Chuck Versus the Coup d'Etat
Encyclopedia
"Chuck Versus the Coup d'Etat" is the fourth episode of the fourth season
of Chuck
. It originally aired October 11, 2010. Indebted to Captain Awesome for saving his life in "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
", Premier Alejandro Goya (Armand Assante
) and his wife Hortencia (Tia Texada
) show their gratitude by inviting the gang to their beautiful island. Chuck Bartowski
and Sarah Walker
work on becoming better communicators as they join Captain Awesome and Ellie
for a getaway to Costa Gravas. Back at home, Morgan Grimes
embarks on a forbidden romance that may put him at odds with Colonel John Casey
.
, who is recovering from a gunshot wound received in "Chuck Versus the Cubic Z
"). Beckman soon learns the Turrini is heading not to the embassy, but to Echo Park. He arrives at Ellie
and Devon Woodcomb's apartment, informing Devon that he is "needed" again. When Chuck and Sarah arrive, Turrini plays a tape where Goya invites the gang to his castle in Costa Gravas to thank them for them saving his life in "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
".
They are transported in Goya's private jet to his castle, where he and his wife Hortencia (Tia Texada
) have thrown a banquet in Devon's honor. They unveil a nine-feet-tall statue of Devon. Meanwhile, Chuck flashes on a sign, revealing that there is a Soviet-era weapons system behind a red door. Sarah calls Casey for instructions, which he provides, having spent two weeks in the castle on an assassination attempt (see "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
"). Chuck and Sarah attempt to pick the lock on the door, but they are interrupted by Devon and Ellie in an intimate moment. Meanwhile, Hortencia performs a coup d'état
on the democratic government established by her own husband, blowing off the head of the statue in the process.
Chuck flashes and he and Sarah defend Ellie and Devon from the rebelling soldiers; Premier Goya escorts the group through a nuclear control room and they escape on his private jet. No longer trusting his own embassy, Goya decides to seek refuge in Casey's apartment. Chuck flashes on a picture of the control panel, and the Premier reveals that it controls nuclear missiles aimed at various cities (mostly American). Two keys are needed to access the missiles; one Goya has with him while the other is with Hortencia.
Turrini betrays Goya and attempts to capture him, but Casey is prepared, having theorized this possibility earlier in his career after seeing how close Turrini was to Goya's wife. While a standoff ensues between Casey and Turrini and his soldiers, Goya saves Casey's life by knocking him unconscious and agreeing to go back to Costa Gravas as long as no harm comes to Casey. Turrini agrees and brings Goya back to Costa Gravas. Beckman orders Chuck, Sarah, and Casey to sneak back to Costa Gravas, destroy the nuclear control room, and find the missiles so Premier Goya can be restored to office without being a nuclear threat to the United States. The team enter through tunnels under the castle and places charges to prepare to detonate if anything goes wrong.
Hortencia and her soldiers are making a hostage video, which the Premier interrupts several times. This erupts into a marital dispute, and Goya grabs his wife's sidearm and holds her at gunpoint. Chuck crawls in through a hatch to be a mediator in their argument, attributing this entire ordeal to a marital problem. Turrini approaches Goya to shoot him, but Chuck flashes to disarm him, and Casey captures him. After Goya offers Hortencia the position of Secretary of State, they reconcile, and Sarah confiscates the keys to the nuclear control panel.
Team Bartowski dismantles the control panel, and troops are called in to dismantle the missiles. Chuck flashes on a Russian label on the panel, revealing it to be stolen by Alexei Volkoff
as part of his underground weapons pipeline in "Project Beacon". Chuck asks if Goya ever heard of a CIA agent codenamed "Frost" (Chuck's mother, Mary Elizabeth Bartowski
), and Goya reveals that she was kept "at home." Goya offers them all his files on his dealings with Volkoff, but cautions them on proceeding with the search.
Later, Chuck reveals to Ellie that he is searching for their mother. She worries that there isn't actually another side to the story, but Chuck says that they have to know.
) arrives with soup, and it is revealed at this point that she and Morgan have seen each other despite Casey's earlier threats. Morgan seeks advice from his de facto stepfather Big Mike, and Mike advises him to make sure he really loves Alex before he proceeds.
Morgan seeks advice from Dr. Fred Hornblower, a self-help author, who is at the Buy More
signing copies of "Dr. Fred's 101 Conversations Before I Do". However, Big Mike interrupts him and tells Morgan that the way to tell if he really loves Alex would be a reaction to simply kissing her.
