GG: 2-1 "Summer, Kind of Wonderful" Review

I enjoyed the season premiere. It was fun, sometimes funny, and entertaining. I really enjoy the montages. The show doesn’t take itself too seriously. The angst is tolerable and quickly dealt with. I liked Jenny and CeCe. Dan and Serena were more of the same. Nate is dumb and he’s going to get burned. Chuck and Blair sizzled although Markus is quite the catch. All in all, it’s an enjoyable hour.

Gossip Girl reminds us that sex, lies and scandal never take a vacation. It’s summer and Serena and Nate are spending it in the Hamptons. Nate is with an older woman, Catherine, in a car. They are very busy. It appears to be midday although Nate says he’s been waiting all day. Catherine asks if Serena is still covering for them. Nate assures her that Serena is fine with the arrangement. Serena is trying to get over a breakup. A car drives by and Catherine suggests they go to her place. When Nate questions whether it’s a good idea, Catherine says they’ll go to the guest house.


Coopers Beach, Chuck is soaking up the rays under an umbrella wearing shorts, t-shirt, hat, and sunglasses. He surrounded by topless girls. His cell rings and GG informs us that Blair is homeward bound. GG asks what could possibly make Queen Bee come back early. She is sure Chuck wants to know.

Serena is walking alone on the beach. She spots Chuck who raises a glass to her. She ignores him and keeps walking. GG says that there are rumors that things are heating up with Nate Archibald but then why is Nate nowhere to be found and Serena is always solo? GG asks what Serena would do if she knew that Lonely Boy wasn’t so lonely.

Library Reading: People sit and listen as an author, Jeremiah Harris, reads from his book. Dan is making out with a long-haired brunette. He tells her he is amazed they’ve never met before. The brunette writes her phone number on Dan’s hand and replies that now they can meet whenever he wants. Dan looks pleased. The brunette walks away as Jeremiah approaches.

Jeremiah asks if Dan noticed that he was reading from Dan’s favorite chapter. Dan replies that he’s read it so often he feels he’s written it. Jeremiah asks where is the story Dan’s internship requires he turn in. Dan assures him that it’s eminent. Jeremiah sarcastically replies so is death. Dan says that it’s basically done; he’s just polishing it up. Jeremiah tells Dan not to let him down. Dan assures him that he’ll give the story first thing in the morning. Jeremiah, not looking convinced, suggests Dan go finish his story now and leaves.

Another girl comes up to Dan. They had a rendezvous. Dan apologizes and says he has to go. He kisses her cheek and walks away. GG suggests that maybe dumping Serena wasn’t such a bad idea. Since when did Dan turn into Chuck?! And the girls are pining over their lost loves. What?!

Eleanor’s Studio: Laurel encourages people to work faster. She reminds them that Eleanor is returning in a week and they are still behind. She adds that she’s got a party to go to so she won’t be around but threatens that they will regret not doing more. Jenny is sitting at a sewing machine. GG says that it looks like the summer for little J. has been all work and no play. Laurel walks up to Jenny. She can’t believe Jenny is finished. She asks if Jenny has a life outside work. Jenny takes the opportunity to show Laurel something she’s working on. Laurel replies that it’s not school and she doesn’t look at their work. Jenny shows Laurel an eggshell lacy dress. Laurel asks if it’s for the White Party. Jenny nods. Laurel sarcastically asks who invited Jenny. This woman is a real bitch. She notes the dress isn’t white and that the dress is way too big for Jenny. Jenny smiles and replies that it’s for Laurel. Laurel deduces correctly that Jenny wants her to wear one of her creations so when she gets photographed, Jenny’s work ends up in W. Laurel gives Jenny a box full of buttons and tells Jenny that since she completed her previous task, her next task is to match the buttons up. She adds that eggshell gives her a migraine. Jerk!

Humphrey Home: Jenny dumps a bunch of buttons from the box and starts to sort them. Dan asks if Jenny’s doing homework. Jenny asks if Dan finished his story. Dan replies almost. Jenny adds that maybe by reading the story she’ll understand why Dan and Serena broke up. Dan looks down at a blank screen, closes his laptop and tells Jenny that he going to get food. When did Dan become such a slacker?

