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Episode Recap: "Woman on the Verge"
The secret’s out! Serena’s no cold-blooded murderer, but she does have a knack for getting herself into some troubling situations. Shortly after a drunk Serena slept with a drunk Nate on the night of the Shepard wedding, she joined Georgina and some guy named Pete at another hotel. Pete overdosed, and the ever-compassionate Georgie wanted to cut and run. Serena, though still out of it, knew this was wrong and called for help. They didn’t wait in the room for help to arrive, but Serena did wait across the street and saw the body bag coming out of the hotel. And she held this secret and carried the guilt with her ever since.
And then last night, after she hit rock bottom, she finally let people in. First, she told only the "non-judgmental breakfast club": her best friends Blair, Nate and Chuck. "None of us are saints," Nate explained. They all chimed in listing past indiscretions, but the topper was Chuck’s simple declaration, "I’m Chuck Bass." Enough said. Personally, the scenes among these exclusive club members were my favorite of the night – even the ones where they said nothing, such as Chuck and Nate uncomfortably sharing an elevator. The four of them have such a layered history together, and we got to learn some fun details of this history, such as the fact that Chuck lost his virginity to Georgina way back in the sixth grade. He now refers to her as a "psycho."
Serena’s best buds were truly there for her all evening, whether it meant forming a human blockade in an attempt to prevent Dan from seeing a hungover Serena or trying to track Georgina down at the 90s reunion concert (is it weird that I found Chuck’s line of "Let’s get the bitch" to be the sweetest line of the night?). Blair was perhaps the most helpful, pleading with Lily not to send Serena to reform school and telling her how much Serena needed her right now. Tipped off by Dorota, Lily went searching through Serena’s things and found the video, which had to be so hard for her to watch. Initially she thought it was a recent occurrence and didn’t watch the whole thing. But ultimately, she prioritized and put being a mother before socializing at her own rehearsal dinner. It was thanks to her that Serena was able to get some closure with this whole incident. Together they went to Pete’s parents’ house to talk to them, and Pete’s parents told Serena that they didn’t blame her. The actual conversation with them was done off-camera, which felt appropriate since it was such a private moment.
After this catharsis, Serena now felt ready to tell Dan the truth. Only, it’s been awhile since she’s done that. Before she shared her secret with her friends, Dan finally tracked her down at Blair’s and she told him yet another lie: He was suspicious that she cheated on him and she said yes. It was so obvious that she was lying, but Dan, weary from her recent evasiveness, couldn’t see this, and he broke up with her on the spot. So why did Serena lie? Because as bad as this lie was, she thought it was better than the truth. As she admitted to her friends, Dan puts her on a pedestal, and no one can live up to those expectations. And as Rufus pointed out to Dan, "You can be a pretty judgmental guy."
So Dan’s so pure and good and has these lofty expectations of others...all of which seem to form a recipe for a big downfall for him. I wonder: Would Dan have been so quick to break up with Serena if he didn’t have "Sarah" waiting in the wings? Although Dan is always suspicious that Chuck and Blair are lying, he’s gullible enough to believe Serena’s cheating lie, as well as Georgina’s abusive boyfriend lie. How will he react when Serena does finally tell him the truth? Tonight, he was ripe for a rebound, and before the night was through he was ditching Rufus’ performance and walking right into Georgina’s trap, sealed with a kiss.
Speaking of kisses, after yet another long, meaningful glance, bride-to-be Lily found herself sharing a long, passionate kiss with Rufus. (I loved Rufus’ oh-so-appropriate "Come back to me" lyrics – loved seeing Lisa Loeb and all the VH1 "classics" comments about the 90s too.) Lily was visibly uncomfortable when the Rolling Stone reporter was asking her very personal questions while interviewing her about Lincoln Hawk, and it was revealed that she had been a photographer back in her groupie days. (Had they ever mentioned that before on the show? I don’t remember that bit of info about her.) Anyway, this kiss, along with next week’s preview, put an interesting twist on her impending nuptials with Chuck’s – excuse me, I mean Charles’ father.
So it looks like next week Mama van der Woodsen will be deciding between two men, while her daughter will have to put up a fight for her man. Dan’s being used by Georgina, but I can’t completely feel bad for him after the way he’s been treating Serena lately. Looks like he’s not so perfect after all. But with the way Georgina plays, I’m sure he’s not the only one who’s going to get hurt. And as we now know, Georgie has no problem leaving people behind suffering, as long as she escapes unscathed.
