Just as we left last week’s Gossip Girl installment with a bang, we slide this week into the notorious morning-after: Blair drops by the confessional, demure in a lace-fringed shawl; Chuck cruises around Park Avenue in his limo; Dan and Serena play footsie over breakfast; and Nate and his parents blink dumbly at the New York Times headlines about the Archibald indictment. Man. And all I used to associate with the phrase “morning after” with was a mere walk of shame.
For lack of space, I’ll just be concentrating today on Blair’s 17th birthday party. B reveals that she cashed in her V-chip to Chuck last week. Um, what? Not that Blair hadn’t been repeatedly flaunting her virginity in front of Nate, but her non-reaction caused a reaction with me. And clearly there was some magic, despite Chuck’s claim that B “wasn’t that good,” as the bad boy suddenly turns a new leaf, heart sick. “Murder those butterflies!” Blair screams in response, which is probably exactly what she would say in the sandlot to a terrified Serena. Anyway, I think Chuck’s tail-wagging after Blair is—for lack of a better term—kinda cute. Evil as they are, the two have a familiar, no-pretense camaraderie on the show that would make for an entertaining love-hate relationship—and awesome make-up sex. But Blair’s wager with Chuck concerning Nate’s accountability? Excuse me, I didn’t know I was watching Indecent Proposal. Of course the girl could only stand to fail, since whoring is infinitely more costly than swatting off unwanted attention.
GG producers must have suddenly remembered that Blair wasonly 17, since usual nighttime vices were replaced by moreage-appropriate entertainment. Gone were unsavory activities like drinks,stripping, and attempted rapes—this time replaced with sushi chefs andGuitar Hero. The minority twins’ Sailor Moon outfit was, just liketheir existence on the show, completely unexplained. As for the GuitarHero challenge, let me say this: I’m a die hard fan. Really. So I was stoked to see the game featured on one of my favorite TV shows (and also on last week’s South Park), but couldn’t help but be distracted by the inconsistencies. First, Serena supposedly shreds Vanessa at the encore song, Lynard Skynard’s "FreeBird." But what is she doing, exactly? She’s flailing around, spinningand tossing her hair, looking cute and fabulous. Let me tell you, inall the time I’ve played the game, the only thing that’s exciting aboutwatching someone play Guitar Hero is the occasional headbob. Everyoneends up looking weirdly robotic; your fingers are just moving too fast.So Serena’s rock-star charade is actually counterproductive. Showoff.Secondly, Vanessa’s retort that she could kill at Warrant’s "CherryPie" is equally unimpressive: it’s probably one of the easiest songs onthe game. Just like her character on the show, Vanessa offers no realcompetition for Serena.
There was one beautiful moment on GG yesterday, when Blair confirms that her diamond necklace had indeed been bought.Prayers answered, dreams fulfilled, Blair collapses to her knees,wringing her hands; the skies open, and (hallelujah!) music pours fromhigh above. But wait! In a Faustian twist Blair ends up receiving itfrom the Devil—er, Chuck.
What did you think of last night’s episode? Why isNate always approaching random people trying to spill out his familysecrets? Does anyone else think it’s weird that Chuck, Blair, and Nateare only children (at least, from what we’ve seen on the show so far)?Is it just me, or does Blair sound exactly like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless?And which Humphrey the elder do you hate more: Rufus or newbie Allison?To the producers: It’s not too late to recast for your Peter Gallagherlook-a-like.
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i heart gossip girl. it is the best guilty pleasure on TV since 90210. dan humphrey is the best character. i hope he and serena last – i never read the books and have been trying not to look ahead!
I definitely saw the Cher and Blair similarities too. They even kind of look alike.
There was no need to explain the Sailor Moon costumes: Sushi, anime, one of the twins’ family/friends owned the party site. It was clearly a Japanese-themed party, costumes optional (as B&S weren’t costumed). I also didn’t see the Jenny and Nate conversation as “random.” They had something in common–both were on the ‘outs’ (of sorts) with Blair. I thought this episode was fantastic!
I don’t think you have to worry about finding spoilers in the books in regards to Serena in Dan. While I haven’t read the books, I have heard (spoiler alert) that they don’t get together. That could be misinformation, though.
am i the only one who finds blair vastly more interesting then serena? blair can be bitchy, funny, mean, sexy, and sad all in the course of one episode….i love her! that being said i do enjoy dan and serena’s relationship but i know it wont last…hello it’s a teen drama! and i for one like rufus…..he needs to get back with serena’s mom.
i love this damn show and im going to be heart broken when the episodes are done due to the strike. (along with the most amazing show on tv: supernatural ::swoon jensen ackles!:: )
Great great episode! I love Blair and Chuck. As cute as Dan and Serena are Blair and Chuck or much more interesting. As for the books, read on! It won’t ruin much if anything. It seems that they took the basics of each character but won’t really be following the plot lines. Though, Jenny and Nate hook up in the books. Could be? Also Rufus has more chemistry with Serena’s mom then his own wife(who looks young enough to be Jenny’s sister not her mother). Can’t wait until next week. xoxo
Aw, I like Rufus. Alison blows. Very strange that Nate will open up to anyone other than Blair. And, oddly, I find myself really liking Chuck when a few episodes, I was hating the guy for trying to force himself on Jenny. I saw the Chuck/Blair relationship happening for weeks now, and I love it. Two peas in a bod, if you will.
I love the beginnings of a Jenny/Nate connection. They hooked up in the book, so I’m glad that writers are remembering that. Chuck and Blair was definitely a surprise, and while it strays from the books, I think the characters work really well together!
