The last post of Gossip Girl

The CW aired the final Gossip Girl episode this week. Entitled "New York, I Love You XOXO," the episode wraps up the Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) storyline, reveals who is behind the titular character's website, and gives a glimpse into the future for all the main characters. It's an hour of cameos and romance.

Gossip Girl has always been scandalous and overly dramatic. And yet, I feel like some parts of this episode go just a little too far. One can be shocking without the plot holes, and this series usually is. The scene where Bart falls to his death is not helped by the hokey music, and making the finale A plot about some scheme to quickly wed Blair (Leighton Meester) to Chuck (Ed Westwick) so that she doesn't have to testify against him, when he did nothing wrong in the first place, is kind of ridiculous.

That being said, anything that gets a ring on Blair's ring, instead of around her neck, is good stuff. Fans of the series have been waiting for Blair and Chuck to finally get together for a very long time. Knowing they were promised to one another, but having to wait because of their careers, is sheer torture. "New York, I Love You XOXO" has to see them them walk down the aisle, and it did, with enough style to satisfy.

The wedding scene itself is touching. Do I wish the other drama wasn't forced upon it? Yes. But at least all of the characters pull together, and manage to make it happen before the police can show up to arrest Chuck. We get to see everyone celebrating and happy.

I also have mixed feelings on the outing of Dan (Penn Badgley) as Gossip Girl herself. He is a writer, sure, and has the talent and motivation to accomplish such a feat. However, there is a vague feeling that it doesn't quite add up. I would have to go back and re-watch the series to pinpoint when it doesn't work, and at some point, I will. But my first impression is, while this serves this particular point of the story very well, it may not add up in earlier seasons. And I think the flashbacks are mainly present in this episode to try to give a feeling of continuity.

The other characters' reactions to Dan's outing are completely in character and fantastic. Nate (Chace Crawford), who is already established as a good guy at heart, of course will forgive Dan when he is handing the story to Nate, saving Nate's beloved Spectator. Serena (Blake Lively) has also always been understanding, and her clear affection for Dan, at an all-time high after reading the nice things he wrote about her, make her susceptible to letting it slide. Chuck can appreciate a game well played, and Blair is, well, Blair.

Rufus (Matthew Settle) handles the news the best of anyone, because his concerns are real, and, I assume, the show's way of trying to address any past inconsistencies. Being mad at Dan about everything that happened with Jenny (Taylor Momsen) is exactly what Rufus should be, and allows someone to be angry, since Dan's friends can't be.

I love, love, love that everyone from Mayor Bloomberg (cameoing as himself) to Blair think that Dorota (Zuzanna Szadkowski) might have been Gossip Girl. After all, what fan hasn't suspected Blair's handmaiden is the guilty party from time to time, even though her apparent loyalty would make this the ultimate betrayal? And her wonderful bits that pepper the series continue through "New York, I Love You XOXO" when she has a very surprised Jack (Desmond Harrington) make her a drink.

The other reaction shots are great, too, as the secret is exposed amid a wave of appearances by past characters. These include Juliet (Katie Cassidy), Lola (Ella Rae Peck), Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), and even an almost unrecognizable Jenny. What a great way to fit the faces of earlier seasons in, without shoehorning them into a story in which they wouldn't fit! It's satisfying for the fans, makes sense for the series, and provides a great way to mark this major revelation.

One thing that is being talked about is the teasing cut scene where Kristen Bell, playing herself, delivers some of the same infamous phrasing she has been speaking for years as the voice of Gossip Girl, narrating Gossip Girl. It's fun little bit with another CW star, Rachel Bilson (Hart of Dixie), also playing herself, and a tongue in cheek reference for fans. This is all well and good, and I very much enjoyed it, until Bell turns and winks at the camera at the end. That takes it just a step too far, making what could have been an amazing scene only a very good one. We get the joke without the wink. No need for ham.

Then there's the ending, set five years later. There is a lot to praise this scene for. Knowing that it takes Dan and Serena five more years to get married is a bit disappointing, but not exactly surprising, considering. Given their track record, they probably broke up three times before getting hitched. I also greatly enjoyed seeing Chuck happier than he's ever been, glimpsing Dorota playing with the next generation, and Nate being successful, even if he hasn't found a girl yet.

The other elements of that scene, the ones that didn't make sense to me, such as Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Jack being invited (though I adore the thought of the evil duo as a couple), and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) ending up with William (William Baldwin), can be overlooked. After all, we know that relationships shift, and without seeing what happens in the intervening five years, these are plausible circumstances. They just aren't ones that are really telegraphed in the episodes leading up to "New York, I Love You XOXO."

Does anyone else want a two hour TV movie leading up to Dan and Serena's big day? Because I sure do!

Gossip Girl is a series that broke new ground, set trends, and was a highly addictive prime time soap for a good many years. I greatly appreciate the work everyone involved put in, and found the vast majority of it extremely entertaining. Even if the series finale stumbled a few times, it hit the needed emotional beats, and did not spoil my love of the show. For that, I thank it, and will definitely miss my Gossip Girl.

XOXO

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Just who is the Gossip Girl?

The CW's Gossip Girl reached its milestone 100th episode last night with "G.G." To mark this occasion, a number of big events happen. Blair (Leighton Meester) decides to go through with her wedding to Louis (Hugo Becker), despite her reservations. Her mother, Eleanor (Margaret Colin) stages an intervention of sorts by bringing Chuck (Ed Westwick), who has no intention of disrupting the ceremony on his own, to the church. Then Gossip Girl (voiced by Kristen Bell) makes things worse, exposing Blair's deep feelings for Chuck during the vows. But the wedding still happens, only to leave Blair learning she is now with a cold, heartless man who will only be nice to her in public. So she flees with the help of Dan (Penn Badgley).

The Louie plot arc has been long simmering, and doubtless few expect Blair to actually go through with marrying the prince in "G.G." Yet, she does, and in a delicious and sad twist, is deeply hurt by the decision. B just wants to do the right thing, and fall in love with a man who will make her happy. She knows that things with Chuck have always been tumultuous, so she chooses Louis, in spite of her feelings, assuming that she can grow to love him. After all, Louis is an honorable man who will take care of her, right? B's motivations aren't fame and fortune, though she will get those as princess, but rather, making a wise decision.

