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"Haven't you heard? I'm the crazy bitch around here."
Hey! I'm back for a matter of hours and I'm immediately inundating you with one of those posts where I ramble and ramble about a show that I should have been watching for years now and so it's all old news for you. But I'm a new convert to Gossip Girl, dang it, and though I should have listened to Izi and May and started watching long ago, I'm now so flail-y about it that I just have to share.
So!
Strictly speaking, I should hate this show. Teen dramas are not my idea of fun (unless they're crazy smart like Buffy or Veronica Mars, but neither of those are typical at all and I don't judge them by the same standards) and I'm more drawn to sci-fi-ish, high concept dramas (well, Friday Night Lights doesn't fit into this category, but it's the exception. Also, I just bought season 2 on DVD and I'm going to actually watch it all the way through soon, just so you know). Also, the last thing I typically want to watch is moral-less millionaires revel in their own wealth.
But I don't care waht anyone says. This show is a satire. Or at least (mostly) maintains the tone of a well-written one. It has to walk the very thin line between melodrama and being too tongue-in-cheek, and in its best moments, it manages to do both.
But as stylish and snarkily-written as it is, there are two reasons I am still watching this show: Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass. (Well, and possibly Eric. He's awesome, but not reason enough to continue watching on his own)
But I'll get to them in a second. First, for the rest of the characters.
I kind of hate Blake Lively. How can she manage to look so gorgeous in some really ridiculous clothes (some of them are awesome, but others? Way too over the top) and no matter how her hair's done? Seriously, me and my crazy mass of uncontrollable curls hate her for her perfect hair! Evil girl! She must have made a deal with a demon for hair that perfect (that sounds like crack!fic. Gossip Girl/Supernatural crossover, anyone?).
But other than that, I have very little to say about her. Meh, mostly. She's very choppily-written, I think. I realize that she's torn between her past and the person she's trying to be, but a lot of the time she just comes across as schizophrenic. Especially this season where all it takes to return her to her old ways is Dan going out with someone else? That whole thing was just silly. I mean, hopefully we'll get some cool evil competition with Blair, though the preview for the new episode doesn't leave me very confident. Whatever, Serena van der Woodsen. I care for you not.
Speaking of Dan, Penn Badgley is kind of adorable. And I like Dan fine, but I just can't muster up a whole lot of enthusiasm for him. I like the idea of "poor(er) boy trying to navigate the world of the upper class" in theory more than I do in its execution on this show. And he started out as the voice of reason, but he hasn't been doing that very well lately.
In the world of "Meh," though, Nate is probably highest up on my list. He's so distracting when he's onscreen because I keep expecting him to start posing for a Ralph Lauren ad at any given moment. He's so well-groomed it's almost creepy. Also, I've decided he's stupid to have gotten involved with that Catherine/Duchess person in the first place. Dumbass. I know I should feel sorry for him because his parents are so horrible, but again, I just can't feel anything like passion in reference to him in a positive or negative way.
I really, really liked Jenny at first, when she was still sweet and resourceful and relatively untainted by the world she was living in. I also liked her relationship with Dan and her dad, too. But now she's become so whiny. Worse than Claire Bennet, actually, who has been my whininess standard for a while now. She's always blatantly disobeying her dad who is the only parent even trying to do the right thing (even if he's often pretty bad at it) and then moping whenever things don't go her way. I know that she's a teenage girl, but get over it! And when she tries to play the popularity game, she just comes across as unlikable, mostly because Taylor Momsen isn't nearly as talented an actress as Leighton Meester (but then, who is?). So just shut up, Jenny!
I was over the whole Rufus/Lily thing from the first episode. It's going to be that thing that they drag out over seasons, and I'm going to get more and more annoyed about it. But they're both okay as characters on their own, though I'm wondering what audience the show is writing their story for. Does anyone actually care? The kids who watch don't care about the adults, and the adults are watching to live vicariously through these filthy rich kids. So who cares?
Vanessa I like, even if she's a bit too perfect. Also, she insanely beautiful. And I'm jealous of her hair and her awesome huge earrings. But she's cool and sassy when she needs to be, though I spend vast portions of the show wondering what on earth she thinks she has in common with Nate. Honey, he has no personality! You can do so much better! I feel like they were the only unattached characters on teh show and so the writers threw them at each other. Also, if they're going to do that relationship at all, Nate should be chasing after Vanessa. She's too self-possessed to be moping over him. Maintain your pride, girl!
