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Gossip Girl Rundown: Episode Five, "The Serena Also Rises"

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 9:31am by BuzzSugar
4,222 Views - 65 comments

While there was a whole lot of girl-on-girl drama in this week's episode of Gossip Girl, I am mostly concerned with Dan's dive into the dark side. That's right: he's spending time with Chuck. Those two are great together and I actually like earnest, sorta nerdy, talks-too-much Dan more than sappy in-love-with-Serena Dan. And we're learning so much about Chuck's psyche! He puts up such a tough exterior, doesn't he? His daddy issues run pretty deep, and he really wants someone to be his friend (Nate's been falling down on the job). Basically, Chuck needs a hug.

I'm glad the Duke and Duchess and that icky Nate/Duchess drama is behind us, and in its place we now have a new character — the hilariously named socialite Poppy Lipton. Are you ready to chat about it all? Just read more.

  • Did you catch them slipping in Dan wanting to go to Yale now instead of Dartmouth (and the previews in which both Blair and Serena visit Yale)? I think that's a hint at where season three will take place, what do you think?
  • I love having Lily back and I love even more that she has a naked portrait of herself which wants to show. . . her children.
  • Chuck's really perfected lurking in the school courtyard and obsessing over dethroning Blair. Their fight about who has fewer friends reminds me of similar fights I had in say, sixth grade. Although, I do love when Blair pulls in Dan, just because: "The only person with fewer friends than you is Dan Humphrey and at least his lame '90s dad likes him." Poor Rufus, apparently the '90s are lame.
  • Also lame now? Kirsten Dunst, according to the folks working on the seating chart for Elinor's fashion show. She's "so 2007." FYI.
  • OK, Dan's "mentor" guy is kind of cheesy. Maybe the whole "Dan's a published writer" is cheesy to me but regardless, when his mentor instructs Dan to "go find your Bukowski," I laughed a lot.
  • Turns out that Chuck is Dan's Bukowski! Chuck and Dan's initial exchange on this matter is amazing. Dan: "I need to experience new things." Chuck: "Are you gay?" Dan: "I'd like to experience the world of Chuck Bass." Chuck: "You're lucky I'm bored."
  • OK, sorry, more Chuck and Dan. Dan on drugs and booze the first night (what were those pills?) make their limo ride so funny. I love when he excitedly asks, "How do you know so many twins?!" followed by, "My feet are hot, my feet are hot."
  • Blair throws a lot of screamy fits in this episode but this was the best: "Don't ever go to high school, Dorota!"
  • At first I thought Blair was rather intolerable — sabotaging her own mother's fashion show, taking her anger out on Little J, etc. — but ultimately I'll take her bratty evilness over Serena and her "sparkle" any day.
  • Jenny quit school? What?! I think if I were Rufus I'd be a tad more upset.
  • Lily and Bart are creepy together and his box of her secrets is even creepier. What's in the envelope?!
  • And finally, two words: Charlie Trout.

Do you think Jenny is smart to align herself with Blair over Serena? While having Blair on your side can be extremely useful, she turns so easily and once she's your enemy, you're toast. Seems risky. Do you like Dan and Chuck as friends? Do you think Chuck will ever forgive Dan for Charlie Trout? I guess we're picking teams now, too: Serena or Blair? Should Rufus just enroll Jenny into public school so it's cheaper for him when she skips class? Let's discuss!

Photos courtesy of The CW

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65 Comments Add a Comment

  • Phasekitty's picture
    Phasekitty
    1

    Did anyone else think that Dan's mentor looked like Michael Douglas with bad aging makeup?? Maybe that was just me... Embarassed

    Chuck and Dan were easily the highlight of the night. Chuck being all dark and broody...and Charlie Trout? Hysterical.

