'Gossip Girl': Hilary Duff rings in freshman year

The news that Hilary Duff is joining "Gossip Girl" for a multi-episode arc next season has me super excited for the "Gossip" gang's freshman year of college. Duff will play Olivia, a former child-star who enrolls at NYU and happens to get placed as Vanessa's roommate. Her main purpose, however, is to serve as a love interest for Dan, who's obviously got a thing for blonds. Duff makes her debut on the Oct. 5 episode.

Nate is also getting a new love in former "Privileged" star Joanna Garcia, who signed on to play Southern belle Bree Buckley for four episodes. Aside from Vanessa, Nate has yet to date a good girl, so I won't be surprised if Bree has a mean streak. She'll first appear on the season premiere on Sept. 14.

Other things to look forward to in September: Georgina and Blair as roommates, Chuck and Blair as an official couple, Chuck's immersion into the world of Bass Industries and Dan's first keg stand. OK, I made the last one up, but the writers would be silly not to include some embarrassing frat party high jinks.

How do you envision the "Gossip Girl" gang's freshman year? Are you excited to see Hilary Duff and Joanna Garcia on the show?

— Enid Portuguez

The post-collegiate high school students of "Gossip Girl" made it through their second season Monday night -- and, for most of them, their senior year -- with a graduation ceremony, a couple of parties and a shower of nasty revelations (old news to us but fresh to the general population of Constance Billiard/St. Jude’s) that had no effect at all on anyone’s social standing.

The low-rated but pop-culturally potent CW series is the Tiffany of teenage soaps, an absurdly eventful drama with a magazine-cover cast that dresses romantic striving and the occasional naughty thrill in high-fashion threads and excellent Manhattan locations. Like most shows about high school, or at least the ones that feature actors old enough that we don’t mind watching them pretend to have sex (with each other, and with adults), it is not about high school so much as a state of being, a world of new experiences its viewers are either living through, looking forward to, or nostalgic for.

When the series began, Blake Lively’s Serena looked like the lead, in part because Lively is so physically formidable and in part because her storyline (bad girl going good, dating the boy from the wrong side of the East River) most obviously promised struggle and transformation. But it’s Leighton Meester’s self-centered Blair who has emerged as the most valuable player.

This has much to do with Meester, a subtle actress who makes Blair layered and likable -- not as a character you love to hate but one driven by familiar if much magnified needs. (She wants to be loved, is the bottom line.) We feel her pain, if we feel anyone’s. At the same time, she’s the only one of the principal characters who seems capable of delight. (There is also much comedy in her scheming and in her frustration.) Everyone else goes through endless cycles of pique and relief as they continually betray one another’s trust. But they only simmer, where Blair burns.

She knows what she wants, her friends have no particular vision for their life. (I am unconvinced by the notion of Dan Humphrey as a literary tyro.) It doesn’t matter that the things she wants are sometimes only the things she believes she is supposed to want, like going to Yale. And although she’s forced into endless detours by the requirements of the television serial in which she lives, she stays remarkably focused.

Her obsession with Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) is a little harder to credit, given that character’s almost ludicrous, self-styled "badness," but it came to a head Monday night as Chuck proved to be a romantic in cynic’s clothing. He had been keeping himself from Blair only for her own good. (No longer a concern apparently.) Their end-of-episode coming together saw him normally happy and smiling for once and gave Westwick a chance to use facial muscles the series had not required of him.

Their union was prompted in part by an e-mail blast (delivered during graduation) that, among other things, called Blair weak and Chuck cowardly and reminded the viewer that for all intents and purposes the supernaturally knowing Gossip Girl is also the show’s moral authority. (The show sells titillation, but ultimately it’s quite proper.) When Serena (Blake Lively) took it upon herself to attempt to discover her identity, she and her friends found themselves staring into a mirror: You are Gossip Girl, they were all texted. You make me possible. Heavy, like an art movie in which the hunted rips the mask from the face of the hunter to find that it is his own. But true.

-- Robert Lloyd

Ahh, high school graduation. The season finale of "Gossip Girl" reminded us that we can leave the awkwardness and angst of those four years behind, but will they ever really leave us? Gossip Girl was right: We're all Gossip Girls. It's why we're all so addicted to this show! Graduation time always make me a little anxious about the future of my favorite teen dramas, but I'll talk about that later. The showdown must go on!

We began the episode with the gang dressed in caps and gowns (except for Serena, who is clearly too cool to wear a cap or close her gown), preparing to embark on the ceremony that will officially relieve them from the bonds of high school. But before they get to turn their tassels, Gossip Girl goes on a rampage. No one is exempt, especially the soon-to-be-irrelevant Serena. S, who whines about the tabloid attention yet secretly fears a life without it, decides enough is enough; it's time to take the elusive Gossip Girl down.

We all know there's no show if the mystery of its namesake is revealed, so consider yourself fooled if you thought that secret was coming out. We did, however, get some hints as to who she (or he — loved how they tried to make us think it was Eric's boyfriend Jonathan) could be. After scouring through her archives for, oh, five minutes, Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck were able to deduce that GG is likely their age and had attended either of their schools. Those guesses hold even more weight now that we know GG will be following them through college. Whoever it is clearly has the wits to outsmart Serena, which really isn't saying very much.

While Serena was busy saving the world from the wretched hands of Gossip Girl, Blair was on a mission of her own. After her last attempt to pry those three words from Chuck's mouth, one would hope B would hang her headband and call it a day. Her relentlessness is admirable, but after attempt No. 5 went unrequited, I was ready to gag her with those German stockings. My ill feelings did wash away with that last scene, where a very effective soundtrack by Shiny Toy Guns ushered in a new era of Chuck and Blair. Was that a smile on Chuck's face? I was seriously beside myself.

So what stories do we have to look forward to next season? Rufus and Lily's engagement and the merging of the Humphrey and Van der Woodsen-Bass households will be interesting, as will the appearance of the couple's long-lost son, Scott. Georgina's enrollment at NYU along with Dan, Vanessa and Blair (who, by the way, I don't believe for a second would ever live in a dorm) should shake things up. Serena's search for her father could also reveal some juicy secrets about her family's past, and lastly, let's not forget about the reign of Queen Little J.

As I mentioned before, the thought of the "Gossip Girl" gang graduating gave me some anxiety about the future of the show. Post-West Beverly, the 90210 crew enjoyed seven more years on the air, all of which were filled with mediocrity and melodrama. "The OC" and "Dawson's Creek" couldn't stay afloat after the caps were tossed, and "One Tree Hill" had to flash forward four years to keep things interesting. Need we even talk about "Saved by the Bell: The College Years"?

My point is that the show's writers and producers have quite the daunting task ahead of them. Outside the cloistered confines of high school, these characters can go a hundred different ways, most of which have led their predecessors toward repetitious and lazy story lines, bland-new love interests and the clichéd "shocking death." The "Gossip Girl" gang has already bedded teachers, avoided jail time and mastered the art of ordering a martini — what else is left to learn in college? We know these kids can't stay young forever and another guilty pleasure will eventually pop up in its place, so until then, we'll bask in the colorful wardrobe, the bitchy one-liners and, of course, the never-ending gossip that it has graced us so far.

Were you satisfied with the season finale? Who do you think is the real Gossip Girl? What story lines are you looking forward to next season?

It's going to be a loooong summer. 

xoxo

—Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

OMG, that "Gossip Girl" episode was totally awesome to the max.

