‘Gossip Girl’: Reunited and it feels so good

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Like a fair maiden waiting with baited breath for her vagabond lover to arrive, I welcomed Monday night’s new episode of ‘Gossip Girl’ with open arms. It has been three months, after all! I expected the same hot and heavy reception that Nate got from Serena, but ended up with a greeting as flat as Chuck’s French accent. Why so serious? Perhaps the show and I just need to get to know each other again.

Because there’s plenty to be serious to about, let’s start with the froth. Serena and Nate, together at last! I’ve been waiting for this couple to take off since, well, the pilot episode. There’s no doubt that Serena and Nate have unbelievable chemistry; their spark pretty much blows any of their previous relationships out of the water (yes, even Serena’s relationship with Dan). They’re both just so ... hot. We know we can expect more steamy scenes in coat check closets and other assorted tight spaces, but will that physical chemistry be enough to sustain a real relationship? It’s a journey I’m willing to take, especially if Serena and Nate are going to be taking kooky advice from their respective exes/BFFs (remind me to create a Venn diagram of who’s dated who on this show).
Speaking of exes, one particular doctor ex-husband is causing a major rift between former golden couple Lily and Rufus. After getting wind of Lily’s secret summer tryst in the letter sent by Dr. William Van der Woodsen (to be played by William Baldwin starting April 26), Rufus decided to take off to Colorado to hang with his buds and avoid his new wife. The time away didn’t help; he returned with a heart as icy as the mountains around Telluride in January. I don’t blame him. I’d be angry if my fiancee at the time had kissed an ex -- even if it didn’t mean anything. During their confrontation, Lily resembled a guilty Serena, who could do nothing but shrug and pout at her transgressions. Like mother and daughter indeed.

Naturally, I don’t approve of Lily and Rufus fighting, especially so soon after their wedding, and even more especially with that creepy neighbor lady waiting in the wings. As bitter and disappointed as he is, I think Rufus doesn’t have what it takes to cheat. But if he does, let’s hope he’s not stupid enough to do it with someone who lives in Lily’s building. They’ll find a way to work things out, and just when they think their relationship is back on solid ground, BAM! The doctor will emerge. I can’t wait!
Another mystery begging to be solved is the one involving Chuck’s mother. In the episode before the winterhiatus, Chuck encountered a dark-haired woman standing at the foot of his father’s grave on the night of the anniversary if Bart Bass’ death. She gasped Chuck’s name before running off, leaving Bart’s favorite flowers (Bart Bass liked flowers?!) and an engraved locket with Bart’s photo in it. After some handy detective work, Chuck uncovered a name -- Elizabeth -- and a hotel address. Once he confronted the woman, he immediately bought her bogus story about being just one of Bart’s casual ex-girlfriends who knew nothing about Chuck’s mother. Thank goodness Chuck has Blair in his life! The ‘originator of that innocent, doe-eyed stare’ wasn’t fooled by Elizabeth’s act for one second and wasn’t afraid to let her know it. It’s always so satisfying when Blair and Chuck defend each other’s honor because their actions toward others are rarely subtle. When contrasted with the vulnerability that they show each other privately, we truly see why they’re the show’s most compelling relationship.

Jenny capped off the drama by showing us she’s becoming extremely adept at becoming a drug dealer. Her brilliant idea to sew pills into jacket paillettes could have easily won her a ‘Project Runway’ challenge! Despite the illegality of it all, it was nice to see Jenny put her wit and wiles to use. Her only vice will be the crush she’s harboring for Damien. That’s going to be a hard habit to kick.

Now I’ll hand it over to you, readers. What were your favorite moments of the episode? How do you feel about Serena and Nate as a couple? Do you think Rufus would cheat on Lily? Do you think Elizabeth is Chuck’s mom? Comment away!

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Upper photo: Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald and Blake Lively as Serena Van der Woodsen. Credit: The CW

Lower photo: Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf and Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass. Credit: The CW