Aw, Chuck! He still looks like one of the 6th Graders from "South Park," but at least he stood up for his friend. I had a nice chuckle over Carter's "Hippie pulled out of central casting" look.

I thought the S/B stuff played pretty well (opening scene was cute), and I'm enjoying the chemistry of the two actresses. My one nitpick: Bendel's is not nearly as high class as this show makes it out to be. If they wanted to pick a hoity-toity store to gush over, it should have been Barney's or Bergdorf's.

I've just finished reading Jacob's recaps, and my feelings toward Dan are completely altered, now. How many more episodes are we going to have where Dan and Serena have a stupid misunderstanding or Rufus and Lily have some sort of unexpected meet-cute. Also, Matthew Settle is too cute to be a "Rufus." I know, I know: it's the character's name in the book.

Ohhh, next week!

I. Love. This. Show.

Loved the ending. Cracked up at many points. I am on Team B and Team S. I feel and root for them both, even when it conflicts.

"As much as a B.F.F. Can make you go W.T.F..."

I <3 Gossip Girl.

Great episode. Holy crap, Chuck got actual character development!

What's up with Nate's dad draining his Trust fund?

Great episode. Though I was waiting for a Mommie Dearest reference with Blair screaming, "I'm not one of your fans mother!" just to cap it off. Gossip Girl's narration was better this week, particularly the line about the five finger discount including the middle finger. Dan's judgemental as usual. Chuck was smarmy but dead on about Nate's attitude.

Chuck + Nate = The show's cutest couple with the most chemistry.

I LOVE YOU CHUCK!

Eleanor is a bitch and Blair actually acted like a human for the first half, then I hated her again for a quarter of the episode and then at the end she won my love.

I quite liked the voice overs this episode.



I believe to force him to go to Dartmouth (sp?)

What is it with the parents of this show being so manipulative?

This show is just sucking me right in.

I enjoyed seeing Dan's lit-match-above-head moment of realization that the rich kids have problems, too. (Too bad we're going to have to see it in every freaking episode for a while, it seems. And, that his sister doesn't seem to get it, ever.)

I thought Serena and Blair would do the shoot together in the end, not steal the clothes! Also, that dress didn't fit Blair well at the end - was that on purpose? It kept gaping at the back. Those clothes aren't that cute. Who really designs them, anyway?

Blair's mom is channeling Rizzo as First Lady on West Wing, a bit.

Glad that Chuck finally redeemed himself a bit -- but, isn't that baseball worth a lot more than $10,000? AND his watch was missing? Why not just make FauxHippieDude pay the marker AND give back the missing items, or threaten the police on him? (Also, Chuck looks like Jimmy Fallon and those South Park 6th graders had a baby, and it watched a lot of Cruel Intentions.)

I guess the Archibalds are having some financial difficulties. At least then it makes sense that Papa Archibald is pimping out his son to Blair to get her mom's business. Too bad the mom's business was screwed over today - that failed photo shoot must be a costly setback. Also, Nate is a dumbass for thinking that a high-stakes poker game is the equivalent of living a life without wealth -- and shouldn't he have noticed that the guys they were playing with looked like Sopranos extras? Sheesh, he's dumb as a post. Good thing he's pretty and friends with Chuck and Blair.

Rufus is cute, but I can't bring myself to care about his storyline.

The ending was such a fun scene!!!!!! It was shot perfectly. I think that Nate's dad might be broke, hence the whole pressure on Nate to date Blaire for "the good of his company" or whatever.

I completely love Chuck, much to my roommate's immense displeasure. It's not that I love what he does, but the way he does it. He holds absolutely nothing back in being a complete dickwad. He's an ass, but he's an ass with unquestionable style and flair.

I also agree that Chuck and Nate have the best relationship on the show. It's unconditional boy-love! Even after Nate walked out on Chuck, (something that would have undoubtedly caused Blair to have a conniption and never talk to Serena again - until next week, that is,) Chuck doesn't hesitate to come to Nate's rescue. Aw. And yes, character development! Nice.

I loved Dan's vest that he wore to the movies. And his expression when Serena kissed/hugged him. Can this show be any more of a guilty pleasure than it already is?

I really liked this episode.

First of all, continuity made an appearance!