Ever since news broke that "Gossip Girl" was planning an '80s flashback episode as well as an '80s-inspired spinoff centered on a young Lily van der Woodsen, I have been anticipating what was sure to be an hour-long spectacle of tulle, neon and Flock of Seagulls hair.  On Monday night, we got our share of tulle and neon — not so much Flock of Seagulls hair, thankfully — but most importantly, we got a juicy glimpse into Lily's past. As fun as it was to escape the Upper East Side for one episode, I'm still on the fence about this possible spinoff (apparently, so is the CW). Here's what I love and what I don't love about it:

What I love:

— Um, duh, the fashion. Young Lily's outfit montage was as amazing as the one she decided to wear. Since '80s looks are currently back in style, there is no doubt that cropped jacket, those lace leggings and the tiered skirt will be hitting Melrose Avenue, like, now.

— The younger Cece Rhodes.  From her judgmental squint to the snooty inflection in her voice, Cynthia Watros ("Lost") nailed Cece. Plus, I believe Cece could and would channel her own oceanside version of "Dynasty" by combining Krystle Carrington's look with Alexis' attitude.

— Andrew McCarthy. "Lipstick Jungle" was all wrong for him. With this spinoff, he'd be back where he belongs — in the '80s!

— A look into Lily's past. We saw how she met Serena and Eric's tool of a father, Keith van der Woodsen, but how did she end up marrying him? How did Lily meet Rufus? Where is present-day Carol Rhodes and what is she up to now? These are questions that the episode left me asking and that the spinoff could help answer.

— No Doubt as a band called Snowed Out. If future band cameos will be as awesomely named as that, I'm all for it.

What I don't love:

— Inconsistencies. Do our eyes somehow grow darker as we age? Because young Lily is clearly sporting baby blues while modern-day Lily's eyes are brown.

— Tepid cast chemistry. Aside from Cece and Rick Rhodes, I wasn't too thrilled with the casting of young Lily and Carol's band of outsiders. Owen looked like a cross between Ed Westwick and Zack Efron, not some Valley rebel who is supposed to rock Lily's world.  Keith van der Woodsen seemed mediocre at best, and Shep was just plain odd. If the spinoff wants to earn as much hype as "Gossip Girl," it's going to have to give us a more dynamic group.

—The '80s concept. As much as I love the wacky fashion and the New Wave soundtrack, would anybody in "Gossip Girl's" target demographic care about a decade they barely remember or better yet weren't even alive to witness? I know there are lots of fans (me included) who do appreciate '80s kitsch, but is it enough to keep a series going? Then again, "That '70s Show" did pretty well...

With my attention fully focused on the flashbacks, it was difficult to concentrate on the regular "Gossip Girl" story. Serena's defiant act of staying in jail evoked nothing short of apathy and the gang's prom turned out to be as flat as the girls' plan to make Nelly Yuki prom queen. The best scene belonged to Chuck, whose covert efforts to give Blair her dream prom were too sweet for words. Now that Blair and Nate have decided to part ways, is it time for Chuck to make his own dreams come true?

Time for your thoughts. Did you love or hate the '80s flashbacks? Would you watch the spinoff based on this episode?

 xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

You know the end of "Gossip Girl's" season is near when the drama starts flowing like puns out of Blair's mouth. Monday night's episode was jam-packed with events, including the gang's attempted takedown of Poppy Lifton, Serena's arrest, Chuck's profession of love for Blair, Rufus' failed proposal to Lily and Georgina's return to the dark side. Must. Break. For air. Raise your hand if your head spun a little at the end of that hour.

I admit, I spent half of the episode feeling exasperated at Serena and Lily. After Gabriel's Ponzi scheme unraveled, a guilt-ridden Serena believed she can recover the millions of dollars that her mother and others had invested just by asking for it. S successfully tricked Gabriel, who clearly isn't much of a professional thief, into meeting her and explaining the entire scam. But the only setback was that Gabriel didn't have the money; Poppy, the mastermind of the operation, did. Thankfully, Serena didn't fall for Gabriel's pathetic apology in which he insisted he truly did fall in love with her. Riiiight.  

Still, S didn't think it was time to call the authorities. Dan, ever the sensible one, disagreed and told Lily about her and Rufus' bad investment. Fearful that the scandal would ruin Serena's reputation, she decided to not report Gabriel or Poppy and pay back each investor out of her own pocket. To make matters worse, Lily set aside a special payment plan for Rufus which would give him monthly dividends and lead him to believe he was really profiting from an investment. This was where I desperately wanted to shake her. Why punish the crooks when you have enough money to make the whole disaster disappear? And did she really think Rufus was too stupid to find out? His son was the one who informed her of the whole scam! From that moment on, I sided with S and the rest of the gang's Scooby-Doo plan to catch Poppy red-handed.

Enter Georgina, whose Bible-bouncer act brought nothing but smiles to my face all night. Her job seemed simple enough: serve as bait for a Poppy on the prowl. As soon as Poppy's solicitation was recorded, she'd be handed to the cops for her Madoff moment. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Georgina held up her end of the bargain but made the mistake of using her Bible camp's money as collateral. The police did arrive, but they were called by Lily and sent to arrest Serena, not Poppy. Blair believed Georgina had set up the whole arrest and unleashed one of her trademark verbal lashings: "You're evil. I know it. You know it. And God knows it, too." Aww, snap! God bless B for waking the dormant beast. I can't wait for Georgina to show B how a real bitch gets things done.

The drama didn't end there. In matters of love on this episode, I can only say that I'm grateful I didn't have a table nearby to pound my head on. Lily's financial gaffe and rash decision to have Serena arrested spoiled Rufus' proposal, which was a bummer but I believe is still salvageable. Next week's '80s flashback will give us more insight into Lily's reasoning, and we hope, some redemption on her part with Rufus.

The real upsetting moment occurred between Blair and Chuck. For anyone who is a fan of the couple, it was a watershed moment. Blair gave Chuck one last time to say those three little words and yet again, he failed to deliver. This time, it wasn't because he couldn't say or didn't mean it. He let her go because he wasn't ready and loved her too much to continue to put her through the ringer. It's likely B won't be barking up that tree for a while, which will either set us up for more tension between them or a period void of witty Blair-Chuck repartee (I'm crossing my fingers for the former). As for Nate, B wisely chose to not move in with him. At least we got one wish granted.

What did you think of this drama-filled episode? Did you agree with Serena or Lily? Did Chuck make the right decision to let Blair go?

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Critic's Notebook: 'Gossip Girl' at season's end

The post-collegiate high school students of "Gossip Girl" made it through their second season Monday night -- and, for most of them, their senior year -- with a graduation ceremony, a couple of parties and a shower of nasty revelations (old news to us but fresh to the general population of Constance Billiard/St. Jude’s) that had no effect at all on anyone’s social standing.

The low-rated but pop-culturally potent CW series is the Tiffany of teenage soaps, an absurdly eventful drama with a magazine-cover cast that dresses romantic striving and the occasional naughty thrill in high-fashion threads and excellent Manhattan locations. Like most shows about high school, or at least the ones that feature actors old enough that we don’t mind watching them pretend to have sex (with each other, and with adults), it is not about high school so much as a state of being, a world of new experiences its viewers are either living through, looking forward to, or nostalgic for.

When the series began, Blake Lively’s Serena looked like the lead, in part because Lively is so physically formidable and in part because her storyline (bad girl going good, dating the boy from the wrong side of the East River) most obviously promised struggle and transformation. But it’s Leighton Meester’s self-centered Blair who has emerged as the most valuable player.

