Chuck Versus the Subway
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Subway" is the 18th episode of the third season of Chuck
. It originally aired on May 24, 2010 in a special two-hour block with "Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
." As the Intersect continues to malfunction Stephen hurries to complete the Governor for his son. Meanwhile, Daniel Shaw
and the Ring
close in on Team Bartowski and their families.
works on Chuck’s Governor at Castle, Sarah
takes Chuck
out to distract him. However, Chuck flashes on Shaw's voice
at a flea market, prompting Chuck to chase him into a subway where Shaw escapes. Stephen assists the team by hacking into security cameras and locating the subway station where Shaw exited. Team Bartowski goes to the station and locates a secret entrance to a Ring
facility.
They split up and each cover one floor. Chuck stumbles upon the room where Justin Sullivan is keeping Ellie
. He flashes to disarm and incapacitate Justin. Casey and Sarah discover that they are actually in a CIA facility, corrupted by Ring double agents.
Meanwhile, General Beckman
defends Operation Bartowski in front of a board of National Security directors. They argue that the operation is too expensive and dangerous; she retaliates by saying they have been a successful spy team, albeit unorthodox. Chuck stumbles into the room while fighting Justin Sullivan, making matters worse for the future of the operation. Shaw walks in, explaining that he acted as a double agent within the Ring to gain intel, but that his cover was blown when Chuck shot him. He claims that Chuck is “a true American hero”, but advocates that the Intersect Project be shut down and Team Bartowski disbanded. As General Beckman shows a slideshow of the team’s successful missions, Shaw flashes on Alexis White. Chuck tries to prove that Shaw has the Ring Intersect by throwing a letter opener at him, but this backfires when Shaw allows the letter opener to impale him.
Chuck is arrested and placed in a holding cell. Stephen hacks into the security system, unlocking the door and shows Chuck the way out. He grabs Chuck in his car and they drive away. Sarah tries to force Shaw at gunpoint to admit his affiliation with the Ring, but this results in her being arrested, and eventually General Beckman as well. When Chuck discovers from Morgan that Casey, Sarah, and Beckman have all been arrested, Chuck and Stephen agree to rescue the other members of Team Bartowski and expose Shaw.
They go to Ellie and she leads them to the entrance of the actual Ring facility. They order Ellie to wait outside, as they uncover the Ring Intersect and the operating room where Shaw recovered. Shaw walks in with corrupt CIA agents. When Chuck suggests a battle of their Intersects, Shaw murders Stephen to break Chuck’s emotional calm. Ellie witnesses this and goes to Devon and Morgan.
Team Bartowski is placed into an armored truck, supervised by Daniel Shaw, who tells them that they are going to die. Ellie is shown to be trailing behind the truck, while Morgan and Devon are in Casey's Crown Victoria, planning the rescue.
Later, Ellie returns home after having been gone for more than a day. Devon asks her about the affair. She acts surprised at this suggestion, and explains that Chuck has been arrested by the CIA. Devon is relieved that she wasn't cheating on him, and accidentally reveals that Chuck is a CIA agent. Dissatisfied with the lack of information Devon can provide, Ellie and Devon go to Morgan for answers. He tells them of the Ring
and her father
and his personal assurances that Casey is not the enemy. In turn, she tells Morgan about Justin and Chuck's arrest.
After helping Chuck and Stephen find a Ring base, Ellie sneaks in behind them and witnesses her father's murder by Daniel Shaw. She tells Devon, who tells Morgan.
At the end of the episode, Ellie is trailing behind the armored truck containing Team Bartowski and their captor Shaw. Morgan and Devon are in Casey's Crown Victoria, planning the rescue.
Alex goes to the Buy More and explains to Morgan that she is Casey's daughter. He takes her to the locker, where they unlock a secret compartment containing a large stack of cash. Morgan helps make arrangements for Alex to flee and disappear as Casey instructed.
training and holds the level of a first-degree black belt
in Taekwondo
.
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 May 24, 2010 in a special two-hour block with "Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II
"Chuck Versus the Ring: Part II" is the 19th episode and season finale of the third season of Chuck. It was originally aired May 24, 2010 in a special two-hour block with "Chuck Versus the Subway." Team Bartowski escapes execution by Shaw, thanks to Morgan and Devon...
." As the Intersect continues to malfunction Stephen hurries to complete the Governor for his son. Meanwhile, Daniel Shaw
Daniel Shaw
Daniel Shaw is a fictional government agent on the television series Chuck. Shaw is introduced in the third season episode "Chuck Versus Operation Awesome" as a government agent specializing in the terrorist organization known as the Ring, and who becomes a mentor to Chuck Bartowski and ultimately...
and the Ring
The Ring (Chuck)
The Ring is a major spy organization on the television series Chuck. The main antagonist of the second season , Fulcrum, is revealed in the Season Two finale to be only one part of the Ring, which then serves as the main antagonist of Season Three...
close in on Team Bartowski and their families.
