Well, that didn't take long. In last week's Chuck, the Buy-More's biggest problem was excessive efficiency. But this week, we're already back to Jeffster poetry slams, and sheer insane retail failure. Thank goodness! Spoilers ahead...
Honestly, I'm just going to pretend that this was a Chuck-and-Sarah-free episode. Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski may have had some brief cameos, but I'm really not sure. Oh, there was one funny line about whether the chat Sarah wanted to have was an FDR-style "fireside chat." And Sarah kickboxed with Casey and it was awesome. Apart from that, I don't really remember them turning up at all. Which is only fair, they've got a lot on their plate, what with all the relationship angst and stuff — they deserve a week off.
So apart from a couple of nifty Casey moments like him threatening to shoot a computer, this episode was entirely about Morgan, stepping up as manager of the Buy-More and confronting the consequences of his insane decision to rehire Jeff and Lester. Morgan is on top of the world, finally achieving the pinnacle of his retail career and getting to be in charge of a major national security installation... when it all comes crashing down. Uneasy rests the head that sits atop the three-piece suit.
A crucial video game launch goes horribly wrong, with hundreds of geeks camping out for hours and almost no units in stock — in other words, business as usual at the world's most dysfunctional electronics store. And meanwhile, Big Mike shows up wanting a job and wanting Morgan's blessing to marry his mom. Mark Christopher Lawrence was in awesome form as Big Mike, with the heartfelt speeches and the giant can of whoop-ass which he unleashes once Morgan finally gives him the authority. It's clear there's only one ringleader in this circus. Morgan, meanwhile, gets reminded very forcefully of his limitations.
it was really great to have a whole episode set in the Buy-More once again, after so much globe-trotting and intrigue. This episode was really short, though — I think the whole thing clocked in at about 20 minutes. What's up with that?