Alex later visits Morgan at the Buy More. When he tries to tell her about Dr. Fred's advice, she kisses him. He attempts to continue talking before giving in and kissing her back. Big Mike witnesses this secret romance and walks away smiling.
and is worrying about saving for the baby's college education. They agree to take a "babymoon
", which soon comes in the form of a trip to Costa Gravas (see main plot). They are later interrupted in an intimate moment at Goya's castle by Chuck and Sarah and are forced to return home when Hortencia stages a coup.
When they return to California, they go on a babymoon to Malibu.
Near the end of the episode, Ellie admits that Chuck never looked more alive than when he protected them, and further believes he must have been good at being a spy. She further admits she was grateful that Chuck gave up being a spy, although she didn't realize, at the time, what she was asking him to give up. Chuck then confesses that he was searching for their mother; a horrified Ellie asks why and Chuck explains that Mary may have had a good reason for leaving and they should reserve judgment until they hear her side of the story. Ellie then asks what if there is no other side and that there was no reason for her abandonment, to which Chuck responds, "Then we'll find that out, too."
", as Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother slides through the vent onto the floor in Castle. Chuck kneels down on one knee and picks up the ring, giving the appearance that he is proposing to Sarah, leaving them both in an awkward state of shock. Sarah realizes that Chuck isn't actually proposing, which he confirms, and he frustratedly walks away. Chuck confides in Morgan that he wants to know what Sarah's answer would have been if it were an actual proposal.
Morgan warns Chuck of his and Sarah's communication problems. He gives him the book "Dr. Fred's 101 Conversations Before I Do", but Chuck worries that the thought of preparing for marriage would scare Sarah. After discussing the miscommunication with the ring, they begin the 101 conversations in the book. However, Sarah soon discovers the book, which contradicts their earlier agreement to "take it slow."
Taking advice from the book, Sarah tells a sleeping Chuck that nothing will change her love for him, and that if he were to propose to her, she would accept. Chuck, with his eyes closed, slowly grins.
Chuck (season 4)
The fourth season of Chuck was announced on May 13, 2010. Having initially ordered 13 episodes, NBC ordered an additional 11 on October 19, 2010 for a total of 24 episodes....
of Chuck
Chuck (TV series)
Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
. It originally aired October 11, 2010. Indebted to Captain Awesome for saving his life in "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
"Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte" is the third episode of the third season of Chuck. It aired on January 11, 2010 as part of the season's three-part premier, following "Chuck Versus the Pink Slip" and "Chuck Versus the Three Words" on January 10...
", Premier Alejandro Goya (Armand Assante
Armand Assante
-Personal life:Assante was born in New York City and raised in Cornwall, New York, the son of Katherine , a music teacher and poet, and Armand Anthony Assante, Sr., a painter and artist. His father was Italian and his mother was Irish, and was raised in a devoutly Roman Catholic family...
) and his wife Hortencia (Tia Texada
Tia Texada
Tia Texada is an American actress and singer. She is probably best known for portraying the role of Sgt. Maritza Cruz from the American television show Third Watch and for her role as Shay on ABC Family's Huge.Texada was born in Louisiana to a reflexologist mother and an insurance agent father...
) show their gratitude by inviting the gang to their beautiful island. Chuck Bartowski
Chuck Bartowski
Charles Irving "Chuck" Bartowski is the main and titular character of the American fiction television show Chuck on NBC. He is portrayed by Zachary Levi.-Character profile:...
and Sarah Walker
Sarah Walker (Chuck)
Sarah Lisa Bartowski is the alias of one of the main characters of the fictional television show Chuck on NBC. She is portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski and is one of two agents assigned by the NSA and CIA to protect Chuck Bartowski after he unwittingly downloads the secret government computer known...
work on becoming better communicators as they join Captain Awesome and Ellie
Ellie Bartowski
Eleanor Faye "Ellie" Bartowski Woodcomb, M.D., Ph.D., is the older sister of title character Chuck Bartowski on the television series Chuck. She is portrayed by actress Sarah Lancaster.-Biography:...
for a getaway to Costa Gravas. Back at home, Morgan Grimes
Morgan Grimes
Morgan Guillermo Grimes is a major character on the television series Chuck. He is portrayed by actor Joshua Gomez, and is the best friend of Chuck Bartowski....
embarks on a forbidden romance that may put him at odds with Colonel John Casey
John Casey (Chuck)
Colonel John Casey is portrayed by actor Adam Baldwin on the television show Chuck on NBC. Prior to the episode "Chuck Versus the Tic Tac," he was partnered with CIA agent Sarah Walker to protect Chuck Bartowski....