Imagine her surprise, and the fans', then, when her ill-advised union turns out to be terrible before the reception is over! Louis isn't who he pretends to be, and is instead manipulative and evil like some of the best Gossip Girl characters. "G.G." works because of the unexpectedness of this turn, though in retrospect, it makes sense. Why else does Louis put up with everything Blair puts him through? He is going to use her for a public image, and she is stuck. It's an impossible situation, and one wonders how Blair will break free of it.

Chuck is left hurt. He does his very best to be compassionate to Blair and not spoil her big day, staying home from the wedding. Eleanor is only thinking of her daughter's best interests when she goes to Chuck, knowing who Blair is really in love with. And Serena (Blake Lively) also has good intentions when she takes it a step further and tells Chuck about Blair's pact with god, the reason Blair is resisting being with Chuck. But all of that doesn't matter because, in the end, Blair chooses someone else. Poor Chuck. His heart break is undeserved, as he has grown into a man worthy of Blair.

Of course, all of that doesn't mean Chuck and Blair have an easy union ahead. Because there's another factor. It's Dan who writes the lovely vows for Louis that make Blair think her prince understands and loves her. It's also Dan who Blair calls to help her escape from the dreadful situation. So suddenly Lonely Boy is on her radar in a serious way. Maybe she just sees him as a friend; maybe he will get some rebound action. Blair and Chuck still seem like the two who will end up together, but given Gossip Girl's penchant for twists, who knows?

There is another casualty in all of this, and that is Serena's heart. Exposed by Dan as keeping their fake relationship going longer than necessary, Serena grows a pair and confesses her love her him. Viewers are left wondering what Dan's reaction will be, since Serena quickly leaves him before he can respond. But the implications of the end of "G.G." are clear: Dan cares more for Blair right now than he does for Serena. This may not be the best choice for Dan, because like Chuck and Blair, Serena seems to be Dan's destiny. But by leaving with Blair, there will be a lot of hurt feelings Dan will have to repair before he can get back together with his first love.

Dan's feelings for Blair are no surprise to Serena, as indicated with the opening of "G.G." Pulling out all the stops in Gossip Girl's 100th, Serena dances to "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" with a swooning chorus featuring the boys in the cast. But at the end of the dream sequence, she is distracted by diamonds enough that Blair can come in and sweep Dan away from her. The production value and look of this dream sequence are outstanding. The implications of what Serena sees, though, are obvious. She has allowed herself to be distracted, and thus, lost Dan. It's sad that sometimes one doesn't realize what one has until it's too late. For now at least, it might be too late for Serena to get Dan back.

The most heart warming scene in "G.G." comes right before Blair is to walk down the aisle. Perhaps overshadowed by some of the flashier things in the episode, it's an important moment, and one that should be taken note of. Blair has her father (John Shea) go get Cyrus (Wallace Shawn) and both walk her down the aisle together. Daddy doesn't seem jealous, and Cyrus is truly surprised and honored. He has stepped aside to let Blair's real dad get all the privilege on this special day. But Cyrus has been there for Blair, loved and supported her. He deserves some credit, too. It's a fantastic decision, and it's really nice Gossip Girl squeezes it in among the other, more important stories.

Also cool is Cyrus calling Blair a "princess bride." This is neat because Shawn was in the movie The Princess Bride. Perhaps a little obscure for the teen set that Gossip Girl targets, but a wonderful reference to include.

Of course, Gossip Girl's 100th would not be complete without a visit from super villain Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg), who wants to ruin Blair's big day as revenge for the things Blair has done to her. The initial attempt ends in failure, as Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) catch Georgina posing as the minister and getting ready to try to seduce Louis. But Georgina does not give up easily, and records Blair's confession of feelings for Chuck, the source of the Gossip Girl blast that almost ruins the wedding ceremony.

It's nice to see that Georgina hasn't lost her edge, and a baby doesn't slow her down; her new guy is simply a tool that she uses like everything else. Thus, she causes just as much trouble as ever. But it's also good that she doesn't ruin things as completely as she'd like to. It's a testament to how mature the main characters have grown that she can't destroy their lives by herself, or turn them against each other as easily as she once could.

The big shocker at the of "G.G." is that Georgina is Gossip Girl. But is she really? Georgina's name does start with G, but she wasn't present for the early events of the series. Gossip Girl has been shut down for a few months, so it's quite possible that Georgina is just stepping into the gap, picking up where the real gossiper left off. If so, it is likely that Gossip Girl will not take kindly to this incursion, and will soon act to stop Georgina, probably with the help of the cast. If Georgina has been Gossip Girl all along, a less likely possibility, steps need to be taken to tie her back in with what happens before her character shows up on the show. Perhaps a final season full of flashbacks, culminating in an ultimate showdown?

The verdict on "G.G." is clear: it is a great 100th episode, with lots to surprise, ponder, and talk about. XOXO.


Gossip Girl airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

To buy Gossip Girl DVDs, books, and streaming episodes, please click here.

"Riding In Town Cars With Boys" a curse for Gossip Girl

     Things come to a head for the CW's Gossip Girl in "Riding In Town Cars With Boys." Nate (Chace Crawford) gets a harsh dose of reality about his grandfather's (James Naughton) machinations, but still considers becoming the new voice of the family, as William asks. Blair (Leighton Meester) hides out at Dan's (Penn Badgley) apartment as she tries to decide between Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Louis (Hugo Becker). Serena (Blake Lively) wants to help Louis make the decision for Blair. Max (Brian J. Smith) refuses to leave town without exposing Ivy (Kaylee DeFer), but no one seems willing to listen. Still, Ivy is nervous enough to sabotage her own party with paparazzi, which has the unintended consequence of overzealous cameramen causing Blair and Chuck's town car to wreck.