This has much to do with Meester, a subtle actress who makes Blair layered and likable -- not as a character you love to hate but one driven by familiar if much magnified needs. (She wants to be loved, is the bottom line.) We feel her pain, if we feel anyone’s. At the same time, she’s the only one of the principal characters who seems capable of delight. (There is also much comedy in her scheming and in her frustration.) Everyone else goes through endless cycles of pique and relief as they continually betray one another’s trust. But they only simmer, where Blair burns.

She knows what she wants, her friends have no particular vision for their life. (I am unconvinced by the notion of Dan Humphrey as a literary tyro.) It doesn’t matter that the things she wants are sometimes only the things she believes she is supposed to want, like going to Yale. And although she’s forced into endless detours by the requirements of the television serial in which she lives, she stays remarkably focused.

Her obsession with Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) is a little harder to credit, given that character’s almost ludicrous, self-styled "badness," but it came to a head Monday night as Chuck proved to be a romantic in cynic’s clothing. He had been keeping himself from Blair only for her own good. (No longer a concern apparently.) Their end-of-episode coming together saw him normally happy and smiling for once and gave Westwick a chance to use facial muscles the series had not required of him.

Their union was prompted in part by an e-mail blast (delivered during graduation) that, among other things, called Blair weak and Chuck cowardly and reminded the viewer that for all intents and purposes the supernaturally knowing Gossip Girl is also the show’s moral authority. (The show sells titillation, but ultimately it’s quite proper.) When Serena (Blake Lively) took it upon herself to attempt to discover her identity, she and her friends found themselves staring into a mirror: You are Gossip Girl, they were all texted. You make me possible. Heavy, like an art movie in which the hunted rips the mask from the face of the hunter to find that it is his own. But true.

-- Robert Lloyd

Ahh, high school graduation. The season finale of "Gossip Girl" reminded us that we can leave the awkwardness and angst of those four years behind, but will they ever really leave us? Gossip Girl was right: We're all Gossip Girls. It's why we're all so addicted to this show! Graduation time always make me a little anxious about the future of my favorite teen dramas, but I'll talk about that later. The showdown must go on!

We began the episode with the gang dressed in caps and gowns (except for Serena, who is clearly too cool to wear a cap or close her gown), preparing to embark on the ceremony that will officially relieve them from the bonds of high school. But before they get to turn their tassels, Gossip Girl goes on a rampage. No one is exempt, especially the soon-to-be-irrelevant Serena. S, who whines about the tabloid attention yet secretly fears a life without it, decides enough is enough; it's time to take the elusive Gossip Girl down.

We all know there's no show if the mystery of its namesake is revealed, so consider yourself fooled if you thought that secret was coming out. We did, however, get some hints as to who she (or he — loved how they tried to make us think it was Eric's boyfriend Jonathan) could be. After scouring through her archives for, oh, five minutes, Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck were able to deduce that GG is likely their age and had attended either of their schools. Those guesses hold even more weight now that we know GG will be following them through college. Whoever it is clearly has the wits to outsmart Serena, which really isn't saying very much.

While Serena was busy saving the world from the wretched hands of Gossip Girl, Blair was on a mission of her own. After her last attempt to pry those three words from Chuck's mouth, one would hope B would hang her headband and call it a day. Her relentlessness is admirable, but after attempt No. 5 went unrequited, I was ready to gag her with those German stockings. My ill feelings did wash away with that last scene, where a very effective soundtrack by Shiny Toy Guns ushered in a new era of Chuck and Blair. Was that a smile on Chuck's face? I was seriously beside myself.

So what stories do we have to look forward to next season? Rufus and Lily's engagement and the merging of the Humphrey and Van der Woodsen-Bass households will be interesting, as will the appearance of the couple's long-lost son, Scott. Georgina's enrollment at NYU along with Dan, Vanessa and Blair (who, by the way, I don't believe for a second would ever live in a dorm) should shake things up. Serena's search for her father could also reveal some juicy secrets about her family's past, and lastly, let's not forget about the reign of Queen Little J.

As I mentioned before, the thought of the "Gossip Girl" gang graduating gave me some anxiety about the future of the show. Post-West Beverly, the 90210 crew enjoyed seven more years on the air, all of which were filled with mediocrity and melodrama. "The OC" and "Dawson's Creek" couldn't stay afloat after the caps were tossed, and "One Tree Hill" had to flash forward four years to keep things interesting. Need we even talk about "Saved by the Bell: The College Years"?

My point is that the show's writers and producers have quite the daunting task ahead of them. Outside the cloistered confines of high school, these characters can go a hundred different ways, most of which have led their predecessors toward repetitious and lazy story lines, bland-new love interests and the clichéd "shocking death." The "Gossip Girl" gang has already bedded teachers, avoided jail time and mastered the art of ordering a martini — what else is left to learn in college? We know these kids can't stay young forever and another guilty pleasure will eventually pop up in its place, so until then, we'll bask in the colorful wardrobe, the bitchy one-liners and, of course, the never-ending gossip that it has graced us so far.

Were you satisfied with the season finale? Who do you think is the real Gossip Girl? What story lines are you looking forward to next season?

It's going to be a loooong summer. 

xoxo

—Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

OMG, that "Gossip Girl" episode was totally awesome to the max.

Ever since news broke that "Gossip Girl" was planning an '80s flashback episode as well as an '80s-inspired spinoff centered on a young Lily van der Woodsen, I have been anticipating what was sure to be an hour-long spectacle of tulle, neon and Flock of Seagulls hair.  On Monday night, we got our share of tulle and neon — not so much Flock of Seagulls hair, thankfully — but most importantly, we got a juicy glimpse into Lily's past. As fun as it was to escape the Upper East Side for one episode, I'm still on the fence about this possible spinoff (apparently, so is the CW). Here's what I love and what I don't love about it:

What I love:

— Um, duh, the fashion. Young Lily's outfit montage was as amazing as the one she decided to wear. Since '80s looks are currently back in style, there is no doubt that cropped jacket, those lace leggings and the tiered skirt will be hitting Melrose Avenue, like, now.

— The younger Cece Rhodes.  From her judgmental squint to the snooty inflection in her voice, Cynthia Watros ("Lost") nailed Cece. Plus, I believe Cece could and would channel her own oceanside version of "Dynasty" by combining Krystle Carrington's look with Alexis' attitude.

— Andrew McCarthy. "Lipstick Jungle" was all wrong for him. With this spinoff, he'd be back where he belongs — in the '80s!

— A look into Lily's past. We saw how she met Serena and Eric's tool of a father, Keith van der Woodsen, but how did she end up marrying him? How did Lily meet Rufus? Where is present-day Carol Rhodes and what is she up to now? These are questions that the episode left me asking and that the spinoff could help answer.

— No Doubt as a band called Snowed Out. If future band cameos will be as awesomely named as that, I'm all for it.

What I don't love:

— Inconsistencies. Do our eyes somehow grow darker as we age? Because young Lily is clearly sporting baby blues while modern-day Lily's eyes are brown.

— Tepid cast chemistry. Aside from Cece and Rick Rhodes, I wasn't too thrilled with the casting of young Lily and Carol's band of outsiders. Owen looked like a cross between Ed Westwick and Zack Efron, not some Valley rebel who is supposed to rock Lily's world.  Keith van der Woodsen seemed mediocre at best, and Shep was just plain odd. If the spinoff wants to earn as much hype as "Gossip Girl," it's going to have to give us a more dynamic group.

—The '80s concept. As much as I love the wacky fashion and the New Wave soundtrack, would anybody in "Gossip Girl's" target demographic care about a decade they barely remember or better yet weren't even alive to witness? I know there are lots of fans (me included) who do appreciate '80s kitsch, but is it enough to keep a series going? Then again, "That '70s Show" did pretty well...

