Critical Response
"Chuck Versus the Sensei" received positive reviews from critics. Eric Goldman of IGN gave the episode a 7.4 out of 10, enjoying an episode centered around Casey, and writing that there were several fun moments as a result. However, Goldman wrote that there were also several missed opportunities, including the development of Bennett, his motives for betraying the NSA, and his relationship with Casey. Goldman wrote, "This was also one of those occasional episodes where Chuck was a bit too spastic and awkward – a little of this behavior goes a long way, and we've seen him be too clever to buy when he gets as silly as the scene where he makes Sarah play a game to guess where Casey's locked him up, rather than just tell her – Casey's (obviously empty) death threat aside."
Steve Heisler of The A.V. Club gave the episode a B-, writing that most of the episode was dominated by a "labored back-and-forth between Chuck's desire for connection and Casey's fear of it." Heisler found Chuck's desperation to relate to Casey unrealistic, as Casey had just threatened to kill him in the previous scene. Among other criticisms, Heisler called the 23-year-old Casey "unfortunately hair-cutted".
Viewer response was also positive, with an 8.7/10 user rating at TV.com. The episode drew 7.335 million viewers.
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