     "Riding In Town Cars With Boys" has a lot going for it, except the ending. The scene with the motorcycles chasing the town car, which Nate just accidentally happens to be behind because of a mistake, is contrived and phony. Even worse, Blair and Chuck are "seriously" injured during the low speed chase and a wreck that cannot possibly be all that horrific. Really? It feels like a convenient way for Blair to lose Louis's baby so that she can have a clean slate with Chuck. The development that Chuck is not doing well and might die rings false, as it is very unlikely Gossip Girl will kill off such an interesting, polarizing, important character. As such, suspense is low.

     Backing up, though, Blair and Chuck's reunion is handled with considerable skill. It takes real talent to stretch out such personal drama this long, and still keep the story engaging enough that viewers will care passionately. Louis is everything that Blair always says she wants, making him a perfect diversion. Yet, her connection to Chuck is strong and permanent. Chuck has risen to the occasion of being a better man for Blair, and both have matured to the point where they can finally be together and have a happy ending. "Riding In Town Cars With Boys" is a culmination of a lot of work. Which is another reason that Chuck cannot die.

     In recent episodes, a groundswell of support for a Dan and Blair pairing has been rising, this author among the proponents. In "Riding In Town Cars With Boys," Serena realizes that she cares for Dan, and this spurs her to help Louis win back Blair, removing her main rival for Dan's heart. However, Dan's decision not to confess adoration to Blair has nothing to do with Serena, and everything to do with how well he knows Blair, and cares about her happiness. The women in Gossip Girl can be manipulative and evil, but it features a really noble, kind, heroic trio of guys.

     Nate's dilemma is a complicated one. He works very, very hard to make his new job a success, even though his rise is unrealistically fast. Even with his family connections, Nate becomes the "it" guy way too easily. However, now that he's arrived, he has a decision to make. Should he continue to try to build his own reputation with the tools he has, or start from scratch to avoid being manipulated by Grandpa William? Everything Nate is right now is tainted because of William's influence. But it feels so good to Nate, and he has a platform he can do something with, so why give it up? Even a truly good guy like Nate is in Gossip Girl may find it impossible to turn his back on his life under these circumstances.

     Somehow, Gossip Girl manages, over time, to make the duplicitous Ivy a sympathetic character. Though she comes into the Van Der Woodsen family under false pretenses, her desire to be a part of a warm, loving clan endears her viewers' hearts. Her guilt for her hand in the car crash, and decision to leave New York, only make her look better. It isn't her fault that the paparazzi scum are overly aggressive, and no one will blame Ivy but herself. The question is, will everyone still be so willing to help her financially, since her motives are not malicious?

     Oh, and is Diana (Elizabeth Hurley) Chuck's biological mom? It seems so, as the mid-season finale draws to a close.

     Gossip Girl will return to the CW in January.

    If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy Gossip Girl DVDs, books, and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl - "Riding In Town Cars With Boys" on Blogcritics.

Gossip Girl answers "Yes Then Zero"

     The CW's Gossip Girl returns with "Yes Then Zero." Serena (Blake Lively) is working in Los Angeles, where Chuck (Ed Westwick) and Nate (Chace Crawford) stop by as they finish their summer of travel and fun. All three work on saying yes, which lands Serena a promotion. Serena also bumps into "Charlie," whose real name is Ivy (Kaylee DeFer, now a series regular), who is quite surprised by the encounter. Meanwhile, Blair (Leighton Meester) hides her pregnancy while preparing for her wedding to Louis (Hugo Becker), who disappoints Blair when he won't stand up for her to his mother, Sophie (Joanne Whalley, The Borgias). Dan (Penn Badgley) almost takes advantage of the situation and lets Blair dump Louis, until he is forced to admit the truth.

     Blair's dance card may be entirely too full. Who would have thought, years ago, that Blair would be the one seeking love, and getting it returned on multiple sides, instead of Serena? Yet, that's how things are shaping up. Chuck lets Blair go rather than be with her, knowing she may be happier with a real life prince. Dan is still in love with Blair, but since she doesn't seem to return the feelings, he keeps quiet about it. And, of course, Louis represents everything that Blair thinks she wants, but the reality is a bit rocky. Each of these pairings, especially the first two, have their share of fans rooting for them. Who will get Blair in the end? Yes, Louis is engaged to her now, but that can change. Perhaps whoever impregnated her has a leg up.

     Poor Dan tries to be a good guy, calling on Louis's help to stop an excerpt of a book to be published in a magazine. Said story is about Blair, and it outs Dan's love for her. The magazine agrees not to move forward, but that's far from the end of things. Vanessa has stolen the manuscript, and sends Dan a check, implying that the full work will soon be in print. Will Blair see this and swoon? Or will she be angry at Dan for not telling her about his feelings? Or for making her look foolish? Best case scenario, the book will draw Dan and Blair closer. Reality could very well unfold the opposite.

     It's nice to see Chuck happy. He does seem a little reckless, especially after getting Blair's wedding invite. But he also looks to be moving on, assuring Nate he is fine, and giving great advice. Chuck exhibits a maturity that may come as somewhat of a surprise, but is surely hard earned. It's interesting that Chuck seems to have the best perspective on life out of all of the characters.

     Nate is the one who should be watching out. At a Hollywood party he ends up sleeping with a beautiful older woman named Diana  (Elizabeth Hurley, Austin Powers). Yet, a scene that he is not privy to reveals that she not only knows who he is, but has designs on him. Nate may have lied to get her into bed, something she saw through from the beginning, but he also apologizes. At heart, he is a very sweet guy. Diana had better have the best of intentions, because Nate does not deserve any more sorrow in his life, as the last few years have brought him enough of that.

     Watch Gossip Girl Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy Gossip Girl DVDs, books, and streaming episodes, please click here.