I really liked the Blair/Serena stuff. Serena getting chosen over Blair is definitely something the books would have done, and I liked the way the show made it okay between the two girls. It's obvious Eleanor knew what it was going to do to Blair when Serena was chosen, and that's why she didn't tell her. My only problem is, why couldn't they use both girls? Serena was drawing out whateve raw energy they were looking for in Blair.

Okay, the whole Rufus/Lily thing is a bit perplexing. So Rufus and Lily went out years ago, and Lily thinks the wife would have a problem with the painting? My guess is that Lily, Rufus, and Allison were involved in some sort of triangle years back.

The Nate/Chuck storyline was pretty cool. I loved Chuck actually displaying a side to his character other than a smug asshole. He's a pretty good friend. I also think Nate's dad might be in a lot of financial trouble. I can't wait to see the fallout from this.

Okay, Serena and Dan have chemistry, but this whole "our dates never work out" thing needs to stop. Either they are going out or not, but don't have the fates conspiring against them.

I thought the Dan/Blair scene was a nice touch. Hopefully, it leads to a better relationship between the two of them.

A bunch of random and fragmented thoughts about this episode: (I apologize for the grammatical errors in advance – These are mostly just initial ramblings…)

- This episode affirmed, in my mind, that Blair/Leighton Meester is the star of this show. Either as conniving bitch or playful friend or the lost, insecure girl with severe trust issues, B is always interesting and lovable and adorable. LM totally sells it too, an incredible actress.

- A completely absent Jenny (booo!) meaning no funny, witty Humphrey-family banter that we all know and love. On the other hand, the S/B b.f.f. moments peppered throughout the episode more than made up for it. LM and BL have great chemistry.

- I guess Chuck does have a heart. I'm not sure I feel about this. I guess it's good that they are trying to round out his character who, thus far, has been two-dimensionally evil. Then again, he has been awesome in his womanizing/socially-destructive ways. I couldn’t help myself but smile when I saw him in that basketball gear, haha. And a watch named after Piaget. Very nice.

- S looked good this episode. Glad to see she avoided the fashion disasters of "Poison Ivy" (minus her dress at the Ivy party). I loved S and B’s fun, mini fashion show in the outro. Rad song to go along with that scene.

- A few quibbles: The “not-talking” thing between D and S was supposed to be funny/cute, but I found it mildly annoying. Nate's character continues to be a bore. I hate to say it, GG as narrator added nothing this episode.

- I'm not into guys, but Dan would be an awesome boyfriend. In other news, Lilly is incredibly sexy.

- I liked the heartfelt stuff. It was a nice change of pace from all the bitchiness of the last 3 episodes. More than that, it was genuine and consistent with the characters (outside of Chuck/Nate). Poor Rufus.

- Overall, another solid episode, thought not as good as the last two. B+. Let’s hope the TV ratings are better.

Well, I think that sums it up perfectly.

I have to say, this was my favorite episode so far; I'm a sap who likes to see S & B having fun together just as much as I like to see them bitching at each other.

Chuck and Nate would be adorable if Chace Crawford wasn't so damn pretty and plastic looking. Honestly, the boy scares me. And here I thought Chris Carmack was too plastic-y. Schwartz and casting have one-upped themselves.

This was another great episode. But I hope they avoid falling into that O.C.-ism in which every conflict is tied up into a nice, neat bow by the end of every episode. I like my soap with long-lasting bubbles.



Jenny is kind of the weak link in this show for me. The banter that she spearheads is a little *too* witty. For someone her age, she seems a little too quick on the draw. Or maybe it's just that she talks too fast.

On second thought, that's it: She talks too fast.

I think the Blair and Serena gallivanting around New York answered one of the earlier complaints about "Don't these people ever have fun?" which was something this show desperately needed.

I really love this show!

I thought the Dan and Blair moment was well played. I just like when the unexpected characters interact. I really like the Dan character. Yes, he can be superior at times but he's also smart, understanding and relatable. He also has a velvety voice that's to die for. He can stay!

I faareaking love Blaire. She can be the Queen Bitch anytime. I think she's one of the most interesting characters to be sure. Serena's great too, though. It's hard to articulate how much I love the fact that two women can co-exist on a show and both be interesting dynamic catty and loving and make me adore their interaction. It's a refreshing relationship because it's not perfect like most of the female-female friendships on tv and it's not knock-out drag down fight to the death either like the other half of female interactions on TV.

