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Episode Recap: "Victor/Victrola"
Wow, last night’s show really had everything: sex, drugs... all that was missing was Rufus’ '90s-style rock and roll. But there was embezzlement and fraud, and that always makes for a good substitute.
In the tale of two virgins, let’s start with nervous Dan. He was so worried that he couldn’t measure up to what experienced Serena was used to (his dream sequences were quite amusing, especially the one with Blair’s sidekicks giving him scores). Then he had to deal with Vanessa interrupting things. OK, now she’s starting to work on my nerves a little. It’s just rude the way she comes over uninvited. To make things worse, she enters through windows and therefore doesn’t knock! At least she gave him some helpful advice to lose the Cabbage Patch Kid and the football sheets, but the way she phrased it ("If it were me, I’d want...") — that was just a little too close for comfort, given their history. Of course, it was funny when his dad gave him the exact same advice.
So after some redecorating and "be safe" warnings from Rufus, things were looking promising for Dan... until Serena surprisingly said "Wait" and admitted she was scared. It seems no one ever looked at her before the way Dan did — more specifically, "they never looked at me at all." That was kind of sad. For the first time, things felt real for Serena, so she didn’t want to rush it, opting for some cuddling instead.
It’s a shame that Nate never created some candlelit romantic scene for Blair, because that kind of thing seems right up her alley. Plus, a planner like herself would have really appreciated all the prep work that went into that. But Nate never did that, because let’s face it, he just doesn’t love Blair. Maybe he did at one time, but no longer. And Blair... I’m not sure if she loves Nate, or just the idea of him. She was as excited as her mother was about the idea of getting that heirloom diamond one day soon. And the way she talks about how she’s had her heart set on Nate since childhood — it’s like she’s built this ideal relationship between him and her up on a pedestal, and it’s never gonna live up to that. I’m glad she didn’t simply dismiss Nate’s latest indiscretion (mistaking Jenny for Serena and kissing her at the ball).
So Blair confronted Nate, and they broke up yet again (I loved when she told him she didn’t need him). And this led to the most intriguing plot twist of the night: A very hurt and drunk Blair blew off some steam at Chuck’s new burlesque club and semi-stripped on stage. And then she cashed in her V-card in the back of a limo. With Chuck. Yes, Chuck, previously known as the almost-rapist man-whore. But on the flip side, he is also one of Blair’s closest longtime friends. And unlike his behavior in the pilot, he did ask Blair, "Are you sure?" before things escalated. Gossip Girl’s resident bad boy and bad girl hooking up? I actually like this idea. Down the road, I think they could make a fun couple (imagine the schemes they could come up with!). But before that can happen, it looks like Blair and Nate have more issues to resolve.
Nate’s a little too busy with family problems to focus too much on Blair right now. He tried to help his dad out and take the fall for his drugs, and next thing you know, his mom was ready to check him into a treatment facility! I was starting to wonder how far Nate was going to carry this lie — through all 12 steps? And did his father hear himself while trying oh-so-pathetically to explain things to Nate?: "This young viper at the office... offered me a pick-me-up. It was stupid. I didn’t even like it... I’ll flush the bag right now." He sounded like a teenager in some bad After School Special. Then he got even worse: "I landed the Waldorf account. And my son has landed the Waldorf." Gross.
