As we've been warned, Chuck held nothing back for the penultimate episode of the season (and quite possibly the series). We keep saying "game changer" over and over, but it's true for the recent run of Chuck episodes, and especially this one. Not only is the Chuck/handler dynamic forever changed, but every Chuck universe changed in a big way.

Besides Chuck getting the intersect out of his head, Morgan finally took hold of his dream and quit, and Awesome was pulled into the circle of trust. Of course, Chuck can always get the intersect back in his head and Morgan can always come back, but Captain Awesome has eaten from the apple and there's no turning back for him. That's just one of the myriad of good reasons why Chuck absolutely needs to be renewed.

There were plenty of fun cultural references throughout, including a continuation of the Godfather II, with Big Mike now 'Michael,' holding court in the A/V room like Michael Corleone's Las Vegas office. Later, Rorke (Chevy Chase) invokes Cyrus from The Warriors with his repeated question to the Fulcrum recruits, "Can You Dig It?" And finally, Morgan's exit from the Buy More was right out of An Officer and a Gentleman, complete with the requisite slow clap.

Music-wise, just how many goose bumps did we get from the use of Bon Iver's "Creature Fear" during both the Chuck/Sarah make out session(!) and the reprise at the end? The other song that got lost in the shuffle was Malbec's "The Answering Machine" that played for Morgan's triumphant exit, which also felt right. I'm so glad they resisted the urge to use "Up Where We Belong."

There were so many lines last night that struck a chord, but here's a few to chew on:
"Do all your friends give your mothers urinary tract infections?" - Emmett
"You can't kill me with that radiator. It is far too confined in this car for you to get the appropriate torque." - Chuck
"Ass man, we are under siege ... shoot to kill!" - Emmett
"So sorry, Colonel. But congratulations on that chicken franchise you always wanted." - Chuck
I need you to be awesome. Can you ... be awesome?" Chuck, then later Ellie, to Devon
"Mr. Bartowski, you are free to return to ... whatever it is you do." - General Backman

Music: Chuck - Episode 2.21
1. "Creature Fear" - Bon Iver - Chuck and Sarah make out, later used for further Chuck and Sarah affection
2. "The Answering Machine" - Malbec - Morgan realizes his dream

Since we all can't be Nielsen families, one of the ways to save Chuck is to watch it in a manner that's measured, so please watch the Hulu embedded episode below or on the Hulu site.

Previously: Chuck versus the First Kill - Trust, Trust, Trust (Episode 2.20)

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