With my attention fully focused on the flashbacks, it was difficult to concentrate on the regular "Gossip Girl" story. Serena's defiant act of staying in jail evoked nothing short of apathy and the gang's prom turned out to be as flat as the girls' plan to make Nelly Yuki prom queen. The best scene belonged to Chuck, whose covert efforts to give Blair her dream prom were too sweet for words. Now that Blair and Nate have decided to part ways, is it time for Chuck to make his own dreams come true?

Time for your thoughts. Did you love or hate the '80s flashbacks? Would you watch the spinoff based on this episode?

 xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

You know the end of "Gossip Girl's" season is near when the drama starts flowing like puns out of Blair's mouth. Monday night's episode was jam-packed with events, including the gang's attempted takedown of Poppy Lifton, Serena's arrest, Chuck's profession of love for Blair, Rufus' failed proposal to Lily and Georgina's return to the dark side. Must. Break. For air. Raise your hand if your head spun a little at the end of that hour.

I admit, I spent half of the episode feeling exasperated at Serena and Lily. After Gabriel's Ponzi scheme unraveled, a guilt-ridden Serena believed she can recover the millions of dollars that her mother and others had invested just by asking for it. S successfully tricked Gabriel, who clearly isn't much of a professional thief, into meeting her and explaining the entire scam. But the only setback was that Gabriel didn't have the money; Poppy, the mastermind of the operation, did. Thankfully, Serena didn't fall for Gabriel's pathetic apology in which he insisted he truly did fall in love with her. Riiiight.  

Still, S didn't think it was time to call the authorities. Dan, ever the sensible one, disagreed and told Lily about her and Rufus' bad investment. Fearful that the scandal would ruin Serena's reputation, she decided to not report Gabriel or Poppy and pay back each investor out of her own pocket. To make matters worse, Lily set aside a special payment plan for Rufus which would give him monthly dividends and lead him to believe he was really profiting from an investment. This was where I desperately wanted to shake her. Why punish the crooks when you have enough money to make the whole disaster disappear? And did she really think Rufus was too stupid to find out? His son was the one who informed her of the whole scam! From that moment on, I sided with S and the rest of the gang's Scooby-Doo plan to catch Poppy red-handed.

Enter Georgina, whose Bible-bouncer act brought nothing but smiles to my face all night. Her job seemed simple enough: serve as bait for a Poppy on the prowl. As soon as Poppy's solicitation was recorded, she'd be handed to the cops for her Madoff moment. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Georgina held up her end of the bargain but made the mistake of using her Bible camp's money as collateral. The police did arrive, but they were called by Lily and sent to arrest Serena, not Poppy. Blair believed Georgina had set up the whole arrest and unleashed one of her trademark verbal lashings: "You're evil. I know it. You know it. And God knows it, too." Aww, snap! God bless B for waking the dormant beast. I can't wait for Georgina to show B how a real bitch gets things done.

The drama didn't end there. In matters of love on this episode, I can only say that I'm grateful I didn't have a table nearby to pound my head on. Lily's financial gaffe and rash decision to have Serena arrested spoiled Rufus' proposal, which was a bummer but I believe is still salvageable. Next week's '80s flashback will give us more insight into Lily's reasoning, and we hope, some redemption on her part with Rufus.

The real upsetting moment occurred between Blair and Chuck. For anyone who is a fan of the couple, it was a watershed moment. Blair gave Chuck one last time to say those three little words and yet again, he failed to deliver. This time, it wasn't because he couldn't say or didn't mean it. He let her go because he wasn't ready and loved her too much to continue to put her through the ringer. It's likely B won't be barking up that tree for a while, which will either set us up for more tension between them or a period void of witty Blair-Chuck repartee (I'm crossing my fingers for the former). As for Nate, B wisely chose to not move in with him. At least we got one wish granted.

What did you think of this drama-filled episode? Did you agree with Serena or Lily? Did Chuck make the right decision to let Blair go?

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': Season finale says, 'I love you too'

Ahh, high school graduation. The season finale of "Gossip Girl" reminded us that we can leave the awkwardness and angst of those four years behind, but will they ever really leave us? Gossip Girl was right: We're all Gossip Girls. It's why we're all so addicted to this show! Graduation time always make me a little anxious about the future of my favorite teen dramas, but I'll talk about that later. The showdown must go on!

We began the episode with the gang dressed in caps and gowns (except for Serena, who is clearly too cool to wear a cap or close her gown), preparing to embark on the ceremony that will officially relieve them from the bonds of high school. But before they get to turn their tassels, Gossip Girl goes on a rampage. No one is exempt, especially the soon-to-be-irrelevant Serena. S, who whines about the tabloid attention yet secretly fears a life without it, decides enough is enough; it's time to take the elusive Gossip Girl down.

We all know there's no show if the mystery of its namesake is revealed, so consider yourself fooled if you thought that secret was coming out. We did, however, get some hints as to who she (or he — loved how they tried to make us think it was Eric's boyfriend Jonathan) could be. After scouring through her archives for, oh, five minutes, Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck were able to deduce that GG is likely their age and had attended either of their schools. Those guesses hold even more weight now that we know GG will be following them through college. Whoever it is clearly has the wits to outsmart Serena, which really isn't saying very much.

While Serena was busy saving the world from the wretched hands of Gossip Girl, Blair was on a mission of her own. After her last attempt to pry those three words from Chuck's mouth, one would hope B would hang her headband and call it a day. Her relentlessness is admirable, but after attempt No. 5 went unrequited, I was ready to gag her with those German stockings. My ill feelings did wash away with that last scene, where a very effective soundtrack by Shiny Toy Guns ushered in a new era of Chuck and Blair. Was that a smile on Chuck's face? I was seriously beside myself.

So what stories do we have to look forward to next season? Rufus and Lily's engagement and the merging of the Humphrey and Van der Woodsen-Bass households will be interesting, as will the appearance of the couple's long-lost son, Scott. Georgina's enrollment at NYU along with Dan, Vanessa and Blair (who, by the way, I don't believe for a second would ever live in a dorm) should shake things up. Serena's search for her father could also reveal some juicy secrets about her family's past, and lastly, let's not forget about the reign of Queen Little J.

As I mentioned before, the thought of the "Gossip Girl" gang graduating gave me some anxiety about the future of the show. Post-West Beverly, the 90210 crew enjoyed seven more years on the air, all of which were filled with mediocrity and melodrama. "The OC" and "Dawson's Creek" couldn't stay afloat after the caps were tossed, and "One Tree Hill" had to flash forward four years to keep things interesting. Need we even talk about "Saved by the Bell: The College Years"?

My point is that the show's writers and producers have quite the daunting task ahead of them. Outside the cloistered confines of high school, these characters can go a hundred different ways, most of which have led their predecessors toward repetitious and lazy story lines, bland-new love interests and the clichéd "shocking death." The "Gossip Girl" gang has already bedded teachers, avoided jail time and mastered the art of ordering a martini — what else is left to learn in college? We know these kids can't stay young forever and another guilty pleasure will eventually pop up in its place, so until then, we'll bask in the colorful wardrobe, the bitchy one-liners and, of course, the never-ending gossip that it has graced us so far.

Were you satisfied with the season finale? Who do you think is the real Gossip Girl? What story lines are you looking forward to next season?

It's going to be a loooong summer. 

xoxo

—Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

OMG, that "Gossip Girl" episode was totally awesome to the max.