The Georgina thing was awesome. Michelle was so evil and fun, and I loved her waging psychological warfare on Serena. I didn't think they ended it very well--Blair could have come up with a way cattier punishment for her, but whatever. The entire time she was on the screen, I kept thinking, "Uuuummmm! Dawnie Summers! When Spike and Buffy find out how you've been acting they're going to show up and drag you back to California and you're going to be in so. Much. Trouble!" No, really. That's what I wanted to happen.
Eric may be the only character I straight up like. I would like him in real life, and I like him on the show. I have sympathy for him, but despite his suicide attempt, he's too sure of himself for me to feel anything like pity, thank God. He's so clear-sighted. I have to admit that back in the day, I shipped him and Jenny. They totally wrote him like he was enamored of her, and I was sure they were going to go in the direction of having Jenny compete for the affections of some personality-less Ken doll before she came to her senses and saw that Eric was right. There. and the only character who really seems to be untainted by status and money. So I was disappointed when he made the revelation that he's gay, not because he turned out to be gay, but because it ruined my first ship of the show. But now I'm over it and I just want to see him being cool (and having more screen time!) and hanging out with Chuck. And maybe being really good platonic friends with Jenny and being the one to make her see how self-involved and immature she's being.
But!
There are two characters so awesome, so snarky and horrible, so well-drawn that I will put up with any level of mediocrity in order to experience their awesomeness.
Okay, I'm giving up on the suspense thing. It's not like you didn't already know who they were.
Chuck Bass is the slimiest, most loathsome character I've encountered in a while. He's horrible and disgusting and vile. But "he's Chuck Bass," and so I adore him. I never want to meet him, I just want to watch him drink and whore his way across my screen and enjoy the hell out of it. By the way, "I'm Chuck Bass" has officially become my favorite line from anything ever. Ever.
I love his stupid scarf and his stupid bedroom voice and his stupidstupidstupid colored suits. I love his loyalty to Nate and his taking Eric under his wing (which he totally didn't have to do, by the way) and his wanting his dad's attention in any way he can get it (cliche as that is). And I love how much he hates how much he wants Blair. Oh, Chuck Bass. You are too awesome.
And as May and I were discussing, Leighton Meester is the actress who is going to come out of this show with a real career. I can't get over how pitch-perfect she is, always. No one else I can think of could take this selfish, manipulative person and make me actually care about her. Blair's got so many layers, but none of them contradict each other. She's the definition of "I am large, I contain multitudes." I squee with happiness when she schemes and she makes me cry when she does. I love her headbands and even her clothes are sometimes ridiculous, she sells them because of her dignity. Which she manages to maintain even when the world is falling apart around her. Everything about her makes for an awesome character.
And yes, of course, I ship Blair/Chuck, just like you always knew I would. Obviously, Chuck and Blair will never be a normal, functional couple. They're both too selfish to have a real relationship. But they understand each other better than anyone else ever will, and they could easily take over the world if they wanted, what with their combined powers of manipulation. Honestly, my favorite moments with them were before they slept together, when they teamed up with their diabolical plots and admired each other's deviousness. Perfect. I want to see them scheme together at least once more this season. I mean, not that I'm not enjoying their angsty "I love you/I hate you"-ness, but watching them plot together is just so much fun! Oh, those two crazy kids.
Also, my other favorite part of the entire show so far (that didn't involved only Blair and Chuck and their rollercoaster of an anti-relationship) was the "Non-judging Breakfast Club." For some reason, when Blair and Chuck and Serena and Nate were all together and the other three were being there for Serena, all over protective, and, for once, fairly selfless, I flailed with happiness. It was so Fab Four--Veronica, Lilly, Logan, Duncan--all over again, and I flipped out. I want to see that happen a lot more.
So. Gossip Girl writers. Here's what I want:
1. Blair and Chuck plotting. And angsting, too. But mostly plotting.
2. Eric to have his own storyline.
3. More "Non-judging Breakfast Club" awesomeness.
4. Vanessa getting her backbone back.
5. Jenny to either shut up or learn her lesson.
Wow. That was crazy long. I doubt anybody actually read all of it. But I had lots of fun writing it! And it's always exciting to gain a new fandom, especially one with characters as awesome as this one.
Also, who's been watching Fringe? Is it good? I tried to watch the pilot and couldn't make it through it. But if anyone I trust enjoys it, I'd be willing to give it another chance. J.J. Abrams and I have such a love/hate relationship, so I need advice on this one.