Gossip Girl says "The Wrong Goodbye"

     Like almost every season, the CW's Gossip Girl chooses to its major plots a little early so the various characters can scatter for the summer. Also like every year, a few major bombshells must be dropped before they go. In Gossip Girl's finale, "The Wrong Goodbye," Chuck (Ed Westwick) saves Blair (Leighton Meester), and they reconnect. Blair is willing to leave her fiance, Prince Louis Grimaldi (Hugo Becker), for Chuck, but in a rare moment of maturity, Chuck steps aside, giving the couple his blessing so that Blair can be happy. Dan (Penn Badgley), Serena (Blake Lively), and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) search for Charlie (Kaylee DeFer), who isn't who she says she is. And Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg) makes yet another appearance on the Upper East Side, ready to start even more trouble.


     Season four has been a tumultuous one for Blair's love life, as she struggles to move past her long standing, destructive, animalistic attraction for Chuck, but also isn't crazy about settling for her intellectual equal Dan, who sits far below her on the social ladder. Prince Louis, returning from nowhere, seemingly to save her from that choice, and yet, Blair cannot really escape her heart. Sure, she is happy with Louis, but how much of that is because she genuinely cares for him, and how much is because of the status being with him affords her? Blair has always dreamed of being a princess, but as she has matured, especially lately, those dreams are being replaced by real feelings. Which is why she probably won't still be with Louis come next season.

     Which leaves Blair a choice: Chuck or Dan? That decision is made as Blair and Chuck reconnect after he saves her from Russell (Michael Boatman). There have been signs for weeks that the two aren't finished, with Chuck mourning deeply every piece of news he gets about Blair and Louis. But Blair isn't done with Dan, either, as evidenced by the fact that they talk movie queues just before she takes off to spend the summer with Louis. Both men are a part of her life, and neither is going anywhere. Both are able to step aside for Blair's happiness, but that only makes them more worthy for her.

     Of course, while Chuck has eyes only for Blair, Dan has other options. Serena admits that she never made a choice between Dan and Nate (Chace Crawford), and while she still is not ready to think about that decision as she heads off for a season abroad with her grandmother, it is also clear by its mention that she hasn't forgotten either. Serena has to learn about herself before she is ready to be with someone else in a serious fashion, something she never really manages to do. But rest assured, the day will come when Serena will chose either Dan or Nate, likely right when one of them is ready to move on with someone else.

     Poor Nate has no prospectives on the horizon. With the departure of Raina (Tika Sumpter) after her evil, homicidal dad is sent to prison for twenty years, Nate is alone once more. While he never manages to stay by himself for very long, Nate is the most comfortable character with being alone. Perhaps that is what attracts women to him. Well, that and good lucks, genuine sweetness, and money. Nate, more than any other character, embraces who he is. Despite all the drama going on in "The Wrong Goodbye," Nate still shows real friendship to both Chuck and Dan, marking him as a good person. Whoever Nate ends up with had better deserve him.

     Many questions remain about Charlie. She came to town as Serena's long-lost cousin, but viewers now know, even if none of the characters do, that it is merely a plot so that Lily's (Kelly Rutherford) sister, Carol (Sheila Kelley), can get her hands on the real Charlie's trust fund. While Carol despises all of the scheming and drama that comes with life on the Upper East Side, she shows she can resort to some of her own to get money she thinks she deserves. However, does that mean that the real Charlie will inevitably show up on Gossip Girl?

     And what of Ivy, the girl who went by the name Charlie these past months? She obviously really enjoys the life she pretends to have, and armed with Georgina's phone number, it seems like only a matter of time before the devious faux cousin makes her return back into the lives of the popular characters. Will any of them be able to accept her, or will they treat her like a crazy girl? Were Ivy's feelings for Dan the slightest bit real, or all part of the act? It almost feels like when Ivy asks Dan to call her Serena while intimate that that moment is authentic Ivy, and she would do anything to get Serena's life. If so, there will be one wild ride.

     The last big cliffhanger is Vanessa turning in Dan's satirical look at life for the Upper East Side to a publisher. It's a goodbye present of sorts, as Vanessa is moving to Spain, and Szohr (along with Taylor Momsen) will not be returning to the cast next season. Dan's book contains scathing tear downs of many people he considers friends and family, which is why he wants it hidden away. However, enough people are close to Dan that surely his writing will be recognized, even when put out anonymously. Dan has managed to stay in everyone's good graces, more or less, over the years. It looks like it's finally time for him to experience life on the outside.

     All that, and a brief cameo by Gossip Girl book series author Cecily von Ziegesar!

     With so many hanging threads, the fifth season of Gossip Girl promises to maintain the high level of melodrama and juicy guilty pleasure that has made it must-see for the past four seasons. Hearts will be broken, relationships will end and start, and above all, people will scheme, scheme, and keep scheming until no one will be able to forgive anyone anymore. Which is the destiny of anyone who lives like the characters on Gossip Girl do. Should be exciting!


     Gossip Girl has been renewed, and will return to the CW next fall.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To buy Gossip Girl DVDs, books, and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl - "The Wrong Goodbye" on Blogcritics.

Preview: Gossip Girl is all new tonight with "Petty in Pink"

     The following contains minor spoilers about tonight's episode of Gossip Girl, but will not ruin any major twists.

     The CW's Gossip Girl has a new episode on tonight. Titled "Petty in Pink," the episode continues arcs from previous episodes. Lily (Kelly Rutherford) is sentenced to nine months house arrest, not unexpected, considering she is a main character. Chances are, with good behavior, she will be released by early fall. Because she cannot leave the loft, she is cut out of her charity work. Her family attempts to save her face by (what else?) blackmail. But is that ever a good solution?

      Nate (Chace Crawford) decides to help Raina (Tika Sumpter) look for her mother, whom her father has always told her ran off with another man. But he has told Chuck (Ed Westwick) a different story, and although Raina seems to have moved on from Chuck to be completely devoted to Nate, a good choice, Chuck still has worries about what she may find. Will it bring Chuck and Raina closer to know that her father covered up Chuck's dad being responsible for Raina's mother's death? Or did he lie to Chuck, and Raina's mom is still out there somewhere? Both Chuck and Raina will be looking to learn the truth.