.
Main plot
Commandante Juan Pablo Turrini, the most trusted advisor to the Costa Gravan Premier Alejandro Goya, arrives in Burbank unannounced. General Beckman orders the team to stake out the Costa Gravan Embassy (excepting Colonel CaseyJohn Casey (Chuck)
Colonel John Casey is portrayed by actor Adam Baldwin on the television show Chuck on NBC. Prior to the episode "Chuck Versus the Tic Tac," he was partnered with CIA agent Sarah Walker to protect Chuck Bartowski....
, who is recovering from a gunshot wound received in "Chuck Versus the Cubic Z
Chuck Versus the Cubic Z
"Chuck Versus the Cubic Z" is the third episode of the fourth season of Chuck. It originally aired October 4, 2010. A prison transfer delivers old foes, Heather Chandler and Hugo Panzer , to the Buy More, canceling Chuck Bartowski and Sarah’s romantic mission...
"). Beckman soon learns the Turrini is heading not to the embassy, but to Echo Park. He arrives at Ellie
Ellie Bartowski
Eleanor Faye "Ellie" Bartowski Woodcomb, M.D., Ph.D., is the older sister of title character Chuck Bartowski on the television series Chuck. She is portrayed by actress Sarah Lancaster.-Biography:...
and Devon Woodcomb's apartment, informing Devon that he is "needed" again. When Chuck and Sarah arrive, Turrini plays a tape where Goya invites the gang to his castle in Costa Gravas to thank them for them saving his life in "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
"Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte" is the third episode of the third season of Chuck. It aired on January 11, 2010 as part of the season's three-part premier, following "Chuck Versus the Pink Slip" and "Chuck Versus the Three Words" on January 10...
".
They are transported in Goya's private jet to his castle, where he and his wife Hortencia (Tia Texada
Tia Texada
Tia Texada is an American actress and singer. She is probably best known for portraying the role of Sgt. Maritza Cruz from the American television show Third Watch and for her role as Shay on ABC Family's Huge.Texada was born in Louisiana to a reflexologist mother and an insurance agent father...
) have thrown a banquet in Devon's honor. They unveil a nine-feet-tall statue of Devon. Meanwhile, Chuck flashes on a sign, revealing that there is a Soviet-era weapons system behind a red door. Sarah calls Casey for instructions, which he provides, having spent two weeks in the castle on an assassination attempt (see "Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte
"Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte" is the third episode of the third season of Chuck. It aired on January 11, 2010 as part of the season's three-part premier, following "Chuck Versus the Pink Slip" and "Chuck Versus the Three Words" on January 10...
"). Chuck and Sarah attempt to pick the lock on the door, but they are interrupted by Devon and Ellie in an intimate moment. Meanwhile, Hortencia performs a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
on the democratic government established by her own husband, blowing off the head of the statue in the process.
Chuck flashes and he and Sarah defend Ellie and Devon from the rebelling soldiers; Premier Goya escorts the group through a nuclear control room and they escape on his private jet. No longer trusting his own embassy, Goya decides to seek refuge in Casey's apartment. Chuck flashes on a picture of the control panel, and the Premier reveals that it controls nuclear missiles aimed at various cities (mostly American). Two keys are needed to access the missiles; one Goya has with him while the other is with Hortencia.
Turrini betrays Goya and attempts to capture him, but Casey is prepared, having theorized this possibility earlier in his career after seeing how close Turrini was to Goya's wife. While a standoff ensues between Casey and Turrini and his soldiers, Goya saves Casey's life by knocking him unconscious and agreeing to go back to Costa Gravas as long as no harm comes to Casey. Turrini agrees and brings Goya back to Costa Gravas. Beckman orders Chuck, Sarah, and Casey to sneak back to Costa Gravas, destroy the nuclear control room, and find the missiles so Premier Goya can be restored to office without being a nuclear threat to the United States. The team enter through tunnels under the castle and places charges to prepare to detonate if anything goes wrong.
Hortencia and her soldiers are making a hostage video, which the Premier interrupts several times. This erupts into a marital dispute, and Goya grabs his wife's sidearm and holds her at gunpoint. Chuck crawls in through a hatch to be a mediator in their argument, attributing this entire ordeal to a marital problem. Turrini approaches Goya to shoot him, but Chuck flashes to disarm him, and Casey captures him. After Goya offers Hortencia the position of Secretary of State, they reconcile, and Sarah confiscates the keys to the nuclear control panel.