I now understand why Nate’s so stupid. Between his mom and his dad, the poor kid didn’t have a chance. He finally manned up and told his mom the truth about whose drugs they were. The woman went from being in denial to making excuses for her husband in 10 seconds flat. Even better was the scene outside the Waldorfs' apartment building when Nate finally didn’t hold back with his dad. He called him "embarrassing" and realized, "You’ve been selling me out!" I think that was Nate’s best scene yet, and one of the few times he wasn’t wimpy. Of course, he did get punched in the face, but turning his dad in to the cops and telling them to "check his pockets" was great payback. And his motivation was more than just revenge — like he said, his dad does need help. Apparently, a lot of help, and not just with his drug problem, but with embezzlement and fraud charges as well. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
While Nate’s dad seems like an all-around loser, Chuck’s dad isn’t so easy to define. Unlike Nate’s father, Bart seems to care about Chuck in a genuinely unselfish way. He certainly talks a good game with his son, telling him he’d prefer that Chuck get good grades or a real part-time job instead of his incessant partying and womanizing. But then it looked like he himself found a new young plaything, while secretly dating Serena’s mom at the same time. OK, so it turned out the plaything was really a business partner. But Chuck made a good point: When he ratted his dad out to Lily, she was quick to believe him, and there has to be a reason for that. Yet in the end, Bart and Chuck patched things up, and Bart seems proud of his son’s new business venture.
However, he might not be pleased with the fact that his son is the type of guy who sleeps with his best friend’s girlfriend (oh wait, they were technically broken up... yeah, like that matters). Who exactly finds out about that last scene in the limo, as well as the fallout from it, all remains to be seen.... I for one can’t wait.
Check out clips from Gossip Girl in our Online Video Guide.
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Nov 8, 2007 12:19 AM
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i Cant believe,u didnt mention anything about Jenny
About asking her mom to come back home
thats gonna be hard for Lilly now that she is friend with Rufus
I love Blair,she is so cool,maybe what she does its no the best but shes been hurt so many time,her father,her mother,her best friend,her boyfriend,y truly understand her
I love Serena,she was so sad when she said she wants to wait and so genuine
I love this show so muchhhhhh
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Nov 8, 2007 12:49 AM
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ever since i knew chuck and blair were going to hook up, i COULDNT WAIT FOR THIS EPISODE AND IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT!!!...the music went perfectly with them
i definitely agree that chuck and blair would make a GREAT couple down the road..they have to much chemistry together to not go down that road eventually...
suprisingly, im actually starting to warm up to nate...i just CANT STAND the idea of serena and nate...
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Nov 8, 2007 1:04 AM
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the whole episode was pretty good..
but even with dan and serena being so sweet together, as well as sparks flying between rufus and lily
i can't help but get excited about blair and chuck!
does chuck really like blair? it would make sense... basically he can get any girl (by force or otherwise) but serena and blair... but serena is too "good" for him...
blair's evil is probably intriguing for him, and for her to be his best friend's girlfriend! maybe he's been harbouring feelings for her all these years and that's why he even bothered asking "are you sure".
he sure didn't ask serena in the pilot
they have potential to have quite an exciting romance =)
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Nov 8, 2007 1:11 AM
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OK, I've been wondering since day one if Chuck & Blair were ever going to hook up. I mean they are perfect for each other. Have you ever noticed that she's really the only girl that he actually talks to? I mean yea they are always talking about getting even with someone, but still, that's really more than you've seen him talk to any other girl. I loved how he was so sweet with her, which really if you've noticed, he's never been stalker-guy with her, just the other girls on the show. I think that deep down he's always had a thing for her, but because she was his best friends girlfriend, even Chuck, knew that was a no-no. I did notice on the previews for next week that when he said something to Nate that they had broken up & Nate asked him how did he know, that he actually did look really hurt, like they weren't really broken up, there was still the potential of them getting back together. It's like he knows that there is no chance he's going to ever get with her. She's probably the girl that could turn him into a "Dan". Speaking of which, I've loved Dan ever since The Mountain, but after tonite, Chucks the one I'm rooting for.
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Nov 8, 2007 8:04 AM
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I've not been disappointed by a single episode of this show and last night was no exception. I really loved the effects they used in the episode. When Blair and Chuck hooked up and they used those jump cuts...really cool! Maybe its the editor in me but I just thought it kinda different like watching a music video. And I do love Chuck and Blair getting together...those 2 could and will def. stir up some trouble if they last beyond this episode. The previews don't make it look good though. Anyone else think Chuck will try to straighten up his act to try and get the girl when Blair breaks it to him that they won't happen?
