TV Review: Gossip Girl 2.9 – There Might Be Blood

Posted by Michelle Graham (michelle@filmschoolrejects.com) on November 5, 2008

Gossip Girl, The CW, Airs Monday 8/7c

Episode: “There Might Be Blood” (Season 2, Episode 9)

Review: Lil J’ takes center stage as the guerrilla fashion show suggested last week kicks up more of a storm than she anticipates. Rufus’ take on J’s antics leads to a risk of jail time, but Lily’s timely intervention means that J can live to sew another day, with or without her newly public relationship with Nate. Meanwhile, Serena continues her irritating dance with the idiot boy from camp, whilst Blair and Chuck team up to rescue a damsel that doesn’t want to be rescued. Finally, Dan decides to drop his principles and write the Chuck Bass expose in order to win a place at Yale, but is it worth it?

Synopsis: Jenny’s new independence is really showing what Taylor Momsen can do, though she’ll never attain the heights reached by Leighton Meester. Even so, the plot was tight, though Nate a little wishy washy. Then again, when isn’t he? His hook up with J has been a long time coming, but with her rapid exit from the loft and his even more rapid boot out the door courtesy of big brother Dan means that this romance could be left to simmer off screen a while. On a stylistic note, the fashion show itself was executed fantastically, with all the impact required to launch a budding fashion career. Perhaps breaking all the glasses was a little much though..

Over on the wealthy side of the street, Blair’s mettle is tested with a bratty child who’s decided that it’s high time her cherry was popped and on Blair’s watch no less. (Side note: Think about the episode title again. Bet you’ll never think of that movie the same way again) Cue much kerfuffle and scrambling when the little lady gets off the leash. It’s nice to see Chuck and Blair on the same team, much as I love their tussles back and forth. Also, Chuck’s comment on the sanctity of the back of the limo was sweet, with a nice, albeit too short, connection sparking between the star-crossed lovers. Though the story-line was almost a sub plot to J’s fashion show struggles, it really popped off the screen, with Blair’s desperation to save her chances at the Yale brass ring always bubbling at the surface. However, apparently B’s heart is in the right place, it’s just deep deep deep down. Seeing B sacrifice her shot at Yale in an attempt to save another girl from living out her own emotional hell tugs on just the right spot. Not to mention her hesitant admission of love for her first partner and the description of her relationship with her mother. No wonder she’s such a bitch.

Overall, if we could only move off the Serena plus Aaron the boring artist story, then this episode would be hitting all the marks and hitting them well. The minor amount of time spent on this plot line has already been too much, and whilst having a ring made out of a sweet that could survive a nuclear winter since he was 8 is cute, it’s not really enthralling material. It seems that Serena’s been taken in by some cute one-liners, but must the viewer go through this too? More focus on Blair, Chuck and heck, even lil J. please. No more wishy washy Serena romances until she and Dan are ready to realize how idiotic they are.

Up Next Week: “Bonfire of the Vanity” – Blair struggles with the idea of Eleanor having a new man in her life and does everything she can to destroy the relationship. Jenny and Agnes move in together, whilst brother Dan wars with Chuck over daddy issues. Meanwhile, Serena and Aaron fall for each other, but is everything as it seems?

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Did you watch Gossip Girl this week? If so, feel free to discuss below.

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