Original air date March 9. 2009

Season 2 episode 16

Synopsis

Cole Barker is being tortured by Fulcrum for the identity of the Intersect.

Chuck is awake as his alarm goes off. Sarah is in bed next to him, and he seems to have had a sleepless night. Sarah sees his discomfort and tells him they can have separate rooms when they have their own apartment. She tells him that she is concerned for Cole, but believes he can handle being captured by Fulcrum. When Chuck questions their relationship, she says it’s purely professional. Ellie is excited about the change in Chuck and Sarah’s relationship, but Morgan doesn’t know yet.

Morgan takes heat because of his Mom dating his boss and says he will be moving in with Chuck. Casey grabs Chuck when he gets to work and tells him he is being moved to a secure location. As they talk, the Castle alarms sound that they are being breached, and they respond to find a bloody and beaten Cole Barker at the door. He tells them that he told Fulcrum nothing and escaped. Chuck’s protective custody is cancelled, and he only came back to make sure Sarah was okay.

Anna tells Morgan she found an apartment, and Morgan plots to annoy Anna so she changes her mind about living together.

Beckman tells the team they have to capture a Fulcrum agent code named Perseus; he is the lead scientist in charge of their Intersect research. When Casey and Sarah attend an event to monitor the target, Chuck and Cole monitor them on video. Chuck flashes on a scientist at the event and thinks he is Perseus. Cole recognizes a Fulcrum agent at the party. The agent neutralizes the surveillance, Chuck and Cole run to the rescue. Chuck takes a gun from Cole but really wants to call Beckman.

The Fulcrum agent captures Sarah, Casey, and the scientist. When Cole tries to climb the building to rescue them, Chuck sees that he is bleeding and takes his place. Cole instructs Chuck to rescue his team, and Chuck tries to surprise them but falls through the window and drops the gun, which fires and hits Busgang (the scientist). Sarah and Casey escape, and Sarah chases the agent. He turns to shoot her, and Cole dives in front, taking a bullet for her. Busgang leaves as Sarah checks on Cole, and he asks if she is okay. When Chuck complains to Casey that he hurt his ankle, he sees Cole bleeding on the floor; he saved Sarah’s life.

Sarah tends to Cole’s wounds back in Castle and thanks him. Chuck interrupts, and Casey informs them there is a debriefing. Beckman tells them that Busgang created the Intersect, and Chuck realizes he would have answers about removing the Intersect. Chuck reviews the surveillance from the party and thanks Cole for saving Sarah. Sarah tells Cole they need to plan the mission.

Morgan continues his campaign to alienate Anna to prevent them from moving in together, but Anna  isn’t biting. When Chuck attempts to talk to Morgan about Anna, he hears Morgan’s plan and tells him he is lucky to have her.

At home, Chuck is questioned by Ellie about his limp and she wants x-rays. Sarah is also treating Cole in Castle. Cole continues his attempt to seduce Sarah and complains she isn’t responding. Chuck gets his x-ray and spots Busgang leaving the hospital. He follows him and calls Sarah. A Fulcrum agent spots Chuck and follows them both. Busgang goes to his office and Chuck uses the computer repair excuse to get in. Chuck follows Busgang and sees him taking money from a safe. Busgang sees Chuck and recognizes him as his shooter. Fulcrum kills the security guard and is about to enter the office. Casey, Sarah, and Cole arrive and run to help. Chuck sees the Orion folder Busgang is holding and flashes so Busgang realizes he is the Intersect. When Chuck asks Busgang about removing it, he is told that Orion is the only one who can help him. Fulcrum arrives, kills Busgang, and shoots Cole when he tries to stop him. Sarah then shoots the Fulcrum agent.

Beckman denies knowing anything about Orion when Chuck questions her. Cole is leaving and advises Chuck to persevere, telling him to start carrying a gun. As Chuck approaches Morgan to discuss the apartment, Morgan has decided to move in with Anna. Chuck is relieved and tells him he is making the right decision.

Cole makes a last attempt at convincing Sarah to run away with him, and she refuses. She can’t cheat on her cover boyfriend. Cole tells her he knows how she looks at Chuck, and she says that when you care about someone, it is hard to walk away.

Later at his apartment, Chuck tells Sarah he sees the attraction with Cole and that he can’t live with her. It would be too hard because of how he feels about her. He says one day he will be without the Intersect and he can have a real relationship with the girl that he loves. Chuck also tells Ellie he and Sarah are not going to live together.

In his room, Chuck removes his Tron poster to show the Intersect research he has been doing. He writes the name Orion at the top of the poster.

Points of Interest

• Occasionally throughout the show we get a slip up from Yvonne Strahovski and her Australian accent comes through. It is very noticeable when she says, “Oh my God, you’re shot” to Cole at the party.

• When in Chuck’s room together Sarah is wearing Chuck’s shirt that he wore in the Seduction episode.

• Sarah repeats the line she used regarding Bryce to Chuck when he asks about her and Cole, “just professional.”

• Chuck fully contradicts what he said to Sarah in Break Up when he told her they could never be together. 

• The first reference to Orion, the designer of the Intersect.

• Chuck has a diagram detailing everything he knows about his Intersect situation, including information on all the people he has had contact with. On close inspection it is plain that Chuck knows Sarah’s middle name is Lisa. He can only know this if he heard her when she said it at the end of Wookiee.

• Robert Picard (Busgang) starred with series producer Robbie McNeill on Star Trek:Voyager in 1995.

• “But what if we’re lucky enough to find that person? We’re supposed to walk away? Doesn’t seem fair.”- Cole to Sarah. “No…….because it isn’t”- Sarah’s response. Ironic that Cole is talking about how he feels about Sarah and she responds with how she feels regarding Chuck. By this time, Cole has figured out that Sarah’s feelings for Chuck are beyond a cover girlfriend but he has to try.
• “I’ve got some not-so secrets for you. If you want something bad enough, don’t ever take “No” for an answer. And for godforsakes, man, carry a gun. Maybe two.”- Cole gives Chuck some good advice before he leaves.

References

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail- “It’s a flesh wound.” When Ellie comments about Chuck’s ankle.
• Star Wars- Empire Strikes Back- “Laugh it up, fuzzball.” Morgan to the Buy More staff when they are mocking him.
• Tron- Chuck’s poster that was given to him by his dad
• The Karate Kid- “sweep the leg” and used multiple times in the show.

Music

God and Suicide- Blitzen Trapper: Chuck and Sarah are in bed together and talk while in the bathroom.

Walk Like An Egyptian- The Puppini Sisters: Chuck and Cole provide back up for Casey and Sarah.

Signs- Bloc Party: Chuck and Sarah discuss not moving in together.