Original air date December 15, 2008 (the first Christmas episode)

Season 2 episode 11

Synopsis

Christmas at the Buy More and prices are increased. Chuck invites a reluctant Sarah for a Christmas cover date with the Bartowski’s. She tells him about the yearly Burton Christmas con job but he convinces her to come and be heartwarmed.

Anna is not speaking to Morgan because he doesn’t want to move in with her. There is a car chase going on and Ellie and Awesome go to the Buy More for Christmas shopping. That same car crashes into the store and the driver points a gun at Chuck.

With the police outside, Sarah and Casey consult Beckman. The gunman, Ned, is apparently a regular guy who lost his job so their only priority is protecting Chuck. Lt Mauser, the lead police negotiator, talks with Ned through Chuck and gets a hostage released. Emmett lies about a sick mother so he can get out.

Sarah and Casey get into the Buy More through Castle but Chuck refuses to leave. Ned discovers Casey and Sarah, Chuck telling him they were hiding in the lunch room. Ned accidentally shoots Casey in the foot during their argument.

When Chuck convinces Ned to let the hostages make a phone call, everyone but Sarah has someone to call. Chuck calls Sarah and meets with her in one of the aisles. He gives her a bracelet, his mom’s charm bracelet, as her Christmas gift. She tells him it’s a gift for a real girlfriend, he answers “I know.” She also accepts his dinner invitation.

Lt Mauser enters the Buy More to negotiate and swaps places with Casey and Sarah, despite Chuck trying to keep Sarah with him. Chuck flashes on Mauser’s watch and knows he is Fulcrum. Chuck tries to appeal to Ned but Mauser stops him. Casey and Sarah find out Ned has been lying about his story and they find out he was talking to Mauser and Mauser tells Chuck they know who he is.

They want to know where Bryce Larkin is and threaten Ellie but Chuck tells Mauser he is the intersect.

Chuck says goodbye to Ellie and tells Devon to be brave, right after encouraging him not to do anything brave. Mauser takes Chuck out of the Buy More, loading him in an ambulance. Sarah and Casey fire at the ambulance and stop it. The gang in the Buy More capture Ned.

Chuck runs from Mauser in a Christmas tree lot and Sarah finds him and tells him to run away. Chuck runs but then stops when he realizes Sarah is in danger. He witnesses Sarah shoot an unarmed Mauser but is not close enough to hear Mauser tell Sarah that he knows Chuck is the intersect and Fulcrum will get him.

Sarah returns to the Buy More, kisses Chuck and lies to him about arresting Mauser. Ellie admires Sarah’s bracelet and Morgan is upset because he saw Anna kissing Lester. Morgan and Chuck commiserate about seeing their loved one do something horrific.

Points of Interest

• Everyone Chuck loves is in danger in this episode.
• Season 2 ‘bottle episode’ where all the action takes place within one basic set or area.
• The actor playing Big Mike’s cousin also plays Sgt Al Powell in Die Hard.
• The much discussed shot of Sarah’s bracelet moving from her right to her left wrist and back again can be attributed to reversing of the image in post production (the gun is also reversed).
• Silent Night plays as Sarah has her confrontation with Mauser. Chuck sees but cannot hear what is being said until the last sentence, when he is finally close enough. The snow is falling and Sarah struggles with her decision, lowering her gun until she realizes that the risk is too high and she protects Chuck and his family.
• The last episode of season 2 until February, six weeks.
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer plays on the tv’s in the Buy More.

References

• Police Academy- Lt Mauser is a character in the film.

• Groundhog Day- Ned Rhyerson is the lead character in the film.
• Die Hard- Sgt Al Powell, played by Reginald VelJohnson, is also in the first two Die Hard movies. He plays the same role here and is also associated with a twinkie with both characters. Ode to Joy plays in the background in Die Hard and when Al and Mike are reunited.

Music

Jingle Bell Rock- Alain Whyte: Chuck invites Sarah to the Bartowski Christmas.

Joy To The World- Alain Whyte: Betting on the car chase.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas- Alain Whyte: Ellie and Devon arrive for Christmas shopping.

Carol of the Bells- Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: Casey gets bandaged after being shot.

I’ll Be Home For Christmas- Bing Crosby: Phoning loved ones.

Jingle Bells- Alain Whyte: End of the car chase.

Silent Night- ?: Chuck is rescued by Sarah in the tree lot and then watches as she shoots Mauser.

Christmas and Me Are Through- Your Vegas: Devon tells Ellie he has had enough excitement and doesn’t need the Christmas present he asked for earlier. Lester kisses Anna and Sarah lies to Chuck.