I seriously hate Nate now. Actually I don't hate Nate, I'm just frustrated at his stupidity. I have no room in my heart (it's so full of much better characters!) to care for people who act just plain dumb like he did.

From your lips to the writers' ears. And not just because I think Dan and Blair have more chemistry just as two people let alone male-female when they are together. Not to mention that the character of Bliar has edges without actually falling into caricature.

And kudos to all the actors in tonigh's show because while some of the dialogue was incredibly witty, the plots were so transparent and so incredibly trite. Serena getting Blair's mother's professional focus was practically screaming at me from the screen the minute Blair came downstairs. And the poker game plotline was also rather blatant. Had either of the two major stoylines been more forward, I would have had to either throw a set of beads to each or go the free clinic tomorrow -- "just to be sure".

So while a good hour, I'm really feeling the need for the writers to step it up and give this great young cast something to really take on and deliver.

I think the episode worked as filler but you're right heebiejeebie, in that the plots were really obvious and not just because I read the plot summary! I think I liked the episode also because it showed personality of the characters moreso than the writing expertise of the staff. I thought the little girls playing model in Blair's room was a fantastic and quite realistic touch.

since I almost never disagree with Jacob, I am finding my love for Dan quite surprising.

I love this show but find it deeply and painfully reminding me of my high school experience.

Things that I Loved

Blair: It's called Nolita, not No Shower

Blair: (to Dan) What are you doing here? Do I smell pork? And Cheese?

Blair: Who dare interrupt the Van Der Woodsen as she teaches?

Serena: You need to loosen up a bit
Blair: Help me! Help me!
Serena: Be a tiger! Roar Roar
Blair: Roar Roar
and the rest of that scene

Chuck: (to Nate) Let's go. You can think about your boyfriend inside. [Oh jealous Chuck, you are so gay]

- Dan's description of Blair, which included the phrase "95 pound ball of girly evil". I mean the whole rant on Blair is hilarious even if I love Blair.

- Chuck's basketball outfit

- Blair's mom tucking her in like a little girl.

- Dan and Blair's heart to heart in the hallway

- Chuck coming to Nate's rescue like a knight in shining armor to Nate's damsel in distress.

- Blair turning her face in disgust and muttering 'ugh' when Serena kissed Dan's check.

- Blair and Serena making up at the end and then running off for a day of fun together doing an impromptu shoot across the city (and sticking it to Mrs. Waldorf while they were at it)

Gossip Girl VO: No that's not a tear in my eye. It's just allergies. [Not even Gossip Girl herself can resist their adorableness]

Things that Broke my Heart

- Oh Gossip Girl, you break my heart! I knew the photographer was going to want Serena to be the model instead of Blair the moment Serena started to help Blair, but when it happened *sob* *clutches heart* Blairbear, I lurve you.

- Blair: Because you take everything from me! Nate, my mom! You can't even help it, it's who you are!

- Serena's face after Dan basically called her a spotlight hog as well.

Serena: Look Dan, Blair's mom basically tricked me into coming here because she didn't want Blair. How do you tell your best friend that?

- Blair confronting her mother and realizing what a horrible person she is.

Totally loved this episode. The cast has great chemistry together.

I love this show.

Chuck may never be able to redeem himself from the double attempted rapes in the pilot, but he was there for his friend today. So bonus points for Chuck.

Loved seeing the scenes with S and B just having fun. It was a nice change of pace from all the yelling and tears.

I found the change of tone between the first three episodes (dark night scenes, revenge motifs) and this episode (daylight, friendship squabbles) really surprising. I actually liked the shift (this episode reminded me more of The O.C. than the previous ones), but it seemed quite sudden. S + B have a heartfelt communication in the last episode and now they're best friends again? S /did/ sleep with B's boyfriend. Even if they are more friendly, there should be a little fallout. (Actually, the second that B got angry at S for the model thing, I would have expected her to bring up Nate. That it was an entirely new upset, with no connection to the previous ones, was surprising.)

Dan is getting a little self-righteous for my tastes. When Dan found out that S slept with Nate, that was my first disillusionment with the character. I was hoping he'd say that he liked Serena and was willing to forgive her past. Instead he stamped out. Then in this episode, when he bitches out S for the fashion shoot. It's a bit unflattering to the character.