Team Bartowski dismantles the control panel, and troops are called in to dismantle the missiles. Chuck flashes on a Russian label on the panel, revealing it to be stolen by Alexei Volkoff
Alexei Volkoff
Alexei Volkoff is the alias and alter ego of Hartley Winterbottom , a fictional character on the television series Chuck. Volkoff is the head of Volkoff Industries. For the first six episodes of the fourth season, he was an unseen character, directing his operatives from behind the scenes...
as part of his underground weapons pipeline in "Project Beacon". Chuck asks if Goya ever heard of a CIA agent codenamed "Frost" (Chuck's mother, Mary Elizabeth Bartowski
Mary Elizabeth Bartowski
Mary Elizabeth Bartowski is a character on the television series Chuck. Mary is the estranged mother of Chuck and Ellie Bartowski. She is portrayed by Linda Hamilton.-Biography:...
), and Goya reveals that she was kept "at home." Goya offers them all his files on his dealings with Volkoff, but cautions them on proceeding with the search.
Later, Chuck reveals to Ellie that he is searching for their mother. She worries that there isn't actually another side to the story, but Chuck says that they have to know.
Morgan and Alex
Morgan is caring for Colonel Casey while he is recovering in a wheelchair. Casey's daughter Alex (Mekenna MelvinMekenna Melvin
Mekenna Melvin is an American actress known for playing the role of Alex McHugh in Chuck, Angela in Three Rivers, and Stefanie Fife in Lie to Me. She also co-created and will be starring as Amber Hannold in Amber Lake, an independent film due for release in 2010.- Personal life :Melvin was born...
) arrives with soup, and it is revealed at this point that she and Morgan have seen each other despite Casey's earlier threats. Morgan seeks advice from his de facto stepfather Big Mike, and Mike advises him to make sure he really loves Alex before he proceeds.
Morgan seeks advice from Dr. Fred Hornblower, a self-help author, who is at the Buy More
Buy More
Buy More is a fictional big box electronics retail chain in NBC's action-comedy series Chuck. The Buy More is a parody of similar chains, particularly Best Buy....
signing copies of "Dr. Fred's 101 Conversations Before I Do". However, Big Mike interrupts him and tells Morgan that the way to tell if he really loves Alex would be a reaction to simply kissing her.
Alex later visits Morgan at the Buy More. When he tries to tell her about Dr. Fred's advice, she kisses him. He attempts to continue talking before giving in and kissing her back. Big Mike witnesses this secret romance and walks away smiling.
Ellie and Devon
Devon has been giving more attention to the unborn baby than Ellie herself. This worries Ellie, as she is only four-months pregnant, and Devon has already bought a Toyota SiennaToyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is a family minivan currently manufactured by Toyota at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana, United States for the North American market. It replaced the first-generation Previa van in 1997 with a more conventional front wheel drive layout and shares a heavily...
and is worrying about saving for the baby's college education. They agree to take a "babymoon
Babymoon
Babymoon has several meanings. The original meaning is a period of time that parents spend bonding with a recently-born baby.More recently the term has come to be used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together...
", which soon comes in the form of a trip to Costa Gravas (see main plot). They are later interrupted in an intimate moment at Goya's castle by Chuck and Sarah and are forced to return home when Hortencia stages a coup.
When they return to California, they go on a babymoon to Malibu.
Chuck and Ellie
While Ellie still believes that Chuck is no longer a spy, she requests that Chuck does "some spy stuff" while their lives are in jeopardy because of Hortencia's coup d'etat. Chuck prevents their capture or execution by disarming and fighting off several soldiers, leaving Ellie awestruck.Near the end of the episode, Ellie admits that Chuck never looked more alive than when he protected them, and further believes he must have been good at being a spy. She further admits she was grateful that Chuck gave up being a spy, although she didn't realize, at the time, what she was asking him to give up. Chuck then confesses that he was searching for their mother; a horrified Ellie asks why and Chuck explains that Mary may have had a good reason for leaving and they should reserve judgment until they hear her side of the story. Ellie then asks what if there is no other side and that there was no reason for her abandonment, to which Chuck responds, "Then we'll find that out, too."
Chuck and Sarah
The episode picks up immediately after the cliffhanger in "Chuck Versus the Cubic ZChuck Versus the Cubic Z
"Chuck Versus the Cubic Z" is the third episode of the fourth season of Chuck. It originally aired October 4, 2010. A prison transfer delivers old foes, Heather Chandler and Hugo Panzer , to the Buy More, canceling Chuck Bartowski and Sarah’s romantic mission...