      Meanwhile, Serena (Blake Lively) finally takes notice of the inordinate amount of time Dan (Penn Badgley) and Blair (Leighton Meester) have been spending together, so she sits them down and confronts them calmly like an adult, to which they respond openly and honestly and all three become closer from the experience. Just kidding! That would be far too easy. Instead, Serena has her cousin Charlie (Kaylee DeFer) spy on her erstwhile friends, and Charlie uncovers what is really going on. But not before a bit of mixup and mud slinging.

     To make matters more complicated, a former suitor of Blair's, one whom she considers very much worthy of her time and station, has returned and would like to be with her. Unfortunately, his family is against it, and with Charlie and Serena getting involved, it's hard for him to know if Blair is even available. You'll have to tune in to find out what happens.

     Finally, Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) makes yet another attempt to make amends with Dan. Will he be ready to listen, or is she too far gone?

     Watch Gossip Girl tonight at 10 p.m. on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

Gossip Girl demands "The Kids Stay in the Picture"

      The CW's Gossip Girl just returned tonight from a six week hiatus, but unfortunately, unlike many earlier episodes this season, tonight's has quite a few problems and disappointments. Gossip Girl thrives on drama, but it is not known for letting exciting stories peter out without a satisfying conclusion. Yet, that is exactly what it seems like is happening between Blair (Leighton Meester) and Dan (Penn Badgley).

     When last the show aired, Blair and Dan were sharing a kiss, their first. The feelings that have been bubbling up between them all season come to a head, and they decide a smooch will determine if there are real feelings between them, something more than friendship, or not. But tonight's episode is set a week later, and Blair is not returning Dan's calls. In fact, she has already moved on, and is back to wanting to be with Chuck (Ed Westwick). Did all her quality time with someone who shares her interests mean nothing to her? Blair has become a character with real feelings, not just motivated to get ahead at all costs, as she used to be, and that seems to vanish suddenly.

     At the time Blair and Chuck originally split, it was beyond disappointing. Every episode brought another frustrating bout of 'why won't they get back together already?'. And then Dan comes along, completely unexpected, and the years of hate between he and Blair begin to cool. Spending time one on one together, with no ulterior motives, allow them to really reveal who they are, and learn just how much they have in common. Now, Blair and Chuck barely seem compatible. While Chuck changes first, Blair changes more, and now she belongs with a man of substance, like Dan.

     It is acceptable, of course, for Blair to have reservations about committing to Dan. He is below her station, and it may affect her career. However, the effect will be minimal and temporary. Looking around, there are other powerful women who married men from lower income upbringings and have managed to still succeed with flying colors. Blair's hesitation should be only temporary. Worse, the series teases, with Blair calling the kiss life-changing. But the change she refers to is a reversal. Good characters do not backslide so completely.

     Lily's (Kelly Rutherford) family is in town, supposedly to support her in her time of need while she faces criminal charges. William (William Baldwin), CeCe (Caroline Lagerfelt), and even the never-before-seen-as-an-adult Carol (Sheila Kelley) arrive. They are not there just to offer moral support, however. In fact, their main purpose seems to be to have a picture taken. This is important to Lily, which is understandable, given the upheaval her life is going through. But did none of her relations care enough to stay beyond that?

     It is nice to finally see Carol, Lily's sister, who was previously introduced as a teenager in flashback for a spin-off that never happened. However, once Carol and Lily reconnect, and a small secret slips out, she really isn't that important to the plot. Carol's daughter, Charlie (Kaylee DeFer), who will be sticking around, is even more uninteresting. An attempt to give her a mysterious back story falls flat, and unlike many other supporting characters who drift in and out of the show, she is completely forgettable. Only Rufus (Matthew Settle) is the slightest bit interesting in this plot, as he and William begin to make a sort of peace.

     Will Charlie end up adding anything to the show? It's unlikely, given what she has contributed so far. The problem is, a generic actress who easily fades into the background is portraying her, and what little she has been given has not been punched up to gain attention. This could be writing or acting or a combination, but it's just not working. Instead, she is a mousy girl who will be eaten alive by the upper east-siders in no time. If she is going to be a fixture for any length of time, changes need to be made fast.

     Why is Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) still on the series? She skulks in the shadows, barely popping up, except in some half-hearted attempts to reconnect to the other characters. She can't decide whether she should apologize or cause trouble, as she keeps doing both, so neither work very well. Either Vanessa needs to make her presence felt and fight for her place in the group, or she should just go away. Szohr could be doing better things with her life.

      Despite an unsatisfying episode, the series, and the season, overall have been plenty good enough to retain viewers through the rough patches. Gossip Girl airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. on the CW.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl - "The Kids Stay in the Picture" on Blogcritics.

Blu-ray Review: Country Strong

     Like most new movies released on Blu-ray, Sony Pictures' Country Strong looks fantastic. The picture quality is perfect, and the sound is crystal clear. Colors are rich, without overtaking the picture, and the darks have depth, not being lost in the corners. The cast looks great, and every detail is easily seen. Even the heavy reds and blue during performances don't distract, as they sometimes do, because there are enough hues mixed in to provide plenty of contrast.

     My only complaint in either of those categories is that the musical performances were quite a bit louder than the sometimes mumbled dialogue, so it is necessary to keep the volume remote control handy. That is a problem I didn't expect on modern home video, as advanced as sound mixing has become, and cannot recall any release with such drastic level changes I have experienced before. That being said, the music mixing is superb, and once you tone down the volume a little, you can really enjoy the harmonies. Perhaps the sound mixing was done by someone who really loved the music, admittedly an essential part of the film, and wanted to play it up.

     Sadly, the film itself is not very good. It premiered to mixed reviews, and after watching it, I fall on the side claiming a low quality flick. I do not blame the actors. Gwyneth Paltrow does as much as she can with such an unlikable character who can't even decide what she wants from one moment to the next. Her vocals are fine for the part. Garrett Hedlund and Tim McGraw face similar challenges, trying to make a pair of slightly creepy men who seem to care mainly about sex (Hedlund) and fame and fortune (McGraw) real human beings. They fail, but they're putting real effort into it. Leighton Meester, who is trying to launch a music career alongside her acting one, has a beautiful voice, but is saddled with less than memorable songs.