I agree with everyone about Blair. I liked her a lot more this episode. She's not particularly relatable when she's being a cold-hearted bitch. She's much better when she's angsty and overwhelmed.

Also: Is it just me, or does Dan's revelation that Blair has more going on under the surface seem like a Classic O.C. plot point? It seems like the kind of thing that would happen with Seth Cohen and Marissa (Seth: "She's such a rich whiner!" Sandy: "Maybe she's having a hard time with her parents." Seth: "Oh! That explains ___!").

I'm starting to think that Dan's path to eternal happiness with Serena is going to include a pit stop at Blair. And I'm actually kind of digging it. I can see this show going down that path where Blair loses her V-Card to Dan, object of Serena's desire. Karma? For some reason the Blair/Dan relationship is reminding me of early Pacey/Joey. And we all know how that one turned out.

I agree with Mordy in that I was a bit taken aback by the fact that Serena and Blair are back to bestest buds so quickly. Like I know that both are pretty much desperate for friends and I could have accepted them hanging out again--but maybe with a bit more of the awkward thrown in. At least at first. I would think there would probably still be some mistrust on Blair's part and anger on Serena's (for the Ivy stunt). How long ago did the other stuff happen? Can't be too long. Two petty spoiled girls are over it all so quickly? I don't buy it.

I appreciated the character development of Blair and I liked the Dan/Blair interaction. I could actually see wanting them together somewhere down the line. I also agree that it could potentially be more interesting that Dan/Serena.

But otherwise I thought this was one of the weakest so far. I wanted to see the brother. I kind of missed Jenny. I still don't care about the parents.

Also, Serena came off as naieve to me. Yes, Dan is a bit judgemental, but at the same time how did Serena not see this coming? If she's trying to get back into Blair's good graces and already seems aware of Blair's insecurities of her mom preferring Serena to her own daughter (not to mention always outshining her in everything)--she thought even sharing the photoshoot would be a good idea?

I really want to like this show more. Like...I enjoy it, but I think back to when I first started watching The OC and this doesn't come close. Sigh.

I'm mostly just posting to chime in on the Dan/Blair interest. They're my two favorite characters and I could see that being worth watching.

Nate feels like Duncan Kane all over again. Cute and bland as hell. And the dude who plays him as about as great an actor as Teddy Dunn. Not too impressive, IMO.

I'm a completely heterosexual lady, but I have to admit that Blake Lively has quite the ass. Dayum.

For the first time, I saw how these two girls could have been friends in the first place. S seems to be the only person who can take B outside of herself and make her have fun, loosen up, and be spontaneous. When have we seen B have fun ... ever? (Other than causing mayhem, that is.)

Conversely, B grounds S, and brings S out of her la-la fantasy land. It's not much fun, but desperately needed.

The quick-fix to the friendship I actually wasn't completely taken aback because I got a sense at the top of the episode that Serena simply was determined to move herself back into Blair's life and had not Blair's version of mommie dearest not been there, it might not have taken off so quickly. But the big hole of gaping need that Blair's mother seems to always open was conveniently filled by Serena. However...



I am completely the choir to your preaching here. And even seeing it coming a mile off it was incredibly silly and simpleminded that Serena goes from armchair pop-psychologist nailing Blair's issues and then turns around and lets herself be sucked into the photoshoot; taking even a second of Blair's desperate need of spotlight with her mother.

I seriously love this show. Like, seriously! I'm so scared to go look for how it's doing in the ratings and ish cause I'll be so depressed if it's not good.

I'm sooo Team Blair AND Team Serena. And Team B&S. I love these two. I love them so much that all episode long I practically watched while peeking between my fingers in fear that the BOOM was coming. I was so relieved when it was only a minor tremmor. But I know that the BOOM will come eventually. And I'll most likely cry. Sigh.

I'm concerned about my liking feelings for Chuck. Ususally I chose evil, but I'm digging the fact that his heart grew two sizes today.

Dan is teh sex. But he is so damned judgmental. I'm getting to the point where I get why he likes Serena(cause of all of the kickass) but I don't get what she sees in him. Except for the hawt factor. Ok, well I guess I do see.

