Image Credit: Giovanni Rufino/The CWIt was a night of returns on Gossip Girl with Eleanor, Agnes, and that rando hooker girl from last fall (I seriously have zero memory of her — maybe Agnes drugged me too?) all back. But the most important return was some actually decent intrigue! Lordy, the last couple episodes had been dullsville but this one was at least slightly more exciting and that has everything to do with my favorite model/drug dealer/bowler-hat aficionado Agnes.
So we haven’t seen the pouty Agnes in about a year, and not much has really changed. In fact, she and Jenny seem to be carrying on parallel lives complete with raccoon eyes, short hemlines, and sullen expressions. It’s like they’re soul mates! And yet I found myself loving Agnes even more this time around. Why? I think because she finally got things moving on this show… even if it did mean moving to a bar full of potential date-rapists — more on that in a bit. Anyone who welcomes Jenny back into her life by saying, “I missed you bitch!” is okay in my book.
Also adding to the fun, Agnes has gotten even crazier since we last left her and developed a serious case of hostility towards Jenny. Not only did she drug the entire backstage, but she also drugged poor little J. Now this is when things get a little darker and skeevier than we’re used to: Agnes dragged Jenny to some random bachelor party (does she have an iPhone app to detect those?) and left her there to be date raped.
Jenny’s knight in shining bangs, Nate, ended up saving her, and it appeared that Little J was now developing a crush on Mr. Archibald. Cannot wait to see her and Serena fighting over pretty boy. Maybe Serena can yank out some of those atrocious extensions.
Before we depart this storyline, why would Rufus ever let Jenny work for Eleanor again? The last time was such a disaster, and clearly Jenny cannot balance work and school. Also, how can Eleanor hire someone who’s still in high school? I need answers before those plots are allowed to move forward.
So the other major storyline was Chuck’s mother and uncle seizing control of his hotel — but the whole plot kinda flopped. Frankly, I blame the casting of Laura Harring as Chuck’s mama. She was so stiff in all of her line readings. Plus, I just did not understand her character at all. Did she love Jack? Did she love Chuck? Did she love Bart? Did she have a discernible accent? It was all confusing. But I like the idea of Chuck and Blair going to war with Jack. That sounds promising. Also, where is Nate going to live now that Chuck’s been thrown out of the hotel? Poor dude is homeless.
I liked that they finally addressed that Blair had no friends. But it’s a little weird that she’s all of a sudden going to switch schools. Why didn’t she just do Columbia in the first place? It feels a little like the writers realized they had painted her into a corner and needed to move on. Maybe now we’ll actually get to see some of Columbia’s campus? It’s a good move, though, because Blair’s best when she’s bossing around folks. Speaking of, I didn’t really like the whole prostitute storyline. The plotting all felt kind of wonky and awkward with so many people forced to show up at the fashion show and all the various attempts at blackmail. Didn’t work for me.
Also not working was Dan and Vanessa’s relationship. Note: playing up how boring a relationship is does not make things exciting for television viewers. We want passion. We want sex. We don’t want them sitting on a bed, eating pierogies. Also, we don’t want Vanessa dressing up like Grace Kelly in Rear Window. WTF was that? I love that Serena and Nate encouraged role play, and Vanessa opted for about witnessing a murder. Notting Hill didn’t spring to mind? Or When Harry Met Sally?
BTW, where in the world is Eric? And why is no one concerned that the tiny gay is missing? Dude has been MIA for a looooooong time. Is he locked in cupboard somewhere? He is awfully small.
What did you think of last night’s Gossip Girl? Did you enjoy the return of Agnes? Where do you think Eric is?
I haven’t seen this yet…but I thought your recap was hilarious. Sorry I couldn’t add more to your review.
Completely agree. You should work on GG with the sassy reviews you do!
That’s true; Tim’s recaps are always great. I’m starting to wonder if I’d still be tuning into this show if I didn’t have the E-dub recap to look forward to … hmm.
Love the “tiny gay dude” comments! You rock Tim!
I agree about Dan and Vanessa, Boring! Also, the characters are so isolated from the rest of the cast(always shown in Brooklyn or at NYU) that they are becoming a after thought. Do Dan and Vanessa know about Chuck Mama Drama? How come Dan does not share scenes with Jenny anymore? It is time to integrate them back with the rest of the cast.
