Chuck (Zachary Levi) has his hands full again this week as he has to help out Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) in all things spy, when his brother-in-law, grabbed by enemy agents of The Ring, Sydney (Angie Harmon) at the climax of last week’s episode, needs help.

Chuck Versus Operation Awesome was written by Zev Borow and first aired on 18 January, 2010.

We get the reveal of who Shaw is this week, Brandon Routh, and that could end up being trouble for our team, considering how General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) is less than thrilled by whatever his plan is.

There are references to Fight Club and The Warriors in this solid episode, that also sees Chuck’s training with the new Intersect kicking into gear and Morgan (Joshua Gomez) taking on the Assistant Manager position at the BuyMore causing strife between him and Lester (Vik Sahay) and Jeff (Scott Krinsky).

It’s great seeing Chuck having to train up Awesome while working to keep him safe, and watching how everyone reacts to Morgan’s new position. Chuck takes on Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey’s (Adam Baldwin) role as handler for Awesome, and working to keep all of this a secret from Ellie (Sarah Lancaster).

And there’s a reveal halfway through the episode that twists everything out of control as Awesome and Chuck find themselves in a CIA base and becomes involved in a counter move to The Ring’s plan. And that plan, and any future plan against The Ring will be led by Shaw.

As the episode ends we see that Shaw has a personal secret that will no doubt be explored in future episodes.

Chuck Versus First Class was written by one of the series creators’ Chris Fedak and aired 25 January, 2010.

Shaw sends Chuck on a solo mission, despite the fact that Casey and Sarah are against it. He’s off to Paris and meets the lovely Hannah (Kristin Kreuk) on the flight over, but things get complicated when he flashes on an assassin, Hugo Panzer (Steve Austin) on the same flight.

Shaw reveals that his mission isn’t in Paris, it’s on the plane, it’s Panzer… will Chuck be able to handle it? And back at the castle, the CIA base that Chuck operates out of, Shaw is causing problems between he and Sarah.

Meanwhile at the BuyMore, Morgan may have a new, and surprising ally in his conflict with Jeff and Lester…Casey.

There’s a sly reference to the Bourne franchise, and Shaw reveals his secret to Sarah.

And while interesting sparks fly between Hannah and Chuck, his mission on the plane is far from incomplete. Will Chuck be able to handle it? And will Chuck ever get to see Paris?

It’s a fun episode that continues to expand the universe Chuck lives in, and allows its characters to continue to grow, even as problems continue to arise. Fedak writes a good episode, and always makes sure it resonates emotionally with the characters and the viewers

More action, laughs and spycraft next week with more of Chuck: Season Three.