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Episode Recap: "The Blair Bitch Project"
OMG – Gossip Girl is back! And I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that I’m almost giddy about it. It’s been a long spring break, and I’m not just referring to the three weeks the gang had off from school, but the more than three months we’ve had to wait since the last new episode. Finally we got to see the first of five post-strike episodes – and the start of Blair’s merciless revenge.
Of course, before Blair could start plotting to get back her throne back, she had to face everyone at school, which was no easy task. Who can’t relate to a really difficult first day back when you just want to hide from everyone? Thankfully, she had Serena to practically drag her back to the hallowed halls of Constance Billard. But it was truly as hard as Blair anticipated. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but yogurt can turn a good hair day bad. Flinging a dairy product at her in unison – that was evil (though I couldn’t help but smirk because it is Blair’s favorite lunchtime food after all). In addition to making me feel sorry for Blair, that scene also showed me how firmly entrenched Jenny (sporting a new shorter, curlier do) now is with the in crowd, and how she doesn’t feel an ounce of regret for what she did to Blair.
Which brings me to a dilemma this show presents: Whom to root for – Blair or Jenny? They’re both series regulars after all. Blair’s a selfish and whiny spoiled brat; Jenny’s a former good girl who sold her soul to cross over to the dark side. For me, the answer is clear: Blair. She’s a bitch, no question, but she’s just so good at being a bitch, in a way that others can’t emulate. In this current war between the dethroned queen bee and the in crowd’s newest member, I hope B eventually triumphs. But I also like that she has a worthy adversary in Jenny, so it’s good that little J gets to win some of the battles. It keeps things interesting.
Jenny was racking up the wins for awhile there, but setting up Blair to dine all alone at Butter was the final straw. That spurred Blair to come up with a truly inspired way to "celebrate" Jenny’s 15th birthday. The bored girls, the streamers and balloons, the Rice Krispie treats – all good, but the cake with Jenny’s digitized face that Blair was helping hold was a thing of beauty. Initially, I assumed that Blair’s revenge plan would involve her uncovering something Jenny did and finding a way to rat her out to Rufus (yes, I devoted time over the last three months to thinking about Blair’s possible revenge tactics). But going to Rufus as Jenny’s friend and suggesting this birthday bash was an even smarter idea. And things turned out better than Blair anticipated, as Blair didn’t even know about Jenny’s actual crime. No need to for anyone to tattle on Jenny, as everything basically spilled out in an embarrassingly ugly scene in front of everyone, and Jenny was caught red-handed in the stolen red dress.
I’ll admit I took some pity on Jenny during that scene, as well as during her teary-eyed table chat with Rufus. It was hard watching her struggle to keep up with the extravagant lifestyle her new friends lead throughout the episode. The pressure was intense – for anyone, let alone a high-school kid. But while her public humiliation at her party was painful, it’s not like she didn’t deserve it. I mean, the girl has now crossed the line and committed a felony! Plus she was bold enough to ask Nate (who’s still a new, casual pal, not a longtime friend) if she could borrow $8000 from him, and she got an innocent maid in trouble. The fact that she tried to right her wrong when she heard the maid might get fired shows that there’s still some hope for her though. But that doesn’t mean she’s done with trying to fit in with the in crowd, nor is she done with trying to one-up Blair, as evidenced by the post-party scene at Butter in which Jenny brought Nate along as some kind of offering for Penelope. And so the birthday party was a win for Blair, but the post-party was a win for Jenny.
The night’s other big war was between Serena and Chuck. It was less intense, but no less amusing. Chuck is acting like a typical annoying brother to Serena and a bit of a devilish role model for Eric. It makes sense – he’s an only child trying to enjoy some things he missed out on. His bathroom scene with Serena had me laughing, including the fact that she then had go about her day with messy hair, all smelly and unbathed. The funniest moment had to be when Serena got her very special package of handcuffs and porn at the dinner tasting. Though Chuck enjoyed it, I believed him when he said it wasn’t from him. Too bad Bart and Serena didn’t. Chuck seemed to be truly enjoying all of his new family-bonding experiences, so when Bart kicked him out of the house, that really hurt him. OK, it’s not like rich boy is now living on the streets – he’s still at the hotel, back at his luxury solo suite. But the closeness he was feeling when he made his "to family" toast seemed genuine, and the bonding was perhaps even proving to be a good influence on him. For proof, just look as how he was being civil toward Dan.