Ever since news broke that "Gossip Girl" was planning an '80s flashback episode as well as an '80s-inspired spinoff centered on a young Lily van der Woodsen, I have been anticipating what was sure to be an hour-long spectacle of tulle, neon and Flock of Seagulls hair.  On Monday night, we got our share of tulle and neon — not so much Flock of Seagulls hair, thankfully — but most importantly, we got a juicy glimpse into Lily's past. As fun as it was to escape the Upper East Side for one episode, I'm still on the fence about this possible spinoff (apparently, so is the CW). Here's what I love and what I don't love about it:

What I love:

— Um, duh, the fashion. Young Lily's outfit montage was as amazing as the one she decided to wear. Since '80s looks are currently back in style, there is no doubt that cropped jacket, those lace leggings and the tiered skirt will be hitting Melrose Avenue, like, now.

— The younger Cece Rhodes.  From her judgmental squint to the snooty inflection in her voice, Cynthia Watros ("Lost") nailed Cece. Plus, I believe Cece could and would channel her own oceanside version of "Dynasty" by combining Krystle Carrington's look with Alexis' attitude.

— Andrew McCarthy. "Lipstick Jungle" was all wrong for him. With this spinoff, he'd be back where he belongs — in the '80s!

— A look into Lily's past. We saw how she met Serena and Eric's tool of a father, Keith van der Woodsen, but how did she end up marrying him? How did Lily meet Rufus? Where is present-day Carol Rhodes and what is she up to now? These are questions that the episode left me asking and that the spinoff could help answer.

— No Doubt as a band called Snowed Out. If future band cameos will be as awesomely named as that, I'm all for it.

What I don't love:

— Inconsistencies. Do our eyes somehow grow darker as we age? Because young Lily is clearly sporting baby blues while modern-day Lily's eyes are brown.

— Tepid cast chemistry. Aside from Cece and Rick Rhodes, I wasn't too thrilled with the casting of young Lily and Carol's band of outsiders. Owen looked like a cross between Ed Westwick and Zack Efron, not some Valley rebel who is supposed to rock Lily's world.  Keith van der Woodsen seemed mediocre at best, and Shep was just plain odd. If the spinoff wants to earn as much hype as "Gossip Girl," it's going to have to give us a more dynamic group.

—The '80s concept. As much as I love the wacky fashion and the New Wave soundtrack, would anybody in "Gossip Girl's" target demographic care about a decade they barely remember or better yet weren't even alive to witness? I know there are lots of fans (me included) who do appreciate '80s kitsch, but is it enough to keep a series going? Then again, "That '70s Show" did pretty well...

With my attention fully focused on the flashbacks, it was difficult to concentrate on the regular "Gossip Girl" story. Serena's defiant act of staying in jail evoked nothing short of apathy and the gang's prom turned out to be as flat as the girls' plan to make Nelly Yuki prom queen. The best scene belonged to Chuck, whose covert efforts to give Blair her dream prom were too sweet for words. Now that Blair and Nate have decided to part ways, is it time for Chuck to make his own dreams come true?

Time for your thoughts. Did you love or hate the '80s flashbacks? Would you watch the spinoff based on this episode?

 xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

You know the end of "Gossip Girl's" season is near when the drama starts flowing like puns out of Blair's mouth. Monday night's episode was jam-packed with events, including the gang's attempted takedown of Poppy Lifton, Serena's arrest, Chuck's profession of love for Blair, Rufus' failed proposal to Lily and Georgina's return to the dark side. Must. Break. For air. Raise your hand if your head spun a little at the end of that hour.

I admit, I spent half of the episode feeling exasperated at Serena and Lily. After Gabriel's Ponzi scheme unraveled, a guilt-ridden Serena believed she can recover the millions of dollars that her mother and others had invested just by asking for it. S successfully tricked Gabriel, who clearly isn't much of a professional thief, into meeting her and explaining the entire scam. But the only setback was that Gabriel didn't have the money; Poppy, the mastermind of the operation, did. Thankfully, Serena didn't fall for Gabriel's pathetic apology in which he insisted he truly did fall in love with her. Riiiight.  

Still, S didn't think it was time to call the authorities. Dan, ever the sensible one, disagreed and told Lily about her and Rufus' bad investment. Fearful that the scandal would ruin Serena's reputation, she decided to not report Gabriel or Poppy and pay back each investor out of her own pocket. To make matters worse, Lily set aside a special payment plan for Rufus which would give him monthly dividends and lead him to believe he was really profiting from an investment. This was where I desperately wanted to shake her. Why punish the crooks when you have enough money to make the whole disaster disappear? And did she really think Rufus was too stupid to find out? His son was the one who informed her of the whole scam! From that moment on, I sided with S and the rest of the gang's Scooby-Doo plan to catch Poppy red-handed.

Enter Georgina, whose Bible-bouncer act brought nothing but smiles to my face all night. Her job seemed simple enough: serve as bait for a Poppy on the prowl. As soon as Poppy's solicitation was recorded, she'd be handed to the cops for her Madoff moment. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Georgina held up her end of the bargain but made the mistake of using her Bible camp's money as collateral. The police did arrive, but they were called by Lily and sent to arrest Serena, not Poppy. Blair believed Georgina had set up the whole arrest and unleashed one of her trademark verbal lashings: "You're evil. I know it. You know it. And God knows it, too." Aww, snap! God bless B for waking the dormant beast. I can't wait for Georgina to show B how a real bitch gets things done.

The drama didn't end there. In matters of love on this episode, I can only say that I'm grateful I didn't have a table nearby to pound my head on. Lily's financial gaffe and rash decision to have Serena arrested spoiled Rufus' proposal, which was a bummer but I believe is still salvageable. Next week's '80s flashback will give us more insight into Lily's reasoning, and we hope, some redemption on her part with Rufus.

The real upsetting moment occurred between Blair and Chuck. For anyone who is a fan of the couple, it was a watershed moment. Blair gave Chuck one last time to say those three little words and yet again, he failed to deliver. This time, it wasn't because he couldn't say or didn't mean it. He let her go because he wasn't ready and loved her too much to continue to put her through the ringer. It's likely B won't be barking up that tree for a while, which will either set us up for more tension between them or a period void of witty Blair-Chuck repartee (I'm crossing my fingers for the former). As for Nate, B wisely chose to not move in with him. At least we got one wish granted.

What did you think of this drama-filled episode? Did you agree with Serena or Lily? Did Chuck make the right decision to let Blair go?

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': The '80s gagged us with a spoon

OMG, that "Gossip Girl" episode was totally awesome to the max.

Ever since news broke that "Gossip Girl" was planning an '80s flashback episode as well as an '80s-inspired spinoff centered on a young Lily van der Woodsen, I have been anticipating what was sure to be an hour-long spectacle of tulle, neon and Flock of Seagulls hair.  On Monday night, we got our share of tulle and neon — not so much Flock of Seagulls hair, thankfully — but most importantly, we got a juicy glimpse into Lily's past. As fun as it was to escape the Upper East Side for one episode, I'm still on the fence about this possible spinoff (apparently, so is the CW). Here's what I love and what I don't love about it:

What I love:

— Um, duh, the fashion. Young Lily's outfit montage was as amazing as the one she decided to wear. Since '80s looks are currently back in style, there is no doubt that cropped jacket, those lace leggings and the tiered skirt will be hitting Melrose Avenue, like, now.

— The younger Cece Rhodes.  From her judgmental squint to the snooty inflection in her voice, Cynthia Watros ("Lost") nailed Cece. Plus, I believe Cece could and would channel her own oceanside version of "Dynasty" by combining Krystle Carrington's look with Alexis' attitude.

