Gossip Girl: Dances With Doppelgängers
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. As with most of the great Gossip Girl episodes, this one was centered around a big dance -- in this case, the winter ball. Serena's taking Aaron, and during some slightly contrived outer borough bonding, Dan decides to take Aaron's ex, the feisty and sexually free Lexi. Yeah, THAT won't be awkward. Serena looks uncomfortable -- and she's even less pleased when Aaron spills that Lexi likes to sleep with guys on the first date to show how empowered she is. Serena's reaction cracked us up: "Can't she just vote?" Deciding that Dan won't be the only one to get some with someone else tonight, Serena tells Aaron she wants to thank him properly for taking her to the dance. Ahem, ahem. Aaron gets the message, which brings us to the aforementioned expression. Too bad Serena doesn't seem quite as into it!
While S and D pretend their double date is no big deal, Chuck and Blair are pretending that they don't want to go to the dance together. No, instead they'll set each other up with the perfect date -- and there's a lot at stake, like Chuck's prized limo or a month with Dorota's services (also, didn't you love Dorota using Facebook?).
Speaking of couples who can't quite admit that they'd be happier together than apart, Lily and Rufus share a moment before the dance. Rufus wears his love for her all over his flannel sleeve, as usual. But he's interrupted by Bart, who swears he's getting rid of the investigator who's got the scoop on Lily's scandalous past. Lily says that's not enough. Bart begs her to take some time to think about it while he's on a quick Miami business trip, and she agrees. Before Bart leaves, he manages to take Chuck down a notch yet again -- he blames Chuck for causing all the family drama that ruined Thanksgiving since he opened the safe for Eric. Poor Chuck!
As if this weren't enough relationship drama, the Nate-Jenny-Vanessa triangle is heating up again. Remember, Nate poured his feelings for Lil' J into a letter after they kissed at her fashion show, Dan freaked, and Nate moved out (got that?). But Vanessa stole the letter before Jenny had a chance to read it, and now Nate's into Vanessa, because Nate tends to be into whoever's standing closest to him. Vanessa hasn't quite worked up the nerve to tell Jenny this yet, but Jenny finds out anyway when Gossip Girl posts a pic of the two kissing. Jenny explodes, but Vanessa explodes right back -- isn't this exactly what Jenny did to her in the first place?
Penelope and the evil trio convince Jenny (though it doesn't take much convincing) to trick Vanessa into wearing a J. Humphrey design to the ball -- one that just happens to be see-through. They'll have someone behind the scenes shine a spotlight on her, and Vanessa will be exposed in front of the entire school! Jenny agrees to do it, but when she drops off the dress for Vanessa, she feels a little guilty -- and even more so when Vanessa tells her how bad she feels. But then Nate calls Vanessa, interrupting the moment, and Jenny bails.
At the ball, Serena and Dan try to have fun with their dates, but each is too busy picturing the other getting busy to really enjoy themselves. Finally, it comes out that they're both thinking about doing the deed with their respective dates. First Serena can't handle it, but later, she and Dan share an emotional moment that gets them a little verklempt -- they admit that sex together was incredibly meaningful, but at the same time, here they are about to head off and do it with other people. They stare at each other until Serena bows her head and leaves, looking not-so-excited about the prospect of sex with Aaron. Would you be?
While trying to get ahold of Bart, Lily discovers that he's still talking with the investigator. That's it! Never one to be alone for long, she goes directly to Rufus and makes him tell her what's been pretty obvious to everyone watching this show: that he's regretting letting her go on her wedding day every day since. Lily tells him she's leaving Bart, but then Chuck finds them and tells her Bart deserves an explanation.
Vanessa arrives at the dance and goes straight to Nate with the letter she intercepted. Crying, she tells him what she did, and even though she's never felt this way about anyone before, she has to end it now. She heads for the door, and Jenny, realizing what's going on, tries to shield her, but not hard enough. The spotlight exposes Vanessa to the entire room, and everyone cracks up at her expense. She realizes Jenny was behind this and storms out. As if Jenny couldn't feel any lower, Nate tells her he can't believe she would do something like this. Vanessa taking the letter is one thing, but public humiliation is quite another. Nate tells Jenny it's just as well she never got the letter -- she's not who he thought she was.
