CHUCK: “Chuck Versus Bo” Near Perfect

The last couple of weeks have gotten me really pumped for the final episodes of Chuck. There were a few rough patched this season, but I feel like the series has found its rhythm again and turned out one of the best hours of the season with “Chuck Versus Bo.” This was the episode that, for me, felt like we were at last watching a final season episode. Through out the gang talked about getting out of the spy game and turning Carmichael Industries into a company that fights cyberterrorism, effectively removing themselves from the danger of spy work while still affording them the opportunity to save the world from time to time, right from the comfort of their office. This was clearly the point where the writers wanted to set up the end of the series where the cast will need to have a future. When all is said and done, Team Bartowski now has a back up plan.

As with last week, “Versus Bo” focused on being entertaining and funny (and boy, was it), putting to great use guest star Bo Derrek, playing a spy version of herself. Right from the opening sequence of Casey and Morgan dressing up Jeff and Lester to make it seem like they blacked out from a night in Vegas, I knew this was going to be ripe with strong humor. I love being right. I would like to go into more detail about the funny moments, but there are more pressing matters needing addressing. Any episode of Chuck can be undeniably funny, but only this one can give Sarah Walker the Intersect.

Yes, you read right; Sarah donned the Intersect glasses, making her the third out of the main characters to carry the burden. To give her the Intersect within the same season as Morgan could be seen as a little bit much, especially after going a record amount of time without anyone possessing it, but I have to admit I was pleased with the way it was handled. Putting Sarah in a position where her and Casey’s only chance of survival was to turn herself into a super spy was smart. She didn’t do it out of curiosity; in fact she had planned to destroy the glasses so no one could ever use them. But lady luck did not favor her and now she’ll have to put up with having a giant computer in her head. I suspect (in fact I know) she’ll have to deal with some head problems next week.

And just how did Sarah end up in such a dire situation that Intersecting herself was the only option? Meet Nicholas Quinn (Angus Macfayden), the spy originally selected to receive the Intersect before Bryce Larkin emailed it to Chuck. Apparently he’s been holding a grudge ever since, yet is only showing his face now. It’s a little thin, but I always knew whatever the writers came up with this season would be. They clearly had no intention early on on the show’s run of tying everything that happened together, so to do so now makes the seams stand out. Still, it’s good enough that I can sit back and enjoy it without going crazy. And Quinn seems like he might be an alright bad guy for the last few episodes. I mean, he’s no Volkoff, but he’ll do. Who knows, maybe he’ll turn out to be better than we could have possibly hoped for.

“Chuck Versus Bo” was about as near perfect as Chuck can get. It was funny and concluded with a twist and a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. Chuck will never be the best show out there, but it’s proved that it doesn’t need to be. What it is is a fantastic show that has survived impossible odds and despite its troubles has remained entertaining. The next two weeks are going to a bittersweet ride.