— Andrew McCarthy. "Lipstick Jungle" was all wrong for him. With this spinoff, he'd be back where he belongs — in the '80s!

— A look into Lily's past. We saw how she met Serena and Eric's tool of a father, Keith van der Woodsen, but how did she end up marrying him? How did Lily meet Rufus? Where is present-day Carol Rhodes and what is she up to now? These are questions that the episode left me asking and that the spinoff could help answer.

— No Doubt as a band called Snowed Out. If future band cameos will be as awesomely named as that, I'm all for it.

What I don't love:

— Inconsistencies. Do our eyes somehow grow darker as we age? Because young Lily is clearly sporting baby blues while modern-day Lily's eyes are brown.

— Tepid cast chemistry. Aside from Cece and Rick Rhodes, I wasn't too thrilled with the casting of young Lily and Carol's band of outsiders. Owen looked like a cross between Ed Westwick and Zack Efron, not some Valley rebel who is supposed to rock Lily's world.  Keith van der Woodsen seemed mediocre at best, and Shep was just plain odd. If the spinoff wants to earn as much hype as "Gossip Girl," it's going to have to give us a more dynamic group.

—The '80s concept. As much as I love the wacky fashion and the New Wave soundtrack, would anybody in "Gossip Girl's" target demographic care about a decade they barely remember or better yet weren't even alive to witness? I know there are lots of fans (me included) who do appreciate '80s kitsch, but is it enough to keep a series going? Then again, "That '70s Show" did pretty well...

With my attention fully focused on the flashbacks, it was difficult to concentrate on the regular "Gossip Girl" story. Serena's defiant act of staying in jail evoked nothing short of apathy and the gang's prom turned out to be as flat as the girls' plan to make Nelly Yuki prom queen. The best scene belonged to Chuck, whose covert efforts to give Blair her dream prom were too sweet for words. Now that Blair and Nate have decided to part ways, is it time for Chuck to make his own dreams come true?

Time for your thoughts. Did you love or hate the '80s flashbacks? Would you watch the spinoff based on this episode?

 xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

You know the end of "Gossip Girl's" season is near when the drama starts flowing like puns out of Blair's mouth. Monday night's episode was jam-packed with events, including the gang's attempted takedown of Poppy Lifton, Serena's arrest, Chuck's profession of love for Blair, Rufus' failed proposal to Lily and Georgina's return to the dark side. Must. Break. For air. Raise your hand if your head spun a little at the end of that hour.

I admit, I spent half of the episode feeling exasperated at Serena and Lily. After Gabriel's Ponzi scheme unraveled, a guilt-ridden Serena believed she can recover the millions of dollars that her mother and others had invested just by asking for it. S successfully tricked Gabriel, who clearly isn't much of a professional thief, into meeting her and explaining the entire scam. But the only setback was that Gabriel didn't have the money; Poppy, the mastermind of the operation, did. Thankfully, Serena didn't fall for Gabriel's pathetic apology in which he insisted he truly did fall in love with her. Riiiight.  

Still, S didn't think it was time to call the authorities. Dan, ever the sensible one, disagreed and told Lily about her and Rufus' bad investment. Fearful that the scandal would ruin Serena's reputation, she decided to not report Gabriel or Poppy and pay back each investor out of her own pocket. To make matters worse, Lily set aside a special payment plan for Rufus which would give him monthly dividends and lead him to believe he was really profiting from an investment. This was where I desperately wanted to shake her. Why punish the crooks when you have enough money to make the whole disaster disappear? And did she really think Rufus was too stupid to find out? His son was the one who informed her of the whole scam! From that moment on, I sided with S and the rest of the gang's Scooby-Doo plan to catch Poppy red-handed.

Enter Georgina, whose Bible-bouncer act brought nothing but smiles to my face all night. Her job seemed simple enough: serve as bait for a Poppy on the prowl. As soon as Poppy's solicitation was recorded, she'd be handed to the cops for her Madoff moment. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Georgina held up her end of the bargain but made the mistake of using her Bible camp's money as collateral. The police did arrive, but they were called by Lily and sent to arrest Serena, not Poppy. Blair believed Georgina had set up the whole arrest and unleashed one of her trademark verbal lashings: "You're evil. I know it. You know it. And God knows it, too." Aww, snap! God bless B for waking the dormant beast. I can't wait for Georgina to show B how a real bitch gets things done.

The drama didn't end there. In matters of love on this episode, I can only say that I'm grateful I didn't have a table nearby to pound my head on. Lily's financial gaffe and rash decision to have Serena arrested spoiled Rufus' proposal, which was a bummer but I believe is still salvageable. Next week's '80s flashback will give us more insight into Lily's reasoning, and we hope, some redemption on her part with Rufus.

The real upsetting moment occurred between Blair and Chuck. For anyone who is a fan of the couple, it was a watershed moment. Blair gave Chuck one last time to say those three little words and yet again, he failed to deliver. This time, it wasn't because he couldn't say or didn't mean it. He let her go because he wasn't ready and loved her too much to continue to put her through the ringer. It's likely B won't be barking up that tree for a while, which will either set us up for more tension between them or a period void of witty Blair-Chuck repartee (I'm crossing my fingers for the former). As for Nate, B wisely chose to not move in with him. At least we got one wish granted.

What did you think of this drama-filled episode? Did you agree with Serena or Lily? Did Chuck make the right decision to let Blair go?

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': WWJD? He'd bring evil Georgina back

You know the end of "Gossip Girl's" season is near when the drama starts flowing like puns out of Blair's mouth. Monday night's episode was jam-packed with events, including the gang's attempted takedown of Poppy Lifton, Serena's arrest, Chuck's profession of love for Blair, Rufus' failed proposal to Lily and Georgina's return to the dark side. Must. Break. For air. Raise your hand if your head spun a little at the end of that hour.

I admit, I spent half of the episode feeling exasperated at Serena and Lily. After Gabriel's Ponzi scheme unraveled, a guilt-ridden Serena believed she can recover the millions of dollars that her mother and others had invested just by asking for it. S successfully tricked Gabriel, who clearly isn't much of a professional thief, into meeting her and explaining the entire scam. But the only setback was that Gabriel didn't have the money; Poppy, the mastermind of the operation, did. Thankfully, Serena didn't fall for Gabriel's pathetic apology in which he insisted he truly did fall in love with her. Riiiight.  

Still, S didn't think it was time to call the authorities. Dan, ever the sensible one, disagreed and told Lily about her and Rufus' bad investment. Fearful that the scandal would ruin Serena's reputation, she decided to not report Gabriel or Poppy and pay back each investor out of her own pocket. To make matters worse, Lily set aside a special payment plan for Rufus which would give him monthly dividends and lead him to believe he was really profiting from an investment. This was where I desperately wanted to shake her. Why punish the crooks when you have enough money to make the whole disaster disappear? And did she really think Rufus was too stupid to find out? His son was the one who informed her of the whole scam! From that moment on, I sided with S and the rest of the gang's Scooby-Doo plan to catch Poppy red-handed.

Enter Georgina, whose Bible-bouncer act brought nothing but smiles to my face all night. Her job seemed simple enough: serve as bait for a Poppy on the prowl. As soon as Poppy's solicitation was recorded, she'd be handed to the cops for her Madoff moment. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Georgina held up her end of the bargain but made the mistake of using her Bible camp's money as collateral. The police did arrive, but they were called by Lily and sent to arrest Serena, not Poppy. Blair believed Georgina had set up the whole arrest and unleashed one of her trademark verbal lashings: "You're evil. I know it. You know it. And God knows it, too." Aww, snap! God bless B for waking the dormant beast. I can't wait for Georgina to show B how a real bitch gets things done.

