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Episode Recap: "Roman Holiday"
Daddy’s home! And his mere presence in New York was really gift enough for Blair. If only he had come alone. But no, he had to bring his boy toy with him and ruin everything. I have to agree with Eleanor: It was insensitive of Harold to bring Roman along, giving her and Blair no warning about this. Of course Blair wanted to spend some quality father-daughter alone time with her absentee dad (eating their giant candy canes). So it was no surprise when Blair resorted to her scheming ways (and how very astute of Eleanor to observe that "Blair learned scheming from her mother...and unrealistic dreaming from her father"). Tripping Roman on the ice rink was amateur-level retaliation. But tracking down Roman’s ex, Freddie, through a modeling agency; inviting him to her mother’s Christmas party (brought to you by Victoria’s Secret – blatant product placement kind of works for this show); and then getting him to lie and say Roman invited him? Now that was a devious plan worthy of the name Blair Waldorf.
Of course the plan didn’t work, but for a few moments there, she did have Harold believing Freddie and getting pissed at Roman. I found myself empathizing for the show’s bad girl once again – she looked so wounded the more she felt her dad slipping away (though she did look fabulous in that plaid skating getup). So I was glad when it sort of worked out for her in the end. No, she didn’t get her dad to move back to Manhattan, but she did realize that he’s carving out room for her in his new life in France. And thanks to an unexpected snowstorm, she got her whole family – which now includes Roman, whom she was finally being nice too – to spend Christmas day together.
However, Blair did have to give up on the dream of her family living all together as a family again. And Jenny had to give up on this dream too. From the moment Alison arrive on the scene, her stay on this show seemed temporary. She was never really painted as a sympathetic character, and it seemed like only a matter of time before her mysterious lover would reenter the picture. He did just that last night, leading Alison to tell Rufus, "Maybe other people aren’t the problem" (that’s the first good line she’s had). Timing-wise, it’s a shame this had to happen right at Christmas. But it’s good it finally did happen, because like Dan told Jenny, "Whatever happens now, at least we’re not living in a fantasy." Now they can all stop pretending and move on.
But poor Rufus. Hurt and all alone on Christmas morning, in the snow without a coat. Looking so sad and oh-so cute, like a wounded puppy. Yet there was a glimmer of hope in him: Since he’ll no longer be traveling down Allison Road (that’s my nod to ‘90s music for Rufus), he reached out and called his old "friend" Lily. Wanting to reconnect and tell her, "I miss you...and I have been missing you for awhile." Leaving that message made him happy. Too bad that at that very moment, Bart Bass was down on one knee, proposing to Lily. Again, bad timing for Rufus.
Why didn’t Lily answer her phone?! And we have no idea what answer she gave Bart. I can’t say I don’t like Bart Bass, because we don’t really know him that well. Serena and Eric made good points acknowledging that he has only one facial expression and that he raised bad seed Chuck. But other than being business-minded, he and Chuck don’t seem all that alike. Bart appears to be much more responsible, and much less rash and emotional than Chuck. OK, overall he seems a little boring, and I can’t say that I’ve seem him ignite a spark in Lily. But his fast proposal was perhaps the most shocking plot development of the night – I did not see that coming! Up until the night prior to the proposal they were carrying on a clandestine relationship that their kids weren’t even aware of (I guess Chuck is still in the dark about it).
Chuck...absent once again, except for his text messages to Blair. By the end of the episode, we learned that he was no longer vacationing alone: His best bud Nate had joined him. Leaving a worried Blair to wonder just how much he would reveal to her on-again boyfriend. I don’t think he’ll tell Nate a thing – not like this, while away from Blair. I think he just wants to make Blair sweat it out.
Meanwhile, Serena was really sweating out what to give dear Dan for Christmas. An expensive watch? That didn’t go over so well. Then their $50 spending limit and Blair’s unhelpful suggestions ("a new outfit for Cedric") made things even worse. What could one give for under $50...sex? How 'bout fake snow? (The sex was just a bonus.) Actually, both Dan and Serena’s gifts for one another (a Christmas tree and Christmas snow) were very sweet, as was their love scene. It was done in a kind of understated way, and the real snow seen through the skylight on Christmas morning made it even more perfect. My only question is, Where were they? It looked like some kind of warehouse room filled with crates – was it in Serena’s hotel? Rufus’ art gallery?