As Vanessa is about to get into a cab, Nate stops her and tells her he doesn't care about her taking the letter. He wants to be with her, too. They kiss and agree to get a drink -- somewhere without too much backlighting.
Chuck and Blair's dates end up being dead ringers for Chuck and Blair. While the originals are sorting this out, the doppelgängers start making out -- they're meant to be! Blair stalks off, telling Chuck that even their doppelgängers can work it out, but they can't. He follows her and tells her that they may not be the couple-y type, but they can certainly have a dance. Blair agrees, and the two hit the dance floor, happy at last...
...until Lily gets a phone call. Bart's been in an accident. And that's all we know until next week!
What did you think of the episode? Are you in shock about Bart's accident -- or did Nate choosing Vanessa shock you more? Tell us all in the comments!
Comments
I so hope that Nate and Vanessa will be a couple now; they're gorgeous together and so much better than Nate/Jenny who had absolutely no chemistry whatsoever. Nate and Vanessa are great together, and they both seem so happy and relaxed and able to be themselves when they're together. Nate/Vanessa are my OTP!
Posted by: linda | December 4, 2008 7:05 AM
OMG NATE IS A IDIOT!
VANESSA SUCKS!
CHUCK AND BLAIR SO DAMN CUTE *--*
Posted by: Asheley | December 3, 2008 9:34 PM
Nate was WAY judgemental this episode! Where the hell does he get off getting all mad at Jenny like that when clearly what V did was worse..
Wow Victim V strikes again i really shouldnt be so surprised I just thought they'd give NJ and a real chance and finally give Nate a chance to grow. He clearly had feelings for Jenny but now the whole back and forth and what he did last night just makes him look absolutely awful! he must be taking the easy way out and chosing V so he doesnt have to deal with his feelings for Jenny. Thats the only explanation but its still grr annoying!
Loved Jenny this episode and I love NJ together so hopefully Nate realizes t he error of his ways, sees J with some guy and decides to take back whats his..Or if not, that fine, shes way better off without a fickle boy like him whos only bound to break her heart!
Posted by: Ashley | December 3, 2008 7:56 PM
S, your comment was the best! It put my opinions into the perfect words! It was perfect!
Posted by: Alyssa | December 3, 2008 6:57 PM
I'm so glad that Nate chose V over J! *SOOO* Glad! Can't stand J! And I'm sad at how Nate has been so ignored this season, so it was good to see him back in form again, telling J off for being a royal beeyotch. Please give us more Nate! And again YAY NV - he's happy and all smiley and adorable and himself with Vanessa and I love that! Love him!
Posted by: Luna | December 3, 2008 6:40 PM
okay so nate is so stupid, its not even funny.
so vanessa stole the letter a couple weeks back (it was close to thanksgiving and now its closer to winter break), making out with the guy her "friend" is lovesick over, she feels bad weeks later and apologizes to nate (not even to jenny's face) and oddly nate is okay with that.
now we have jenny who got mad because she found out through gossip girl of all things, makes vanessa a see-through dress in anger, feels sorry immediatley after, apologizes and nate is mean and judgemental. wtf?
nate is hot and all, but he needs to get a brain lol
Posted by: magick_girl786 | December 3, 2008 1:16 PM
"and now Nate's into Vanessa, because Nate tends to be into whoever's standing closest to him." - haha, that's SO true!
I don't unterstand why Nate gets such a lame character, I thought he would develop and start a relationship with Little J, put off his womanizer phase and be more down to earth.
Now that he's choosen V over J, V gets more and more minus points. I didn't like her before, but all her fake drama is annoying.
Posted by: Lisa | December 3, 2008 5:21 AM
Nate chose V over J?
He really is a moron.
Posted by: Alex | December 3, 2008 2:14 AM
Vanessa is a little whiny bitch that has no point on the show. She pretends to not care about money, looks, or status, but she does. She was a terrible friend to Jenny. And Nate was rude to Jenny, he doesn't have the whole story. NV have no chemistry. I would rather not see V on the show anymore. She brings down the rest of the cast.