I also totally dig the soundtrack for this show. I have a very wide range of taste when it comes to music, but there is only so much emo, depressed chick, angsty rock music you can listen to. Although I loved me some OTH and OC the music would sometimes drive me to drink. I really appreciate GG's tunes. I find myself getting my groove on all from the comfort of my couch. LOL!

Blair's mom did change right? I just want to be sure.

I agree about the suddeness of the shift in tone. During the scene where Eleanor is trying to pick a model, there was one point where the score suddenly became all Wacky Hijinks Of Fashion and I could have sworn for a second that I was watching Ugly Betty.

Seriously, though, I did enjoy the episode, although I found it a little shakier than the last three. I think it's a case of the show's trying to find a balance between the dark and the light. And, um, that's incredibly vague of me, so try to imagine I said something better.


Yup.

Yup, for the better IMO. Love me some Margaret Colin.

Less bitchiness than usual, but still a pretty fun ep. I think it was a good glimpse into why Serena and Blair were/are friends. Which will make it all the sadder when things go boom eventually.

Blake Lively is smokin'! That strut down the street, perfectly timed to that Eve song, was hot.

Man, Nate's dad wasn't even in this episode and I still wanted to reach through the TV and strangle him.

Dan kinda needs to shut up.

Thank you. I found myself clearly coming down on Blair's side of the equation and getting annoyed with Serena. Dan had a point--despite the judgemental way in which he delivered it. Serena was all set to come to the photoshoot and be on the sidelines and eat craft services and hang out. Yet, she doesn't noticed that she's being sucked in front of the camera and taking attention away from the insecure person whose good graces she's trying to get back into.

Makes me think Serena is just as needy for the spotlight as Blair.

Yikes. Florencia Lozano suddenly becomes Margaret Colin, gets about five inches taller and adds 11 years, and nobody warns me? I wonder what Florencia did that they felt the need to replace her. Maybe she was just too young. Or too short.

Even though I like Serena, I agree with this. Serena is much smarter than that, and she should've known what was going to happen once she got in front of the camera. I could see Book!Serena not knowing what would happen because she's utterly clueless, but TV!Serena is more perceptive than that.

Just as an aside, I usually like Serena. Just tonight she seemed dimmer than usual. I agree that the Serena we met in the first few episodes is very perceptive. Not so much here.

I haven't read the books, but I can believe that TV!Serena would honestly believe that Blair, in the spirit of mending their friendship and in light of the way Blair begged her to stay and help her during the first photo shoot, would have wanted Serena to join her in the second gig. She was a little naive, but Blair's reaction was completely overblown.

I thought the dream sequence in the begining was a nice ode to the fact that in the books, Blair is obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. And "Moon River" makes me happy. :]

I was wondering if Blair's mom changed too. Nice to know I'm not going crazy.

And yea, I totally loved Blair and Dan together. I actually forgot Blair and Nate were together this episode. Their relationship seems almost nonexistent, I wonder how long they'll drag it out?

The parents, as always, were boring. And I wasn't really into the Nate/Chuck story either. It was nice to see that Chuck is actually a friend, I guess, because I seriously wondered why Nate hung out with him. But the whole gambling thing felt pretty predictable and done before. Cool guy comes back... and ends up causing trouble!

Piaget is a high end watch brand, so I'm pretty sure he was calling his watch a Piaget the same way someone would say Mercedes/BMW/Porsche/whatever in place of "car" - basically to show off.

Not as good as previous episodes, but still fun. I like seeing so much depth from Blair; LM is the best thing about this show, after the HoYay. Serena is coming across as a bit of a pathetic whiner to me - I want to root for her too, but she annoys me. But I must admit, I noticed BL's ass too. God Almighty.

You'd figure that, if the Archibalds really are poor, daddy would want Nate to go to a public school, hehe.

No Jenny was a bummer, but I'll take more Bex please. Rufus totally needs to forget about his wife and Lily and get on her.