The drama didn't end there. In matters of love on this episode, I can only say that I'm grateful I didn't have a table nearby to pound my head on. Lily's financial gaffe and rash decision to have Serena arrested spoiled Rufus' proposal, which was a bummer but I believe is still salvageable. Next week's '80s flashback will give us more insight into Lily's reasoning, and we hope, some redemption on her part with Rufus.

The real upsetting moment occurred between Blair and Chuck. For anyone who is a fan of the couple, it was a watershed moment. Blair gave Chuck one last time to say those three little words and yet again, he failed to deliver. This time, it wasn't because he couldn't say or didn't mean it. He let her go because he wasn't ready and loved her too much to continue to put her through the ringer. It's likely B won't be barking up that tree for a while, which will either set us up for more tension between them or a period void of witty Blair-Chuck repartee (I'm crossing my fingers for the former). As for Nate, B wisely chose to not move in with him. At least we got one wish granted.

What did you think of this drama-filled episode? Did you agree with Serena or Lily? Did Chuck make the right decision to let Blair go?

xoxo

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': Poppy goes the weasel

She's baaack! Georgina Sparks returns to "Gossip Girl" in the best possible way: as a born-again Christian! Her reunion with Chuck was pretty hilarious (Georgina to Chuck: "Have you been saved too?" Ha!), but I'm not yet 100% convinced she's a newly reformed soul. She does, however, look poised to steal a few scenes in the next few episodes.

But let's focus on last night's revelations, shall we?

Gabriel and Poppy's plot to extort half of Manhattan is disclosed. They first enter the scene as a happy couple who unhappily break up in front of their intended victim, which in this case is poor, gullible Serena. Then Gabriel charms the pants off S with his Southern-tobacco-heir-does-good story and his dream of starting a company that gives free wireless to African schoolchildren. The catch is that, although he's "in love with" Serena, he's still financially tied to Poppy, who threatens to pull his investors if he leaves her for someone else. Cue the dramatic scene in which Gabriel chooses Serena over Poppy, an act that predictably wins S over to help him find new wealthy investors to fool. Genius plan? Not really, but boy, did Gabriel have S going for a minute!

Thank goodness for Blair. If college doesn't work out for B, she can always begin a career as a private eye. Gabriel's flaky ways raise a few red flags, so naturally she does a little digging. His story about meeting Serena while she was out with Georgina at Butter doesn't add up, so she enlists her partner in crime, Chuck, to help uncover Gabriel's true intentions. This does not go over well with Nate, whose jealousy over Blair and Chuck's friendship prompts the idea that he and B should move in together. He does have reason for concern. Blair obviously can't deny the excitement she feels with Chuck; he's the only one who'd jump on board with her schemes. She and Nate don't seem right anymore, and their relationship is becoming as awkward as the thought of he and Chuck playing basketball.

Meanwhile, across the bridge, Rufus Humphrey faces some important financial decisions. When he learns the gallery won't sell as soon as he'd like, he agrees to sell Lincoln Hawk's song catalog to help pay for Dan's Yale tuition. However, he falls for Gabriel's business pitch and pretty much hands his fortune over to a con man.

That was by far the most heartbreaking scene. I think I heard a resounding "NOOOOO!" echo through the streets after Rufus showed up at Gabriel's door with the money. I'm sure they will find a way to get his money back, but Rufus' earnest, desperate eyes were just too much to bear. That along with Dan's disappointment at not being able to attend his dream school and Jenny's enduring faith in her father reminded us that the Humphreys have much more to lose than the others.

Aside from Rufus' devastating investment, the Gabriel-Poppy story line didn't pack as much punch as the hype behind it would lead us to believe. It looks likely that it will be solved next week, which means that, with two more episodes until the season finale, there is lots of room for more drama.

What did you think of last night's episode? Are you happy to see Georgina?

 xoxo

 — Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': The good, the bad and the ambivalent

 You never really know what you're going to get with each episode of "Gossip Girl." Yes, there's usually a healthy dose of scandal, catty behavior and brilliant one-liners, but when it comes to predicting which path a character will take, there are no guarantees. Just when you think you've got Chuck or Blair or Nate figured out, BAM! the show convinces you otherwise. The characters' intentions waver and change as much as their wardrobes, and last night's episode was an exercise in detecting whose were good and whose were bad.

The Good: Unless she's Evil S, Serena's intentions are almost always good and you can't help but blame her actions on external forces. She's simple like that. After she confessed to Dan that she had possibly married a stranger in Spain, you really believed it was the guy's fault. Accidental marriages happen when tequila is involved! Using Dan as the "boyfriend" cover to deflect Gabriel wasn't very nice, but Serena had to think quickly. Gabriel should have called instead of showing up unexpectedly! Her good-hearted nature may charm everyone into forgiveness, but it'll also leave her susceptible to schemes (see the Bad below).

I'm inclined to include Nate in the pile with Serena. He's chosen to attend the college he got into on his own merit as well as follow a path paved in truth with his family. It seems he learns from his mistakes and constantly strives to take the high, virtuous road. He's not exactly the most perceptive when it comes to girls, but there's no doubt Man-bangs is all heart.

Dan is the resident smartass, but his intentions are also usually good. His serving Eleanor Waldorf's Seder dinner was funny yet pretty unbelievable. If the Humphreys represent the not-so-privileged class, wouldn't Dan have an after-school job to begin with?

The Bad: Gabriel, obviously. Those blue eyes can't be trusted. He's in cahoots with Poppy Lifton, which recalls the Marcus-Catherine duo from earlier this season. That couple's scheme was never made clear, so I hope the Gabriel-Poppy partnership blows our minds with intricate plans of deception.

The Ambivalent: Blair and Chuck consistently wear the crown for ambivalence, which is why they are either perfect or poison for each other. Blair saw a clear opportunity to redeem herself socially by sidling up to Grandpapa Vanderbilt. His promise of a Yale acceptance and a socialite standing was too good to pass up — taking advantage of it was the Blair thing to do. But somewhere in between a glass of Champagne and Nate's mortifying toast, B decided it wasn't worth jeopardizing their relationship. She flip-flops more than a pair of Havaianas, but in her situation, it's believable and therefore acceptable.

Chuck, too, constantly struggles to reconcile his self-centered nature with his growing conscience. I loved that Jenny called him out on his issues and received an apology for his attack on her during the Kiss-on-the-Lips party. Chuck's reconciliation with Nate was also insightful. Chuck clearly knows Blair better than Nate, which I think Nate acknowledged.

What did you think of the episode? What do Gabriel and Poppy have up their sleeve? 

xoxo

— Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': What goes around...

Blair Waldorf, I feel your pain. Just as B had impatiently waited for sparks to fly with Nate on last night's "Gossip Girl," I, as a viewer, felt as if I had to endure a forehead kiss before getting the satisfaction of a snowy Central Park make-out session. Jenny's Sweet 16 debacle was entertaining and all, but the good stuff really occurred within the last quarter of the episode.

