TV Review: Gossip Girl – In the Realm of the Basses
Posted by Michelle Graham (michelle@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 8, 2009
Gossip Girl, The CW, Airs Monday 8/7c
Episode: “In The Realm of the Basses” (Season 2, Episode 14)
Synopsis: Dan and Serena finally prove that we were right to keep watching, but things could get ugly when Dan learns a secret from his dad’s past. Jenny’s return to school upsets the political regime, however Blair is too busy moving onwards and upwards to play referee. Chuck’s return to New York does not herald his return to form, just a plunge further into the darkness. Rufus’ efforts to find his unknown child meet constant dead ends, forcing him to ask Lily for help.
Review: Finally, some sort of progress on the Dan and Serena front. After a long time being saddled with the irritation that was Aaron, it’s a great relief to hear that Serena has seen sense and broken up with him. Even better was the fact that it was off screen and therefore any moping was done away from the viewers! With Aaron’s dad married to Blair’s mom, there’s a possibility that we may see him again, but it’s unlikely that it’ll be anything to do with Serena. Unfortunately, it also looks as though the dream pairing may not stay together too long. As Chuck himself pointed out, bedding the sister/brother of your sibling is a little off, even if there’s no blood between you. The addition of a Baby Humphrey-Van der Woodsen definitely has long reaching potential, but it better not prevent Dan & Serena from being together in the end. The Ross-and-Rachel-ness of it all is just too much, especially after seeing how good they are together. The couple clicks, as opposed to the awkwardness of Aaron & Serena in previous episodes.
Another couple that click but haven’t locked are Blair and Chuck, and boy is that plot flying at the moment. The Christmas break seems to have seen some interesting action, and if the exchange between “Uncle Jack” and Blair regarding New Year’s Eve is as dramatic as it sounds, Chuck may end up back on a rooftop again soon. Secrets and lies always come apart in this town, after all. It’s a pity, because Chuck’s downward spiral in this episode was a pretty good indication of how hard something can hit him, and losing Blair would rank right up there with losing his father. Their intimacy may not be that of a couple, but they know each other inside out, a fact that constantly comes through.
The episode was a great start to the year, with a lot of promise. Even the Jenny storyline was tolerable! Sure, she’s back in Constance, but hopefully it’ll be a more interesting Jenny this time around, with Little J a thing of the past. Though Blair claims to be past the high school politics and Jenny’s not interested, things look to be shaping up for more shake ups within the Girls on the Steps. As side plots go, it’s not too bad. Even the adults were strong this week, although it’s odd how Blair repeatedly loses hers. Perhaps the new Mr. Waldorf isn’t as interested in family time as he seems? It’s definitely a huge contrast to Rufus, whose desperate attempts to find his surprise child may wear thin if it’s not solved soon. In the mean time, it’s intriguing. Overall, Gossip Girl has definitely signed back on after the holidays with a bang.
Up Next Week: “Gone With the Will” – Chuck finds himself at the helm of Bass Industries and agrees to his Uncle Jack acting as guardian, but is this a wise move?
Read More: Gossip Girl Recaps
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