Of course, Serena never could have pulled this gift off without help from her Christmas "elf" Vanessa. It was nice to see these two girls getting along. But Blair was definitely onto something when she told Vanessa, "I think you like Dan a little too much." There’s a lingering look Vanessa gives to Dan, or even just when his name is mentioned...it seems like she’s genuinely trying to be "just friends" with him, but it’s not really working for her. Vanessa’s present of getting Dan’s short story published was indeed a great gift for him, and I was a little worried when he initially wouldn’t tell Serena what the story was about. I feared it might be about Vanessa, so I was happy to learn it was actually about the first time Serena spoke to him. I know some people simply adore Dan and Serena together while others find them yawn-inducing. I’m in the former camp – I’ll acknowledge there could be some boredom down the road, but I think the writers can still get plenty of mileage out of their inherent cuteness and their opposite-sides-of-the-track storyline.
Nevertheless, we have to wait until next year to find out what lies ahead for Dan and Serena...as well as to find out Lily’s answer, and discover what if anything Chuck told Nate. But next year is only two weeks away! (And that next episode looks really good – there are rare in-school scenes.) If you can’t wait until then, there’s a repeat of the "Poison Ivy" episode next week, and there’s always clips from Gossip Girl to check out in our Online Video Guide.
***Update***The CW is now repeating this holiday episode on 12/26, instead of "Poison Ivy." So if you missed it or want to see it again, tune in.
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Dec 20, 2007 12:48 AM
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POOR RUFUS,HATING RAMON,LOVING BLAIR,SHE IS PERFECT,LIKING VANESSA....CHUCK ROCKS AJJAJA.....
OH MY GOD
POOR RUFUS,SO UNFAIR
HE LOVES LILLY AND LILLY LOVES HIM AS WELL
I LAUGH WITH CHUCK ALL THE TIME
HE IS FANTASTIC
I LOVE BLAIR SHE IS SO WICKED....IT IS AMAZING
I HATE RAMON,WHAT A LOSER
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Dec 20, 2007 1:10 AM
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I am pretty sure Chuck found out about Bart and Lily in the episode with the burlesque club. Chuck convinced Lily that Bart was cheating, only to find out he was wrong.
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Dec 20, 2007 5:25 AM
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Only on Gossip Girl would the other side of the tracks include the son of an art gallery owner <chuckle>.
I thought this was a sweet episode. And yes, Chuck already knows about Lily and Bart; the secret-keeping was more from Lily's side of things. She didn't answer the phone because Bart told her not to. But, she did have a certain look on her face when glancing at the phone, and note that she didn't answer Bart right away.
Can't wait for the next new episode. I love this show! (and I'm way closer to 30 than I am to 20).
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Dec 20, 2007 5:41 AM
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First off, after seeing the promo for the episode on January 2nd and reading some spoilers, CW not lying when their saying next week episode going to VERY GOOD!!! I CANT WAIT!!!
This episode was great, like gossip girl always is. Funny how Blair got mad at Chuck for scheming in the last episode but ends up doing the same thing in this episode...they are so alike
Serena and Dan are cute but the reason I'm loving Gossip girl right now is BLAIR AND CHUCK!! (thankfully chuck and nate are both in the last two episodes before the episodes run out because of the writers strike...)
I also enjoyed Blair's mother in this episode, I think she's great.
I ACTUALLY want Lily and Bart to get married...can you imagine Chuck and Serena as stepsiblings?...that would be so much fun!!
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Dec 20, 2007 7:03 AM
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"a new outfit for Sedgwick"
It's Cedric, Dan's Cabbage Patch Doll.
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Dec 20, 2007 7:28 AM
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Great episode overall. loved Eric saying "Bart has only one expression and that scares me" and Serena " he raised Chuck and that scares me" my favmrite liens of the night!
the Serena/Dan/Vanessa triangle(?) is reminding me a bit of the O.C and Summer/Seth/Anna. boy has a crush from afar on a seemingly unattainable girl has another girl in his life with whom he had romantic possibilities but decided to be "just friends" with in both cases the "friend " may actually be the better person for them. I enjoy Dan/serena but last night showed me Vanessa knows and understands Dan so much better than Serena and props to Vanessa for helping Serena with a gift for Dan in spite of her own feelings for him. I just hope that GG won't "force" Dan/serena to continue if perhaps Vanessa really is the better woman for him. Seth/Summer IMO should have just been friends Anna was much better suited to Seth she knew and understood Seth they had things in common. the O.C. tried to "force" Seth/Summer even making a a poor attmept to make Summer seem smarter to be more "compatible for Seth but JMHO it didn't work. I felt Anna was actually better for Seth.I have to give Friday night Lights props for not keeeping all its young couples together instead of dragging them out just because people think they want the so called "popular couples"together .
