(S02E02) "Marcus' mommy is even sicker than you are." – Blair to Chuck
We are once again in The Hamptons and things are still not peachy for our favorite troubled teens and their parents. Blair tries to please The Lord and learn more about him, Chuck continues his search for the piece of information that will have Blair come back to him and ditch Marcus, Serena and Dan think and get busy, and much more. But, as the quote I put at the beginning of this review points at, it's Catherine who wins the crown for most memorable character of the episode. And, as someone who already watched next week's episode, I can say that you ain't seen nothing yet. She is on sick lady.
As I warned you last week and in my "What to expect in season two of Gossip Girl" post, Serena and Dan are going through a rough patch. This week, we've seen the start of it all when both of them agreed they have to think. Since their physical attraction towards one another is pretty strong, the couple has difficulties staying apart in order to really think about their relationship. It's clear that there are unresolved issues between the two that could lead to a break up, especially if they down sit down and chit chat about things. Since they are two busy being with one another, that needed talk will happen at a later time.
On a side note, I know Serena was trying to seduce Dan on the bus ride, but strawberries dipped in chocolate on a bus? Really? Okay, maybe a wrapped sandwich from the bus terminal's vending machine wouldn't have been as seductive.
Every little girl's dream is to become a princess. So it was to be expected that Blair would seize the opportunity even though she was ready to ditch Marcus after he served his purpose in last week's episode and doesn't really love him, at least, not yet. You have to give it to Blair, when she sets her sights on something, she is driven by the goal and does everything and anything to reach it... even if it means throwing a really boring party to impress her royal boyfriend. Of course, even the most boring of parties thrown on the show will get its share of jaw-dropping action, OMG moments, secrets and lies.
One of the good reveals of the episode was when we learned that Catherine is Marcus' step-mother. This means that Blair's ex-boyfriend Nate is dating Blair's new boyfriend's step-mother. This sentence may be confusing but it reflects really well the relationship web the four of them are caught in. Add to that web Chuck who now befriended Marcus, who is still in love with Blair, who is one of Nate's friends, and who is willing to meet with The Duchess to help break Blair and Marcus up.
My favorite scenes this week were definitely those between Catherine and Blair. Both actresses delivered their bitchy lines perfectly. They are believable as evil queens, each in their own way, who want to protect their prize (aka Marcus) and status. Last week, Blair said that she wanted to distance herself from her traits that were reminiscent of Chuck's behavior. It's clearly not working. Case point: Blair using Catherine's infidelities to her advantage. As I've said before Blair is ready to do anything and everything to reach her goal and you know what, even if some of Blair's actions are not really appropriate, I'm entertained by every seconds of it.
Poor Nate. Because his father is hiding, the authorities see it as admitting guilt. Therefore, Nate and his mother may lose everything, especially now that grandpa stopped throwing money at them. It was a nice gesture from Chuck to sell the club in order to help out Nate and his mom. I get that Nate didn't want to take Chuck's money because he wanted to find the money on his own, etc., but is it really better to get money from Catherine? While Chuck would have probably asked Nate to give the money back whenever, Catherine will more than likely make him pay that loan not only in "nature" but also by bossing him around. You could see during the party that she was rather protective and possessive of Nate, so it is to be expected that she'll get worse on both counts now that Nate owes her money. Let's sum Nate's situation with this: He sold his soul to the devil.
If you've read the Gossip Girl posts I've written in the past month, you know that I got a bad vibe from this week's scenes between Vanessa and Rufus. They looked way too friendly for my taste. Now that you've seen the scenes, what's your take on it? Am I reading too much into this or is there something there?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-08-2008 @ 10:58PM
nmsp said...
I was definately thinking throughout the episode that something disgusting and unacceptable was about to happen with Rufus and Vanessa. But I also think that it just might happen because they're trying to keep the characters in the show. The scenes with them just seemed really random and like the scenes themselves were trying to hard. It might be because the rest of the cast is in the Hamptons, but it was still really weird.
Dan and Serena just need to be together or apart...it's getting a little too Ross-and-Rachel for me, which I think you mentioned last week.
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9-09-2008 @ 12:55AM
Ryan said...
I mean I definitely see where you're coming from with the Vanessa/Rufus, but with her still obviously longing for Nate (sigh, I want them to be together) and Rufus realizing his kids is his #1 priority, I don't think they will go down that route. Then again it IS Gossip Girl.