Would Dan really care about Chuck’s mom? Not really seeing as they’re not friends at all & generally can’t stand each other. Nate/Serena are the common denominator between CB and DV. Will they all ever hang out together? Doubtful.
I just remember the episode where Chuck revealed to Dan that he killed his mother in childbirth. It is one of my favorite Chuck moments. Thought Dan might care a little bit, than again he is too busy being boring with Vanessa.
I see what you’re saying as I love Trifecta, I wouuld love it if they all hung out and were friends. I just remember what happened after Chuck/Dan’s little night in jail with the Charlie Trout story that Dan wrote. I’m not sure Chuck/Dan will ever be friends.
Why did Damian not show up to the fashion show for the drugs? I can’t imagine he’d be pleased to see them all given away either.
Sadly b/c last week was Kevin Zegers last episode. Here’s hoping Jenny brings him back next season.
BRING BACK KEVIN ZEGERS!
My assumption was that since Jenny told Agnes she changed her mind about the whole thing she texted him and called it off?
Didn’t Jenny say she was going to text him and tell him not to come? Im assuming thats what happened.
Not a single mention of the return of the very-preggers Dorota? Granted, she didn’t have much to say or do, but after being MIA for several episodes, her return should be noteworthy.
She did have a hilarious one-liner about Metallica, though! I can’t quite remember it, but I laughed outloud.
Dorota said that the baby was kicking her like the drummer from Metalicca hits his drums
Little J has had a crush on Nate for eons–he’s come to her rescue before since he was her last-minute escort at the debutante ball. Also didn’t she previously work for Eleanor in some sort of internship work/study program? Or during her homeschooling efforts? This time Rufus simply called Eleanor and asked for a favor about letting LJ work the show to get her interested in fashion again. I don’t believe Eleanor hired Little J. to work for her.
Agnes is just a bargain-basemen Georgina. If you want crazy, you need the top-of-the-line.
Oops, bargain-basement.
I agree completely. I can’t stand Agnes & the actress was equally annoying on The O.C. and yes, Jenny has had a crush on Nate like forever.I hope you are right and maybe that will be a twist that someone else sent the text about Eleanor hiring Jenny-as hard to believe since Jenny is only 16.
They need to bring Wallace Shawn back.
At the end of the episode Eleanor told her she was hired via text message.
I have a question; the breakfast scene with Dan, Nate, Vanessa and Serena…no one brought up that they were now coupled differently? just last year Dan and Serena were still kinda sorta in a relationship and Nate and Vanessa were dating and they didn’t find that they were now with each others ex’s weird at all? Vanessa was asking Serena for advice? isn’t it weird to ask the girl who took your boyfriends virginity advice on how to ‘spice things up’? Maybe its just me. I too am missing Eric …and Damien…If I were a drug dealer, I’d want my pills back with much more zeal…the whole Chuck momma drama was not as strong as it could be because it really was just serving as a segue to what all us viewers want to see Chuck and Blair being their bad selves which they now have reason to be because of evil uncle Jack. Can’t wait for next week
I doubt there will be any Jenny vs Serena fight over Nate. If Jenny appeared enamored with Nate (which I didn’t sense) it likely had to do with her having drugs in her system. She’s surely had a crush on Nate ever since they kissed way back; it’s not exactly a new development.
Was there not a Jenny/Nate kiss in next week’s preview?
Scooter, I gotta disagree with you. It’s very clear now that Jenny is gonna lose her virginity to Nate. How is it gonna happen, now that’s the plot that would keep me hanging on till the season’s finale!
The chuck mama drama failed mostly because Miss Usa 198something didn’t fit the part. She has no expression!! During the scene where she confesses to Chuck that she is in love with Jack, I can almost touch the gap between Ed’s acting and hers. Btw I gotta agree with some comments about it’s pretty weird that Dan (who wrote a story inspired of Chuck’s life) is not involved in all the momma Bass situation.
This episode was ok, but kind of messy though.