Main Plot
As StephenStephen 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....
works on Chuck’s Governor at Castle, 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...
takes 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:...
out to distract him. However, Chuck flashes on Shaw's voice
Daniel Shaw
Daniel Shaw is a fictional government agent on the television series Chuck. Shaw is introduced in the third season episode "Chuck Versus Operation Awesome" as a government agent specializing in the terrorist organization known as the Ring, and who becomes a mentor to Chuck Bartowski and ultimately...
at a flea market, prompting Chuck to chase him into a subway where Shaw escapes. Stephen assists the team by hacking into security cameras and locating the subway station where Shaw exited. Team Bartowski goes to the station and locates a secret entrance to a Ring
The Ring (Chuck)
The Ring is a major spy organization on the television series Chuck. The main antagonist of the second season , Fulcrum, is revealed in the Season Two finale to be only one part of the Ring, which then serves as the main antagonist of Season Three...
facility.
They split up and each cover one floor. Chuck stumbles upon the room where Justin Sullivan is keeping Ellie
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:...
. He flashes to disarm and incapacitate Justin. Casey and Sarah discover that they are actually in a CIA facility, corrupted by Ring double agents.
Meanwhile, General Beckman
Diane Beckman
Brigadier General M. Diane Beckman, USAF is a fictional character in the NBC television series Chuck. Beckman is a senior official of the National Security Agency, working within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She holds her rank of brigadier general in the United States Air...
defends Operation Bartowski in front of a board of National Security directors. They argue that the operation is too expensive and dangerous; she retaliates by saying they have been a successful spy team, albeit unorthodox. Chuck stumbles into the room while fighting Justin Sullivan, making matters worse for the future of the operation. Shaw walks in, explaining that he acted as a double agent within the Ring to gain intel, but that his cover was blown when Chuck shot him. He claims that Chuck is “a true American hero”, but advocates that the Intersect Project be shut down and Team Bartowski disbanded. As General Beckman shows a slideshow of the team’s successful missions, Shaw flashes on Alexis White. Chuck tries to prove that Shaw has the Ring Intersect by throwing a letter opener at him, but this backfires when Shaw allows the letter opener to impale him.
Chuck is arrested and placed in a holding cell. Stephen hacks into the security system, unlocking the door and shows Chuck the way out. He grabs Chuck in his car and they drive away. Sarah tries to force Shaw at gunpoint to admit his affiliation with the Ring, but this results in her being arrested, and eventually General Beckman as well. When Chuck discovers from Morgan that Casey, Sarah, and Beckman have all been arrested, Chuck and Stephen agree to rescue the other members of Team Bartowski and expose Shaw.
They go to Ellie and she leads them to the entrance of the actual Ring facility. They order Ellie to wait outside, as they uncover the Ring Intersect and the operating room where Shaw recovered. Shaw walks in with corrupt CIA agents. When Chuck suggests a battle of their Intersects, Shaw murders Stephen to break Chuck’s emotional calm. Ellie witnesses this and goes to Devon and Morgan.
Team Bartowski is placed into an armored truck, supervised by Daniel Shaw, who tells them that they are going to die. Ellie is shown to be trailing behind the truck, while Morgan and Devon are in Casey's Crown Victoria, planning the rescue.
Morgan, Ellie, and Devon
Morgan is convinced that Ellie is cheating on Devon. He shows Devon the recording of Ellie talking to Justin Sullivan, saying she can't keep their secret from her husband anymore. This leaves Devon heartbroken, seeking advice from Big Mike, Jeff, and Lester.Later, Ellie returns home after having been gone for more than a day. Devon asks her about the affair. She acts surprised at this suggestion, and explains that Chuck has been arrested by the CIA. Devon is relieved that she wasn't cheating on him, and accidentally reveals that Chuck is a CIA agent. Dissatisfied with the lack of information Devon can provide, Ellie and Devon go to Morgan for answers. He tells them of the Ring
The Ring (Chuck)
The Ring is a major spy organization on the television series Chuck. The main antagonist of the second season , Fulcrum, is revealed in the Season Two finale to be only one part of the Ring, which then serves as the main antagonist of Season Three...
and 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....
and his personal assurances that Casey is not the enemy. In turn, she tells Morgan about Justin and Chuck's arrest.
After helping Chuck and Stephen find a Ring base, Ellie sneaks in behind them and witnesses her father's murder by Daniel Shaw. She tells Devon, who tells Morgan.
At the end of the episode, Ellie is trailing behind the armored truck containing Team Bartowski and their captor Shaw. Morgan and Devon are in Casey's Crown Victoria, planning the rescue.
