Gossip Girl: In the Realm of the Basses

Generally speaking, I loved this episode. Loved loved loved it -- it was the perfect episode to premiere the second half of the season after the long winter hiatus. Although I'm happy Serena broke up with Aaron, why, oh WHY did she and Dan have to get back together? a) Terrible idea, and b) Gross. I'm sorry, but I just can't stand the sight of them together. Oh wait, I'm not sorry. Not at all. Oh how I loved and cheered Blair's derisive words: "I'm very happy for you. I'm gonna go vomit now," which ties with her equally awesome disgusted expression at seeing Dan come up behind Serena and wrap his arms around her. I'm retching and gagging right there with you, Blair.

Blair was definitely the highlight of the episode, and for the first time I felt like I really, truly believed her and Chuck's very strange love-hate relationship. Which is actually more like love disguised as hate, and it even looks like the whole "hate" part is quickly leaving the building. Or the writer's room. In any case, I was excited to see a disheveled Chuck being dragged out of the limo by the very hot Uncle Jack.

After Blair witnesses the extent of Chuck's breakdown yet again, it finally catches up to her in a way the audience hasn't quite seen since Blair realized her feelings for him. As she's looking at herself in the mirror, she finally has her own breakdown, which, in typical Blair fashion, lasts only seconds, only to be replaced with a cool calm moments later -- it's almost hard to believe it actually happened. To me, the scene encompassed every part of who Blair is in the space of mere moments -- her ability to pull herself together so quickly demonstrates just how tough she is, and yet exposes her vulnerability so beautifully.

Her heartbreaking words to Serena, "I looked in his eyes and I couldn't see him anymore." I choked up. And the final scene in which Blair pulls Chuck off the ledge 'o' doom? I don't even have words.

Now, all of this being said -- I have to gripe about the last few seconds of the episode. They're alluding to Blair having a not-so-innocent rendezvous with Uncle Jack? Huh? No way. Not cool. Blair wouldn't do that to Chuck, right? Right?!

With GG, who knows. But all I can say is this: even though the man's hot, I will seriously be annoyed and disappointed if this is true, and then I'll once again be in that annoying place where I don't know if I can take Blair seriously. Don't put me there, writers! I want to believe in Blair, I really do. She's very close to becoming my favorite character, and I don't want this to get screwed up.

Other great moments:

1) Lily and Rufus making up and going after their long-lost love child together. Awww.

2) Eric telling chuck to "come home." Double awww!!!!!

3) Any moment with Dorota is one of my favs. I sort of wish Blair would start treating her better, but I know that she loves Dorota in her own twisted way. Just as she loves Chuck in her own twisted way. When she's not off having a sordid pseudo-affair with Uncle J.

---Adela P.