This episode of the ever-complicated and pretty awesome Gossip Girl made me very happy that I don't do a traditional recap. Could things have gotten more convoluted at those parties? I would never be able to explain all that, but gotta love it. I'm back to being team everyone, but perhaps most of all Vanessa, who is fabulous (though, isn't she supposed to have a shaved head?). How well were you paying attention last night? Take Geek's tech quiz and Fab's fashion quiz to find out (I got 3/5 and 4/5 respectively, you?). Here's what went down:

- So, which party looked more fun? The "kids" masquerade ball or the parents' hookah-having Moroccan themed event? Both were all sorts of decadent...and full of scandal. Delicious scandal.
- Dan is a bad liar. Hopefully he learned his lesson considering he got caught in every fib he told. Maybe he's just naive. Pretty much he and Serena just like to make out, right? No judgment. Heck, they're high school students; it makes sense. Way more than can be said about Blair and Nate.
- Speaking of the Archibalds, um, way to step up the substance abuse by bringing in the cocaine! And they weren't even shy about Chuck wanting some, and Serena talking about parents doing it in the roaring '90s. Usually the TV isn't so nonchalant about the more serious drugs. No spoilers yet though...
To read the rest of my thoughts, plus who is probably headed to rehab within a couple of episodes, just read more
- So over/under on Mr. Archibald being at the ol' Ostroff Center? Two episodes. Over/under on Serena/Dan making out being interrupted by their parents making out? Four episodes. Anyone else got any wagers?
- Serena is well-intentioned, but still selfish. I mean, she took Blair's boyfriend's virginity, the least she could do is be a good sport about the Handmaiden thing. Can't stay mad at her though, she didn't really do anything wrong this time. Heck, even Blair was only really bitchy to Jenny about coming to the party and that's just standard high school pettiness.
- Finally the blog gets some screen time. I know I was down on gossip girl herself at the beginning, but she has grown on me (as long as uncovering her is never the plot). It's a pretty easy way to progress the story and disseminate information — no complaints here.
- ANTM holla! It's cycle 7 winner CariDee English on Chuck's dad's arm...for a second.
- Is there anything Jenny won't do? Where did she get all those guts? I like her okay for now, but she totally seems like she has the potential to be evil, even moreso than S or B.

- Okay, fine, I still enjoy the parent plotline. Even though Rufus Humphrey is cheese central.
- Kinda hilarious that Dan qualifies his love for Vanessa as a "16-year-old" thing. So much older and wiser now that they are 17.
- Nate is a little pathetic with his proclamation of love for Serena (or, as the case may be, Jenny, who he thinks is Serena). I wonder how badly that will blow up in his face next episode. Or, will Blair do the typical TV thing and blame the messenger?
What did you think, good episode or too much going on? Anyone enter or leave your good graces? Loving Vanessa as much as I am? And how amazingly awesome do the previews for next week look? Can't wait.
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I love Gossip Girl, this episode was really good. Uh, gotta check those previews out then.
1Love this show! I can't get enough. I think I'm trying to live vicariously through these people. I was annoyed at Nate's proclamation to Serena aka Jenny. He needs to get a clue. He seems like a wuss. I'm starting to not like Jenny so much. Why couldn't she just say "Hey, I'm not Serena."
It was painful to watch Dan lie so much last night when you knew he was going to get caught in the act. I'm not really a Vanessa fan. I hate to compare it to The OC, but this reeks of the 1st season when Theresa came to Newport Beach for Ryan! Ugh.
I love Blair. She's hilarious. And Lily looked stunning.
2i saw half of it i was also watching private practice
when he thought that girl on the
street was Serena.
i saw the part where Dan was like "Mistaken IDENTITY, SORRY"
Jenny is starting to really annoy me.
Blair is awesome as always
Next week's episode looks really good though.
3i don't like vanessa. she's nothing like she is in the books. blah. i'm still team S... always will be.