I adored this episode: best one insofar in my opinion. And I'm loving this show, a mix between the OC, Sex and the City (hello NY) and something else that makes it pretty perfect.
What I loved about this episode is that no of the characters was completely right or completely wrong: as in real life everyone (Serena, Blair's mom, Dan, Blair overreacting) made mistakes, while trying to do what they thought was best. And these mistakes totally helped me get these characters and the previous episodes better and have a glimpse of their lives pre-pilot. Plus I think their action clearly showed that not only Blair, but all these characters on some level are very insecure; as Chuck said they have the life people aspire to, and that creates expectations, and pressure.
I loved carefree Serena, and insecure Blair, not hearting Dan much, but he has his cute moments, and I can buy that Serena would like him, in an attempt to break a little out of her circle...I didn't miss Jenny at all; they could get rid of her and I wouldn't shed a tear. I think I'd like a crossing of the "main couples" at some point: I think Serena might help Nate develop a spine and chose his path, and Blair might add some spice to Dan! Can't wait for next week!

Oh, I totally agree on the awesome acting, and I'm firmly in B&S Team: they are so similar but also so different that they complete each other perfectly!

The episode was so-so. Definitely not as good as last week but still ok. But my biggest gripe with the show is pretty overwhelming...

Serena just annoys me to no end. I can't stand the actress and that makes it especially difficult to "root" for her and Dan to get it together. She is such a fake whiner and frankly I wouldn't be her friend either. I completely sympathize with Blair on all counts. I have problems with people who pretend like they don't know how awesome people think they are and play on that innocence. Perhaps a better actress could sell Serena's "obliviousness" better. I just don't buy it.

I love Blair though, and I secretly hope Dan falls in love with her instead because not only would the pairing rock but Blair would finally get something Serena wants, and not the other way around (the theme is kind of tiring actually).

I didn't expect to like Nate but here I am. He's kind of adorable if not totally naive. The actor isn't great but at least he doesn't take me out of the show (see: Blake Lively).

The parents, yes, snore. But I don't care because Rufus is hot. I can watch him watch paintings for all 40 minutes and I wouldn't complain. Although the Rufus/Lily run-ins are completely forced. I hope if they have to see each other every episode that some type of semi-permanent reason for it gets introduced real soon.

Ok episode... the contrived drama with Dan and Serena is going to wear thin really quickly. Serena seems way too nice and mature to hang out with Blair, or really any of these people. But Dan's supposed to be a teenager so why does he get put off so quickly by it?

Meanwhile, how many ways was that poker scene just WRONG? First, if it's an actual poker club that has a name and location that can be googled/obtained through 411 by Chuck (I forget, but something like "four kings"), then why is it empty? Who is in charge? And what's up with a two-handed game with two, what, coaches? Why didn't those guys play their own hands or shut up? More irritating was the premise that they had to write and IOU to call the $5000 bet. They had some chips. In poker, if there's a bet ahead of you, you go "all in" with whatever remaining chips you have, and whatever you can't match goes into a side pot that you can't win. Not to mention putting that much money on a set of 6s with an Ace showing. Dorks!

all in all, this show is a very guilty pleasure. I delete it from the tivo immediately after watching so my husband doesn't make fun of me for watching it.

I was wondering what kind of trust fund it is. I mean, isn't the whole point that it's held in trust so daddy can't just take it out? I guess he could since Nate's a minor. Or was that just a random bank account, because I would expect him to have more than 200k.

Also, Nate was an idiot this episode. This guy talks about how he's a hippie living off the money and then he wants to take him to a high stakes poker game? As part of his hippie lifestyle? Is it me, or did this make no sense at all?

Dan. Well, I started getting irritated with Dan when he was all judgemental with Serena the first time and he was equally irritating with less cause this time. Blair on the other hand had total cause. Serena should have known not to take away he spotlight. I also thought the part where Dan was telling Blair about his mom was well done, but he was kind of ridiculous saying that he wasn't brave enough to talk to his mother but she should.

Oh and Jacob was right, Serena apologizes way too much.

I have mixed feelings about this episode. The Blair and Serena fun times were entertaining and it was good to see them just hanging out and being silly.

Boo for no Jenny or Eric. I miss the sibling banter because it definitely lightens up the show a bit, but the B&S interaction took its place I guess.

Chuck actually has a soul? I found myself tolerating him in this episode because he obviously does care about Nate.

Its just very funny because Chuck reminds me of a guy I knew in college who was, coincidently, also named Chuck. The guy was super rich and would do any drug, or person you put in front of him...except my Chuck wasn't a rapist.

The ways the promos showed it, it looked like the episode was going to be all debauchery on the part of the guys. I don't know if I'm happy it wasn't or if I'm upset because the over-the-top parties are what makes this show such a guilty pleasure.