    Blair got on my nerves so much- why would she try to sabotage her own mother's show? That didn't make sense to me. Plus I didn't understand why Jenny just didn't say something like- Blair handed her the wrong dress! Or, Blair told the models to go home! It was all totally believable with how b*tchy she was acting!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • reesiekitty's picture
    reesiekitty
    2

    Wow- did I get here first?!? Amazing, if so!

    Anyway- Chuck got all the very best stuff tonight. 'Charlie Trout' was lol funny and 'Twins find me." was my favorite line of the night. Just the fact that he is so obviously bored with Dan, and then takes his shoes before dumping him out of the limo was hysterical. I also loved it when they went to the first bar and Chuck pushes the tray of shots towards Dan- who doesn't get it that he is supposed to drink ALL of them. With all the crap Chuck has pulled, I would think he could handle Charlie Trout in stride. But I suppose he really opened up to Dan, so that made it smart. I wonder when his mom died for real...

    Glad to take a break from Nate and Vanessa this week.

    Little J was pretty good this week- I like the idea of a new J/B alliance. but I think it is sort of funny and ridiculous for Rufus to be all 'I'm Mr' Tough Love Parent'. I mean, he basically left two teens on their own in NYC for the entire summer so he could go on his tour bus of remembrance ( ok, their mom was supposed to be around, but we never saw her) and just la-la-la lets them do whatever they want- and now he so so shocked at what Jenny decides to do. Did it ever occur to him that he was not setting a great example? And besides, WHY IS JENNY IN PRIVATE SCHOOL ANYWAY?? Obviously it is not her gig.

    Empowered, rich, art-buying Lily is SOO much more fun than moping-over-her-ex-musician-boyfriend Lily. Bart Bass is friggin' creepy. If I was Lily I would be thinking seriously about divorce #4 or whatever it is. Don't tell me what art i can buy and who gets to see my nude butt from 20 years ago, thanks very much.

    Serena's sparkle speech made sense, but it was pretty mean. Then again, considering the stunt Blair just pulled, she also sort of deserved it. All even there, I think. Blair just needs to go and get her own famous socialite friend.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • reesiekitty's picture
    reesiekitty
    4

    Oh- Dan's new mentor was even worse than the previous real writer! Seriously, he was straight out of Central Casting for boozing, aging writers. The whole 'inner Bukowski' line was just ludicris- and refusing to mentor Dan because he wouldn't write about Charlie Trout?? Whatever- totally silly.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Phasekitty's picture
    Phasekitty
    5

    The mentor really did turn on Dan fast. He was all, Haha, you landed yourself in jail and here I am to bail you out! Then, you're a mediocre writer and I want nothing to do with you anymore...in 30 seconds flat.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • reesiekitty's picture
    reesiekitty
    6

    Yes- I think Dan should stop being mentored. He obviously doesn't work well with them, lol. But seriously, that old guy reminded me of when I went to art school years ago- if you weren't completely ***ed up, didn't smoke constantly, wear black and hate your rich parents, it was like no one knew how to relate to you. Apparently you can only be a successful writer if you drink too much and your hair gets very unkepmt as you age. Otherwise, you just are not taking your 'art' seriously.

    And- was anyone else kind of underwhelmed at the green dress at the end of the fashion show?? It looked like an 80s prom dress from Hot Topic to me!!! And it was obvious that dress was cut for J and not S- her boobs were so squished and puffed up in it, I was hoping they had used the double sided tape backstage!! Now that might have been an interesting scene- think of all the trouble Blaire could have caused!!! Eye-wink

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Papaver's picture
    Papaver
    7

    Charlie Trout!!! LMFAO

    Team Blair all the way. She was lashing out at her mother who is the worst mother on TV ever! Publicly humiliates her, chooses&gives credit to every girl but her own! And Serena forgot how good friend Blair had been to her and got so easliy manipulated by that Poppy girl?

    Chuck&Dan FOREVER! I loved their scenes.

    Is it another VanderWoodsen sex tape on the show?