Those last 15 minutes were a doozy. First we meet Serena's future love interest, Gabriel, the international playboy who clearly has met old Serena during one of her mysterious European adventures. He starts out dating her socialite friend Poppy Lifton, who could have reentered the scene without the hideous bob. Throughout the episode, Serena is desperate to get her groove back. She uses Jenny's 16th birthday as an excuse to throw a party that will prove she's still got social muscle. The plan backfires when Jenny, enraged that S ignored her wishes of spending a quiet game night with the fam, alerts Gossip Girl of the party and thus invites the unhip masses. This is the last straw for S, who spontaneously jets off to Spain with Poppy and Gabriel because that is clearly where she'll find her lost mojo.

Those last few minutes also reopened the case of Baby Van Der Humphrey, which I must say threw me for a loop. Dan receives his first piece of fan mail for the story he wrote in the New Yorker. Flattered, he gives the guy a call, and lo and behold, fanboy turns out to be Lily and Rufus' long-lost son. Maybe I was distracted by the show's vain attempts to hide Kelly Rutherford's pregnancy or Eric's nifty new haircut, but I didn't see that coming. For that, it gets the night's award for best twist.

Not so surprising was Take 2 of Blair and Nate. I'm glad his profession of love for Blair didn't come so easily, but I also wanted to see more concrete proof that her and Nate's friendship was blossoming into something more. While their kiss was great, it would have been more satisfying had the tension been prolonged, especially since Nate has grown so wise in these last two episodes. Examples of how they rediscovered their feelings for each other would have added a deeper layer of complication in the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I suppose the Vanessa factor is enough complication for now. It's only Season 2, but "Gossip Girl" is already venturing into territory that even iconic teen dramas such as "Beverly Hills, 90210" took years to explore. In its decade-long run, "90210" romantically paired any lead character who wasn't related (the relationships involving Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay alone covered most of the show's main players). But the show's longevity justified the pairings -- a tight-knit group of friends are bound to double-dip in the span of 10 years. Romantic musical chairs has undoubtedly become part of the teen drama formula, but I was surprised that "Gossip Girl" went that route so soon. Pairing Vanessa with Chuck was too cliche. It'll obviously be a flash in the pan before Chuck gives in to his feelings for Blair, but by then, it'll be too late. After his affair with Vanessa, the only couple left to hook up is Blair and Dan and we all know that would just be wrong.

What did you think of the episode? Will Blair stick with Nate for long? Do you like the idea of Vanessa hooking up with Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': What's old is new

It was out with the old and in with the new on last night's "Gossip Girl." Or so it seemed. Nate decided to ditch his boho ambitions and cash in on the Vanderbilt family legacy while Blair struggled to peel off layers of her former self. Yet after the existential crises and shedding of the past, an old love triangle emerged. Sigh. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

After surviving the fallout of his father's financial scandal, Nate reunites with his mother's wealthy family, the Vanderbilts (no relation to Cornelius, Gloria or Anderson Cooper. Darn.). His grandfather welcomes him back with open arms, but the reconciliation comes with the expectation that he'll embrace family tradition (i.e. touch football, a life in politics and nifty crests on blazers). That means no backpacking in Europe during the summer and no more arty girlfriends. It's too bad because I was really warming up to the idea of Nate and Vanessa. She helped him regain his confidence, but instead of gratitude, he chose to pay it forward to Blair. Move on, V! It's not worth a life lived in cable-knit sweaters. Nate's blood runs blue, and his time is best spent on what'll be our next new obsession: the Nate-Blair-Chuck triangle.

I can see why the triangle is worth revisiting. Chuck's feelings for Blair have intensified since the night Nate ditched her on her birthday, and his father's death has taught him to value his relationships. Nate has also shown he's got more than indifference behind those man-bangs, and he certainly has more history with Blair. To be honest, I'm torn between the two. It seems Nate is the right person to snap B out of her current funk, but who can resist the chemistry between her and Chuck? Their rivalry definitely echoes that of Blair and Serena's, but hopefully they'll give us more action than pulled headbands.

Blair, on the other hand, has greater issues to deal with other than the boys pining for her attention. It's her turn to enter the Dark Period, which so far has fallen upon Serena, Jenny and Chuck. With her Yale dreams dashed, she's forced to contemplate on a new vision for her future. Welcome to the unedited version of life, B. While I enjoyed watching her burn her reputation to the ground, I can't help but miss the conniving, confident Blair. Serena, Jenny and Chuck emerged from their lows humbled and wiser, but will a humbler, wiser Blair be any fun?

Time for your thoughts. Who do you think should win B's heart: Nate or Chuck?

-- Enid Portuguez

Photo credit: The CW

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW

'Gossip Girl': Wharton hears a who

After a month-long hiatus, I expected "Gossip Girl" to return with enough drama to leave me slack-jawed. Only the promise of awe-inspiring revelations and possibly a really good catfight could justify leaving us with so many empty Monday nights, right? Instead, we got Nelly Yuki in a fat suit (OK, that was actually funny), the most pointless Chuck-related story line ever and a blank-faced Rachel Carr meeting her timely demise. Though the actions in last night's episode served as precursors to future scandal, it all seemed disjointed and a bit tedious. But before I threw a fit as if someone stole my early acceptance spot at Yale, I was reminded by the increasingly wise Vanessa that the beauty of uneventful society stories lies in the details.

We start backstage at Constance Billard/St. Jude's production of "The Age of Innocence," the show's most explicit nod to Edith Wharton (the less obvious being two characters named after Lily Bart from  "The House of Mirth" and its overall satire of New York society). In a space that rivaled a small Broadway production, we witness Blair's fall from grace. Her antics involving Ms. Carr caused Yale to rescind her acceptance, and the news that everyone at school hates her sends her into a tailspin. Though she initially prepares to draw blood, B realizes she's fated to be the disgraced countess she plays on stage. I love Evil Blair, but her self-awareness is what transcends her from other TV mean-girl archetypes. Her wiles have earned her nothing but karmic retribution, and it looks as though she'll reluctantly turn to Plan B: finding a wealthy suitor. Who needs Yale when you've got Chuck, Carter Baizen and even Nate lining up to woo you?

Serena, however, isn't having much luck in the love department. She's resorted to pulling the age-old Cyrano de Bergerac trick  to impress a guy. (Note to shows: do not use this story line unless the guy behind the mike is Steve Martin with a prosthetic nose.) We know S doesn't exactly have the sharpest gaydar -- she didn't even notice her own brother was gay -- so the outcome sparked little surprise. Call it the calm before the storm since Serena's love life is going to get much more interesting toward the end of the season. More importantly, Vanessa's turn as Cyrano inadvertently revealed Nate's insecurity over their relationship. Their fundamental differences will play a part in his return to Blair and rightfully so. I can only imagine Vanessa's head exploding after a few nights of SportsCenter. 

I'm all for exercising patience when it comes to a Blair-Chuck reunion, but did we really have to endure that cul-de-sac of a story with Elle to remind us they're meant to be together? It re-introduced Carter Baizen and further emphasized that entry into this secret men's club was going to be more difficult than Chuck imagined, but other than that, I needed it no more than S needs more low-cut shirts. Chuck belongs back with the group, not swilling scotch with his dad's old cronies.

Finally, last night's episode closed the book on Dan and Rachel's torrid love affair. This was inevitable, but would it hurt to show what, aside from the forbidden aspect of it, intrigued Dan in the first place? Rachel had the same expression on her face the entire hour! She left nothing to be desired and couldn't even make an otherwise steamy closet scene exciting. It was disappointing considering the drama leading up to it, but after that episode, she deserved to get sent back to the cornfields.

Time for your thoughts on the episode. Who would you prefer to give Chuck a run for his money with Blair: Nate or Carter? Do you think Dan and Rachel's story got wrapped up too quickly?

xoxo

--Enid Portuguez

Photo: The CW