To borrow an acronym from the show, OMFG. If you didn’t catch last night’s revelatory episode of Gossip Girl, do yourself a favor and stop reading this and run, don’t walk, to your DVR.
But first things first. As a New Yorker, I was delighted by all of the clever references to the local society. B. name-dropped Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter’s hangout, Waverly Inn, before tossing Manhattan’s famous-for-doing-nothing socialite Tinsley Mortimer’s name in the air and Page Six’s noted rep for hairy gossip. Then came the scathing one-liners: "It’s hard to continue partying when someone drops the gay bomb," sneered Hazel, once and for all cementing my dislike for the vertically-challenged freshman. "Do you really think that someone like me would date someone like you, Jenny from Brooklyn?" hissed the happy-go-lucky Asher at Jenny, doing a sudden 180 that was as capricious as B.’s mood swings. Asher then fashioned a Faustian bargain to continue their wretched façade: to dispel rumors of Asher’s gayness, spread the rumors around that little 15-year old Jenny, um, "spread her legs," to quote Gossip Girl herself.
Also brilliant was the tongue-in-cheek reference to media speculationof Eric’s supposed stint as Gossip Girl: "I mean, people thought that Iwas Gossip Girl," he said bewilderedly to Serena, who then laughed,"You have to admit, it made sense at the time." Which, actually, it didn’t to us.
We then dove into a last (for now) feud between the constantlyscrappy Jenny and B., with the minions between them seeminglymultiplying. While I commented on Kati’s awkwardly-explained absenceafter the writer’s strike, it appears that I did so too soon: NewAsian-in-residence Nelly Yuki has officially joined the other minoritytwin to forge ahead as the silent legion. And since when did the nerdget to join the cool clique? Not only is it completely unrealistic, thepresence of Nelly Yuki and her thick frames detracts from the coolcrowd’s credibility. Perhaps they’re using her to copy her homework? AsB. so kindly pointed out in the last episode, each girl in the group ismeant to serve a purpose (except for Hazel of course).
Many of you commented in the last episode recap on your genuine dislike for Michelle Trachtenbergas antagonist Georgina Sparks, but I have to say again that I thinkthat her obnoxiousness plays perfectly into her character’s viciousmeanness. I don’t think she was overacting. In fact, her queasy,unpredictable behavior is exactly what scares the bejeezus out of theentire Van der Woodsen clan. A drastic comparison, perhaps, but likeJavier Bardem’s mass murderer in No Country for Old Men, sheappears to act without incentive or reason; no neatly-conciseexplanation exists for her continual torture of Serena. Just: "BecauseI can." Her outing Eric at the dinner table? Because she can. Stealingaway Dan and Vanessa? Because she can. And she did.
Eric’s outing was pretty predictable, especially after Eric staredlongingly after Jenny and Asher in the Constance Billard courtyard.(And how typical was it for Jenny to mistake his concern as admirationfor her, dismissing it all with a flip and totally spot-on, "Text me,K?"). I do appreciate how Eric has become the voice of reason on theshow, however, rationally and clearly stating at Jenny’s UES bash: "Whywould I tell everyone I know that I’m gay if I’m not?" Good call.
But the biggest secret — that horrid, terrible secret that Serenahad been harboring over for the past 15 episodes — finally camesqueaking out at the thunderous end. There were already hints of itthrough this show and last week’s show, but with the gifted USB drivecontaining a video, I was dreading another sex tape scandal à la LaurenConrad in The Hills. "Really?" I moaned. "Please don’t let thisturn into a Lauren vs. Heidi East Coast edition — on the same night noless!" Turns I was dead (ha!) wrong. What was already an excellentepisode took an unexpected, morbid twist. "I killed someone," S. criedwith genuine dread to a shocked B., the tears streaming down her facesmearing her makeup into a clownish frown. Even after the third time ofwatching the scene, a shiver snaked up my spine, and my heart did alittle jump. The Kubrick music pounding in the background, the completedread… it reminded me of the psycho-metal rock music playing atcompletely inappropriate times in Michael Haneke’s Funny Games,if you were one of the 200 people that watched the film. My take on thesituation? In a drunken misunderstanding, an intoxicated Serena pushesoff her assailant and accidentally kills him, all while Georginacreepily videotapes the incident from the sidelines.
