In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Gossip Girl
Episode Recap: "Hi, Society"
Ah, the debutante ball...brings back memories of my own high-society cotillion. Kidding. All I know of debutante balls is what I see of them on TV, and they look to be very beautiful and extravagant events. And also archaic and stuffy. But so much fun to watch, especially when there’s a ball brawl! (I guess as a rule, all TV parties are more exciting when a punch is thrown.)
Let’s start with CeCe, who was such a big part of this episode. At first, she was very personable and seemed like a lot of fun. I could see why Serena adored her grandmother, and with the way grandma liked to keep the refills coming, I was thinking this must be the relative that Serena resembles the most. But by the end of the night, it became clear that Serena is truly her mother’s daughter in so many ways: Both are blue-blood rebels attracted to earthy guys beneath their elevated social standing. (Attracted to the same type of guy since Dan is basically Rufus minus the music.) The one big difference is that Lily could be bought, and I don’t think Serena can be.
Lately each week has provided another piece of the Rufus-Lily puzzle. Last night we learned that CeCe tried to buy Rufus off so many years ago, and that didn’t work. But it did work with Lily when she threatened to take away her trust fund. Apparently there was another guy whom Lily only pretended was the reason for the breakup. And Rufus just now found this out – you could truly hear the regret in his voice when he told Lily, "I never should have let you...let me go." This show has done a good job in making us care about this long-ago relationship we never got to see, and I do feel bad that it didn’t work out for these two way back when. Of course, had it worked out, there would have been no Dan and Jenny or Serena and Eric. Lily’s accepting smile at the end said it all, as she somewhat vicariously watched a very happy Serena and Dan. Seeing them was bittersweet for her, but at least she’s not making the same mistakes her mom made, and she’s letting Serena be herself, as she asked.
As for CeCe – all these years later and she’s still making the same mistakes. She tried to get rid of the improper suitor/temporary distraction Dan by having a heart-to-heart chat with him, telling him that he’d always feel out of Serena’s league and that he was destined to become a "cocktail party anecdote." Grandmas say the sweetest things sometimes. I loved it that Dan had enough self-confidence not to buy into any of her bull and instead make her worst nightmare come true by suddenly announcing that he’d be Serena’s escort. Checkmate! Then CeCe repeated herself and tried to buy off Rufus once again, in the hope that he would keep Dan away from Serena. This of course didn’t work (those Humphrey men have so much integrity). Dan told Serena the truth about this, but the truth hurt, so much so that Serena chose denial. I was a little surprised by Serena’s actions here, but I guess she was blinded by her deep love for her grandmother.
At least Carter wasn’t completely useless as her escort, as his rewrite of her presentation statement was quite amusing: "Ms. van der Woodsen hopes to bed as many billionaires as she can, before settling down to..." The look on CeCe’s face was priceless. But I guess I should have some compassion for the woman because she is ill – oh wait, that was all a lie! (I was suspicious as soon as she first mentioned the illness.) Yes, she would stoop that low, as the woman is a manipulation queen.
Speaking of manipulations tactics, Chuck had a pretty good one: Convince Nate that Carter was the mysterious guy seeing Blair; then at the right time at the ball, set Nate up to go off on Carter. It would be a win-win situation: Carter, whom Chuck hates, would get punched, and Nate would disappoint Blair by causing a scene. As Blair had just explained to Chuck, she doesn’t like people causing scenes. But Blair is a fickle person, and Nate punching Carter out turned her on. As a fellow manipulator, Blair figured out Chuck’s little plan, and his scheming ways pissed her off, to the point where she exclaimed, "You make me sick!. This thing between us – it’s over. For good."