Oh, television. How I'd missed you.
So!
Strictly speaking, I should hate this show. Teen dramas are not my idea of fun (unless they're crazy smart like Buffy or Veronica Mars, but neither of those are typical at all and I don't judge them by the same standards) and I'm more drawn to sci-fi-ish, high concept dramas (well, Friday Night Lights doesn't fit into this category, but it's the exception. Also, I just bought season 2 on DVD and I'm going to actually watch it all the way through soon, just so you know). Also, the last thing I typically want to watch is moral-less millionaires revel in their own wealth.
But I don't care waht anyone says. This show is a satire. Or at least (mostly) maintains the tone of a well-written one. It has to walk the very thin line between melodrama and being too tongue-in-cheek, and in its best moments, it manages to do both.
But as stylish and snarkily-written as it is, there are two reasons I am still watching this show: Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass. (Well, and possibly Eric. He's awesome, but not reason enough to continue watching on his own)
But I'll get to them in a second. First, for the rest of the characters.
I kind of hate Blake Lively. How can she manage to look so gorgeous in some really ridiculous clothes (some of them are awesome, but others? Way too over the top) and no matter how her hair's done? Seriously, me and my crazy mass of uncontrollable curls hate her for her perfect hair! Evil girl! She must have made a deal with a demon for hair that perfect (that sounds like crack!fic. Gossip Girl/Supernatural crossover, anyone?).
But other than that, I have very little to say about her. Meh, mostly. She's very choppily-written, I think. I realize that she's torn between her past and the person she's trying to be, but a lot of the time she just comes across as schizophrenic. Especially this season where all it takes to return her to her old ways is Dan going out with someone else? That whole thing was just silly. I mean, hopefully we'll get some cool evil competition with Blair, though the preview for the new episode doesn't leave me very confident. Whatever, Serena van der Woodsen. I care for you not.
Speaking of Dan, Penn Badgley is kind of adorable. And I like Dan fine, but I just can't muster up a whole lot of enthusiasm for him. I like the idea of "poor(er) boy trying to navigate the world of the upper class" in theory more than I do in its execution on this show. And he started out as the voice of reason, but he hasn't been doing that very well lately.
In the world of "Meh," though, Nate is probably highest up on my list. He's so distracting when he's onscreen because I keep expecting him to start posing for a Ralph Lauren ad at any given moment. He's so well-groomed it's almost creepy. Also, I've decided he's stupid to have gotten involved with that Catherine/Duchess person in the first place. Dumbass. I know I should feel sorry for him because his parents are so horrible, but again, I just can't feel anything like passion in reference to him in a positive or negative way.
I really, really liked Jenny at first, when she was still sweet and resourceful and relatively untainted by the world she was living in. I also liked her relationship with Dan and her dad, too. But now she's become so whiny. Worse than Claire Bennet, actually, who has been my whininess standard for a while now. She's always blatantly disobeying her dad who is the only parent even trying to do the right thing (even if he's often pretty bad at it) and then moping whenever things don't go her way. I know that she's a teenage girl, but get over it! And when she tries to play the popularity game, she just comes across as unlikable, mostly because Taylor Momsen isn't nearly as talented an actress as Leighton Meester (but then, who is?). So just shut up, Jenny!
I was over the whole Rufus/Lily thing from the first episode. It's going to be that thing that they drag out over seasons, and I'm going to get more and more annoyed about it. But they're both okay as characters on their own, though I'm wondering what audience the show is writing their story for. Does anyone actually care? The kids who watch don't care about the adults, and the adults are watching to live vicariously through these filthy rich kids. So who cares?
Vanessa I like, even if she's a bit too perfect. Also, she insanely beautiful. And I'm jealous of her hair and her awesome huge earrings. But she's cool and sassy when she needs to be, though I spend vast portions of the show wondering what on earth she thinks she has in common with Nate. Honey, he has no personality! You can do so much better! I feel like they were the only unattached characters on teh show and so the writers threw them at each other. Also, if they're going to do that relationship at all, Nate should be chasing after Vanessa. She's too self-possessed to be moping over him. Maintain your pride, girl!
The Georgina thing was awesome. Michelle was so evil and fun, and I loved her waging psychological warfare on Serena. I didn't think they ended it very well--Blair could have come up with a way cattier punishment for her, but whatever. The entire time she was on the screen, I kept thinking, "Uuuummmm! Dawnie Summers! When Spike and Buffy find out how you've been acting they're going to show up and drag you back to California and you're going to be in so. Much. Trouble!" No, really. That's what I wanted to happen.
