Gossip Girl: Pool Party Coverups, Videotaped Confessions
What we loved:
*The return of Nate and Chuck! With those two skipping "Roman Holiday," the show's biggest scandal remained untouched. Now that they're back in town, it's only a matter of time before Blair and Chuck's secret betrayal comes out...
*Finally, a real test for Dan and Serena. As some of you have commented, it's been such smooth sailing for them recently that they've gotten a bit boring. Not anymore! The tension in their relationship was believable, and we like the way everything was resolved.
*Who knew -- Vanessa was actually good for something besides annoying us with her overdone "I'm hipper than you -- and poorer, too" schtick! Even though it wasn't the most realistic plot device, having Vanessa hang around filming things really set things into motion.
What we didn't love:
*Chuck constantly coming onto Serena. Get a clue, Bass: she's not interested! And now that they're thisclose to being stepsiblings, it's just gross -- not to mention totally inappropriate. It was one thing earlier in the season when Serena was available (not that we're excusing Chuck forcing himself on her in the Palace Hotel kitchen, but at least she was single!), but now she's taken and they're about to become family. Isn't there another Upper East Sider he can mack on for five minutes?
*The conclusion of the Rufus/Lily love story. Yeah, we get why it had to end -- it'd be really weird to have two Humphrey/van der Woodsen relationships going on at once -- but was there anything more depressing than the forlorn look in Rufus's eyes when he realized Lily had come to say goodbye? Aw, Rufus, we'll comfort you! Lily and Bart Bass clearly aren't going to work, and this latest development feels slightly contrived, but we guess we'll have to accept this temporary (please, let it be temporary) separation of one of the show's cutest couples.
*Blair and Nate getting lovey-dovey. What's Nate's deal, anyway? He barely looked in Blair's direction for most of this season, and suddenly he can't live without her? We're still holding out for a Blair/Chuck reunion, but it's looking unlikely.
What did you think of the episode? Vote in the poll and tell us all in the comments!