Next week, the season finale!
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May 13, 2008 1:02 AM
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in the beginning, dan was my favorite and chuck was my least favorite, but now i absolutely love chuck (his "lets get the bitch" and "im chuck bass" were my favorite lines of the night) and dan is bugging me...a lot. in fact, the only humphrey i like is rufus.
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May 13, 2008 1:15 AM
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I'm with you guys.. "lets get the bitch" was the best line of the episode. I'm rooting for Lily and Rufus.. I really hope she doesn't marry the old Bass. You know what? I loved how this episode was Jenny-less. She is my least favorite character -- with the exception of Georgina, that is!
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May 13, 2008 1:32 AM
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Fantastic show
fantastic cast
just amazing
i cant believe how much i love this show is amazing
so happy that Rufus and Lilly slept together
so happy that Jenny wasnt in this episode
i cant believe how evil is georgina
amazing,cant wait it for the other week
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May 13, 2008 1:42 AM
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And people had the nerve to think G wasn't all that bad. Hope all those doubts are gone cause girl is bad!! Her lies on the spot & manipulating, damn I love it all!!! Poor Dan is so out of his league now it's pathetic. The elevator scene was funny...hard to believe Serena did so much the night of the Shephard wedding..damn girl was bad! And Chuck staring at Serena while she undressed...lol. I didn't even notice Lil J was missing until Dan mentioned her being at the mom's. Let's get the bitch line did make me all happy inside...unfortunately they took FOREVER to get there & missed Georgina. Great that Dorota does have a backbone...can't wait till the finale...uh oh!!! Oh yeah..the Lily/Rufus ending scene was cute!! I also loved when Dan got off the elevator and was like wait you 3 hate each other and they were like yeah.
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May 13, 2008 1:56 AM
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Another great episode!!
This was the ONLY episode that I did NOT find Georgina, Dan, and Serena boring...only because Blair/Chuck/Nate scenes could counteract it.
Chuck has the BEST LINES...and this episode was no different.
I LOVED the CBNS scenes..they definitely stole the show for me too! WE definitely need to see more of this fab four
Chuck/Blair -- BEST SCENE of the night when was when Blair came up to Chuck and asked him to help take Georgina down...I could not stop laughing. Their chemistry is off the charts!
Serena secret --) I guessed it last week. LAME but I'm just happy that lame, sleep-inducing storyline is done
Dan--) never liked him before and now I like him even less. I loved teh scene between Chuck and Dan in the beginning..
Rufus/Lily -) cute but that's it. I LOVE the Vanderbass family SO MUCH MORE!
Jenny --) so happy she was NOT in the episode...She's so forgettable that I didn't realize she was even missing until I read thi summary 
Finale next week--) I can't wait for all the Chuck/Blair interaction..SO EXCITED!!!
By the way...I LOVE the new TBC (to be continued) poster CW made for the Gossip Girl finale featuring Chuck and Blair...BEST POSTERS EVER!!!
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May 13, 2008 2:45 AM
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I'm a female fan so out of the expected demographic for this show, I won't even put a decade on my age. But I love GG to death. Every generation has their Serenas, Blaires, Jennies, and Georginas, and thankfully somehow we survive them. The upper east side twist is fashionista fun, but the same show and its cast of characters plays out for every teenager who's ever lived. My only quibble is I think that just for once the issue of underage drinking should be addressed. After all, these kids are in high school, yet sit in private clubs or classy restaurants downing cosmopolitans. I can't wait to see Georgina brought down by the Fantastic Five! Delicious.
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May 13, 2008 7:14 AM
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THE BEST SHOW EVER
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May 13, 2008 8:37 AM
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I seriously love this show and I'm definitely way out of the 'normal' demo for this kind of thing. Well, I'm a 30 year old female, so maybe I'm still in their ad revenue group. I cannot wait to see more of the 'fab four'. Watching the four of them together made you realize how intertwined their lives have been up to this point--and also, on a side note--how Blake Lively's acting isn't quite up to par with the rest of them....but maybe she'll get there. I can't wait for the finale. That Rufus/Lily kiss was hot, and did anyone else 'really' like his "Runaway" song? I think my 90's roots are showing..lol
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May 13, 2008 8:43 AM
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I absolutely love the comraderie with Nate, Chuck, Blair and Serena. I agree this was a great episode, and I didn't notice Jenny was gone. So that says something...I love Rufus and I am rooting for him and Lily. I have a feeling she will marry old Bass and have an affair with Rufus on the side. Old Bass can give her materially what Rufus can't, not to mention social standing. I would love to be wrong. I am so glad Blair set Lily straight about Serena. Yes, Chuck's lines were the best, as always.