Hamptons: Chuck is looking at himself in the mirror. His hair is plastered to his head in a most unflattering way. Serena walks in. She wonders why he’s primping and who he’s bought flowers for. Serena guesses that maybe Chuck overheard a conversation that Blair is on her way back. Serena says that Blair will never forgive Chuck for what he did to her. As if Blair hasn’t done worse. Chuck asks if Nate told her this. Serena says Nate didn’t tell her anything. Chuck says that it’s not wise taking relationship advice from someone in a fake relationship. Chuck picks up the flowers and tells Serena to enjoy another night alone with her thoughts. He walks out.



Hampton Jitney Station: Blair walks out of the jitney to find Chuck waiting with a dozen roses. A guy comes out behind her. She takes one look at Chuck and kisses the guy. The guy goes to get the baggage while Blair looks knowingly at Chuck. Chuck backs away and leaves.

Blair and Serena sit soaking the rays. Blair is horrified that Serena sat doing nothing all summer. So am I. Did Serena and Dan switch bodies? Blair asks about the rumors about Serena and Nate. Serena says they are completely untrue. She and Nate have an arrangement so people don’t hassle her and Nate can do what he wants. Serena admits she isn’t over Dan yet. Blair very wisely tells Serena that the only thing lamer than dating Dan Humphrey is mourning Dan Humphrey.

Chuck walks up; he’s on his cell. When he ends his conversation, Blair quickly changes the topic to James, her boyfriend. She tells Serena that James drinks gin martinis and speaks 6 languages. Blair adds that James gave her a pearl choker with bead clasp. Serena, not catching on, asks who is James and reminds Blair that her dad gave her the necklace. Not too subtly, Serena glances at Chuck and tells Blair that James sounds amazing. Chuck, however, doesn’t pick up on the obvious blunder and sulks. He tells Blair that she’s lying. Ya think? Chuck notes that Blair’s eyes are doing “that thing where they don’t match [her] mouth”. Hee. Blair replies that she didn’t realize that robots got jealous and asks if Chuck’s software was updated while she was away. Chuck ignores the gibe and accuses her of using James as a prop to hurt him (Chuck) like he hurt her. Very astute observation, Chuck. Blair insists that Chuck didn’t hurt her. Then she thinks better of it and admits that waiting for Chuck in Tuscany was mildly humiliating but she got over it when she met someone along the way. Chuck asks if it’s "boring Ben". He adds that he had Ben fired. Blair says that she owes Ben because he introduced her to James. She confides to Serena that James might be the one. Chuck challenges her to prove it. Blair says that she doesn’t have to prove anything but James is coming for dinner. Chuck says he’ll see her at 7:00 and walks away. Blair tells Serena that she needs to stop at Nate’s because he’s got something she needs.

Humphrey House: Jenny is on the phone with her dad, Rufus. She asks how Vermont is. He says that it’s great and that Vanessa and her mom were at his last night’s gig. Rufus adds that when asked about Dan, Vanessa didn’t answer. He was hoping Vanessa would help Dan get over Serena over the summer. That’s all Dan needs, one more girl. Jenny replies that Dan doesn’t need help in that department and Vanessa noticed. Rufus asks if Dan is still dating up a storm. Jenny says only if you call a different girl every nigh dating. Jenny is worried about Dan. Rufus asks Jenny to have Dan call him when he wakes up. Rufus asks about the dress Jenny made for Laurel. When Jenny says that Laurel is not interested, Rufus suggests Jenny wear the dress. She replies that it’s very exclusive. Rufus suggests Jenny talk to Eric. Jenny says that things with Eric didn’t end well. Rufus suggests she work things out with Eric.

Jeremiah is at a bar writing when Dan walks in. The bartender tells Dan to leave but Jeremiah waves him off. Dan apologizes for interrupting. Jeremiah ripostes that he wouldn’t be interrupting if he’d shown up on time. Dan asks for a one day extension. Jeremiah sarcastically asks if the last sixty weren’t enough. Dan says that every time he sat down to write he couldn’t focus. Jeremiah replies that excuses are for the unemployed and adds that he’s not writing a letter of recommendation for Dan. Good. Why would Dan think he’s entitled to a letter of recommendation when he hasn’t done the work? He tells Dan to drop the spare key in the mail.