Casey and Alex
Alex serves Casey breakfast at the diner where she works as a waitress. Casey later returns with a "friend" when he attempts to retrieve her before the Ring can get to her first. Justin holds him at gunpoint and eats while he talks to Casey about Alex. Casey knocks Justin unconscious and kidnaps Alex for her protection. That night, Casey agrees to release Alex from his car so she won't feel endangered, but she takes the opportunity to evade him with her self-defense training and runs away. Casey stops her and explains that he is her father. Alex does not believe him, even when he admits his real name is Alexander Coburn and that she was named after him. Although still uncertain of his story, she listens as he gives her the key to his Buy More locker. She runs at Casey's orders as he is captured by CIA agents under the direction of the Ring.Alex goes to the Buy More and explains to Morgan that she is Casey's daughter. He takes her to the locker, where they unlock a secret compartment containing a large stack of cash. Morgan helps make arrangements for Alex to flee and disappear as Casey instructed.
Production
In this episode, Alex evades Casey with self-defense training. In reality, Mekenna Melvin has karateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
training and holds the level of a first-degree black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
.
Continuity
- Stephen tells Chuck, "Aces, Charles." This was referenced as "a dad line" in "Chuck Versus the IntersectChuck 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...
" and first spoken by Stephen in "Chuck Versus the Dream JobChuck Versus the Dream Job"Chuck Versus the Dream Job" aired on April 6, 2009. It is the 19th episode of the series' second season. Chuck interviews at Roark Industries to investigate a possible virus, while his father, Stephen J. Bartowski, returns home.-Plot summary:...
." - Devon tells Ellie that the stripper at his bachelor party was a CIA agent, proving his faithfulness. This is a reference to "Chuck Versus the Broken HeartChuck Versus the Broken Heart"Chuck Versus the Broken Heart" is the 18th episode of Chucks second season, and the 31st episode overall. It aired on March 30, 2009. Tricia Helfer guest stars as agent Alex Forrest, assigned to evaluate Sarah's performance due to General Beckman's concerns about her relationship with Chuck...
." - Shaw calls Sarah "Sam", a reference to the revelation of her actual name in "Chuck Versus the Fake NameChuck Versus the Fake Name"Chuck Versus the Fake Name" is a third-season episode of the television series Chuck. It was the eighth episode of the season, and the first to air after a two-week hiatus for the 2010 Winter Olympics...
." - This episode reveals what happened between Casey and his daughter Alex after "Chuck Versus the Tic TacChuck Versus the Tic Tac"Chuck Versus the Tic Tac" is the tenth episode of the third season of the television series Chuck, airing on March 15, 2010. When Casey's former commanding officer returns, Chuck and Sarah take it upon themselves to clear his name when he is arrested for treason...
." - Chuck tries to prove that Shaw has an Intersect by throwing a knife at him, hoping he will flash and catch it. Stephen did the same thing to Chuck in the previous episode, "Chuck Versus the Living DeadChuck Versus the Living Dead"Chuck Versus the Living Dead" is the 17th episode of the third season of Chuck. It was originally aired May 17, 2010. Chuck has another dream which he interprets as indicating Daniel Shaw may actually be alive. Tension mounts as he, Sarah, and Casey search for the truth surrounding Shaw's supposed...
".
Flashes
- Chuck flashes on Shaw's voice at the market.
- Chuck flashes on martial arts to disarm and incapacitate Justin Sullivan.
- Shaw flashes on the name and picture of Alexis White.
- Chuck flashes on the control panel outside the Ring base, identifying the manufacturer McTiernan Industries as a subsidiary of the Ring.
Cultural references
- During the kitchen scene Morgan makes reference to Star Wars saying Chuck wouldn't join the Dark Side.
- When Morgan and Devon contact General BeckmanDiane BeckmanBrigadier General M. Diane Beckman, USAF is a fictional character in the NBC television series Chuck. Beckman is a senior official of the National Security Agency, working within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. She holds her rank of brigadier general in the United States Air...
from Castle, the last thing she tells them before being taken away is "You are our only hope", which is looped twice due to a system glitch. This is a nod to 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...
and Princess Leia OrganaPrincess Leia OrganaPrincess Leia Organa of Alderaan is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe...
's hologram, saying a similar phrase to Jedi Master 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...
. - Chuck says "Open Sesame" when he unlocks the door they had seen Agent Shaw go through, a reference to the story of Ali Baba and the Forty ThievesAli BabaAli Baba is a fictional character from medieval Arabic literature. He is described in the adventure tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves...
.
Music
- “The High Road” by Broken Bells (Casey meets Alex at the cafe she serves food)
- “One More Try” by Timmy T (Devon was drinking and taking suggestion from Jeff, Lester and Big Mike when he thought Ellie was cheating on him)
- “England Swings” by Roger Miller (Justin took Casey at gun point in the cafe where Alex serves food)
- “Neighbor” by Band of Horses (When Stephen gave 'the governor' to Chuck)
- “One October Song” by Nico Stai (When Stephen Bartowski died)
- “Congratulations” by MGMT (Alex came into the Buy More to check in Casey's locker)
- “Don’t Give Up On Us Now” by Menew (The ending scenes where Shaw put Team Bartowski in the prison van and the van was moving along the road)