Gossip Girl Fashion Rundown: The Ex-Files

12 February 2009

Gossip Girl's Blair And Serena At War?

Well, that was quite an episode last night wasn't it? The return of Queen Serena, some newbie getting their hair burnt off, Chuck's awful fashion faux par with a purple suit and of course, Marcus and Katherine getting it on.

Now, We don't like to say we told you so, but well... we did kind of hint that Marcus and Katherine were closer than they should be, and last night's steamy encounter between the two confirmed our speculation.

To the fashion however, and the return of school and senior year gave us many fashion delights- namely Blair's gorgeous lace cape with matching headband for starters.

Serena dressed down her uniform in this episode, teaming a simple waistcoat and tie with a white T-shirt. To be fair to her, she did have some other issues to work out, namely Dan and his idiotic attempts to try and be her friend.

Asking a new girl out (We'll get to her in a minute) on the first day of school and then flaunting it in Serena's face, is by no way cool Daniel, it's just plain mean, and now you've unleashed Serena's nasty side.

Anyway, back to the newbie- her fashion was dreadful and we're sure it was intended to be that way. A dull grey skirt and buttoned up waistcoat, complete with clumpy boots for school? We're surprised Blair didn't call the fashion police...

Newbie, as it turend out was eager to befriend Dan, which annoyed Blair and her dating rules, which then unintentionally caused Serena to blow her top with both Blair and Dan.

Confused? Yes, us too a bit because Chuck seemed awfully clued-up on what was going on, as he surveyed the chaos around him. All he needed was a comical moustache to twirl, as he most definitely hammed it up as the pantomime villain in this episode.

That said, his fashion was a little disappointing this episode, as he spent most of his time in uniform, wearing a hideous cardigan, need we say more?

Oh, and his purple suit and bow tie will never be mentioned again, as he is in danger of putting us off him for the rest of the season, and none of us want that, do we?

Nate, once again was as dull as dishwater in this episode, wearing his St Jude's uniform for most of the hour, pausing only briefly to change into a blue T-shirt and jeans.

Poor Little J started the episode with such promise, but Blair's minions had by no means forgotten her betrayal from last season and vowed to take her down. Is it just us, or is Jenny starting to change a little bit this season? Just an observation...

Penelope and Isobelle seem to be having a few fashion moments of their own this season too, rocking colourful tights, matching bows and cute headbands in their attempts to become Doppelgangers of Queen B.

Serena, Blair, Penelope and Isobelle quiz Amanda

Speaking of Queen B, did anyone else shed a little tear from her, when Vanessa revealed the truth about Marcus and Katherine? She looked genuinely gutted, but as she so often does, took it on the chin and plotted their downfall.

We adored her floral dress in this scene, it made her look so vulnerable and open to attack, while when she took down her horrible boyfriend (sorry, Marcus, we never really warmed to you) she was totally in control in a brown frilly blouse, pencil skirt and power headband.

Katherine's green dress was by far her fashion triumph of her guest stint and it was fitting that she left in it. Marcus finally got a little interesting in the fashion stakes, rocking a blue pastel suit and yellow shirt for his pleading moment to Blair over lunch.

Back to Serena, as this episode was really all about her and her rise back to her regal position. A really awkward three-way (no jokes please) date between Dan, newbie and Serena put the wheels in motion for S to go back to her old ways, and it wasn't long before she began downing martinis and flirting with jocks to make Dan jealous.

Cue a childish argument between the two, where Serena ordered Dan to leave and Chuck, yes him again, coerced Blair's minions to give the newbie a 'Nair martini', in other words, burn the poor girl's hair off.

They of course obliged, leaving Serena horrified and as she tried to apologise to Dan, he unfairly blamed her for everything and took his unfashionable self off to go and find the newbie.

Why oh why they insist on putting Dan in horrific waistcoats is beyond me, but when you put him opposite Serena wearing a tight Herve Leger dress, which shows off a large part of her cleavage and bum, it's even more comical- how were these two ever together?!

As a result of Dan's meaness, you could see the monster almost rising out from Serena's humiliation, as she casually turned to the minions and coldly spat: "Never again, everything else goes through me." Watch out Blair...

The episode ended on rather a weird note, as it was revealed that Chuck was behind the whole Newbie-Dan-Serena triangle.

He had planned to ruin Blair by reinstating Serena as Queen, and as part of that plan he had employed the newbie, whose name turned out to be Amanda to make Serena jealous about Dan.

Blair was quite bemused the next day as she turned up at school to find her minions were now all about Serena. When she showed up, it was quite amusing to watch her take off her headband and rather patronisingly wrap it around Blair's neck.

Apart from not going with Blair's red headband, it was most definitely a declaration of war between the two and as Chuck watched from the sidelines, a very confused Blair looked both stunned and hurt by his game playing.

Our favourite moment of the whole episode, however came right at the end, as Dan entered the school courtyard, only to be frozen out by everyone around him.

As he gazed around looking both confused and lost, the camera panned to Serena and her minions, who was walking with so much attitude, we're surprised she didn't fall over.

One scathing look at Dan and a nod to her lackeys and she was off, leaving Dan looking a bit scared as to what his ex could be capable of.

So, what will next week bring? Well, a fashion show will be the focal point of the episode, and Serena and Blair experience a few teething problems with their friendship too.

Jenny will be taking a more central role, and Chuck will find himself frozen out too, which is not something he used to, we're sure. Check in for another fashion rundown next week with The Serena Also Rises.