I love the beginnings of a Jenny/Nate connection. They hooked up in the book, so I’m glad that writers are remembering that. Chuck and Blair was definitely a surprise, and while it strays from the books, I think the characters work really well together!
Can we nix Allison? Maybe it’s because she was introduced so late but she just rubs me the wrong way, kinda like Vanessa. Though Vanessa is irritating in her own way. Other than that it was an incredible episode. Chuck giving Blair the necklace was sweet
1) Japanese-themed party, thus the sailor moon costumes, super cool idea 2) Who else is Nate going to talk to, when he’s quite aware that his best and seemingly only friend has questionable morals 3) The only kid phenomenon on the show mirrors the parents’ self-centerdness 4) Thank you for affirming my opinion that Rufus was miscast (though he is kinda growing on me); yup the elder Humphreys are lame
Sorry. This may be the greatest show ever but, “No Veronica, No CW”!
YY- Nice to call out the total BS Guitar Hero jam on Serena’s part. You’d have to put in some serious hours to beat Free Bird on expert…btw, for those fellow GH fanatics out there…anyone else notice that it wasn’t even Skynard on the game screen?
I say we get those writers over to Pianos and show them how its really done…now that they’re on strike its not like they have anything better to do. Would EW let you write about it and therefore expense drinks?
What’s with the Humphrey mom, Allison? Didn’t she seem more like a roboto-mom? She had no connection with any of the rest of the family — very weird, and very bad casting on the producers’ part. And, I like the Blair/Chuck thing — they have more chemistry than anyone else on the show!
CHUCK AND BLAIR…WOW, no wonder that gossip girls had their highest rating increase since the pilot
LOVE THEM
and ur not the only one that likes BLAIR more than SERENA…from teh first moment I saw the show, blair was fav (and many book readers probably like blair better because serena was very flaky in teh books…i think thats y they are trying to make serena more likable in teh show…personally she just a annoying goody 2 shoes…
IVE NEVER BEEN THIS EXCITED FOR A SHOW EVERY WEEK SINCE LOST AND BSG!!
LOVE BLAIR AND CHUCK…definitely agree that i liked dan and serena in teh beginning but now they are BORING…
I can’t stand Allison. Ugh. In the one GG book she was in she was hilarious, being creepily supportive of Dan when he thought he was gay. On the TV show she is just annoying, and how can she and Rufus possibly be Dan and Jenny’s parents? They look more like their older siblings! That just really annoys me.
I will say this in S’s defense, I too found the cute-goofy flailing kind of unbelievable.
Then I noticed most of her twirling happened during the slow parts of the song. She actually stood still during the raging guitar solo at the end.
i’ve never played guitar hero, but it looked fun. as for the blair-chuck hook up, I friggin love it. however, i can’t really understand why so many people hate vanessa. what i actually hate is that they don’t give her a life. what girl would spend that much time on a boy she didn’t have feelings for? i have bffs and I can go a week without trying to climb in through their friggin windows. as for the ages of the parents, you guys must have really old parents, because mine still look pretty young and i’m 21.
GG is quickly becoming my favorite new show of the fall. I found it a little bland at the beginning but the last 2 episodes have had so much wit and personality it’s becoming worth of its narrator! I just hope that, if the writers try to make the kids’ parents full-fledged characters (like Josh Schwartz did on The O.C.), they do something to spice up the parents’ storyline. It’s like “B and Chuck swilling gin martinis at a burlesque club then having limo-sex, cut to the parents sipping warm milk in a loft crocheting.” We need our Julie Cooper character and we need her now!
I never read the books, but I love this show. Blair and Chuck are HOT, HOT, HOT! Love their chemistry. The actress who plays Blair has gotten so much better too–her crying was so real that it made me tear up too. Nate and Jenny are a cute couple. Please, just get rid of Vanessa and Allison! They are annoying and unnecessary.
Never read the books, but this is my guilitiest pleasure-
First, Serena is fantastic, that girl is definitely the next big thing, and her relationship with Dan provides some much needed sweetness on a rather cynical show.
Blair-getting better, but her ’sexy’ dance last week was kind of tragic-Chuck bugs me, but now that he’s obssessed with Blair maybe he’ll improve. Allison seems severely miscast. Nate/Jenny seems perfect. Cannot stand Vanessa-can’t decide if it’s the actress or the character-or both. Oh, and I LOVE Kelly Rutheford (Serena’s Mom), Blair’s Mom-eh. Nate’s parents-not so believable…Overall, it’s a lot of fun, and seems to be improving every week.
I don’t normally do this, but I checked out the featured music from the episode- The Virgins- and it’s awesome! Highly recommended.
XOXO
RayT, don’t you think that Blair’s mom is the Julie Cooper character? She hasn’t shown us the flair yet, but she’s got the self-absorbed manipulation of offspring for personal benefit down cold.
Blair/Chuck is my new OTP – deliciously twisted.
And Nate is obviously Marissa Cooper – parent under investigation for embezzlement? Totally Jimmy.
IN the scene where Dan is talking to him mom, he may as well been having a scene with his latest girlfriend. Bad casting on the mother. She looks way too young.
If you haven’t already, check THE VIRGINS music! First time coming across them in this episode. Bought their EP on itunes. yes!
agreed. and they’re hot. xo
i think blair is gorgeous, no wonder chuck ‘thinks’ he’s lovesick, but for the sake of his character i hope he really is because at least we’d know then that he has a heart. This show really should get its own TV Watch. Like you said, Lee, you have a lack of space. Oh, and I do not like mother Humphrey…recast!
i think that this was the episode to watch! if you missed it you must go to http://www.cwtv.com and watch it, really if you don’t you are missing out!
I realy think gosip girls to be a modern day adaptation of Faust.