What was up with Nate's dad taking all his money? Money=power so is he just dangling his son over the fire? Or is really Nate poor?

I am loving this show. This ep was really good. I particularly love Blair. It would have been easy just to make her the mean bitch, but the writers have given her character so many layers which makes her the most well written character. I loved that scene with Blair and Dan and I would love for them to get together. There is more chemistry and potential between those two than Serena and Dan. Serena seems infatuated with Dan moreso than he is with her. The first ep, he seemed hooked on her, but not so much anymore. Serena seems to be way more into him and he seems kind of detached. He showed more fire and spark when he complained about Blair, then when Serena flirts with him.

Chuck is a creep, but a damn good friend to Nate. He is one loyal creep.

Rufus, besides being gorgeous, has his best moments when interacting with his kids. Those scenes with Serena's mom are rather blah.

I love that this show giving depth to all the characters, except Nate who is still boring.

Even creepy attempted rapist Chuck is shown to be a loyal friend.

Now that they are friends again I'm on Team S and Team B or Team BS.

Blake Lively is really tall, last week she towered over her brother and was even taller then her mother and now in that opening scene she towered over Blair. I'd imagine that's why the dresses fit her better, she has the model height.

I think Serena does miss the spotlight a little. So I don't think she was navie, just caught up in the moment. I know she wants to change but I'd imagine it's not that easy. But once she found out, she quit. Because that is what NewSerena does. She gives up the things she used to want because she doesn't want to hurt others.

I agree about Dan. I used to like him but he's become way to judgemental. Serena is too nice for him. Which makes it a nice role reversal. The rich beauty queen is the one with the heart of gold and the poor loney boy is one the looking down on her.

Either way I love this show and I love Gossip Girl.

I liked this episode a lot and I'm so glad the show got a full season order.

My one big issue in every epsiode is with Serena's kindness. I find it more distracting than endearing. Why is she trying so hard to get Blair back as her best friend? Is it just because she slept with Nate? I'm with Dan in being befuddled by Serena's choice to go all out in winning back Blair's friendship. Especially after last week.

But I also don't understand why Serena stands there and takes Dan's b.s. every week. Once again he jumps to a conclusion about her that is dead wrong, not to mention unflattering, yet she still wants to go out with him. The guy obviously has many negative preconceived notions about her when she's only ever been really nice to him. He's also been witness to her selflessness (taking the heat for her brother though the college people were there), so it bugs me that his mind automatically jumps to: Serena is the bad guy because her rich-evil-friends-who-are-really-mean-to-me said so. I like Serena, so I'd like to see her with a better friend and a better boyfriend.

I've only read the first book, so I have no idea what happens between these girls, but I was hoping Serena would befriend a totally new crowd of people and start getting Blair, Nate and Chuck back. I know that's not original at all, but I want to see Serena get mean and catty, and then be redeemed.

I agree. I thought Serena was 100% focused on making sure Blair was happy, and a success. When she overheard the photographer talking about how lousy Blair was, Serena's only goal was to turn Blair into the model they were looking for.

My feeling on Serena is that she doesn't want the entire spotlight, but is one of those girls cursed with the ability to get all the attention. (I knew a few of them in high school and I was miserable when I was with them because I always felt ugly. But it wasn't their fault that other people made me feel ugly because they were all over my friends.) This was demonstrated when Blair and Serena were walking through SoHo and the men were staring at them. Blair said "I forgot what it's like to be with you," and Serena said the men were looking at both of them. Serena was trying to make Blair feel better about something that wasn't Serena's fault.

I think the writers need to make clearer what kind of girl Serena was before she disappeared. I don't want Blair's version. And drunk sex with Nate isn't enough because these kids do drugs, drink hard liquor and gamble. I'm surprised they don't have more sex with each other. So, was Serena the kind of girl who demanded the spotlight and thrived on it? Were Serena and Blair equals, or was Blair like the BlAsian twins? If Serena was a spotlight hog before she disappeared, what triggered Serena's change of heart? Shouldn't she get some credit for wanting to be on equal footing with Blair now? It isn't Serena's fault that other people act like asses toward Blair because they find Serena more attractive or fascinating. Serena hasn't asked for any of that attention since her return. She seems to run from it.