I hope Bart lets him back in the penthouse soon – not just because the Bass home is funnier when he’s there, but because we now know for sure that he didn’t do all those things to Serena that she accused him of. Nope, "G" was the culprit. Next week, we get to meet Georgina – and hopefully learn even more about Serena’s wild past in the process.
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Apr 21, 2008 10:27 PM
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Wow! Months we've waited for this episode, and I already want more. I can't wait for new dilemma's to unfold with the unfortunate arrival of "G". Well.. unfortunate for Serena, not so unfortunate for us! Should be good! 
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Apr 21, 2008 10:39 PM
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OMFG
OMFG
WOWWWWWWWWWWW JUSTTT WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
THERE ARE NOT OTHER WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS FANTASTIC EPISODE
I LOVE BLAIR SHE IS THE BEST AT BEING BITCH
I HATE JENNY SUCH A WANNABE AND NO STEALING PATHETICE
POOR RUFUS AND DAN THEY ARE SUCH NICE GUYS...I ALMOST FELT SORRY FOR JENNY BUT AFTER WHAT SHE DID TO BLAIR AT BUTTER IM BACK AT HATING HER
I WISH NATE WASNT SO NAIVE THAT HE WENT WITH HER...POOR BLAIR
I LOVE ERIC,SERENA AND CHUCK TOGETHER AMAZING,I LOVED ALL THE PRESENTS AJJAJAJA JUST FUNNY...I CANT WAIT FOR GEORGINA TO SHOW UP....
AND OF COURSE ERIC IS THE GAY ONE FALLING FOR CHUCK AND CHUCK BEING CHUCK IS JUST PLAYING ALONG
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Apr 21, 2008 11:26 PM
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I was sooooo excited for Gossip Girl to come back...until the episode aired. You've got to be kidding me with Jenny, a freshman, being the "Queen B"? I don't think so! Jenny stealing the dress was the last straw for me, she's not a character I love to hate, it's just plain hate going on. The fact that the girls could get over a $50,000 custom made dress just because Jenny brought Nate to the dinner? Yeah right. I'm about to be over the show if it doesn't get better, because between Greek and DWTS, my monday nights are crowded enough...and if were going The Hills/Laguna Beach here, Team Blair all the way.
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Apr 21, 2008 11:50 PM
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I LOVED this episode!! GG is always amazing and it did NOT disappoint me..
Chuck--> HANDS DOWN the best part of the show everyweek. He's a great actor, character is amazing and I love him. Seriously, that shark sweater could only look good on him. I LOVE his interaction with Eric. I think its cute how Eric looks up him. However, I HATE Bart
I also loved how Chuck was NOT happy when Blair got yogurt thrown on her head...
Serena--) Love her interactino with Blair adn I love seeing Chuck and Serena interact as FRIENDS! I was actually pissed at her for most of the epsiode because I knew Chuck didn't send the gifts...
Blair--) Another amazing actress. Her and Ed westwick( Chuck) are the ONLY reason I watch this show! I can't wait till Blair takes Jenny DOWN!
The ONLY thing missing in this episode was CHUCK AND BLAIR INTERACTION!!! I'm hoping we will get some next week
Nate--) acting oblivious as usual
Jenny--) first episode where I did NOT find her annoying. Don't get me wrong I still hate her but I liked some the issues tehy discusses in this episode adn I like this whole competition thing with Blair....
Nex week; PLEASE SHOW MORE CHUCK AND BLAIR INTERACTION!!! It's been THREE months...I need my Chuck/Blair (fav couple on the show )
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Apr 22, 2008 12:33 AM
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chica:
The dress was $15,000.00 not $50,000.00
As for Jenny. I think it is great that Blair is getting hers. She was the one always dishing out. As they say, paybacks are a bitch. But I also think that Jenny will take a hard fall. But then again she fell last night but bounced well.
I think it is going to be great to see Serena get the claws out. I bet she can be pretty mean when she has to be.
She may even need Chuck's help and I think he will help. Should be fun.