Eric is walking on the beach. His phone rings. It’s Jenny. Eric says that if she’s about to apologize, it’s three months late. Eric guesses that Jenny wants something. Jenny doesn’t deny it. She admits to acting like a bitch the year before but she regretted it all summer. She adds that Eric is the only person who was friends with her for her and she treated him the worst. Eric is satisfied that Jenny got hers in the end and since he doesn’t have many friends, he’ll take another lying, manipulating, backstabbing friend back. He asks what Jenny wants. She asks if he’s in the Hamptons.

Serena is preparing for a date with a lifeguard. The guy honks the horn instead of coming to the door. Tacky. Before she leaves, Serena reminds Blair to say that she (Serena) is out with Nate. Blair doesn’t understand what’s going on but wonders where Nate is.

At the summer house, Nate and Catherine are making out. Catherine says that she wishes the summer wasn’t ending. Nate says that lots of affairs last year round. Oh, Nate. When Catherine warns that she can’t get caught, Nate assures her that he can be sneaky. Oh, Nate.

Blair, James, Chuck, Eric, and Serena’s grandmother, CeCe, sit outside chatting. Chuck is pouring the iced tea and quizzing James about his knowledge of Blair. Blair warns Chuck to stop harassing James. Eric says that playing “How Well Do You Know Blair Waldorf” is boring when you know Blair Waldorf. Ha! James says that he doesn’t mind the quiz. Okaay. Chuck says that it’s a shame they took a bus because Blair loves limos. Blair quickly interrupts asking James to hand her the salt and pepper. As James reaches over, Chuck sees a pin on James’ arm. He excuses himself and walks away. Blair excuses herself too and follows Chuck.

When she catches up to Chuck, Chuck says that he knows what the pin means. Blair gave the pin to Nate when she first told him she loved him. Yeah, and look how that worked out. Chuck asks if Blair feels the same way about James as she did Nate. Blair says yes. Chuck looks devastated. He says he’ll see Blair at school and walks away. Blair walks back to the table. She grabs James’ arm and removes the pin. She tells him that her pin must have gotten stuck on his sweater by mistake.


Meanwhile, Nate and his lady friend are cuddling on the bed. Catherine hears a car approach and checks at the window. She gives Nate the choice: under the bed or out the window. Her husband just pulled up. Nate is surprised. He thought the husband wasn’t due back for another week. He jumps out the window in his polka dotted boxers. Catherine unceremoniously throws his clothes to him. Nate runs off with his clothes. He is almost hit by a car. It’s Serena and her date. Nate picks up his clothes and runs off. Lol! Nate should have gotten dressed in the bushes.

Blair and Serena come out of a posh store. Blair complains that “Motherchucker” is right, she doesn’t like James. She admits that she hooked up with James a week ago because she couldn’t get off the plane alone and she didn’t want Chuck to know he’d ruined her summer.


Chuck and Nate walk along the street. Chuck says that the limo is taking him back in an hour and Nate is welcome to join him. Nate is surprised Chuck isn’t going to the White Party; what with the pretty girls and white dresses. Chuck snarks that unless there is a sprinkler, he doesn’t care. Can I say how much I love Chuck? Well, except for his fashion sense. What in heck is he wearing? Chuck says that he doesn’t want Blair throwing her callboy to his face.

Blair whines that it’s very hard to get an interesting fake boyfriend on short notice. Serena notes that James was smart, fun, and cute. Blair figures that now that Chuck isn’t going to go to the White Party, she can dump James and go to the party stag. Blair asks about Blair’s date with the lifeguard. Serena replies that after a date with him, she needs life saving not guarding.


Of course, the two couples meet. Serena asks Nate why he didn’t call her back. Nate says that he can’t talk about it. Chuck asks Blair where her Princeton guy is. Blair replies that he’s from Georgetown, not Princeton. Serena chides Nate about his affair with a married woman. Chuck insists that James is a Princeton man. Nate tells Serena that Catherine ended it the night before. Blair tells Chuck he’s wrong. James goes to Georgetown. Chuck says Princeton. Finally, Blair tells Serena it’s time to go. Serena is glad Nate’s affair with a married woman is off. They walk away.

