Chuck learns more about Sarah’s past when they run into her old high school nemesis Heather Chandler. Sarah’s teenage insecurities come to surface and she tries to avoid Heather at all costs. Chuck, on the other hand, does everything he can to hear more about Sarah’s hidden life. When Heather’s nerdy husband Mark turns out to be a key player in a new mission, the agents must attend Sarah’s high school reunion to prevent the sale of potentially dangerous super-bomber plans — all the action ends with the ultimate cat fight. Meanwhile, Big Mike leaves town for a day and Buy More’s new assistant manager Lester decides to implement a new sales policy.
Aired
October 20, 2008
Director
Writers
Josh Schwartz
Chris Fedak
Allison Adler
Guest Stars
Bonita Friedericy – General Beckman
Nicole Richie – Heather Chandler
Ben Savage – Mark Ratner
Tony Todd – CIA Director Graham
Michael Weaver – Dick Duffy
Trivia
This episode flashbacks to Sarah’s high school experiences. Several references are made to various high school-related movies:
- Heather Chandler is also the name of the main “Heather” in Heathers, who was similarly part of a vicious, popular clique.
- Mark Ratner is also the name of a character from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
- Sarah wins a crown at the reunion covered in blood, a possible homage to the prom queen scene in Carrie.
- The reunion was filled with hit men trying to kill one another, much like in Grosse Point Blank.
A few of Sarah’s aliases are revealed by CIA Director Graham: Jennifer Burton (San Diego), Katie O’Connell (Wisconsin), Rebecca Franko (Cleveland). However, the name on her birth certificate, which is her real name, is never revealed.
In the opening scene, the deejay on the radio refers to a song request from Heather Chandler at James Buchanan High. In keeping with the retro-high school theme, James Buchanan High School is the school in the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter.
When Sarah and Heather (Nicole Richie) are in the Orange Orange Sarah says that she has tried her hand at acting and was in a national TV commercial eating a messy cheeseburger. Richie’s ex-BFF Paris Hilton was also in a TV commercial for Carl’s Jr. with a messy cheeseburger.
Quotes
Chuck: (to Sarah) Remember, the only difference between high school and high school reunion is that you don’t get suspended for being drunk.
Chuck: Hey buddy, what’s going on?
Morgan: Lester’s new sales policy, we are giving away merchandise.
Chuck: That’s going to end badly.
Morgan: I know. I know, Chuck. That’s part of the fun.
Mark Ratner: See, I’m just a guy who likes math, you know, and somehow I got a beautiful girl like that to fall in love with me. I have to pinch myself sometimes. It’s like I’m dreaming.
(Chuck’s eyes meet Sarah’s from a distance. A smile washes over her face)
Mark: Aw, forget it, Agent Carmichael. I mean, how can I expect a cool guy like you to understand?
Chuck: You know what, Mark? Sometimes the nerd gets the girl.
Music
Tubthumping by Chumbawamba
Open Late Weekends by Daniel May
Shop Till You Drop by Billy Martin
Variatio 1. a 1 Clav. from The Goldberg Variations by J. S. Bach
Beautiful Disaster by 311
Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by The Backstreet Boys
MMMBop by Hanson
I Don’t Want To Wait by Paula Cole
Smack My Bitch Up by The Prodigy
Links
See the episode pictures in the gallery
Read about Chuck vs the Cougars in Chuck’s episode guide
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