Well done. There are things that I missed in this recap, of course,but I want to get your feedback on the episode, PopWatchers. Who elsewas unexpectedly scared out of their minds by S.’s shameful secret? Whoelse thought that the best line of the show was, hands-down,"Now youknow how Vanessa Hudgens feels." How do you think producers handledEric’s coming-out? I thought Lily’s "I’m scared" speech was delicately,and honestly, delivered. And who wanted the outed cast member to beChuck? My prediction is that there are still several cast members tocome out of the closet, and that this is only the beginning — andcertainly, if clips from next week’s episode indicate anything, thebeginning of the end for Serena and Dan (Blake Lively and Penn Badgley,pictured).
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Great recap. I thought Michelle T. did a great job this week – I just think her character takes some getting used to. Please, please give this show a TV Watch – it is deserved!
I had to rewind the last scene a few times. Serena didnt even look like herself. it was crazy!
This episode was brilliant! Michelle T. plays a perfect sociopath and Blake Lively was so convincing. They could have taken that storyline and made it totally soap opera, but instead it was incredibly realistic. Certainly sent a shiver down my spine!
I’m a fan of Michelle T, but I think she could still use some work. She’s much more believable as a villain when she’s not smiling.
The “I killed someone” thing seems a little too far, even for this over-the-top show. I think you hit the nail on the head… she was probably attacked and killed some dude by accident.
But I feel that they handled Eric’s outing really, really well!
This episode was Fantastic! I loved the heart-felt convos between Erik, Serena and Lily. The last scene was so OMFG my eyes almost bulged out of my head. Was it just me, however, that the gay was all talk and no action? We didn’t even see Erik and Asher kiss, only the back of Asher’s head.
This “I killed someone” things has my mind reeling. Is the incident on that tape? Correct me if I’m wrong but the tape seemed to be a threesome with the newlyweds(same wedding S slept with Nate), right? I couldn’t tell by the voices how many people were there. I do know that Georgina scares the living daylights out of me. She has nothing to lose and that is dangerous.
Gossip Girl better get a Best Drama nom come Emmy time! (I’d love that, but cringe that BtVS never did, natch.)
How were the ratings, by the way?
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Did I miss something that made you think it was the newlyweds?
“Don’t worry, Little J. The sun will come out tomorrow, even though your boyfriend did today.” Extra snarky last night…a great episode.
I thought it sounded like Serena was being forced to have sex near the end of the video clip we heard. Maybe she killed someone in self defense.
OMFG Indeed. I was definitely not expecting Serena’s confession. I thought a sex tape was bad enough, now this!!! I wonder who Serena offed and why she did it. Oh I can’t wait until this story unravels.
Nothing scarier than a motiveless monster/sociopath.
I thought Serena said something along the lines of “Hello to the new Mr. and Mrs. Whatever” when she walked into the room. Maybe I misunderstood.
Georgina asked Serena when she entered the room how the newlywed “Mr. and Mrs. something” were, indicating that Serena was just at a wedding. This could be the wedding that Serena had sex with Nate at.
Yeah the best line of the show was that one about Vanessa Hudgens. That really caught me by surprise because it’s something real people would say. Blake’s acting needs a little work. I thought Penn Badgely acting was great in that scene where he confronts his sister’s gay boyfriend. Michelle Tractenberg (sp?) is starting to grow on me. I hope they don’t give her a rationale for her creepiness. I liked teh Jenny turn around. I didn’t want the writers to run the Blair jenny feud into the ground, so i think it was smart to pull back. good episode.
How fascinating was Taylor Momsen’s performance last night? She’s definitely one of the strongest actors on that show.
My fave line: “The sun will come out tomorrow, but your b/f came out today.” (I still refer to the narrator as Veronica Mars!)
I also like that the writers have a self awareness that’s not too obvious. The line where the minority twin that is left says to jenny something like, to think I wanted us to dress alike.
Keep in mind your feelings when Mischa Barton’s character shot Ryan’s brother to stop him from beating Ryan to death. Jump the shark much? Let’s hope this isn’t that.