Like I said last week, I'm not a fan of Dan/Serena, and yes I can see where they can get too Ross/Rachel, but I thought they were totally adorable in this episode. I couldn't stop laughing during their bus scenes. When they finally get "serious" about this whole thing is when it'll get boring for me I think.
Yeah I don't get Nate's actions either. I mean I can see the whole Alpha Male thing wanting to fix everything on your own, but man Chuck's deal is by far less demeaning than Catherine's or so I predict.
Finally, ah Blair and Catherine. I'm so very much looking forward to these two going at one another this season. Both were deliciously bitchy tonight. Marcus is so over his head. Hee.
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9-09-2008 @ 1:10AM
flora said...
i have to say i'm totally disappointed by the 2 episodes of season two, esp. by the two english characters who are supposed to be royal or aristocracy.
why is blair so fancied by the title? a Lord? is it such a big deal?
and how ridiculous it is. the words /titles they use to call each other are totally wrong. the Duchess refers to herself as Duchess Beaton, but the correct form should be Duchess of ***(the name of the dukedom), and other ppl should call her Your Grace. the title/style system is totally messed up in this show. i'm not saying these things are important, but shouldn't the writers do their homework?
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9-09-2008 @ 9:01AM
hank said...
what the hell is that "actor" doing with his face and whats on it?
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9-09-2008 @ 11:25AM
cdawg said...
Oh Hank, that's Chuck Bass and he could do whatever he wants with his face... TRUST
ssssssssssssoooooooooooo over the Lord plotline. Get back to school and to the good stuff. I want more high school drama (like on 90210 - cheating off each other and pulling HS pranks) like when they snuck into the pool last season.
Ausiello had said the same thing about Rufus and Vanessa awhile back, so I was looking for it, but didn't really see it. I think that seeing her reminded him of his kids and how much he missed them.
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9-09-2008 @ 2:08PM
perez says said...
I want to see a Nate and Chuck bromance just like in real life. HA HA j/k
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9-09-2008 @ 5:14PM
JENNIFER said...
you are seriously doing updates on this show and not one tree hill---completely wrong
GOSSIP GIRL SUCKS
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9-10-2008 @ 12:35AM
xnifex said...
after just watching both GG & OTH, i have to agree. last nights episode of One Tree Hill was just awesome!
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9-10-2008 @ 11:31AM
Lara said...
I don't really like the idea of Rufus and Vanessa (hell, I don't like Vanessa at all) but... Why would this relationship be wrong and not the affair between Nate and Catherine? The age difference is the same (more or less)!
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9-10-2008 @ 11:32AM
Lara said...
Oh! And I have to agree with 'One Tree Hill'. Loved it!
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9-10-2008 @ 3:20PM
nattyff said...
something with rufus and vanessa??? i really didn't see any of that, just a friend of his kids, and just to think it's a little sick... you are just seen way to much in it (but it IS gossip girl after all... :)
The thing betwen Nate and Catherine look to me more like prostitution than a simple loan... (the look she gave him when he aske her what he had to do in return... you don't need more words than that)
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9-10-2008 @ 3:21PM
nattyff said...
something with rufus and vanessa??? i really didn't see any of that, just a friend of his kids, and just to think it's a little sick... you are just seen way to much in it (but it IS gossip girl after all... :)
The thing betwen Nate and Catherine look to me more like prostitution than a simple loan... (the look she gave him when he aske her what he had to do in return... you don't need more words than that)
Reply
9-10-2008 @ 3:21PM
nattyff said...
something with rufus and vanessa??? i really didn't see any of that, just a friend of his kids, and just to think it's a little sick... you are just seen way to much in it (but it IS gossip girl after all... :)
The thing betwen Nate and Catherine look to me more like prostitution than a simple loan... (the look she gave him when he aske her what he had to do in return... you don't need more words than that)
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9-13-2008 @ 10:18PM
Anna said...
Oh my god, I love gossip girl, How could you like One Tree Hill more? I (HEART) GOSSIP GIRL! Episode 2 was just a little under for me, though. I Hope episode 3 expands more on the Darena Relationship. And i totally agree- the whole "Lord" and royal thing is OTT and the titles were wrong.
Anyway, hoping for the best in episode 3
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9-16-2008 @ 7:56PM
crazyboy_111 said...
This could just be me, but before Marcus said that he did not want Blair to meet the Duchess because she doesn't usually like his girlfriends, I though that he (Marcus) and her (the Duchess) were having some weird incestuous affair. I still think it's plausible, I mean how else will they get rid of Marcus when Blair comes to her senses and totally hooks up with Chuck (again)!!!
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