The Ring Cycle: Operation Awesome on "Chuck"

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you tell a kick-ass spy story with heart, humor, and unexpected plot twists.

Last night's episode of Chuck ("Chuck Versus Operation Awesome"), written by Zev Borow and directed by Robert Duncan McNeill, is hands-down my favorite installment of the new season so far. (Next week's is pretty damn fantastic too.) Quickly revealing the resolution to last week's cliffhanger ending, it nicely restated some overarching themes for the season--family versus duty, personal lives versus private ones--without resorting to clunky dialogue or telling rather than showing.

It also introduced one hell of a recurring character in Special Agent Shaw (Brandon Routh), a welcome addition to the Chuck universe. I'll admit that I was nervous about Routh coming on board the series for such a lengthy spell but last night's episode erased any doubts in my mind. Shaw adds an unpredictable element to the series (undoubtedly, there will be a new love triangle in the making between Shaw, Sarah, and Chuck) and some tension but also provides a sympatico element for both Chuck and Sarah.

What did I think of last night's episode? Let's discuss. (Note: while I've seen the first five episodes of Chuck's third season, I'm keeping the discussion limited strictly to the first four installments.)

After teasing Awesome's in-the-field involvement last week, Devon was not only a tangential member of the team but arguably the main spy in the field this week. It was an unwelcome position that not only placed him and Ellie in danger but also forced Chuck into the role of a handler, stepping up to shield his brother-in-law from bodily harm and maneuver him into position. A deft piece of role-reversal, really.

In a nice twist, both Awesome and Chuck had the opportunity to prove themselves, given the fact that Sarah and Casey were locked in their mobile Castle van and unable to assist either of them. Which rendered the mission's success all the more important and critical; there was no backup, no safety net, no platoon of gun-toting agents ready to burst in and save them should things go pear-shaped. More than last week's mission, it truly showed Devon just what the stakes are in Chuck's world: one slip-up means the difference between life and death.

Given The Ring's GPS-and-explosives-laden earpiece, they clearly meant to forcibly recruit Devon to their side. I have a feeling that Sydney (guest star Angie Harmon) has pulled this trick before to flip agents and force them to work for The Ring. Devon's involvement in the mission therefore had to have the patina of professionalism; no risks could be taken to allow The Ring to think they had the wrong guy (otherwise: Devon goes boom) or have them believe that the mission was in fact a ruse.

As I said before, I thought that Routh did a fantastic job making Shaw three-dimensional and believable rather than a stereotypical master spy. Besides, what other series could have a character make their first appearance by faking their own death... by shooting themselves in the shoulder? (Not many, I'd wager.) It immediately set up Shaw as particularly bad-ass while also rendering The Ring as even more deadly. They want Shaw removed because he knows too much and he's only too happy to make it seem like they've gotten their wish. He's a character that's likely going to be a thorn in Chuck's side because he knows what the stakes are more than anyone and he was willing to place himself in jeopardy in order to ensure that The Ring believe he's been removed from the playing field.

But there's more to Shaw than meets the eye, really. I loved the fact that while he orders Chuck to shoot him he ends up taking the gun away from him and doing it himself, saying that he doesn't like guns either. (When's the last time you heard a spy say that?) Plus, Shaw is clearly struggling through some emotional pain of his own as well. There was a lovely and subtle reveal at the end of the episode where Shaw is watching the gang enjoy a dinner party at Chuck and Morgan's and then rather solemnly puts on a wedding ring. Could it be that he too has sat at a table such as that? Could it be that he's lost something irreplaceable and understands all too well what Chuck and Sarah are saying about relationships? In a flash, Shaw went from being a tough-as-nails superspy to being one of the series' most tragic figures to date. And I for one can't wait to see where they take his character.

What else did I love? Devon's hysterical attempts to lie to Ellie about where he's been (a decapitated bear); the John Casey drunken exposure cover story; Fight Club subplot at the Buy More, Chuck knocking out Lester with a roundhouse kick; Sydney's death; Chuck shooting the tranquilizer gun to take out about eight CIA agents; Shaw's introduction (naturally); the return of the "Ass Man" sobriquet; numerous pop culture shout-outs to everything from Under Seige to Animal House; and, oh, much more.

All in all, a fantastic installment that kicked the Ring storyline into top gear and further explored the central relationships of the series. The only downside: it's a week's wait until another new episode.

What did you think of this week's episode? What did you think of Shaw? Want to see more Awesome in the field? Discuss.



Next week on Chuck ("Chuck Versus First Class"), Shaw sends Chuck goes on his first solo mission to Paris, despite Sarah and Casey's objections; Chuck flashes on another passenger (guest star Steve Austin) and connects with a beautiful woman (Kristin Kreuk); Casey helps Morgan battle Jeff and Lester for control of the Buy More.