Serena’s confession made my heart drop! I so didn’t see that coming! I can’t wait to see what happened and what circumstances caused her to kill someone. I am also loving to hate Georgina! Michelle Trachtenberg is playing that part so well that I cringe every time she appears, because I have no idea what evil deed she will commit next!
Guess I’m in the minority but I thought this was the straw that broke the shark’s back. They can’t get through a single season of high school drama before devolving into a silly murder mystery subplot? Maybe they could’ve followed Eric’s struggles with being in the closet as opposed to trying to make it a somewhat obvious twist?
And the No Country for Old Men comment is just plain silly. If you want to make a comparison, it’s Fatal Attraction. (Georgina as the jilted BFF rather than a jilted lover.) Although, I’d say the caliber of the latest episodes is less Fatal Attraction and more Poison Ivy.
Oh, and isn’t Georgina supposed to be Serena’s infamous running mate from the party days? Somehow Lily gladly welcomes her back like she’s a steadying influence and there’s nary a mention of her on Gossip Girl? Dan’s loved Serena for two years and never knew who Georgina was?
OMG? More like LOL.
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I watched it with a bunch of friends, and as S was crying to B at the end I kept jokingly saying, “I killed a man, B! I killed a man!”
Guess I was right. Maybe it was an older gentleman who died during the presumed threesome with S and G?
Kevin-You have a point about Dan not knowing who Georgina is. You would think that he WOULD know who she was after being obsessed with Serena for so long. My guess is that we have to believe that Georgina never went to Constance Billard (which would explain why no one was in shock when she showed up to greet Serena that one time), and Dan’s obsession only stayed within the boundaries of school (hence why he was allowed to have the great friendship-and say “I love you”-to Vanessa). Also, if you notice Lily’s face, she is obviously NOT glad that Georgina is there. She says it to be polite in front of her, but you can tell that she is afraid of Georgina’s existence.
Oh, and Matt, I read your comment and checked back to the pilot-it IS the same night! Chuck says to Serena that he knows about her and Nate from “the Shepard wedding” (the same last name that Georgina mentions) and also you can hear an intoxicated Serena say “I just did something so stupid”-sleep with Nate, much?
When Serena revealed her secret, I seriously said “Oh snap!” out loud. There was nobody else in the room, which makes that even weirder. It was pretty obvious that Eric was the gay character, since half of the main male characters (Chuck, Nate, and even Bart) were absent from the episode, and it surely wasn’t going to be Dan or Rufus. I agree that Lily’s handling of her son’s (actually, Georgina’s) revelation was very well-done and believable. As for G herself, she’s a character I love to hate, and I think Michelle’s portrayal of her is great. I sort of don’t care if Dan and Serena break up, since Dan is kind of annoying. Finally, I liked how B handled the whole situation regarding Eric and Asher, refusing to send the tip to Gossip Girl until Eric gave his approval. She really showed some heart, which is one of the many reasons I love her.
AWESOME ending. i love this show. a nasty OC.
I was watching Gossip Girl last night and Serena had a bag that has zippers on it and I believe it was brown. Can someone tell me the name of her bag? Thanks…
I literally said OMG when S revealed her secret… the acting was def on point especially Jenny… esp considering she’s the only charachter that is true to age. I feel like I’m part of some secert GG club and I hope the rest of the country gives this show the credit it deserves… starting with a TV Watch!!!
Ok. I love this show. I was really hoping for Chuck to be the gay one, simply because I love him, but whatever. Hopefully Erik will grow into his looks. I’m afraid that Regina will turn out to be Oliver (from the O.C.) , unless she plays her role like Kathryn from Cruel Intentions. I don’t always need a reason for what villains do and why, especially on this show, but Regina is just being really annoying. If her role was more B vs. J instead of, “because I can,” I’d buy it a little more. And I sorta wanted her to no intend to out Erik, to genuinely not want to screw with Serena’s family.
Are you a moron? I wasn’t the least bit surprised at Serena’s reveal. And no, I don’t think she killed anyone. I think she was wasted, and stupid, pointless Oliver – I mean Georgina, convinced her that she killed someone. Chuck will corner G and she will get run out of town with her tail btwn her legs or sent to some rubber room somewhere. We barely see Dan and Serena together post-strike, we get very little character development, and instead we get some random new character stealing all the juicy scenes and messing everything up? OMFG, indeed.