Eric may be the only character I straight up like. I would like him in real life, and I like him on the show. I have sympathy for him, but despite his suicide attempt, he's too sure of himself for me to feel anything like pity, thank God. He's so clear-sighted. I have to admit that back in the day, I shipped him and Jenny. They totally wrote him like he was enamored of her, and I was sure they were going to go in the direction of having Jenny compete for the affections of some personality-less Ken doll before she came to her senses and saw that Eric was right. There. and the only character who really seems to be untainted by status and money. So I was disappointed when he made the revelation that he's gay, not because he turned out to be gay, but because it ruined my first ship of the show. But now I'm over it and I just want to see him being cool (and having more screen time!) and hanging out with Chuck. And maybe being really good platonic friends with Jenny and being the one to make her see how self-involved and immature she's being.
But!
There are two characters so awesome, so snarky and horrible, so well-drawn that I will put up with any level of mediocrity in order to experience their awesomeness.
Okay, I'm giving up on the suspense thing. It's not like you didn't already know who they were.
Chuck Bass is the slimiest, most loathsome character I've encountered in a while. He's horrible and disgusting and vile. But "he's Chuck Bass," and so I adore him. I never want to meet him, I just want to watch him drink and whore his way across my screen and enjoy the hell out of it. By the way, "I'm Chuck Bass" has officially become my favorite line from anything ever. Ever.
I love his stupid scarf and his stupid bedroom voice and his stupidstupidstupid colored suits. I love his loyalty to Nate and his taking Eric under his wing (which he totally didn't have to do, by the way) and his wanting his dad's attention in any way he can get it (cliche as that is). And I love how much he hates how much he wants Blair. Oh, Chuck Bass. You are too awesome.
And as May and I were discussing, Leighton Meester is the actress who is going to come out of this show with a real career. I can't get over how pitch-perfect she is, always. No one else I can think of could take this selfish, manipulative person and make me actually care about her. Blair's got so many layers, but none of them contradict each other. She's the definition of "I am large, I contain multitudes." I squee with happiness when she schemes and she makes me cry when she does. I love her headbands and even her clothes are sometimes ridiculous, she sells them because of her dignity. Which she manages to maintain even when the world is falling apart around her. Everything about her makes for an awesome character.
And yes, of course, I ship Blair/Chuck, just like you always knew I would. Obviously, Chuck and Blair will never be a normal, functional couple. They're both too selfish to have a real relationship. But they understand each other better than anyone else ever will, and they could easily take over the world if they wanted, what with their combined powers of manipulation. Honestly, my favorite moments with them were before they slept together, when they teamed up with their diabolical plots and admired each other's deviousness. Perfect. I want to see them scheme together at least once more this season. I mean, not that I'm not enjoying their angsty "I love you/I hate you"-ness, but watching them plot together is just so much fun! Oh, those two crazy kids.
Also, my other favorite part of the entire show so far (that didn't involved only Blair and Chuck and their rollercoaster of an anti-relationship) was the "Non-judging Breakfast Club." For some reason, when Blair and Chuck and Serena and Nate were all together and the other three were being there for Serena, all over protective, and, for once, fairly selfless, I flailed with happiness. It was so Fab Four--Veronica, Lilly, Logan, Duncan--all over again, and I flipped out. I want to see that happen a lot more.
So. Gossip Girl writers. Here's what I want:
1. Blair and Chuck plotting. And angsting, too. But mostly plotting.
2. Eric to have his own storyline.
3. More "Non-judging Breakfast Club" awesomeness.
4. Vanessa getting her backbone back.
5. Jenny to either shut up or learn her lesson.
Wow. That was crazy long. I doubt anybody actually read all of it. But I had lots of fun writing it! And it's always exciting to gain a new fandom, especially one with characters as awesome as this one.
Also, who's been watching Fringe? Is it good? I tried to watch the pilot and couldn't make it through it. But if anyone I trust enjoys it, I'd be willing to give it another chance. J.J. Abrams and I have such a love/hate relationship, so I need advice on this one.
Oh, television. How I'd missed you.
no subject
I love Blair and Chuck. Like a lot. They do have a chance of jumping the shark, but so far they're pitch-perfect. All the scheming and manipulation and self-deception! It's like the best roller coaster ever! Wheeeeeee.
