A pattern for the fourth season of Chuck is emerging, and the result isn't on par with the previous seasons. Under a plot that can hardly qualify as one, Chuck and Sarah work out various problems in their relationship, all relating to the fact that Chuck is very, very insecure. He doesn't believe in the relationship until Sarah gives a verbal answer, despite him knowing she isn't good at expressing herself.
"Chuck vs. the Coup D'Etat" follows in suit. With a faulty premise of nuclear weapons in Costa Gravas (as if this CIA wouldn't know) and a coup, Chuck and Sarah talk things out throughout the episode, and eventually the relationship between Goya and his wife is mended, thus ending the coup. The main difference with last week's equally silly episode is the episode lacks the energy and doesn't have the frantic scenes.
Luckily, the episode isn't an entire waste, as Casey is hilarious, having to take in his arch-nemesis Goya. We see more of his former fanaticism in wanting to take out Goya, and is a welcome detour from the Chuck and Sarah show.
Here are my problems with the fourth season: The spy business is no longer relevant, serving only as a shallow backdrop for Chuck. There's zero urgency or gravity to any of the global situations; Chuck comes off very needy whenever he's hassling Sarah and loses some charm.
The simply solution would be to deemphasize Chuck and Sarah once in a while. Let Casey have an episode once in a while. Or turn it over to Ellie and Awesome. Perhaps Beckman! The cast offers many different perspectives and opportunities, and it would be a shame if the show is weighed by the constant drama of Chuck and Sarah.
Score: 8.4/10