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Apr 22, 2008 7:58 AM
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Yay, GG is back. Jenny was ticking me off, but I felt so bad for her when she was at her party, trying to get the dress off. I kept screaming at Rufus to get out! (although does anyone find it strange that a Valentino custom made for Hazel's mom fits Jenny perfectly?). Worst birthday party ever! I did like that Rufus wouldn't even let Dan take Jenny out for ice cream -- he just found out that his daughter stole a dress, birthday or not, there is no reward/ice cream for that!
And while I knew it would be Serena at Chuck's hotel door, for a moment I held my breath, hoping that Blair rushed out of Butter and to Chuck for comfort. Maybe someday!
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Apr 22, 2008 8:50 AM
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I'm with you, Jennifer. I gotta side with Blair in this little war. I, too, felt sort of bad for Jenny at her party, but not that bad.
Hands down, my favorite quote of the night came from, of course, Chuck.
Lily: "Serena, get your dirty package off the coffee table."
Chuck: "If I had a dime for every time I heard that..."
Dirty, indeed. But hilarious.
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Apr 22, 2008 10:06 AM
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Of course I want Blair to be back on top but Jenny has gotta hold the crown at least for a little while longer. Just long enough to completely transition over to the dark side and then feel the burn when Blair takes her down. Can't wait for Georgina next week and to see more of Serena in her bad girl days. I loved Serena apologizing to Chuck and basically seeking his help with the sh*t storm that's about to hit the UE.
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Apr 22, 2008 10:55 AM
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I may have missed this - does anyone know how Jenny got the red dress back from the pawn shop lady? did Nate give her the $8k?
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Apr 22, 2008 10:59 AM
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rss3636: Jenny basically stole the red dress back. She left the black dress that she had originally traded it for in the dressing room, and walked out with the red dress on, under her coat. So in effect, she stole it twice: once from Hazel's mom and once from the lady at the consignment store.
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Apr 22, 2008 11:08 AM
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Yes!! Finally my little guilty pleasure is back on! and what a great show last night..First of all, whoever did the casting for this show should be highly proud.
"Little Jenny" she is slowly turning into a hateful thing, but still has her little girl innocence and sometimes a good heart. I love her scenes with Rufus and I loved that Rufus told her flat out he was not going to feel bad for not being able to buy her a private jet. I also loved her scenes with Nate. Clueless as he is, I think they are adorable together and what perfect revenge for Jenny to get back to Blair, to get with Nate.
Chuck..I love his character. And let's just say, that noone else could pull of some of his clothing choices..they are just perfect for him. I loved his scenes with Serena tonight. My favorite part was when he was in her bathroom and she said that there will never be any DNA between them, or something like that and Chuck smugly said well I wouldn't use any of your handtowels than..hahha..nasty but so Chuck.
The only thing missing was a scene with Chuck and Blair. They belong together and I hope the show realizes this.
So glad GG is back!!
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Apr 22, 2008 11:21 AM
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I loved last night's episode!
I just wish people who poo-poo this show realized how funny and smart the writing is.
Blair's Breakfast at Tiffany's dream was hilarious! And I chuckled when her maid referred to her state of hiding as "club bed".
Serena had a good line too when she told B "being a bitch is what got dairy on your head in the first place".
But it was Chuck who once again had the line of night after Lilly said "Don't put your dirty package on the table" and replied "if I had a nickel for every time I heard that."
It was a slam-bang of an episode and it just promises to get juicier! Bring it on!
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Apr 22, 2008 12:17 PM
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Jenny was not the queen B. She was in no way being the leader. She however, was fully accepted into the crowd.
I too did like Rufus actually being a dad and not letting Jenny go for ice cream with Dan. I wonder what he is going to do now that she snuck out of the house?
I think is was nice that Nate also did not like Blair getting the yogurt thrown on her head.
Has there been any mention of Chuck's mom? That might explain more of the relationship between Chuck and Bart. I think Chuck really does want to be part of a family, especially now that he no longer has a best friend.
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Apr 22, 2008 2:23 PM
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Emster, I'm with you on funniest line of the night, by a mile. My husband doesn't watch the show, but he was in the room while it was on, and he laughed out loud at that one!
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Apr 22, 2008 3:07 PM
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