(S02E21) If you were waiting all season long for an episode this power-packed, you finally got your heart's desire. You wanted action; you got it. Story line development? Check. More about Sarah and Chuck? Casey in the middle of everything? Guest stars? References to pop culture and old movies? Morgan's deepest dreams revealed? Yep. This was the episode for you. The penultimate Chuck for season two -- and hopefully not the next to last of all time -- was perhaps the best episode of the year.

For sheer dynamics, the team was not working together. Casey, who was promoted and thus became the colonel of the title, was put in the tough position of having to apprehend Chuck and Sarah. Since they all know each other so well, there was no advantage on either side, and Chuck's emotional appeal about finding his father seemed to have little effect on Casey.

(S02E20) Trust. Five little letters that represent so, so much. For Chuck, trust has been key to his agreeing to be the American government's good little intersect. He's gone along with all the dangerous assignments, put his life on the line, lied to his friends and family, and every step of the way, he's trusted that Casey and Sarah and the General are working for the country's best interest, and by extension, his best interest.

After convincing the General that the only way to keep Fulcrum from getting their own intersect, the one not in Chuck's head, was to steal back Orion before he succeeds in building another unit. The fact that Orion was also Steve Bartowski -- Chuck's primary objective, i.e. "get back dad" -- was evident. However, for appearances, he let the team believe that he believed saving the interset was the most important thing.

(S02E18) It's time for Chuck to assert some authority. It's time to go over General Beckman's head and turn to the Commander in Chief.

"Dear Mr. President: You probably don't know me, but let me start by saying I love America and I've been happy to be of service to the NSA. However, recently, I've had some questions about my place. My rights, actually. Sir, you're a lawyer. Do I have any rights at all, like privacy? Like the ability to keep my family out of my work? Not that I'm complaining, but..."

Yes, I think Chuck is in a tough spot. Things have become too close for comfort, mixing up Chuck's spy biz with his family life.

(S02E17) Oh my my. It seems that things are really starting to shift on Chuck. Relationships are being reassessed, Chuck is being forced into certain directions, and before this season (and hopefully not the series) ends, I expect Charles to be forever altered by the events that occur.

And I think Big Mike and Morgan have bonded like father and son, which may or may not be such a good thing. More on all the developments on Chuck after the jump -- just in case you haven't watch yet.