So whom does Blair truly like? She’s a hard one to figure out. At the beginning of the episode, she was once again with Chuck, and really enjoying his company. She was playful and less stiff with him, and all giggley while receiving his text messages. I don’t think she’s using him anymore, because there’s no longer a need for that. The secrecy of their relationship also seemed to be a major turn-on for her. But the second Nate stepped into the picture and asked her to go to the cotillion, it’s like she was putty in his hands, dumping her escort the prince and valuing her past with Nate. Their conversation about his green sweater that she gave him and how she sewed her heart on his sleeve – that was in the first few pages of the first book. (I still mean to finish the first book at least...anyway, I do remember reading that.) However, Blair was ignoring Nate while Chuck was texting her, so what does that mean? Well, after last night she can compare them in even more ways, but sorry, her love scene with Nate was nowhere near as hot as the limo ride with Chuck, in my opinion at least – feel free to disagree.
As for Nate, he’s also hard to read (glad to hear that his dad is finally in rehab though). So he’s suddenly over Serena now? And he couldn’t bring himself to even attend Blair’s party, but now he’s in love with her again? Or is Nate on of those people who only wants what he can’t have (Serena; Blair when he suspects she’s seeing another guy)? Whatever the case is with him, the Blair-Nate-Serena triangle has taken a back burner as the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle moves to the forefront.
Chuck – it looks like it sucks to be Chuck right now, as he accidentally helped his best friend and had his heart broken in the process. And when Chuck gets hurt, he apparently runs away and hides (in a place that requires an airplane to get to). But he could take comfort in the fact that Jenny’s life pretty much sucks now too. She defied her parents, got grounded and hurt her mother’s feelings. Then there was the guilt trip Alison laid on her. Honestly, if her parents send her to a school filled with brand-name loving elitists, how can they expect some of that not to rub off on her? On the plus side, she is back in Blair’s good graces. So, glass half full, right?
Gossip Girl viewing schedule: No episode next Wednesday (not even a repeat). But on December 19, the holiday episode! If you need something to hold you over until then, check out clips from Gossip Girl in our Online Video Guide.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 12:29 AM
|
I LOVED THIS EPISODE
IT WAS AMAZING JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER
I KINDA HATE SERENA´S GRANDMA BUT IT WAS FUN TO WATCH
I HATE THAT LILLY AND RUFUS ARE NOT TOGETHER,THEY ARE MEAN TO BE
JENNY WAS VERY SELFISH,BUT HER MOM IS ANYONE TO JUDGE
I LOVE BLAIR MORE AND EVEN MORE EACH EPISODE
THAT SCENE WITH NATE,SO FREAKING HOT
TOO BAD FOR CHUCK
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 1:27 AM
|
Definitely agree with you that the limo scene was hotter...Blair and Nate looked gorgeous together but the sex scene was noticeable choreographed (Was it just me or did blair look really sad at one moment??)
I was soo happy with all teh chuck and blair scenes this week...LOVE THEM TOGETHER..
The grandma seemed to be lying about her sickness, but what about the end of the episoder where it looked like she was taking alot of pills? Could she really be sick?
I have never been dissappointed of a an episode of Gossip girl yet...its AMAZING!!!!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 1:56 AM
|
At least we finally saw what address people are using to tip off Gossip Girl.
I loved this episode. Dan & Rufus just stayed strong...poor Allison needs to realize that since she was gone for so long that she no longer knows what is important to her kids.
Also, glad they didn't focus too much on the deception that Carter did last time he was in town.
I am happy Nate & Blair finally slept together. The Blair/Chuck thing just seemed so forced.
I like finding out more and more about Dan & Lily's relationship each week. When Rufus found out the truth, I felt sad for him.
Can't wait till the 19th
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 2:08 AM
|
What I love about this show is that the characters are so well-developed. No one is truly bad, or truly good; everyone is somewhere in the middle, truly human. Regardless of tax bracket, we're all the same when it comes to the things we want for ourselves and need from each other. I love that even Chuck, who was the stereotypical spoiled rich brat rapist in the beginning, has turned out to have a heart.
I have to say - the casting of Lily's mom was great. The two women look so much alike. I completely believed that they were mother and daughter.
And Blair should be with Chuck, for all the reasons the blogger said - she is herself with him, she's giddy, comfortable, confident. With Nate she was always so worried about being the perfect girl or being exactly what she thought he wanted. But Chuck sees her for who she is.