“I don’t believe Eleanor hired Little J. to work for her.”
that would be the part where eleanor sent jenny a text saying “great job today, you’re hired!”, no?
I meant at the beginning–Rufus went to Eleanor first; Jenny didn’t go after a job.
I thought it was awkward when Dan, Nate, Vanessa, and Serena were all standing around congratulating each other about their new loves. Nevermind that Penn Badgley and Blake Lively date in real life, Nate and Vanessa used to date on the show and Dan and Serena. Too weird and forced! However, I like that Nate finally has a part this season.
I am disgusted that there was no mention of J being drugged and left to be raped. This show is irresponsible not to have addressed this in even just a small bit of dialogue! They had the opportunity to address very important issues and touch the teen population in a positive and perhaps life changing way!
Umm… this is Gossip Girl we’re talking about now.
LOL! If you’re looking for life lessons maybe you should catch reruns of “Touched By an Angel” or “Ghost Whisperer”.
Indeed but in true GG fashion, there should have been some mention of revenge on Agnes – SOMETHING. Ignoring it completely feels weird.
I guess Nate is “Captain save a Jenny”. That boy has been rescuing her for the past few years. I squirmed a little when it seem Jenny wanted Nate because of their ill-conceived “romance” from a year ago but I’m waiting to see how Jenny is going to bust up their romance. Whoever thought of casting that chick as Chuck’s mom needs to be fired. She was so stiff and it’s like she read her lines off a cue card. She had no emotion in her voice and I still don’t get the purpose of her visit. I also recall Chuck saying his dad’s combination to his safe was Chuck’s birth mom birthday. I remember the last two digits being 72. There is no way that woman was born in 1072. More like 1932. Glad Blair is moving to Columbia. That was a stupid plot point having her go to NYU and roommate with Vanessa. I’m glad that’s over with. I can’t wait for the war between Chuck/Blair v Jack to start. I’m also glad Blair laid back and let Chuck handle his business and she didnt’ interfer. Her and Chuck had a disagreement about that before and apparently she listened to him. Vanessa channeling Grace Kelly? I never thought anyone could actually make Grace Kelly look boring. Glad Dan/Vanessa wasn’t involved in the Chuck storyline.
Laura Harring is 45 or so. The character COULD have been born in 1972 and been Chuck’s mother. That would make her 38 now. She could have had Chuck when she was 20; it makes sense that she was young considering the drama about not keeping her baby. You’re saying that Harring at 45 can’t pull off a character who is 38? I think she does. It’s not nearly as bad as Julie Benz being cast as a character who’s barely supposed to be 30 on Desperate Housewives!
I actually liked Laura Harring as Chuck’s mom as I think they looked like they could be mother & son. I think it is the fault of the writers that they didn’t know what to do with her character. It seemed like a last minute ploy to have her be “in love” with Jack and I was actually disappointed that she lied to Chuck that she wasn’t his mom as she was leaving. I think they wanted her to be mysterious, but they didn’t know what they wanted to do with this story. Too bad as it could of been fun having Chuck’s mother around. I always thought it was more fun when Bart was alive and all of the parents were more involved.
eric is still on the upper east side. i saw him on 81st and york just the other day.
oh, you meant in the show? plotting, i would imagine.
The Nate/Jenny/Serena storyline shows promise… I must admit, the scenes for next week have me excited for GG all over again, after a lackluster and boring season so far.
Dan and Vanessa = boring. And why is it that EVERYONE on the show has damn near either dated or slept with each other? Seeing Nate, Serena, Vanessa and Dan all in the kitchen together, getting along after they have all slept with each other is COMPLETELY gross and unrealistic. EW. Can’t Vanessa have a little beef with Serena or something? I mean, I couldn’t be buddies with a girl that slept with my current bf! A little beef between Vanessa and Serena would spice up the show, and be REALISTIC!
show has REALLY gone downhill fast..almost fast as heroes..who cares about eric…worst character on TV..i have watched every ep and am very sad about its lowly state
right on!
Love your recaps – now I don’t have to spend my hour with this sorry show. When I see you mention it is finally good again is when I will start watching it online sans commercials. Thanks for schlepping through the GG eps. I really enjoy your writeups!
Ditto!