Posted by: Alyssa | December 2, 2008 11:52 PM
Nate was so judgmental last night I wanted to scream. How dare he talk to Jenny like that! Where on Earth is he coming from? I'll tell you...from the land of the contrived. This episode was the most plot driven and contrived thing this side of Tree Hill. No jokes.
Vanessa was the one who set this whole thing in motion by stealing the letter (which is a felony under federal law), lying to everyone's face, and manipulating the situation. She's the one who said they shouldn't let a guy come between them. She's the one who pushed J to snap and take part in the lame dress stunt (which J tried to stop in the end and then DEFENDED V to the minions).
If it wasn't for V, J and N would have been together. Jenny even ran after V and ditched N after the fashion show.
Regardless if you like Jenny or NJ, that was not fair at all what went down. How on earth is a lame dress stunt worse than stealing someone's mail, lying, and manipulating everyone? Where does Nate get off? He has J on such a high pedestal, I'm surprised he can still see her. Ridiculous. I keep thinking of the song "Halo" that Joy sang in Season 3 of OTH. Poor Little J.
It's obvious N made the easy choice and just held onto that resentment so wouldn't have to figure out what his feelings for J meant and face those other obstacles like Dan.
And V should be ashamed of herself. What a horrible friend! This is all her fault! What a jealous witch.
One of these days N is going to wake up and it's going to be too late. Hope he's happy cause him and V are doomed. If it didn't work the last 233 times, it's not gonna work this time.
And for person who said N//V are like Nathan/Haley? Are you insane? NH were in love and got married when they were teens. N//V were barely together. As for Lucas/Brooke, well you can compare them to them all you want, they ultimately failed because who's Lucas with now? Peyton. Have fun.
I hope Jenny and Blair become BFF and rule the school. N and V can eat cake.
Posted by: S | December 2, 2008 10:22 PM
NV are soo freaking disgustingg!!
nate is just disappointing,
and V could just go jump a bridge for all I care.
No one feel for the V playing the victim!!
POWER TO JENNY HUMPHREY!!!!
I love her
&
CB were adorable! <3
Posted by: JR | December 2, 2008 8:24 PM
Seriously, a federal crime is not worse than a little humiliation?? Plus it wasn't that bad.
I'm very disappointed with N. I mean his words are kind of worthless now.
V pulling out the v card again?? I'm getting tired of that. Same goes for NV
Posted by: dbp | December 2, 2008 6:03 PM
Once again Vannesa get's to get away with stuff and someone else get's crucified for it! V needs to go!
Posted by: bee | December 2, 2008 4:38 PM
thank god nate chose vanessa. that's all i can say.
Posted by: Britt | December 2, 2008 3:58 PM
I am SO glad that Nate chose Vanessa--they compliment each other perfectly, and Nate and Jenny just don't feel right. Plus I think Jenny has proved that she can never remain a good friend for too long...
As for Nate and Vanessa having enough chances, look at Chuck and Blair, Nathan and Haley, and Lucas and Brooke. I'm not saying that they're meant to be together, but I also don't think that the fact that they've had so many setbacks should do anything but strengthen their relationship.
And I have to say, that one smile on Blair's face could have made the episode for me--finally happy =) And Chuck (<3) will have someone to lean on for next week.
Posted by: Isha | December 2, 2008 3:56 PM
you know they say Third time is the charm, but I honestly hope it isn't this time, NV had their chance and it's obvious he doesn't love her.
I would write more but I must sleep now!!
Posted by: Chloë | December 2, 2008 3:04 PM
I am very disapointed in Nate chosing Vanessa over Jennyl. Nate and Vanessa had their shot (more than once in fact) and never worked out. They never had real chemistry together anyways and even though Jessica Szohr is a fantastic actress, I thought Jenny and Nate belonged together. And to cheaped this amazing letter by making Nate a jerk towards Jenny was a bad move...
Posted by: Mariem | December 2, 2008 11:16 AM