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@GossipGirl Recap: Rhodes To Perdition
Oh dear, we have an entire episode dedicated to the Ivy/Charlie (Kaylee DeFer) dilemma. At first, it looks like she’s is getting her way easily enough in convincing CeCe (Caroline Lagerfelt) to lift the limit on her trust fund money within the first three minutes of meeting her. Really? Well, at least ex-boyfriends cause a little more trouble. Max (Brian J. Smith) is determined to get that $500,000, and is using Serena (Blake Lively) as his bait.
This means Serena finally finds out that Ivy and Charlie are one and the same while eavesdropping behind a little Rhodes feud between Carol (Sheila Kelley) and Lily (Kelly Rutherford). She invites Max over and confronts Ivy, demanding an answer. CeCe comes to the rescue by fainting during this whole situation. Everyone stands up for Ivy/Charlie saying it was Carol’s fault and whatever Max says is instantly reprimanded and his over gets blown as the not-so-nice blackmailer. And what’s more? Carol and Ivy get the cash! Looks like this alter ego is done-zo — Charlie’s officially a Rhodes now.
On another note, Blair (Leighton Meester) has this idea that some sort of Freaky Friday scenario just happened between Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Louis. She makes it her top priority to set things right and ‘fix’ Louis so she can continue on with her fairy-tale story. But as she digs deeper, she finds out about Chuck’s too-late proposal and his acceptance for his lost. As a result, she blames herself. “It was me that brought out your dark side. And now that I’m with Louis I’ve done the same to him. I’m sorry.”
Nate (Chace Crawford) is now in charge of the NY Spectator, but it’s significantly less dramatic now that Diana (Elizabeth Hurley) is off the front page. It’s turning into a huge family matter and I’m drowning in the fillers. Same goes with the hate-fest on Dan Humphrey (Penn Bagdley) and his not-so-winning book. Great job in making every other man in town look absolutely terrible so Chuck Bass can look like a saint!
Xoxo, @missamandachen
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@GossipGirl Recap: All The Pretty Sources
Looks like Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) is showing by the sight of her baggy dresses throughout this episode. Prince Louis (Hugo Becker) is planting some seedy ideas about her friends being back-stabbers. For the record, he does have a point. He’s stood up to his own mother and sister for the sake of Blair and these Upper East Siders don’t really roll that way. “Your friends don’t know loyalty.”
By the way, Blair’s bridal party is a Tiffany’s party. Every guest receives a pretty blue box, but one lucky lady receives a diamond ring. Of course, the lucky Charlie/Ivy (Kaylee DeFer), who’s been able to sneak into this beautiful lifestyle and even escape being called ‘Ivy’ when her ex-boyfriend appears. What are the chances of that? Well, for a diamond ring and $50,000 to hit up Portland (that would have seemed amazing for some struggling actors living in LA) is now requesting something like $500,000. Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively) is an expensive date.
On another note, Diana (Elizabeth Hurley) might have a heart after all. She takes the blame for the Gossip Girl source list, forcing herself to resign from the NY Spectator. I wonder what’s behind her suddenly good behavior? But Blair finds out it’s really her prince charming Louis that put up the link as a way to expose her friends. Talk about crashing the party. “Do you see what we keep doing here? All the fights and accusations, it isn’t them. It’s us.” As for team Dan and Chuck, they’ve admitted defeat. And what a perfect time to call it quits when Blair decides to go on a ‘break’ with Louis. “Let’s be clear, I told you to get some ass, not make one out of yourself.”
Blair visits Chuck at the end after realizing all the ways he’s tried to help her move along with her fairytale, showing how much he really does love her. I might have to give up on Dan after hearing he’s not ‘a man of action’ (also a man who can’t hold his liquor) and seeing how much deeper Chuck can get. It’s time I switch sides — will Blair do the same?
xoxo, @missamandachen
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@GossipGirl Recap: The Big Sleep No More
After the tearfully sensitive speech Chuck (Ed Westwick) gave to Blair (Leighton Meester) last week, she’s obviously wondering if he’s really changed for the better. “I simply cannot have Chuck ‘chucking’ my mind.” She stalks him, draws venn diagrams on the ‘new’ and ‘old’ Chuck, even follows him to the delightful event featuring Punchdrunk’s provocative theater experience, “Sleep No More,” mask and all.