     The story is trite, and reminds me of a bad Lifetime movie. We do not need a four way love mess, with each man involved somehow with each woman. I'm a little surprised, because of the forever changing partners, they kept things strictly heterosexual, except that the target audience for this film is the moralistic heartland of our country, who enjoy country music, and even less people probably would have seen it had they crossed those lines. I am knocking neither mid-Westerners (I am one myself), nor country music fans (as both my parents are), as I respect high quality examples of both. Crazy Heart is one of my favorite movies of last year. Country Strong doesn't achieve half the total package Crazy Heart had.

     If you actually liked the movie, as I'm sure plenty of people did, as everyone's tastes differ, you'll love the plethora of extras that come with the Blu-ray disc. In fact, I am jealous some movies I like better don't have half as much. Most of the basics are there, of course, including a handful of deleted scenes and subtitles for Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Strangely, a commentary track is absent.


     Additionally, as you would expect from a film about music, there are a couple of music videos from Paltrow and Sara Evans and one extended musical performance of Paltrow singing "Shake That Thing". An original ending gives you a different way things could have ended. The Blu-ray edition gives you three featurettes covering the costumes, songwriters, and cast. The menus are among the best I've seen, allowing easy scrolling while still watching the film. Along those lines, a movieIQ option is included that allows you to look at trivia while the movie is playing. Really, a treasure trove of riches.

     As you may have gathered, I cannot recommend this purchase for the film itself, but the studio certainly did a good job of making an enjoyable, immersible experience for fans with the special features. If you liked Country Strong, the Blu-ray is a must have.

     The Blu-ray and DVD versions of Country Strong will be released April 12th.

Gossip Girl Begins Beautiful Friendship

     Everyone is frequently switching romantic partners on a show like the CW's Gossip Girl. Serena (Blake Lively) has dated at least half a dozen guys alone. So it should come as no surprise that Dan (Penn Badgley) and Blair (Leighton Meester) are suddenly getting chummy. In fact, their intense animosity for each other since day one would have made them the predictable couple in a romantic comedy. Yet, their hatred was so intense, no flirting undertones were ever in sight, that I was super surprised at this season's development. They aren't anywhere close to being love interests... yet. But in the last few episodes, they have began a very sweet friendship.

     It was born out of necessity and mutual caring for Serena. Pitted together on a road trip just before the show took a winter break, fans were surprised at the chemistry these two had, as they'd never had more than a few moments to show it before. What came out of that story was surprising and fun, something very fresh in a four year old show, which admittedly, had already been having a stellar season. I think it might have been a one-shot episode if it hadn't been so magical. But it continued last night, as Blair and Dan reluctantly headed to the movies together. How reluctantly? It did feel like their protestations were only show, but it wasn't a date. I am extremely interested in how this will develop, more so than any other recent plot on Gossip Girl.

     I am sad to see the apparent end of Dan and Serena's will they or won't they, at least for now. As much as I love this new path with Dan and Blair, I was always a Dan and Serena fan, and I really enjoyed their renewed attraction lately. Last night, they said they'd only get one more chance, but they weren't ready to take it. It's really making the two of them echo their parents, who had a long, broken courtship, including whole years out of each others' lives, before ending up married. But if Dan and Blair get serious, and I hope that they do, that will likely make a Dan - Serena reunion near-impossible. As I am rooting for a new couple, it is with bittersweetness that I watch Dan and Serena end, perhaps for the last time. Unfortunately, I'm fairly certain it's not the last time, but this is really the perfect place to end it. Serena turning more and more into her mother won't do the two any favors.

     I am heartened by the return of Penelope (Amanda Setton) as one of Blair's minions. I admit, I did miss her snide looks. But I'm not sure she's a good fit for Blair anymore, and I feel her time back may be limited. Blair has grown so much, showing real maturity at times, even if she sometimes resorts to her scheming ways. In last night's episode, Blair's sneakiness got her into trouble with her mother (Margaret Colin, who should be a main character already!), but her new attitude allowed her to apologize and share a very, very cool scene later with mom. It was the best demonstration of the new Blair we could ask for, and I hope we see more of it.

     Lily (Kelly Rutherford) has been treated far less kindly. Once my favorite character, she was pretty much demonized when it came out that she sent an innocent man to prison, and intended to see her stepson Chuck's (Ed Westwick) company. In last night's episode, she backpedaled madly, as the writers tried to give her good excuses to do the things she had done, and attempted to right any wrongs. She only partially succeeded, and that's from a viewer satisfaction standpoint as much as a character arc one.

     It's hard to root for someone who has done some pretty horrible things, and Lily has. Even if she was just trying to protect Serena, getting Ben (David Call) locked up for all these years, and the very negative affect we saw it had this fall on his family, was really, really terrible. Lily has come back from having done bad things several times. I feel like, for once, several of the other characters are more willing to forgive her than I am, and that's weak writing. If they wanted to villanize Lily, then do it something more than halfway. They could pull her back from that brink eventually, but as quickly as they've tried to just isn't working.

     Related to that, what has put Rufus (Matthew Settle) in such a forgiving mood? Lily's husband has been much angrier with her for far less. It seems completely weird that he would stick by her so faithfully when she ruined a man's life. I just don't buy it. It seems like he's a whole other man; a whipped puppy. That's not Rufus. Compassionate and (eventually) forgiving, sure, but never castrated.

     Luckily, Lily's is the only questionable story right now. Last season was a little rocky as the show adjusted to many of its characters being high school graduates, but this year has been as strong as ever. I hate to say it, but a character not being present may be as responsible as the elements that are there. Jenny's (Taylor Momsen) extended, and now indefinite, absence actually helped the series, which is a shame, because once upon a time I really liked her. Momsen's behind the scenes drama got her benched, but her on screen tantrums made Jenny hard to like, too. I'm not anxious to get her back.