    Thanks goodness for no Vanessa and Nate!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • meli_A's picture
    meli_A
    8

    Chuck was by far the funniest of the night, I was cracking up with everything he said to Dan. I look those two together. I'm usually on team Blair, but I have to go with Serena on this one. Blair always wants to be the center of attention and when she isnt she flips out. As for Jenny, where do I begin. She can be such a brat sometimes, and quitting school, she def must be crazy, shes only in tenth grade. I can't wait for next week's episode, it looks like a Serena and Blair catfight is going to finally happen!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • kluster86's picture
    kluster86
    9

    The dress Jenny made was hotttttt!!!

    Awww Chuck is hurt.. sad.. but i saw it coming, and i always womdered about the story of his mom.

    Dumb ass Dan taking notes with him. LEAVE YOUR NOTES AT HOME!!!!

    this episode was pretty blah to me.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • girlgreen's picture
    girlgreen
    11

    i loved last night's episode! so much fun.

    i was actually wondering how serena even managed to fit into jenny's dress, and speaking of dresses, the dress jenny wore to the fashion show was soo short! when she was walking up the stairs away from rufus, i thought she was gonna flash him.

    i enjoyed the chuck and dan storyline.

    i'm also glad there was no nate or vanessa around this episode. nate especially seems useless to the show - it seems like they really have to reach to create storylines for him. he's so boring!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • hokiepokie's picture
    hokiepokie
    12

    So on Team Blair. She's been there for Serena. She's forgiven her for sleeping with her boyfriend. She got rid of Georgina for her & stood by her through the whole "I killed a guy!" thing & she never patronized Serena. The only thing Serena's been holding back is her mega-b*tchness.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • hokiepokie's picture
    hokiepokie
    13

    And Jenny is an ungrateful little brat. She's going to private school because she begged her dad to let her. And this is how she repays him.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tinsleystyle's picture
    tinsleystyle
    14

    Dan is such an idiot. Why does he have to follow Chuck around to get inside his head? Isn't he a "writer"? Hasn't he ever heard of "using your imagination"?

    I thought Poppy (based on the Delevigne sister?) had the lamest lines ever. "What reason is that to hide your LIGHT?" /and all that Serena flattery? I thought she was going to kiss her and then new storyline or something...

    Plus, so glad Nate wasn't in this episode. Boy is pretty to look at but I don't know how he ever delivers his "lines" with a straight face...

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • LuvEW's picture
    LuvEW
    15

    I loved all the Chuck and Dan scenes. I think they could have an interesting friendship, I hope they can get past the whole Charlie Trout issue! I felt so sorry for Chuck when Bart was being such an a#$ to him on the phone, I love seeing Chuck's vulnerable side!

    Also TEAM BLAIR all the way! Serena has really been working my nerves these last couple of episodes. Who does she think she is?? The way she has been treating everyone. I know Blair can be a spoiled brat but sorry Serena was way out of line. She knows about Blair's issues w/ Mommy and should have known better than to go there....and as for Poppy, I'll be glad when she's gone!

    I too loved the line "Don't ever go to High School Dorota" I love Blair! And all of Chuck's lines were great! 2 weeks until a new episode...ugh! C-ya then.... Smiling

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Mariana48's picture
    Mariana48
    16

    team blair for sure! that was such a good episode! although its really stupid of jenny to quit school, that has to be fixed like prontooO! oh and dan and chuck are great together, i hardly missed nate

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Jammi's picture
    Jammi
    17

    I agree with hokiepokie, team blair to the fullest. Serena acts as if she gives up everything for Blair but she never once thought of Blair when she slept with her boyfriend, didn't think of how Blair would react when her only true friend ran away and didn't even write her. She's just as selfish, but people brush it off because she hides behind her hippiness.