", as Big Mike's engagement ring for Morgan's mother slides through the vent onto the floor in Castle. Chuck kneels down on one knee and picks up the ring, giving the appearance that he is proposing to Sarah, leaving them both in an awkward state of shock. Sarah realizes that Chuck isn't actually proposing, which he confirms, and he frustratedly walks away. Chuck confides in Morgan that he wants to know what Sarah's answer would have been if it were an actual proposal.
Morgan warns Chuck of his and Sarah's communication problems. He gives him the book "Dr. Fred's 101 Conversations Before I Do", but Chuck worries that the thought of preparing for marriage would scare Sarah. After discussing the miscommunication with the ring, they begin the 101 conversations in the book. However, Sarah soon discovers the book, which contradicts their earlier agreement to "take it slow."
Taking advice from the book, Sarah tells a sleeping Chuck that nothing will change her love for him, and that if he were to propose to her, she would accept. Chuck, with his eyes closed, slowly grins.
Continuity
- Ellie is four-months pregnant.
- Several details about Casey's assassination attempts are revealed, including the fact that Casey spent two weeks sneaking through Goya's castle while he was actually with Fidel CastroFidel CastroFidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
in Havana. - The fight scene and music where Chuck and Sarah are working in tandem to defeat the Costa Gravas rebels mirror a similar scene (involving the same music) from "Chuck Versus the NemesisChuck Versus the Nemesis"Chuck Versus the Nemesis" is the tenth episode of Chucks first season. It aired on November 26, 2007. Chuck is forced to confront his former college roommate and the man who ruined his life when Bryce Larkin is discovered alive.-Main Plot:...
" which involved Sarah and Bryce LarkinBryce LarkinBryce Larkin is a recurring character on the spy comedy series Chuck on NBC. Bryce is the ex-college roommate and fraternity brother of the series' main character, Chuck Bartowski and was formerly partnered and once romantically involved with Chuck's CIA handler Sarah Walker. Bryce was responsible...
working in tandem against Fulcrum.
Flashes
- Chuck flashes on a sign reading "Pasillo de la Gente", revealing that there is a Soviet-era weapons system behind a red door in Goya's castle.
- Chuck flashes on self-defense techniques to disarm Hortencia's militia.
- Chuck flashes on a photo of a control panel in the castle, revealing it to be nuclear.
- Chuck flashes to disarm Turrini.
- Chuck flashes on a Russian label, revealing the nuclear control panel to have been stolen by Volkoff.
Cultural references
- Chuck states that he will need to spend five hours a week playing HaloHalo (series)Halo is a multi-million dollar science fiction video game franchise created by Bungie and now managed by 343 Industries and owned by Microsoft Studios. The series centers on an interstellar war between humanity and a theocratic alliance of aliens known as the Covenant...
with Morgan. - The tribute to Devon with the unveiling of the statue is a nod to similar scene from the film Rocky IIIRocky IIIRocky III is a 1982 American film that is the third installment in the Rocky film series. It is written and directed by and stars Sylvester Stallone as the title character, with Carl Weathers as former boxing rival Apollo Creed, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey, and Talia Shire as Rocky's...
where Rocky Balboa was honored in a similar fashion.
Music
- GirlsGirls (band)Girls is an indie rock band from San Francisco, California. Made up of two key members, Christopher Owens who is the main writer and Chet "JR" White who plays bass and produces. The band's lead singer, Christopher Owens, is a former member of the Children of God cult...
- "Laura" (Chuck & Morgan discuss the footage of Chuck’s non-proposal) - Santo and Johnny - "Sleepwalk" (Sarah tries on bikinis and questions Chuck’s motives for going on the trip)
- Le Tropicana Orchestra - "Tropicana" (The Generalissimo’s video message to Devon & Ellie)
- Jesus Alejandro El Nino - "Rebulu" (The Generalissimo creeps out Ellie, introduces everyone to his wife)
- Richard AshcroftRichard AshcroftRichard Paul Ashcroft is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional guitarist of alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their split in 1999, and continues as a lead vocalist working with guitars and keyboards...
- "She Brings Me The Music" (Chuck tells Ellie that he’s looking for their mother; Chuck hears Sarah tell him she would say yes to a proposal) - Lewis LaMedica - "Without You" (Morgan & Alex kiss while Big Mike looks on in approval)
- Armand Assante - “Besame Mucho”(The Generalissimo serenades the party-goers)