   Perhaps the most matured character is Nate (Chace Crawford), who has taken in his just-paroled father (Sam Robards). Nate has often had his own things going on apart from the other central characters, and sometimes it feels a stretch to tie him back in. However, this arc has been fantastic, showing a son's struggle to forgive his father for wrongs, see a role model as humanly flawed, and be a caregiver to a parent. What's more, last night's brilliant little move of linking the Captain to the man determined to ruin the Bass family name will entrench the two of them into other plots, keeping the show tightly written instead of sprawling as the rest of the season plays out. Nice move.

     Who are these new villains the Captain is getting involved with? Well, there's a new love interest for Chuck, appropriately, since his pairing with Blair, while amazing for a long time, seems done. And a familiar face in the form of Michael Boatman (Spin City, The Good Wife). We haven't learned hardly anything about him, except that he was screwed over by Chuck's father, but Boatman introduced the guy with such smoothness, charm, and a hint of vindictiveness, that he seems a well cast baddie for the second half of the season. The fact that his daughter, Raina (Tika Sumpter, One Life to Live) has taken a shine to Chuck, is delicious.

     If I could change one thing about this season of Gossip Girl, other than the small critiques above, because, as I said, it's been a truly awesome season, best since the first, it would be upgrading Eric (Connor Paolo) to a main cast member. He has been at the fringes of the show since the beginning, frequently there, but never getting much story of his own. With Jenny gone, there's room for him. Please give him the promotion.

     In a like vein, Dorota (Zuzanna Szadkowski) is irreplaceable, and always, always shines when she gets any story at all. She can take a small bit and really make it memorable. A larger Dorota presence would not be unwelcome.

     More than a guilty pleasure show, the series has great acting, writing, directing, and other elements. I can't recommend it enough. Gossip Girl's fourth season continues on the CW Monday nights at 9 p.m.


Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl Begins Beautiful Friendship on Blogcritics.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Gossip Girl "Gaslit"

     The CW's Gossip Girl seems to have raised the stakes this season. Long gone are the high schools days of the show's first two years, and here to stay seem to be adult consequences for the decisions the characters face. Luckily, almost all of them have matured enough to handle it. Notice, I say almost.

     The past few episodes have followed Juliet Sharp (Kate Cassidy, the Melrose Place reboot) as she enacts her mission of revenge against Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively). Why Juliet hates Serena is still unknown, though it seems to have something to do with her brother, Ben (David Call, Mercy, Rescue Me), who is in jail. However, after Juliet teams up with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) and Jenny (Taylor Momsen) to alienate Serena, Juliet goes up a step further and druggs her enemy, leaving her in a motel room surrounded by pills. Even Ben is shocked at how far Juliet has gone, leaving our main cast with quite a conundrum.

     Perhaps most impacted by Serena's supposed actions, is her mother Lily (Kelly Rutherford), who doesn't seem to know how to handle Serena's slide. Though Serena insists that she doesn't remember what happened, and has not returned to the mistakes of her youth, her mother doesn't believe her. But an interesting confrontation between Lily and Dan (Penn Badgley) in last night's episode, "Gaslit," seems to imply that Lily's reticence to deal with Serena may be more about herself than her daughter. It's hard to argue that Lily has been a better than average mother, and shutting Serena up against her will in rehab is just one more bad idea. Lily is turning more into her own mother each season, and that's not a good thing.

     The question now is, how will Serena possibly clear her name? She has suffered so much recently, as Juliet has sabotaged her school career, her love life, and her friend and family relations, that it may take Serena a long time to claw back to what she worked so hard for. Dan is fully on Serena's side, being the only one who is willing to believe her unlikely claims of innocence. After a confession from Jenny, it looks like Serena's best friend Blair (Leighton Meester) is climbing onto the revenge train. But Juliet has fled town, and with Gossip Girl (Kristen Bell) having trashed Serena so hard publicly, it will not be an easy time. I'm not so much worried about her personal life, as I don't see Columbia accepting her back as a student, even if her name is cleared.

     I am thrilled that Serena and Dan are heading for a reconnection. Dan's original pursuit of Serena is a big chunk of season one, and I have never liked her much with any of the other many men she has been paired with. Similarly, Dan doesn't click as well with any other girl. Should the series continue with a Dan/Serena couple, I would ask them to please, please, please make it long lasting. I know this show thrives on drama, but drama can be had in a relationship. Enough already. These two belong together. In my opinion. I'm sure many people disagree.

     Of course, with Gossip Girl, the drama is not just happening on screen. Lately, Taylor Momsen has been created plenty of her own angst with a reportedly diva-like attitude. She has barely appeared on the show this fall, and it was announced that she will be taking an undetermined continued absence. Now, of course, most of the information floating around is rumor, so it's hard to be sure exactly what's going on. But it sounds like she's throwing a tantrum, and the people working on the show are giving her a time out.

     The other couple still dancing around each other are Blair and Chuck (Ed Westwick). The two were red hot and together for much of last year. They had some rough times, and seem to have settled into an uneasy friendship. It's clear that neither are satisfied with the arrangement, Chuck telling Blair directly in this week's episode that he can't be her friend right now. These two are much more likely, in my opinion, to be in a stable relationship than Serena and Dan, as much as I like them. In fact, I would not be surprised if Chuck and Blair are reunited no later than February sweeps, and hopefully this time it sticks.

     It's not unheard of for a Gossip Girl couple to end up permanently attached. Lily and Rufus (Matthew Settle) had been will-they or won't-they for a long time, Lily even marrying another man. But now their marriage seems solid, despite many difficulties, and it doesn't look like they will be breaking up anytime soon. Sure, those two are much older than most of the cast, but I'm ready for at least one pair to last longer than half a season in the younger group, too.

     Lastly, Nate's (Chace Crawford) parents are suddenly back in the story. Early in the series, Nate's father, known as "The Captain," (Sam Robards) went to jail. Nate visited him earlier this fall, though the elder Archibald had not been seen on the show in two years. In last night's episode, Nate discovers that his mother, Anne (Francie Swift), is filing for divorce. Nate truly believes his father has changed, and so has worked to reunite them. All had gone well, until Nate discovers that his father just may be putting on appearances for a parole board hearing. This plot, though so far fairly small, is likely to pull more focus in coming episodes.

