Chuck vs the Imported Hard Salami

Original air date November 19, 2007

Season 1 episode 9

Synopsis

In Helsinki, Finland the time is counting down on a timer inside a cargo container.

Chuck tells Morgan he broke up with Sarah. She comes to the Buy More to convince him not to break up and, when he insists, she stages an emotional exit. Chuck is going out with Lou.

Beckman isn’t happy with the dating situation for Chuck. He and Lou are making out in the Nerd Herder on their first date. She invites him into the deli and makes him a sandwich. He sees a flier on the wall and flashes on it. She explains it’s for a new club her ex is opening and she’s invited. Her ex is under suspicion regarding a shipment coming to town and Team Bartowski is to find out what is going on. 

Lester pays Sarah a visit at the Wienerlicious and asks her out. She responds by coming on to him physically and sends him running out the door. She sees Lou passing by and tells her not to hurt Chuck. Lou takes a sandwich to Chuck at the Buy More and Morgan intercepts. Lou tells Chuck about Sarah. Chuck uses the opportunity to convince Lou to go to the party at her ex’s place. Casey and Sarah brief him for his date. Morgan strikes out with Anna.

Wearing a guitar pin listening device, Chuck and Lou have a drink with Stavros, the ex. Casey coaches Chuck through his earpiece as he attempts to get information. Sarah shows agitation and Casey confronts her on her habit of falling for the guys she works with, first Bryce and then Chuck. She says Bryce was a mistake and she hasn’t fallen for Chuck. When she hears Stavros subtly threaten Chuck she bolts for the club. Lou sees her come in and Chuck tells Lou she’s having a problem letting go. Lou sees them talking and leaves, she tells Chuck he hasn’t been paying any attention to her. He can’t pursue her as the purpose of his mission hasn’t been finished. Chuck plants the guitar pin but misses intercepting Lou. When Casey and Sarah stop to congratulate him he tells them that the government is ruining his chances for sex. Sarah responds by looking away; seems uncomfortable.

Chuck calls Lou to try and explain. Sarah comes to apologize for interfering. She tells him she never felt like their relationship was work and tries to help by telling him which flowers to get for Lou. Chuck goes to see Lou at her deli and she makes him wait through the lunch rush.

Casey and Sarah take a team to capture the package being delivered at the docks. When the container is opened they find a camera aimed at them and powered on.

Lou finally talks to Chuck, and he apologizes. She kisses him.

Stavros and his father will find the owner of the pin that was planted.

Chuck is visited by Casey and Sarah; they suspect Lou of providing bad information. They have photos of her with Stavros. They arrange a stakeout and mic Chuck. He follows Lou to her meeting with Stavros only to discover that he is supplying her smuggled imported meats. Sarah goes to find him when they can’t hear what’s happening. Sarah arrives and so does Stavros. Chuck and Sarah are kidnapped in the trunk of Stavros’ car. They fight about Lou, Bryce and the jealousy is plainly seen.

Morgan and Anna have an impromptu date/make out session in the Buy More. Casey visits Lou to get the dock number the shipments come in. Stavros and his father threaten to torture Sarah, Chuck flashes on his men and is able to stop Sarah’s torture. The package arrives just in time to interrupt the interrogation. Sarah escapes as Casey arrives. Chuck and Sarah run to the package while Casey pursues Stavros and his father.

An assassin kills Stavros’ father before Casey can get information. Sarah and Chuck open the crate with the package. It appears to be a bomb. Chuck refuses to leave and as the timer expires….Sarah kisses him passionately. There was no bomb and Sarah is uncomfortable. Chuck is not.

The next day, Chuck apologizes to Lou again. She tells him Casey blew his cover as a FDA agent and they have an amicable parting. Morgan tells Chuck he and Anna are dating. Chuck tells Morgan he broke up with Lou and is back with Sarah.

Casey and Sarah open the package. Bryce Larkin is inside, breathing. Chuck leaves Sarah a message asking her out.

Points of Interest

• Chuck orders a Rachel sandwich at Lou’s deli- slaw not sauerkraut. The actress playing Lou is Rachel Bilson.
• In Sarah’s video log that we see in the finale, this episode is Day 56- “I kissed him, I kissed HIM!” (508 days later she admits she loves him).
• Sarah kisses Chuck for real- not a cover kiss.
• We see the effect of the truth serum lie that Sarah tells Chuck in the previous episode. He believes they have no future so he turns to Lou.
• Tommy Delgado is the assassin tasked with retrieving the package. He is the first Fulcrum agent we see in the series. He also appears in Nemesis.
• Truth through Nemesis is the first multi-part story arc in the series.
• Merritt Yohnka, the stunt coordinator for Chuck, plays the part of the Bomb Squad Captain.
• It seems Chuck dated Lou for about a week. Based on the time frame in Sarah’s video log referencing these two episodes.
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References

• Jerry Maguire– “You had me at pastrami.” Lou’s employee in the deli when Chuck orders his sandwich.
• Titanic – The make out scene in the Nerd Herder is reminiscent of the scene in Titanic.

Music

• My Absent Will: Meredith Bragg & the Terminals-Lou and Chuck make out.
• Let’s Get It Cracking’: Dee Town All Stars– Chuck and Lou at the club.