Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf
Well, that was a bit of a shock last night wasn't it? Bart's dead, Chuck's in a deep state of depression, Lily and Serena have been ostracised and suddenly Dan is back in the frame with Rufus to win both of the Van Der Woodsen's hearts. And that was just the first few minutes...
After the past few weeks being full of fluff and fun, O, Brother Where Bart Thou? took the show in a new direction, and despite it being pretty grim at times, it shows that Ed Westwick can do more than look like the devil incarnate, as this is his best episode by a mile so far this season.
Anyway, onto the episode itself and we open with CeCe who is swigging gin like a trooper while Serena and Eric wonder around aimlessly in the Van Der Bass penthouse. I'm glad she's back, as she always manages to cause ample amounts of trouble, while wearing Chanel.
I was particularly fond of her sparkly suit here, as compared to her grandchildren she looked the picture of elegance. Serena in a tiny brown dress and Eric in a white T-shirt and checked PJ pants were a little dull, but we suppose they are in mourning.
Lily, too seemed to have ditched the fashion sense this episode and opted for a dowdy grey ensemble; I guess grieving really doesn't become her.
Onto Blair, who this week was stuffing bagels in her mouth and lamenting to Cyrus about how Chuck is avoiding her, and is instead being 'taking care of' by Kimmie and Kristie from the hotel's hooker service. Gross.
Loving B's look here, as she rocks a navy blue dress, complete with two sets of pearls and a huge flat bow headband, which does make her look a little bit short, but other than that is a very appropriate outfit for a funeral.
Serena, on the other hand goes all out with her inappropriate attire, choosing to wear a skin tight one shoulder black dress that goes right up her bum, complete with a massive chunky necklace and ludicrously high heels. Is it stylish? yes. Is is gorgeous? undoubtedly. But would you wear to bury your step dad in? No, you most definitely would refrain.
Anyway, it seems that S is all about being a bit slow on the uptake this week, as Aaron and Dan both fight for her affection, and she is so clearly leaning towards Humphrey, Aaron may as well just cut his losses and jump out of the window. (Seriously, producers can we make that happen?!)
At least Dan has ditched the waistcoat this week, but his wet lettuce routine is just getting tiring, but at least it does cause some much needed tension between Serena and Aaron, which will hopefully be the catalyst for him and his ugly facial hair leaving the show. Finally.
Onto Chuck this week, who really was hitting a new time low; drinking in a bar in a mismatched suit. You know it's serious when C resembles a gangster in his pinstriped disaster, complete with messy hair, pale skin and huge bags under his eyes.
Considering his dad just died, we'll overlook his fashion faux par, but his dirty dealings with Bart's P.I is not so easy to forgive, as he digs for dirt on Lily.
As the action moves to the funeral, for some unbeknown reason Jenny and Dan were present, and what's more everyone was thanking Humphrey for being so helpful. What?! He betrayed Bart's trust, wrote a story on him and ultimately nearly destroyed their family with his lies. Again, what!?
Thank god Chuck sees red and storms in to confront Dan for his blatant smugness, while Jenny looks on in a little black dress, smart black cape and studded leather gloves. I also feel I should point out that J's mullet is slowly growing out, but she does have roots, so we're back to square one with her style points for this episode.
Serena selfishly tells everyone that Dan should stay because he has been helping her (oh, we bet he has!) but finally relents and lets him leave, while Chuck publicly disowns his family and heads into church absolutely wasted.
As we head back for the wake at the Van Der Basses we're treated to something we haven't seen in a while- some Blair and Nate interaction. Remember how they used to date and how he disowned her for bedding Chuck last season? Well, they finally seem to be talking again. Finally.
Nate's clothing for the funeral is pretty much standard Nate- lots of blue. Blue shirt, navy blue tie, leather gloves and a navy overcoat, so in other words, same old boring Nate, although as he praises Blair for caring about Chuck so much, I could have sworn I'd seen a hint of a spark pass between them. Humm, interesting...
So, as an old flame starts to burn again between N and B, what of Cyrus and Eleanor? Well, apparently the little man wants to push forward the wedding, after realising that life is fleeting. (Funny that, considering he's at a wake. Your humour isn't lost on me Cyrus!)
Jenny then steps forward to offer Eleanor a jacket, to make amends for being a total bitch a few episodes ago, while Blair looks on powerless to stop her mother's impending nuptials, and looks oddly short next to little J who towers over her in this scene.