There’s a really sexy scene when they’re trapped by the bar, alone, and you can just smell the sexual tension between them. I was dying when Chuck just went in for the kill and kissed her and released all that passion. With another slap on the face, Blair runs off. “You are incapable of change. And now, thanks to you, I’m more certain than ever that I chose the right man.” But perhaps Chuck might have done that just to help her stay on the right track, making him a changed man after all.
And what about Nate (Chace Crawford) and his new girlfriend/boss Diana (Elizabeth Hurley)? “It’s just sex and work, it doesn’t change.” Of course he’s thinking he might have a better relationship with a girl like Charlie (Kaylee DeFer), especially after that steamy kiss the other night. Charlie just wants to save her own skin, but jealous can drive some girls to do some crazy things. When the cougar and the cub have their eyes on the prey, you don’t want to get involved.
Charlie is getting really good at playing this Upper East Side back-stabber, but let’s get real. She’s no Blair Waldorf and when the truth comes out, she’s going to burst in tears. I don’t feel sorry for her, do you? Her ex Max (Brian J. Smith) comes to New York for a job interview and bumps into Serena (Blake Lively) and they hit it off. Charlie gets mixed up in Diana’s drama with Nate and we all know who’s going to win in this fight.
Charlie kisses Max thinking he’s Nate and Max kisses Charlie thinking she’s Serena. I’ll never get sick of these classic GG scenarios. After all this, not only does Charlie lose two great men that would have given her everything, she also lost a job. “Let me put you out of your misery. You’re fired.” But one thing’s for sure — Serena’s still (miraculously) in the dark. Of course, since she’s literally the only reason Charlie can still exist on this show.
Xoxo, @missamandachen
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@GossipGirl Recap: I Am Number Nine
The most exciting part of tonight’s episode is Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester)’s selection of her royal bridesmaids. Recruiting her “former minions” for an impromptu bridal booty-camp, the girls race to pin a dress, fight the paparazzi all without spilling a glass of champagne. Charlie (Kaylee DeFer) joins the contest so she can cover the royal wedding, but it turns out the deal-breaker is scoring a kiss with the noted bachelor Nate Archibald (Chase Crawford) at the launch party for the NY Spectator.
Not only does Nate find out that his office lover Diana (Elizabeth Hurley) not been seeing another guy for the last two months, she’s also bringing him to the party! Ouch. But please, don’t fall for Charlie. This Ivy girl needs to get out! Is anyone else sick of her yet? Even Vanessa (Jessica Szhor), as horrible as she was, wasn’t as annoying. I can’t believe she not only got to kiss Chase Crawford but now she gets to be a part of the royal bridal party. Apparently all women are the same and get jealous when they see another woman with her man. Diana and Nate officially declare their relationship on NY Spectator and Diana gives Charlie a nasty warning.
On another note, Dan (Penn Badgley)’s literary movie is on the rocks, obviously, as long as Serena (Blake Lively) has anything to do with it. She convinces him to drop the rights, but once she does she finds out her boss plans to make a movie on Dan as a guy who betrays his friends for fame (undoubtedly the better part of the story). “Inside will be the next Social Network. We’re gonna Zuckerberg him.”
Prince Louis (Hugo Becker) is messing with Chuck (Ed Westwick)’s therapist, trying to pay her to force him into a rage to remind Blair that she made the right choice. I understand that he feels threatened, but he’s already won. They’ve both already won, yet they’re still fighting to be together. This is going to be the wedding of the century and still they’re just trying to prove to each other that they’re the one for each other.
Chuck appears at Blair’s place one last time to say good-bye, with the most heartfelt words I’ve ever heard him speak. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I loved you when I knew I did. Most of all I’m sorry that I gave up on us and you never did.” After looking at the darker, scheming and hopelessly self conscious Prince Louis tonight, Chuck doesn’t look so bad right now. I’ve given up on the Blair/Dan situation, but I’m not believing in the fairy tale anymore.
Xoxo, @missamandachen