I do wish GG would explore Vanessa a little more let's meet Vanessa's family so Dan's isn't the only non-rich family and since Vanessa could be black? hispanic? it would give the show a little diversity. This is new York after all not The O.C. they could be a little more culturally diverse besides Blair's AA, and Asian flunky hangerons.
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Dec 20, 2007 8:59 AM
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I totally loved the episode and cannot wait for the next new one (only 13days and counting).
Quick question, does anyone else think Serena could possibly be pregnant? Gossip girl's closing commentary mentioned in the last scene w/Serena, Eric, Lilly and Bart Bass that some gifts are for keeps and as soon as she said that you saw Serena. Yes it most likely has to pertain to the proposal that immediately ensues, but still, the possibilites exist!
Finally, I think the best line of the show last night may have been "It's Christmastime in the city and some families really do make the yuletide gay."
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Dec 20, 2007 9:18 AM
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Nice episode - can't decide where the Vanessa thing is going - she's not 'evil' but is definitely in love with Dan. And poor Rufus - he's going to have to wait a little longer. LOL at the thought of Chuck and Serena as step-siblings though.
Also, TV Guide Tech Support - the main page does not link to the blog for Journeyman's episode last night.
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Dec 20, 2007 9:29 AM
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Dee Bee, Vanessa and Dan know each so well because they grew up together. Serena and Dan are still getting to know each other. There is much more dramatic possibilities in that than having Dan and Vanessa together.
Last night's episode was wonderful, though. It was great to see Blair's icy heart melt towards Roman. The only question I have is about Roman and Eleanor's friendship. In the Thanksgiving episode they made it out that Eleanor and Roman were meeting for the first time.
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Dec 20, 2007 9:33 AM
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Allison Road is one of my favorite songs from the 90's. I LOVED the Gin Blossoms.
That song always reminds me of summer.
Great way you added it in to the review!
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Dec 20, 2007 9:47 AM
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I really enjoy this show it helps fill the void of losing the O.C.
Serena and Dan are just a cute couple, but do you think they will last? I am betting on Vanessa to start doing something about it.
Blair love how evil she can be. Would love to see her with Chuck.
I really would love them to start putting Eric and Jenny together. I think they need each other. It could be just on a friend basis. I think it would be a good thing.
Rufus got his heart broken again. This time it didn't hurt so much because he felt it was over after talking to his wifes lover. I don't know if I'd like to see him with Lily because of their kids are dating each other. It was be ackward.
Bart popping the question was way too soon. I hope Lily tell him it too soon and that he needs to get to know her kids because he really doesn't. Did you see Eric look about the Marlins shirt?
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Dec 20, 2007 10:32 AM
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hey rosewood I'm a Journeyman fan to what a great coincidence a fellow GG JM fan! I'm anxiously awaiting the Journeyman blog too. TV Guide shouldnt't make it seem like that last night's blog is up when it isn't!
bluedahlia dont' get me wrong so far I like Dan/Serena but I also like Dan/Vanessa and I wonder sometimes if D&S different backgrounds will become a problem. I also hate to see a couple kept together once the 'magic" is gone but viewers "expect" them to be together even though there might come a time when it's better for them to move on. the O.C. JMHO pushed the Seth/summer, ryan/marissa pairings too long when they all might have been better off with others.
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Dec 20, 2007 10:40 AM
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First of all, I love Dan & Serena. They are absolutely adorable. I just hope the whole money thing doesn't become an issue.
Last night though, I think Blair really stole the show. Her conniving was inspired. I am also glad to see she seems to have a better relationship with her mother. And I absolutely loved when she took Vanessa into the bathroom. "Serena likes to see the best in people. I like to see the truth."
I also loved that Lily helped Dan and Jenny. Loved her saying that the guy at the service entrance could be bought.
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Dec 20, 2007 10:47 AM
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It took me a bit but Bart does not know Eric was in the Hospital. He still thinks Eric was in Florida.
I just love Blake Lively(Serena). She is something. The thought of Serena and Chuck step siblings is to funny as some one has mentioned.
Come On WGA, get this strike settled and get back to work doing what you do best. Give us more of this great new show.
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Dec 20, 2007 10:52 AM
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