4They all look too old to be in high school! I often forget they're supposed to be high school kids.
There are too many similarities between characters from GG and the OC!
Serena = Marissa who talks like Summer
Dan = Seth + Ryan
Nate = Luke
Lily = Kirsten + Julie
Rufus = Sandy
Blair's dad = Caleb
But I still love it!
5lol that nate/luke thing is so true.
RUFUS is wayyyy better looking than SANDY was though. sandy was fug
6I personally hated Vanessa....!
7there isn't a new episode next week...
8it says it's going to air on November 7th.
so ... two weeks til we get a new gg. :/
serena//dan... not as annoying as last week. i loved the whole "oh no, they're going to fight AGAIN" and vice versa. good story line on them. except i got urked by dan when he said "i have to go after her" [referring to vanessa]... i mean i understand that she was//is his bff but hmmm... he almost was in hot water with serena. nov. 7th's ep looks SO good.
blair... she's so dumb. i mean...she has to see that nate doesn't really care for her as much as he did. he didn't even bother to do the whole scavenger hunt thing for her 'v-card'. ha. but i did like how she stuck up for herself at the end. but OMG the new ep is going to be SCAN-DA-LOUS. ooooh. but i have to agree, she prob won't dump nate [stupid] and will prob be pissed that he kissed jenny then be mad at jenny for "allowing" him to kiss her. oh blair. and it bugged me that it looked like she was just waiting around for nate at the ball the entire night instead of actually trying to have fun.
lily//rufus... that kiss was awesome. totally took her breath away. you know they're going to hook up later in the show. probably the next ep. there's such sexual tension there... it's ridiculous. and with that said... why is she such a moron and trying to still go after chucks dad [that guy that was with caridee i assume].
nate... can't believe his dad allowed his mother to assume that the coke was his! great father there! geeze. poor guy. and also he needs to stop being a tool and just dump blair. he's just with her until serena says she wants to be with him... which i don't think will happen.
vanessa... not really a fan as of yet. but we'll see if she grows on me.
chuck... SO HOT.
and i'm done. haha.
9The preview said November 7th, so I'm confused
The episode was great!!!
I'm loving GG
10oh okay nov. 7th lol well i dunno like i said earlier, i was also watchin private practice
11You didn't do best quotes!
Here are mine:
"Handmaiden is Jane Austen for Slave."
"Who is that?" "Probably some b*tch from Chapin."
"I don't want to know what you had to do to get that tux."
BTW...did anybody else notice Nate's father crashing and burning with Eleanor Waldorf, until his wife threw her Vanderbilt ring into the mix? Yowza!
12I really don't like Vanessa and can her wardrobe get any worse. It looks so cheap and tacky
13fleurfairy, I cannot agree with u more!!! U said exactly what's on my mind!
14I despised Vanessa. She reminded me of Teresa on The O.C. Remember, all she did was break up happy Marisa and Ryan. I think Vanessa should go back to Vermont.
15how was serena being selfish? it wasn't that she didn't support blair's handmaiden/scavenger hunt schtick, it was because nate was standing there like an idiot instead of searching for blair. serena tried to hurry him along, and he only got to blair just as the clock struck midnight. besides, i found her delivery of the "she's wearing boots and a big ol' crown" line hilarious.
as for vanessa, i really couldn't stand her. it takes a presumptuous and self-centered person to think that someone would maintain their feelings for you a year later despite the fact that you moved to vermont and, judging from dan's suprise at receiving her call, barely spoke with. does she have such low expectations of his social skills to think that he wouldn't have moved on by this point? or perhaps she's so unforgettable that dan was just pining away until her return? not exactly how a new character should endear themselves to viewers who have already established their favorites by the sixth episode...
anyway, i love the show, love the rundowns, and will not survive the next two weeks without a gg episode.
16I really didn't like Vanessa that much! I guess she's just not what I was hoping for/expecting. But overall LOVED the episode. Can't wait for next week.