    And yeah, Blair likes attention but with a mother like hers the only time she's made to feel worthwhile was when she was with Serena or when the girls at school were bowing down to her. Then Serena comes, takes her school friends, blows off their tradition and then gives that condescending speech about her sparkle. Right. That Poppy girl did seem to have a major girl crush on Serena, lol.

    Jenny... that girl has no broughtupcy, lol. I understand wanting to follow your dreams but when you know your father is paying thousands of dollars for you to get the oppurtunity for a life you convinced him you wanted you should at least try. Vanessa is supposedly so hood, make her help you get back at the othere girls instead of sabotaging your schooling. Or at least get paid at the internship you're sacrificing everything for.

    Rufus, yeah, didn't really believe his parenting. I honestly thought he was going to let her get away with the whole school thing because of all the praise she was getting, he seems like the type.

    And I agree with everyone else that Chuck and Dan =

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Papaver's picture
    Papaver
    18

    I changed my mind. It wasn't a sex tape but adoption papers - Lily had a love child with Rufus and gave it up to adoption.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • EkaterinaBallerina's picture
    EkaterinaBallerina
    19

    I was on Team Serena last season because in the beginning Blair was downright intolerable. But she became so much better by the end of the season and now, after last night's episode, I'm 100% on Team Blair. Yes, Blair acted like an insolent child and the sabotage was ridiculous but Serena was downright mean at the end. And instead of it coming off like someone finally thinking for themself, it came off as ridiculously selfish and cruel. I mean let's not forget that they are all of what 17? You aren't exactly a mature adult at that point, people still have room to grow. It'll be interesting to see where this goes. And I love Jenny on her side now!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • juliex0x0's picture
    juliex0x0
    21

    I'm usually on Team Blair - she always has the better storylines than Serena. However, things are a changing on the upper eastside and I am loving Serena's new storylines. It's unfortunate that they both can't have the good stuff together - that would be awesome. I guess it's true that there can only be one Queen Bee.
    Love the Chuck / Dan thing , hope to see more of this.
    And um, how random / funny was it to see Dan hit on a "prostitute" at the bar??? hahaha, Dan's punch was tight.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • juliex0x0's picture
    juliex0x0
    22

    PS Blair was so obnoxious last night, let's hope we don't EVER see that out of her again. Girl needs to chill.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tlsgirl's picture
    tlsgirl
    23

    I sort of assumed that pictures of Rufus and Lily were in the envelope. I mean, he knows everything else, so why not? And I actually liked Dan more in this episode. Serena continues to be annoying, so maybe I'll just blame her for how obnoxious he normally is.

    Can I just say how excited I was to finally see Blair without a headband in the opening scenes! Finally. I'm disturbed by how often the stylists feel the need to wrap her head up like it's a Christmas present.

    Also, if Chuck needs a hug, I'll totally volunteer. Just sayin'

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tlsgirl's picture
    tlsgirl
    24

    Oh wow, could I be any slower? I literally just got the whole Trout thing. And, wow.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • catswig's picture
    catswig
    26

    oooh such a good episode. so many things to comment on!!

    i LOVED the scenes with dan and chuck. so funny and cute. it gives dan a lot more dimension then just all that serena making out drama....sick. now i actually don't mind when dan comes on screen.

    blair was HILARIOUS with her screaming fit to dorota. i was like holy crap blair, keep your voice down. but then i just couldn't help but laugh. i think she's probably the best actor on the show. i love how anal and obsessive compulsive blair is. it's so endearing.

    jenny is right for choosing blair over serena. blair is fiercely loyal. remember how she would go to extreme measures to protect serena against that weird bang girl that was hitting on dan? that is the kind of friend i would want.

    serena on the other hand makes me sick. outshine?? wtf. no one outshines anyone when you're talking about your BEST FRIEND. the fact that you would even THINK you were outshining blair is sickening and seriously conceited. in a bad bad bad way.

    i would like to see a blair jenny alliance. i thought it was cute how blair showed her soft side (and just why she is a superior friend) to jenny.

    and i'm sorry, but serena, have you been WORKING YOUR WHOLE LIFE TO GO TO YALE?? I DON'T THINK SO. what a b*tch.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • CocoChic's picture
    CocoChic
    27

    Chuck and Dan were hilarious last night. Dan drunk and on drugs is too funny.