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May 13, 2008 8:47 AM
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Well, I think we all guessed what Serena's secret was- and I have to admit I thought it was pretty weak. I kept hoping that there was a little something more to it, but it was still good. I really liked seeing Chuck, Blair and Nate coming to Serena's rescue. Dan's being pretty stupid and naive, but I guess that's to be expected. He doesn't really have much experience with the opposite sex.
Chuck definately had the best line of the night with "I'm Chuck Bass". I thought it was funny that everyone said what they had done wrong so easily like it was just to be expected from them. And I liked the "non-judgemental Breakfast Club" comment.
Rufus and Lily were cute together. I'm not sure how I feel about this since I enjoy the Bass family so much. We'll see.
And Jenny.... I didn't miss her either. She is quite annoying but I do understand what they're doing with her character. She's only a freshman and it's hard to make the transition to high school. She just wanted to be popular and fit in with everyone else. Hopefully her character can develop a little more.
Looking forward to next week, but I'm sad that it's the last episode and I'll have to wait until the fall for it to come back!
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May 13, 2008 9:04 AM
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Okay, I fall in love with Chuck pretty much every week, but the unexpected brotherly side he has shown to both Serena and Erik in the last few weeks has made me love him even more. He's still a dirty little man, watching Serena get undressed, ha, but he clearly looks out for her. I'm in love with him and all of his lines. "I'm Chuck Bass." had me saying appreciatively, "Yes, you are..." and laughing and the "I'd say let's get the bitch." had me sighing. Love it.
Loved every part of the Fab 4 interaction, we haven't really seen this happen often this season at all, so it was pretty great to see it now. And everyone's comments, no nonchalant about what they've done...I'm officially addicted.
Dan's being quite the judge, isn't he? I understand he's upset, but someone as "in love" with their SO, whether they broke up that morning or not, would not be at all interested in hooking up with someone else.
I hope Georgie dies. Or is shamed out of the Upper East Side, at least.
I was also in love with the picture of Rufus. Hell, we all know Rufus is a good looking guy NOW, but back then? Man, it's easy to see why Lily fell for him so hard. "Get out of my way, Rufus." "No." Loved it.
Great, evil episode, but I was SO hoping they would catch Georgie. And for the first time, I also liked Vanessa and the way she actually believed Nate and "the two people I can't stand" about "Sarah" and confronted her. She's pretty hardcore.
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May 13, 2008 10:06 AM
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"I'm Chuck Bass" & "Let's Get the Bitch"...BEST LINES OF THE NIGHT!!!!!
I was so hoping that they would catch up with Georgina...hopefully next week we will get to see the Blair/Chuck/Georgina showdown that we all wanted tonight. It was great seeing Serena's friends come to her defense like that...and the fact that Vanessa believed Nat was nice to see. It's a shame that Dan couldn't be a little wiser!
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May 13, 2008 10:18 AM
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 Great show tonight..but can we have more scense with Chuck and Blair! I mean come on, their scenes together are electric. I love their chemistry. I loved when Blair came up to him with a smile on her face and Chuck just looks at her and says Whats gotton into you?" and of course his "Im Chuck Bass" enough said.
I love Rufus and Lily! I am so glad they turned Lily into a likeable character..I remember back at the first ep. of the series she was nothing but a snotty mother.
I will say this, I never understood why people like Serena and Dan so much. I like them as friends. They do not do well as a couple because they do not talk to each other about things and like Serena said, he puts her on this pedestal and just like Rufus told him, he can be very judgemental.
Anywhoo, I really love this show and I am glad it's going to be back.
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May 13, 2008 11:07 AM
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vivienbrenda you may find this weird and shocking but in NYC its not very hard to drink. Yes, it's should be harder in legitimate establishments, but I grew up on the Upper East Side and if you know the right people or have the right amount of family money you'd be surprised what people will let you do. And It's not like I talking about years go I'm only 21. Believe me this show is true to form...the upper east side is a completely different world.
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May 13, 2008 11:20 AM
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