     Generally, while I have always liked this show, it's good to see such high stakes drama after a period of small tiffs. I'm glad to report that in its fourth season, Gossip Girl is as strong as ever, and has grown out of its high school pettiness. Though some aspects of that will never end. Thankfully.

     Gossip Girl airs Monday nights at 9pm on the CW.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

Article first published as TV Review: Gossip Girl - "Gaslit" on Blogcritics.

Gossip Girl spends two hours in the City of Lights

(If you're memory of the season finale is blurry, here's my review from last May.)

    Gossip Girl, now entering its fourth season on the CW, has never been better than in these first two episodes of the new season. Titled "Belles de Jour" and "Double Identity," the show picks up a few months after season three left off and, as advertised, large portions of each episode are set in Paris, France. As GG always brings the culture, it the feel of the show in Paris isn't all that different from when in New York. I can't write a review of the first two hours without spoiling a few things, but I'll spoil as little as I can and save the big twists for you to enjoy.

     Serena (Blake Lively) and Blair (Leighton Meester) hopped a plane out of NYC last spring, both wanting to escape from boy troubles. As season four begins, Blair is trying to enjoy herself, but her feelings for Chuck (Ed Westwick) have led her to waste most of the summer, leaving her boy-less.  Serena has chosen the opposite tack, throwing herself into the food, shopping, and men that Paris has to offer. She doesn't appear to have even thought about whether she wants to choose Nate (Chace Crawford) or Dan (Penn Badgley) when she goes home. She also has a secret she doesn't want to share with her best friend, B. This is classic S and B, with a bit of fighting, and plenty of friendship. It's so nice to see the two in their element, and it really allows both actresses to shine with the characters they have perfected these last few years.

     Meanwhile, Nate has put Chuck's little black book to good use, partying it up in the Big Apple. It's sad, really, that a character that has grown so much takes a gigantic step backwards. He has his reasons, but then he meets Juliet (Kate Cassidy, formerly of the Melrose Place reboot), and she pulls his interest away from casual sex. Of course, this being Gossip Girl, there is more than meets the eye to Juliet, and although she gets a little scheming done in the first couple of episodes, her true motives are still a secret. While I'd like to see Nate happy and am a bit tired of him getting played, Juliet is surely bringing some juicy drama in the future.

     Dan ended last year facing a very pregnant Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg, Mercy). Poor, trusting Dan has yet to have asked for a paternity test, but has been shacking up with Georgina and taking care of the new little tyke, Milo, all summer in Brooklyn. He hasn't told his family or Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) about the baby and he hasn't exactly been hanging on pins and needles for Serena either. Again, like Nate, I want Dan to be happy, so it's hard to watch. But anything that keeps Georgina on the show will be worth it.

     Chuck was shot in the finale, but it's been no secret on the Internet — and is just common sense — that Mr. Bass is alive and mostly well. You'll have to wait for the end of episode one to get a glimpse oh him, and when he returns he'll have a "friend" (Clémence Poésy, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the Deathly Hallows) in tow. It will be even longer until he and Blair have one of their best moments of the series near the end of episode two. Both actors play it fantastically. Ol' Raccoon Eyes a.k.a. Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) is also M.I.A., and word is that we won't be seeing her again until late October. Against popular opinion, I like Jenny and I cannot wait for her return. But, there is enough other stuff going on that I didn't feel her absence in the double-episode premiere.

     As for Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lilly (Kelly Rutherford), they've got too much drama between Dan and Chuck's problems to have their own plot yet, but I look forward to seeing it when they do (but Rufus does get in a fantastic line about his daughter's eyes).

     Gossip Girl returns this Monday at 9pm on the CW.


Article first published as TV Preview: Gossip Girl Spends Two Hours in the City of Lights on Blogcritics.

Did you hear the Gossip, Girl?

     I am ashamed that it has taken me four days, my longest delay this year, to watch and write a review for Gossip Girl's season finale, but I blame Lexington, Kentucky's Insight Cable, for not airing the CW in HD.  I am always battling a full TiVo at the end of the season, and as most of what I record is HD, I often neglect those non-HD shows so that I can free up space as rapidly as possible.  No matter.  It meant I got a seven episode Gossip Girl marathon last week, and it was amazing!

     The finale was called "Last Tango, Then Paris", and there was plenty of drama, especially in the game of love.  For one thing, Blair (Leighton Meester) and Chuck (Ed Westwick) cannot possibly be over.  Sure, Blair missed their fated meeting at the top of the Empire State Building, but the two are just so perfect for each other, and their connection runs so deep.  Chuck simply has to forgive her.  What excuse is better than rushing Dorota (Zuzanna Szadkowski) to the hospital so that she could give birth to her baby?  Speaking of Dorota, her plot has been top notch lately, not to mention the actress's ability to enliven the part.  Why is she not a series regular at this point?  And, quickly, back to Chuck, did they really expect anyone to believe that the gunshot, the season-ending cliffhanger, would kill him?  The show would not work without Chuck.

     Jenny (Taylor Momsen) has gone off the deep end.  She wavers back and forth between good girl and bad girl so often, it makes your head spin.  I have to say, I am actually looking forward to her not being around for awhile when next season starts.  I think that perhaps in the long-term she and Nate (Chace Crawford) would make a good couple, but he clearly hasn't seen her in that light yet.  She's lucky he has such a good, forgiving spirit about him, or she'd never get another shot with him.  But I'm thinking that she probably will.

     Just when I was getting used to Dan (Penn Badgley) and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), they break them up.  Damn the show's writers, who can't let any couple stay happy for more than a handful of episodes.  Yet, I was already rooting Dan and Serena (Blake Lively) again by the end of the finale.  Too bad that reunion, while it will probably still come, will most certainly be delayed with the arrival once more of the wonderfully wicked Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg).  I'm still digesting the implications of that twist, if it's true.  With Georgina, you never know.

     Rumor has it that the show is trying to sign Trachtenberg full-time, now that her delightful show Mercy is canceled.  A silver lining in every dark cloud.  That would kick the show up another notch.  Not that it needs it.   XOXO.