    I think Lily had a kid. Maybe it was a birth certificate?

    Also, Serena's runway walk was ridiculous!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • catswig's picture
    catswig
    28

    oh, and for a minute i forgot about vanessa. ugh, i can dream....

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • catswig's picture
    catswig
    29

    re: lily's secret dossier file, maybe rufus is serena's real dad and we can be free of her and dan making out all the time forever!!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • bluesmile's picture
    bluesmile
    30

    Team Blair all the way!!!!!!!!!! there is no way that Serena can stand there, at the end of the runway, for 10 minutes just to get her picture taken. and what was that face she was making?

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Laughing4life's picture
    Laughing4life
    31

    Team Serena!
    Blair's being an idiot...and Serena's always had to tip-toe around her. I thought it was great that she eseentially said "I'm going to be awesome, and you can support me or not," because that is what friends are all about.

    P.S. I think I'm the only one who thought it was hot that Dan punched that guy Smiling

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ilanac13's picture
    ilanac13
    32

    well...i think that it's always great to see full on cattyness when you're watching a show about high schoolers since we sometimes forget that they are actually in high school. i can't believe that blair is being so petty - or maybe i can...i'm not sure Smiling

    i LOVE the green finale dress, and well i guess jenny has more talent than we all thought - i just hope that we see more of it since it sounds like she and daddy dearest aren't seeing eye to eye right now.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • CYL's picture
    CYL
    33

    Blair is being an idiot about her mother's fashion show. Never forget who is buying you all your Chanel and Ferragmao bags. Love the green dress but thought it was odd that it fit Serena considering Jenny is much smaller. Magic of TV I suppose.

    Serena...I thought she was a little ungrateful forgetting what B did for her last season with Dan, Georgina and etc...but B was being a pain Sticking out tongue

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • bento barista's picture
    bento barista
    34

    "Twins find me." FTW!

    Although I can't say that I am part of any "team," I would gladly take Blair over Serena any day (I mean seriously "sparkle"? blech...) -- better b*tchy than boring.

    Also, I have yet to see Season 1, but in Season 2 at least, BOTH Nate and Serena seem pretty freaking useless characters.

    I LOVE that Dan is finally free of Serena -- it suits -- now he can work on being three-dimensional.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • tlsgirl's picture
    tlsgirl
    35

    Thank you bluesmile! Her runway thing was so ridiculous. She looked like she was chewing on the inside of her cheeks the whole time.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • graylen's picture
    graylen
    36

    I wish we could have a whole episode from Dorota's point of view : ) Now that would be juicy!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Tiny Bubble's picture
    Tiny Bubble
    37

    I am on team Serena!! Blair was intolerable last night, screaming when she didn't get the attention and sabotaging her mother's show, knowing how important it was for her. She was just such a spoiled brat. I would do exactly what Serena did.
    I thought Dan and Chuck said "twigs", not "twins" as a degrading way of referring to the girls who threw themselves at Chuck. Guess I was just over-analyzing it.
    I love this show.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • shmoo15's picture
    shmoo15
    38

    Serena was gross last night. Her modeling face and crappy attitude made her an instant zero in my book.

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • cheytown's picture
    cheytown
    39

    To whoever it was that made the comment about Dan punching that guy and thinking it was hot, was freakin on point! I agree! Dan was a KILLA for a mintue and totally laid the man out I was surprised and stoked and I only just started watching this show(im so sick of politics!) and I am hooked!

    8 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • graylen's picture
    graylen
    40

    I also LOVED Jenny's dress she was wearing at the fashion show. Paired with that bright red necklace- it was gorgeous!