Blair was a bitch before she found out Serena and Nate had sex. The whole "My Dad ran off with a man and you weren't there for me" bit just didn't cut it for me. Serena's brother tried to kill himself. I'd say that trumps Dad coming out of the closet. So, even though I'm really irritated by Serena's lack of a backbone, I'm still solidly grounded on her side. For some reason, I just can't stand Blair. And Dan is getting on my list, too.

De-lurking here because this show is my new guilty pleasure and I have to talk about it.


This one was a little more disjointed than the previous episodes and all the 'twists' were incredibly obvious but it was really charming nonetheless so I don't care.

The highlight was all the Blair/Serena stuff, particularly the last scene, it could have been so very annoying but it was cute as hell. They have lovely BFF chemistry which is rarely true of tv BFF's.

I agree with everyone who liked the Dan/Blair scene, I'd like to see them interact more often and I definitely find them more interesting than Dan/Serena, which is cute but getting kind of samey-samey - he judges, she self-justifies, he sees the error of his ways, rinse repeat.

Nate and Chuck - there was so much slashy subtext going on it was hilarious but it was nice to see Chuck some through for Nate, who is very pretty but no too bright. The actor kind of reminds me of Ian Sommerhalder (sp?), I think it's the hair and the rosy cheeks.

Serena's going to get tiresome if she keeps being so nice all the time but as of now I still like her. Love Blair, though.

Word. I turned to my mom and said she looks like Stockard Channing.

The Moon River usage was golden. It should be played whenever Blair has one of her "why does she always gets the good ones"(Coming To America) breakdowns.



I agree with you. Blair's reaction was totally over-the-top and draped with lingering feelings of envy. Why would she automatically blame Serena when she said herself that her mom favors S? Doesn't seem that big a leap to me that the mom was the culprit.

The GG line about a girl realizing that her mom is more messed up than she is cemented my love for the show.

re: the S/B friendship. I think both of these girls need each other. Literally. They seem to not really function without the other one. This is the first time I have truly liked both of these girls and it was when they were together. I think that is the reason they are wiling to continually over look each others transgressions. That is why the hate is so intense, because they love each other so much. It is a great that this is featured on a 'teen show.'

Also loved the moment when the 'Tamborine' song started (You gotta shake your ass) and S turned around and Dan was just left there to stare at that magnificant view. I see why he is so enamored with her.

I haven't read the books, so I agree with Slade2 that we need more info on Serena's life before she disappeared, because what I know mostly comes from this board and not the show itself.

That poker game was SO out of the Vegas episode of The O.C. It was just really lame and Nate's blah-ishness is getting to me. I didn't call that dude turning out to be an asshole, but the Mrs. Waldorf-choosing-Serena storyline was coming from a mile away. Even before the photographer was eyeing her at the photo shoot, I thought at the very beginning when S and B were looking at the clothes that Mrs. Waldorf was going to think Serena was perfect for the clothes.



This? Would be le awesome. We're kind of being force fed the Serena/Dan attraction, but it's not really there for me. There're only so many characters on this show, after all, so it's probably an eventuality.

Serena seemed a little too happy and overenthused a lot of the time during this episode.

Loved the Audrey opening (not quite as much as the "Glamorous" choir last week though) -- they need more stuff like this!

I found S and B's newfound BFFness to be pretty realistic for high school girls. I remember high school being like that -- one day you'd hate your "friend," the next you'd be all BFF.

I actually liked the Gossip Girl voiceovers this week. "Is that a tear in my eye? No, just allergies." Hee.

I like Dan, but his constant judging of everyone is already old. His scene with Blair was great, though, and it does seem like he's willing to admit it when he's wrong. (And Blair's reaction to seeing Dan after yelling at Serena was priceless. So was her reaction to them on the rooftop. I love it.)

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively have amazing chemistry together. Their friendship is definitely the highlight of the show.

Agreed. I've been a fan of the idea of Dan/Blair since I first watched the show but last night's episode solidified that. They could have this totally "love/hate" underlying sexual tension for a season and half, ultimately mounting up to a union down the line. Hopefully though if they did happen, the won't turn out as sappy as Pacey/Joey.

Blair is loosing her V card to Chuck unfortunately so that's out of the question. But if Dan's a virgin(and I wouldn't be surprised if he was) he could lose it to Blair which would be all the more awesome.