Can I just say as a side note, Cyrus is my new favourite character on GG, and needs to be made a regular, pronto! His comments are priceless, his facial expressions deserve a comedy award, and his pairing alongside both Waldorf's make for some genius moments between the trio.
While one C steals the show, another is now rifling through Bart's office for Lily's file, and when he can't find it, he promptly blames her for his father's death and earns a slap in return. Chuck then leaves, insulting Eric as he goes and heads for his precious limo, followed closely by a distraught Blair.
Oh dear lord, Blair in flat shoes is something to behold; she is tiny and runs like a duck as she tries to stop Chuck leaving. I'm guessing they were trying to make her appear vulnerable in this episode and it really worked, as with most scenes between Chuck and Blair, this one was heartbreakingly good.
Loved her matching cape with bow in this scene, and as she finally put her heart on the line to declare her love to the devil, Chuck cruelly rejected her and went off to drown in more self pity.
Yes, I'll admit it, I shed a tear at this point just like the young Ms Waldorf. Take some comfort B, in the fact that hopefully he'll realise he's been an ass by the end of the episode.
Friends Reunited: Blair, Chuck and Nate
As we leave a heartbroken Blair, we're introduced to Lily and Cece arguing about her past and the secret which Chuck is trying to uncover. Apparently there is a bidding war going on between the two C's, as Bart's P.I tries to cash in on his last deal with the elder Bass.
Cut to Dan and Serena walking in Brooklyn, all angsty about their future and the fact that lazy eyed Aaron wants them to go to Buenos Aires for Christmas. Snore, we were more interested in Serena's new purple Chanel bag, as opposed to Humphrey who was in brown of course, but OMG, was he wearing a cord jacket?! Shudder...
Chuck, seems to be pulling together his fashion a little bit here however, as he's now doing casual country in a lilac shirt, grey jumper and grey suit. You can definitely see he's upset, as there is no flamboyant colour or extravagance this week in his wardrobe; a sure sign he's not himself. He pays the P.I and now know's Lily's secret- what will he do with it?
As Chuck triumphs over Lily, we have a lovely scene between Cyrus and Blair as C declares his love for Blair and her mother, she breaks down and tells him about Chuck. I loved her grey pencil skirt, polka dot blouse and pearl necklace here, as despite her obvious upset, she isn't one to let her fashion crown slide, unlike some.
Back to the Van Der Basses and Lily and Serena have a heart to heart, with S telling her mum to go for it with Rufus and try and be happy. Did anyone else think this was done very badly, and L just came off as an insensitive shrew?!
Ahh well, we'll reserve judgement till we find out her secret, as the action moves to Cyrus' and Eleanor's wedding. Serena looks gorgeous in her beige trench coat, complete with the tiniest cream mini-dress I've ever seen, but her sparkly gold tights managed to make up for her top-as-dress fashion faux par.
She tells Dan that their parents are in love and they are over for good, so a dejected Dan leaves just as Blair enters in a stunning cream origami folded silk dress, complete with beaded detail. Wow is the only word I can use to describe this outfit- how could Chuck reject her?!
Well, because he's too busy threatening Lily of course! But somehow she manages to strike a chord with him about family and love and he burns her secret; seems as though his desire for revenge is over for now.
Back at the Waldorf-Roses and the wedding is now in full swing, only to be interrupted by an uninvited guest. Yes, Chuck has come to the one person who has shown him some love in the past 24 hours, and as he openly cries while Blair holds him, it's a powerful moment for the two of them and Chair fans alike.
Through my sniffles, there was just enough time to see Rufus and Lily planning their happily ever after, only for CeCe to reveal her daughter's secret to the elder Humphrey and for him to storm Grand Central Station to ask Lily, "Just tell me one thing, was it a boy or a girl?" Oh. Dear. God.
The episodes ends with Chuck fleeing Blair's, leaving a note on the pillow telling her he's sorry and not to look for him. B is understandably distraught, as am I. Why can't these two ever get their happily ever after?!
So, where does that leave us for next week? Well, Chuck continues his downward spiral in Bangkok, Blair befriends someone called Jack Bass, Jenny returns to school and Serena and Dan aim for third time lucky, as they decide to give their relationship another go.
Check in next week for another fashion rundown with, In The Realm Of The Basses.
FemaleFirst- Laura Terry
Tagged in Ed Westwick Gossip Girl