were also several missed opportunities, including the development of Bennett, his motives for betraying the NSA, and his relationship with Casey. Goldman wrote, "This was also one of those occasional episodes where Chuck was a bit too spastic and awkward – a little of this behavior goes a long way, and we've seen him be too clever to buy when he gets as silly as the scene where he makes Sarah play a game to guess where Casey's locked him up, rather than just tell her – Casey's (obviously empty) death threat aside."
Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club
The 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 B-, writing that most of the episode was dominated by a "labored back-and-forth between Chuck's desire for connection and Casey's fear of it." Heisler found Chuck's desperation to relate to Casey unrealistic, as Casey had just threatened to kill him in the previous scene. Among other criticisms, Heisler called the 23-year-old Casey "unfortunately hair-cutted".
Viewer response was also 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 7.335 million viewers.