Chuck calls Eric to ask what college James said he was from. When Eric replies Princeton, he tells him to do a search because he (Chuck) is in the mood to be right.

Humphrey home, Dan lies to his dad on the phone. He says that he did everything "his literary idol" asked him to and he was canned. Rufus asks about the story. Dan admits that he couldn’t write it. Rufus asks what the story was about. Dan replies that it was about the dissolution of two people from different worlds. Science fiction, quips Rufus. Dan says that he tried not to think of Serena all summer so he wouldn’t see that he made a huge mistake. He’s tried to distract himself all summer any way that he can. Oh, is that what he was doing?

Chuck, Nate, and Eric play cricket. Eric says that he couldn’t find any record on James Shiller in any of the big schools. Nate wants to know when Eric became Sherlock Holmes. I was wondering the same thing. Eric ignores him. Chuck thinks that James wants entry to the upper class and is using Blair. Chuck says that it’s time to call the big guns. He calls Mike. Eric is stunned that Chuck has a PI on speed dial. Serena comes up. Eric takes one look at Serena and says that that face is not friendly. He runs away.

Serena comes charging up to Nate. She want to know why Nate pretended they (she and Nate) were going to the White Party together if Nate’s affair with Catherine is over.

Blair and James walk in a park holding their bikes. Blair says that the last 6 days have been exactly what she needed. James is about to say something and Blair interrupts. She receives a text from Chuck. “Looks like I’ll be seeing you and ‘Princeton’ at the White Party”. Blair closes her phone and smiles sweetly at James. She asks him to the White Party.


Nate admits that he shouldn’t have used Serena again after their last conversation. Serena thinks that Nate is going to the White Party to check out the competition. Nate denies it. He says he wants to see Catherine and her husband together. Serena tells him that that’s checking out the competition and it’s stupid and potentially dangerous. However, Serena does agree to go to the White Party with Nate.

Dan comes off a bus and asks a taxi driver to take him to Serena’s.

White Party: Laurel is talking to some people when she spots Jenny and Eric walk by. Jenny is wearing the eggshell dress.

Nate and Serena walk by Catherine and her husband. Catherine eyes Nate. She excuses herself, walks over to Nate and asks if he’s trying to ruin her marriage. Bitch! Nate asks Serena to get him drunk. What in heck is Serena wearing? It’s a bit too old for her.


CeCe prepares for the White Party. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Dan. Dan asks if Serena is there. CeCe replies that Serena’s at a party that she is late for. As Dan starts to turn away, CeCe asks him to help her with her necklace. Dan notes that she seems different. CeCe says that going through something like she did, changed her. She adds that she’s learned that the key to someone else’s happiness is not the same as one’s own. CeCe admits to Dan that Serena still loves him. Dan jokingly asks if he’s at the right house. CeCe looks amused. She shows Dan the White Party invitation and tells him that the party he’s about to take her to has a strict dress code.

At the White Party, James is trying to tell Blair that he’s done something terrible. I absolutely love Blair’s dress. It’s gorgeous on her. Blair spots Chuck. She wraps her arm around James and lies that he’s funny. James is understandably confused. James glances at Chuck then walks away from Blair. Blair glares at Chuck.

Jenny orders vitamin water from the bar. Laurel makes a beeline to her. She asks how Jenny managed to get into the party. Her name is not on the list at the door but she was told that Jenny was someone’s "plus one". Laurel adds that someone like Jenny couldn’t possibly know anyone here. Eric comes up and introduces Tinsley Mortimer, a friend of his mom’s. Laurel goes to shake hands with Tinsley but Tinsley shakes Jenny’s hand instead. Jenny gushes that Tinsley has amazing taste. Tinsley asks if Jenny is wearing one of her own designs. Booya, Laurel!