17yea i can't say i was a fan of vanessa and the way she entered like dan has just been sitting on his butt waiting for her. i was actually very happy with the way dan chose to run after her but to explain that he liked serena and then go back to serena to explain it to her- and i'm happy with serena for trying to find him too- that was an unselfish side of her, to want to hear what he had to say. i don't think vanessa is quite done with dan yet though. points to jenny for telling serena dan really liked her. points to jenny too for the chuck thing (am i the only one who does not find him hot at all?) blair kinda annoyed me cause all she did was boss. nate always annoys me. the rufus lily thing is definitely just building the tension up. can't tell if i like it yet or not.
i agree there are many parallels between this and the oc- but i am definitely enjoying this show too!
18I LOVED the episode last night! I am way more hooked that I thought I would be and the cast is awesome. Did anyone else notice the guy who's mask Dan stole outside the party? He was hot!
19i don't like vanessa either. eww. go away.
and i love serena. i don't think she is so selfish. just fed up.
dan is hot, hot, hot.
20The only reason I don't like Vanessa is because she's throwing everything off and I just wanna press hair!
Nate...how confused is this boy? He has a million things going on in his life and all he wants to do is hump Serena? And it was bad for S to even let him talk to her considering their history...
21OMG SO much to say about this episode, i loved it!!:
-I'm really starting to like Chuck for some reason! he was almost attractive in some odd way this episode! anyone with me?
-most hilarious moment: when Dan mistakened some other woman for Vanessa
-Dan looked soo young and baby-like when he put the mask on!
-ppl who looked the best in this episode: Jenny and Lily
-I'm really getting annoyed by Nate.
-ew Rufus is such a cheese ball!
22I don't like Vanessa too much. I don't know. There's just something off about her.
23this was classic Gossip Girl, and I loved it! Bring on the new episode!
24skiwi... if you've read ANY of my comments from the gossip girl recaps... i always mention how hot chuck is. haha. [see above comment of mine]
25I really really really hate Vanessa
26Gossip girl just gets more and more intoxicating! The stylist of this show is so great, they organized two party of different and fancy themes. Have you been to such Holloween party? At first i dislike Vanessa, but then she looks cool by helping Jenny. I think she pretends to be Dan's friend but she wants to have him back. Last note, Jenny could be evil and she has guts. And Nate looks boring although he is really goodlooking.
27I didn't hate Vanessa. I think Dan needs a good friend.
28I love Vanessa. Though she's nothing like her book persona, it works. I like her with Dan so much more than Serena. I still can't stand her. I HATE Nate. Like seriously he's such a horrible character. Blair & Chuck ARE the show! I'm a shipper for them. Boring ep, but I loved the previews for the 7th. I can't believe we have to wait so long!
29HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE VANESSA.
30Im glad that blair seems to have grown a heart.
if he's got plan he 's goona change it
if he has got a GF he'll dump her
Oh she 's just that wicked good friend who would do anything for u
Blair ROCK!!
fuuny 2c CARIDEE on the show luv that girl also
31i didn't get to watch this episode, so i'm hoping dan does not screws serena...
32ok, so I only watched one show. I've read all the books and was excited for the show to air, but I found it boring and funny in a bad way.
33For those who hate Vanessa on the show, I hated her in the books...
Vanessa = LAME hate the whole "we are just friends" thing. whatevs, why does he have no friends that are guys?!
34I think the only reason I'm watching this show is because I'm waiting for the scene where Nate confesses he doesn't want Blair because he's really into Chuck.
35Dan... needs to learn how to lie. It was so painful to watch him get caught in all the lies. Seriously.