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Nov 8, 2007 9:10 AM
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Great review Jennifer! Last night's show was so much fun. Can Dan and Serena be any more cute? And Blair and Chuck are a perfect couple that I'm sure will be fun to watch down the line. I just hope they can keep their friend-vibe going too as that's what I like most about their interaction.
as for Gossip Girl...could it be that Blair's air-headed posse could be the eyes and ears of this show?
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Nov 8, 2007 9:13 AM
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I loved this episode. So many good parts. I loved how they started with the mystery stripper and then worked backward. I could go on and on. Nice recap.
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Nov 8, 2007 11:31 AM
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Do Chuck and Blair actually have sex? I hope not. I too loved how they shot that last scene.
So S and D didn't have sex?
Love this show. I even watched the repeat last week and have read the first book. I started reading the second book, but then got hooked on "The It Girl" which is another series where Jenny goes to boarding school after freshman year at Constance.
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Nov 8, 2007 12:25 PM
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Even though Captain needs help, I was surprised Nate turned his dad in. I would have given him another chance hoping this would be a wake-up call, but it seems Captain has bigger probs than just drugs.
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Nov 8, 2007 12:26 PM
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BTW, I want to randomly add how much I liked the song they used in the Chuck/Blaire hook-up scene. Sum 41 "With Me" Soo good! And I gotta disagree Maurine, Captain needed the arrest to be his wake-up call. He was out of control even before we knew about the drug problem. What kind of parent forces their child to be in a relationship for financial gain? Captain kinda reminds me of Michael Lohan
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Nov 8, 2007 12:40 PM
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Adam, that was a serious Burn on Captain saying he reminded you of Michael Lohan. Funny, but still good Burn!
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Nov 8, 2007 12:48 PM
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I never thought gossip girl would be my must see show of the week. That when I do HAVE to miss it in real time it's the show I just can't wait to catch up on. Love, love, love it! Last night was no exception. What a fantastic episode. I knew that was Blair as the "mystery stripper" in the beginning but it didn't ruin one thing for me. I've also been wanting to see Chuck and Blair together since early on (of course not the first episode when he was just ick) and was happy to see them hook up. I have to agree that it seems that she is his "Serena" if you will. I think he puts B the same pedestal that Nate puts S on. I'd like to see them get together and, as others have said, watch them have all the delicious fun!
Dan and Serena just make my heart swoon. Love them. And their moment last night. I was so glad they decided to wait. It fits Dan's personality and the change Serena is making. I think it's wonderful!!! I heart Dan. 
So is momma Humphry returning? Or will we see her turn Jenny away? If she does, I wonder what that will do to the friendship between Rufus and Lily? I enjoy their friendship quite a bit so I hope it continues. I still don't want to see them together romantically though. Honestly if they did get together I think Lily would hurt him anyway. He just isn't a big enough fish for her. And I don't want to see my fav tv dad hurt again.
All in all another fabulous episode and I look forward to next week!
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Nov 8, 2007 1:54 PM
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I was just thinking about what kind of punishment he would get. I guess as long as he didn't have a lot of drugs on him, he probably wouldn't get jail time.
What biz is Captain in anyway?
It's too bad that Nate's parents are more interested in appearances and their own lives than to be parents to Nate.
Where's Chuck's mom?
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Nov 8, 2007 2:32 PM
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Looooved the episode! Maybe the best one yet, and they have all been great.
And I agree, Adam, the Sum 41 song video montage was amazing. Now I can't stop listening to the song. I have it on replay in my mp3.
And I like Rufus and Lily's friendship.
Anyone knows who's going to play Mrs. Humphrey? This is going to be interesting. And also the fact that nobody knows yet that they used to be a couple when they were young.
And I think Blair and Chuck would be great together. Maybe this is the time for Chuck's change.
Can't wait for next week.
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Nov 8, 2007 2:36 PM
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