Oh, and Alison really annoyed me. This woman leaves her family with virtually no explanation, cuts herself off from her children, has an affair, and then, when she decides to come back, she demands that her husband put an end to a friendship that has basically sustained him throughout all of her BS. And now she has the nerve to ask Jenny if she's "happy with the person she's becoming?" Ew.
I'm really enjoying this show 
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 9:22 AM
|
|
Best scene: when Lily goes to get Dan and grudgingly admits that Dan is a good guy and good for Serena. Hell, she even tells him to call her Lily! Nice to see some progress being made between them. And to see that she really does value her kids' happiness. Now if only she'd let her son come home for good.....
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 9:43 AM
|
|
karaleefan: good point about CeCe and the pills--a coworker and fellow fan just mentioned that to me too. Honestly, when I saw that scene I was being cynical and dismissed it as in addition everything else, Grandma must be a pill popper too. But I can totally see a future episode with CeCe in which the show explores her illness.
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 10:02 AM
|
While I like the angst of Rufus and Lily, I have to say getting together now would be a bit too weird for me. I loved what Carter did with Serena's speech. I hope Carter returns because as the scene with Serena as she stays with him after Nate punches him hinted at their past and some other history with them.
I have to say I felt bad for Chuck but I was a bit surprised that he didn't realize Blair, of all people, would figure out he was behind all the schemes. But as Gossip Girl said, Chuck has lost his heart..
Also it was a nice touch that it was Lily, who still had her own misgivings with Dan, to be the one to call him and in a way, do what she didn't do when she was Serena's age - stand up to her mother.
That case had a whole bunch of prescription bottles in it. I think CeCe's health is in trouble. It is a small thing but didn't her hand shake as she picked up the glass of water? Maybe it was nerves but I thought it was something a bit more.
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 10:48 AM
|
Nate has definitely improved as the show's gone on. I actually like that he didn't go to Blair's birthday party--he didn't want to use her. They seemed happy in the Thanksgiving episode. I think Blair turned very bitter after her father and Serena left, but now she's loosening back up. And Nate finally has the weight of everything with his family lifted now that he's stood up for himself. So they're both returning to better versions of themselves.
Serena looked so beautiful in that dress! I loved when Dan showed up and dipped her!
I'm even warming up to Alison. What she said to Jenny was right on the money. And Jenny IS walking a dangerous line. I also feel for Alison. This is what I'm gathering from the past: Lily left Rufus for her money. Alison and Rufus got together. Alison mentioned that Lily liked to give her a hard time and rub the fact that she was Rufus's first love in her face. Rufus was on the road with the music, and Alison was the one home taking care of the kids. She finally decided to take time for herself for the summer and screwed up. Although, her kids were still visiting her.
Did Lily really leave Rufus for money? That's what Cece said. But Lily only said it was an offer she couldn't refuse.
I'm not sure how I feel about Chuck. If you ignore everything from the first episode, he's great. But he DID attack Serena and Jenny. He seemed really loyal to Nate at first, especially with Carter, but now he's willing to manipulate Nate. I thought Blair made sense when she explained why he wasn't a gentleman.
Finally, Dan. I know Dan doesn't come from money the way the other students do, but he's obviously very smart. He seems like he will eventually be MAKING a lot of money. His "I will be escorting you" and his talk with Lily were great!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 12:02 PM
|
|
You forgot to mention that they finally let the asian girl and the black girl talk. The times they are a-changin!!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 12:47 PM
|
|
Blair and Chuck have so much more chemistry than she does with Nate. It is so BORING seeing them on the screen together. I hope she figures out Chuck is where its at!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 1:11 PM
|
I never thought I would like this show as much as I do. Great recap. I agree that, while the sex scenes with Nate and Blair were hot, they seemed a bit stilted. The scene with Chuck and Blair in the limo seemed far more spontaneous and sexy. It is interesting that Nate is interested in Blair because now she has loosened up, which is mainly due to being with Chuck. Since Chuck has always accepted her as she is, she doesn't worry about being perfect for him, like she used to for Nate. I don't see Blair & Nate lasting because she will go back to trying to be Miss Perfect and he will go back to not caring.