36The introduction of Vanessa made me hate the show even more than I did before. I was a fan of the books way before they even talked about creating this show. The show is definitely a disappointed. It really annoys me that they are changing so many things around. I fell in love with the books and it's just wrong that they're changing unnecessary things. I understand if they felt the need to tame things for tv, but there is no reason to change characters around. Dan, Jennifer, Rufus, and now Vanessa are completely wrong. Dan should be nothing like his character, he's supposed to be skinny with a smoking and coffee problem who writes poetry. Jenny is supposed to be a short brunette with huge boobs. Rufus is supposed to be fat and obsurd. Vanessa is supposed to be bald and with a very different fashion sense, she doesn't dress girly and her token outfit item are her doc martens. The creators of the show are just making it more difficult for me to watch the show because I can't accept that many changes. They should just call the tv show roughly inspired by the books instead of based on.
37I loved this week's episode!
GG is definitely my new addiction!
I love the whole Serena/Dan plot line...even though I know something is going to go wrong real soon....I man it's a TV show and it has to stay interesting....so I forsee drama in the near future....
which will probably come from Vanessa! I'm still up in the air about her! Don't know if I like her or not? I guess I gotta see as the character develops! Ive never read the books so I really don't know how they are supposed to look or act!!
Nate is such a dork! Way to tell the wrong person! Blaire is a b*tch but she has a heart underneath it all so I like her! She needs to lose the lil homo and get herself a real man....I guess someone new cause Chuck is a big douche!
Im totally loving Jenny now! She stepped up her game! I just can't wait to see what Blaire is going to do about her attending the party....juicy!
And I like the parents...well Rufus and Lily...very OC like stated above!
38I've never read the books so I'm with everyone who HATES Vanessa. What presumptuous little biotch would think a guy would wait around for her...for a year?!? Idiot...
I love the Lily/Rufus angle but they've been hinting on that for a while. I can't wait to see how that'll affect Dan & Serena's budding relationship.
As for the previews for the next episode, I know Jenny is trying to get on Blair's good graces and all but why ruin it by telling Blair about Nate? I guess we'll have to see what happens...
39lily and rufus were so cute. haha!
40dan was really funny. getting caught and all.
nate's so stupid. i can't believe him. i feel sorry for blair now! \
i wish chuck had more exposure..hehe.
love this episode!
=)
I haven't read the books but I don't really like Vanessa because I really like Serena. I absolutely LOVE this show. It is my guilty pleasure every week. Lily and Rufus were so funny. I love Serena and Dan. They are adorable. Nate irritates me. His dad is a jerk and I actually feel sorry for Blair. What a jerk!
41When I went to IMDB to check on the correct spelling of Penn's last name, I noticed the rest of the cast's names. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, Ed Westwick... these names are so haughtily Upper East Side that they almost didn't have to change them for the show!
Serena on the cocaine: "Maybe it's old. Maybe it's leftover from the 90's." THE 90'S?!?! Snowing is SO 1984, all Lindsay Lohan jokes aside. I am upset, though, that the blame was placed on Nate. His father is super annoying.
And finally, it's always floored me that people can't recognize other people just because they're wearing HALF OF A MASK. See also: Hillary Duff's character in A Cinderella Story. Sigh, the next episode doesn't air until November 7th. I guess I'll have to catch up on my TiVO'ed episodes of The OC in the meantime.
42OMG! AM I the only one who LOVES LOVES LOVES VANESSA???
I thought she was great! Waaayyy better than Serena..who I am sooo not a fan of.
Vanessa and Dan all the way!!!
43I like Vanessa but that's probably cause I think Jessica Szohr is awesome and SO pretty. Loved her on What About Brian. Sucks that they canceled the show.
44i love this episode!! Dan's such a beautiful liar!
45wow i finally got to catch the show online and i think it's getting better or i'm just getting used to some of the corny bits. i didn't get to see the preview for the next episode but i'll be sure to tune in
46wat about a episode 7 review??? LOVE GOSSIP GIRL
47I don't understand why they reference Jane Austen, considering the fact that 'A Handmaid's Tale' was written by Margaret Atwood...
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