Blair asks James if something is wrong. James accuses Blair of using him to make Chuck jealous. Blair denies it. James says it’s no wonder Blair hates charades it hits too close to home. Blair says that Chuck is a bad person who uses people. Pot, meet kettle. James tells Blair that she’s no different. He bets that Blair doesn’t like him at all. Blair reluctantly admits that she doesn’t. She says that James is kind of boring. James asks if Blair is too interested in herself to get to know him. Touché, James! He adds that Blair and Chuck deserve each other and walks away. Yes!

Chuck approaches Blair. He says he admires that she knows how to hurt people. Blair blames Chuck for everything. She wouldn’t have needed a James if Chuck hadn’t stood her up at the airport. Chuck replies that he didn’t make her do anything. Chuck tells Blair that they are the same and to stop fighting it. Too true. Blair says that she’ll fight it because she hates any resemblance to Chuck.

Serena tries to cheer up Nate. What is Nate wearing? An undershirt and a sweater? Talk about being underdressed. Nate wants to make Catherine feel as bad as he feels. Serena suggests they make out. That gets Catherine’s attention. CeCe doesn’t look pleased. Serena giggles as she and Nate part only to see Dan watching them. Gossip Girl says that the Serena and Nate’s display of PDA has gotten Dan PDA too – Pretty Darn Angry.

Dan walks away from Nate and Serena. Serena follows him. Serena tries to explain that she was helping Nate make someone jealous but she can’t say who. Dan goes on about how nothing with Serena is simple. He walks away and meets up with his two "girlfriends" from the library. They looked pissed. Apparently, they’ve been talking and realized that Dan was two-timing them. They dump their drinks on Dan’s suit. Hehehe. Serena has an I-told-you-so face. She figures Dan is going to say "I can explain". Busted.

Nate contemplates the meaning of life or his affair with a married woman. Catherine comes up to him. She wants to know why he kissed Serena. She’s incredulous that he tried to make her jealous in front of her husband and friends. Nate asks if it worked. Catherine answers "Completely" and throws herself at Nate. They kiss and stumble into a room. Eh.


As Dan stands in his undershirt, Serena wipes at the stains on Dan’s suit. Dan admits he’s been playing the field in an effort to forget Serena. Serena replies she doesn’t want to talk about it. She wants to make sure her grandfather’s suit from the 70’s isn’t ruined... any more that it was by being her grandfather’s suit from the 70’s. Hee. They kiss. Dan suggests they leave. Serena says that she just has to say goodbye to a few dozen people. Dan says that he’ll wait for her on the beach.

Blair walks up to James. She admits that he was right. She was using him to make Chuck jealous. She says she didn’t listen to him because she just needed him to look good.

Chuck’s cell rings. He wants the dirt on "James Shiller".


James admits that he hasn’t been honest with Blair either. He doesn’t go to Georgetown or Princeton, he’s is Markus Beaton. He’s a British lord. Cool!


Chuck slowly closes his cell and walks away.

Markus says that most women he meets only like him for his title. He decided to pretend to be a common American but after two days he was afraid that Blair would hate him for lying in the first place. Blair says she doesn’t hate him and calls him "my lord". She quickly recovers and says what she’d like is a little honesty... from both of them. Markus admits he liked when Blair called him boring and wants to know what thinks of him. Blair is taken in by his accent.

Laurel walks up to Jenny and Eric. She’s heard that Tinsley offered to help Jenny find an internship. Jenny says that Tinsley made the offer but she turned her down. She didn’t think it was right to leave just yet. Laurel wishes Jenny a good weekend and leaves. Eric asks if Laurel meant any of it. Jenny doesn’t think so but at least she remembers her name.


Blair waits in front of the White Party mansion. Chuck says that he should have never abandoned her. He admits that he knew he’d made the wrong decision the moment her plane took off. He says that he was scared that if they spent the whole summer together Blair would see. He begs Blair not to leave with Markus. Blair demands a reason. Chuck says because she doesn’t want to. Blair says it’s not good enough. Chuck says because he doesn’t want her to. It’s still not good enough. Chuck asks what else is there. Blair says she wants the true reason... three words, eight letters. Come on, Chuck! Step up to the plate! Chuck is unable to get past "I". Blair leaves with Markus. You blew it, Chuck!