I think that, as much as Rufus loved Lily and he is heartbroken to find out their relationship ended under false pretenses, he has always made it clear he loves Allison. He wouldn't date the woman in the gallery and he never did anything with Lily that wasn't appropriate. But, the kids walked in on Allison and Rufus looking quite romantic a couple of episodes back. Plus, Rufus and Lily getting together would be too weird at this point with Dan and Serena dating.
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 3:14 PM
|
I agree with what you said about Chuck, Taylor. I'm not sure about how to feel about him either. Its interesting how people quickly seem to forget about the fact that he did try to rape Serena and Jenny. But I sure of hell never did.
I get why people do like him: he's fun, mysterious, charming, - but he is a very immature kid. He plays too many games, just so he could always get his way. He acts like a little boy. If he's mad at someone or if he doesn't have what he wants, then he'll manipulate everyone around him just so he could "win." His behavior just screams immaturity. But I guess thats why people find him so intriguing because of all the games that he plays...
And I agree with what someone mentioned earlier; Nate does seem like he only wants, what he can't have. First, he was in love with Serena but couldn't be with her because he was with Blair. And now he wants back Blair because Nate told him that she hooked up with Carter? Whatever. But I do have to admit that Nate is growing on me. He isn't as annoying as he first started off and he does seem really concern over what has been happening with his family and he does seem like he is capable of stepping up and being the man of the house while his father is away...
And that last scene with Nate - very hot! When his shirt was off, I was just staring at his chest and his arms - he has such a nice body! He is so so good looking!
And how could anyone not love Dan? When CeCe told him that he was just going to be viewed as some "charity case" by hanging under Serena's arm, I almost lost it. But then Dan shot back and told her that he was going to be the one to escort Serena to the ball.  I was just so happy for him that he didn't let grandma make him feel like he was nothing just because he didn't have as much money as Serena has.
I just love this show and I can't wait to see whats going to happen next!!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 3:28 PM
|
I have a feeling Allison & Rufus aren't going to be able to stay together, because there is absolutely no way that she is ever going to be able to move past him & Lily whether Lily is in the picture or not, which of course, you know she will be.
Also, I had the same thought about Cece at the end of the episode too when she was popping the pills ... I thought ... is she really sick??
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 4:03 PM
|
I think CeCe is sick, but maybe not with the illness she indicated to Lily. That was a complete manipulation or I don't believe she would have told Serena it was untrue. And wow, what a great actress who played her! Ausiello was campaigning for Kelly Bishop and this grandma screams of Emily Gilmore, but I have to admit that I'm glad she didn't play the part. I am not at all familiar with this actress and because of that she blew me away. I would have expected it from the wonderful Ms. Bishop. Wow. I wanted to jump through the screen and throw down with her over the way she talked to Dan. And, as it has already been mentioned, kudos to Dan for not letting any of that get to him. LOVE. HIM.
Tonight was the first that made me want to see more develop between Rufus and Lily. It was heartbreaking to hear that phonecall. And to hear that regret in his voice. Of course they wouldn't have the gorgeous, wonderful kids we love to watch, but don't we all have certain regrets or wonder about the "one that got away"? His regrets are now tangible. He actually knowsthings could have been different instead of wondering. I don't want to take anything from his relationship with Alison because he obviously loves her, but I still can't imagine how hard that would be to know.
As far as Chuck, for me it speaks to how good of an actor and how good the character is developed that I can completely feel for him after he watched Blair go into the bedroom with Nate. This after he was a near rapist in the beginning. In the real world all would not be forgiven, but in the world of Gossip Girl, immature or not, manipulative or not, I think I heart him too! And I dig him and Blair much more than her and Nate.
Oh, but that Nate is one gorgeous fella. The scene with Blair and Chuck was hotter, but I will take Nate half naked anytime!
The 19th is far too long to wait!!!
|
|
Dec 6, 2007 5:13 PM
|
|
|