I originally tuned into this show just to mock and now it's one of my favorites ever. Oh, the irony. If only I could convince my faction of rich-teen-drama-hating friends of the magic, but I've been unsuccessful in that respect. I think I should probably let it go, because HELLO I AM MISSING THE SNARKY FUN WITH ALL MY ADVERTISING AND THAT'S JUST. Not right.
Michelle Trachtenberg! I have missed her. Tons of people hated Georgina, but I really like her. She's just so totally insane.
Sometimes I love Serena and sometimes I find her very meh. I think her friendship with Blair totally makes the show, though. And now I have to flee, due to class being about to start. MORE THOUGHTS LATER. ♥
Also, I am late to the party, but welcome back to the Interwebz for you were missed. *HUG*
/ridiculouslylongcomment
no subject
Oh, Chuck and Blair. You truly deserve each other.
It's really hard to mock the show when it has such an ironic tone. It knows exactly what it's doing, and so you're laughing with instead of at. I just love it. Yeah, none of my friends take me seriously when I talk about it. They find my television watching habits endearing but immature. Though they would never say that. I can just tell.
She's just so totally insane. Exactly! And Serena was so funny when she was being emotionally tortured! Besides, for those of us who always wondered what Evil Dawn Summers would have been like, we now have our answer.
Yeah, I like some of the Serena/Blair friendship moments, but at the same time, I can't completely respect it because then they turn around and stab each other in the backs. Not cool, girls. Not cool.
Thanks so much! I missed you, too, and I'm glad to be here!
no subject
Blair and Chuck are just...the ultimate bad habit. So wrong, yet so very. Very. Right. *fangirls*
I know! It just takes all the regular teen dramas and AMPS THE VOLUME UP and you know that it just has to be satire because how could anyone ever take it as earnestly meant? Still, though, I haven't made anyone a convert. Shame, really.
Her Evil Eyeliner is a constant point of amusement especially. Oh, Georgina, come back, for you are terribly underrated and your takedown was far too lame to be permanent.
I agree that it's not cool that they can turn around so easily like that, but at the same time in season one it was still somehow...IDK, consistent? Because I could buy it as an actual friendship. The whole thing right now with Serena deciding to go Head Bitch in Charge and the upcoming Yale episode - that I don't like, it doesn't feel right, but in the first season it felt way more organic. Like, they started out with their tentative awkward re-establishment, and then Nate spilled the secret and their fight started, but then it ended once Blair realized Serena's family had problems too and they made up, and after that with their fight in the modeling episode they made up by the end and it wasn't really an actual backstabbing; it was Blair freaking out and feeling insecure - which, admittedly, is where a lot of her backstabbing comes from, but it didn't...really...evolve that way? Instead of going all RAWR again she tackled the real villain, her mother. And then they didn't really have any drama with each other after that until the Thanksgiving episode and ATL, which, again, don't feel like backstabbing to me because instead of dragging out the bitchfight, Serena realized Blair needed her and they put it behind them. So...I have no idea what I'm trying to say. Maybe it's that I don't respect it this season, because they're doing the backstabbing, but in the first season it was more a usual hot-and-cold friendship that was a lot more natural: sometimes they fight, but they're still there for each other. Which is why I always get annoyed when they're referred to as frenemies. Frenemies don't help each other after a bulimic episode or when a cheating scandal gets revealed; they cause that kind of thing. Kati and Isabel and the other minions are much more the frenemies.
I think waaaaaay too much about this. *DORK*
no subject
It just takes all the regular teen dramas and AMPS THE VOLUME UP and you know that it just has to be satire because how could anyone ever take it as earnestly meant? That's exactly how I see it, too.
Yes! The Evil Eyeliner was awesome! In my little dream world where Georgina is really Dawn run away from home to be evil because she got fed up with everyone treating her like a little kid, Spike taught her how to wear eyeliner. Because I think the hottest Spike ever was was in the flashback scene in "Fool for Love" where it's 1977 and he's killing his second slayer and he has on eyeliner! And it is sexy! So yeah. Evil Eyeliner.
And yes, Georgina should make a return. And she and Blair should try to out-bitch each other. Because what could be cooler than that?
Yeah, I know what you mean. In the first season, their relationship did feel a lot more realistic.
And I think you've made a lot of good points. It's just the recent developments in this season that are freaking me out.
And hey. It's not like I don't think equally much about these things. So I guess we'll be dorks together!