If the promise of intrigue, mistaken identities and outrageous costumes weren't enough of a draw to tune into tonight's Gossip Girl, the addition of a new, hot character promised some drama... a lot of drama.

Spoilers very badly disguised in an elaborate gown and plumed mask.

Look, I really hope you heeded that spoiler warning, because I'm going to spill it all. First of all, props to little Jenny again for getting the best of the high society types -- most notably my favorite randy roue Chuck. I was a bit worried for a moment there. Jenny had positioned herself as a player last episode, able to hang with Blair the Beeyotch, but when this episode began Lil J was running B's errands again as her handmaiden.

With a little help, Jenny crashes the masquerade ball wearing a distinctive yellow (it's the new orange) gown. Once again, her innocence phermones draw Chuck -- dressed as his true self, the devil -- who immediately hits on this unknown (to him) prey. Naturally, she decides to exact payback for his earlier unwanted attentions, and convinces him to take off his clothes piece-by-piece until he's locked outside on the roof, shivering in his pricey undies.

For some manufactured reason, Jenny switches masks and shruggy things with Serena, who hmmm, just happens to be wearing her own distinctive yellow dress. Oh, come on. As soon as you saw Jenny's dress, you knew that the highly promoted Nate love confession would accidentally go to J, not S, right? Well, he does the deed, and now Jenny has a huge secret that she might be able to leverage in order to get into Blair's good graces ... even if being the messenger for this particular tidbit doesn't seem wise.

Switching gears to the older Humphrey -- no, not Dan -- Rufus has a party of his own to go to, and yes, he's actually invited. Lily has him escort her to Eleanor's "Yea, Bendel's bought my fashion line even though I betrayed my daughter to get ahead" party. Lily's angle? Her paramour Bart Bass is there with his latest arm candy, Carissa, who you might recognize as America's Next Top Model cycle 7 winner CariDee. Yup, she's still working.

Turns out, Lily wanted to make Bart jealous, but Rufus isn't really competition for Carissa (she's all leggy and like, 25). Rufus: "Couldn't you do a little better?" Lily: "Not on such short notice." Well, Rufus decides to pull out the big guns and kisses Lily full on the lips. Not only does this draw Bart's attention, but it brings up some unresolved feelings that Rufus isn't quite hiding from Lily anymore. Who's Allison now?

Speaking of parents, Nate's inadvertent confession to Jenny isn't going to be his only problem. Turns out that his dad Howard has been doing drugs, the hard stuff (his son is only into herbal), and that's why their funds are depleted. After the eventful masquerade ball, Nate returns home to discover that his rat of a dad is pinning the drugs on his son. Lovely. Father of the year, that Howard Archibald.

But what of Dan and Serena's romance? You knew there would be a bump, and that bump is Vanessa, Dan's former puppy love who just returned to town a year after he confessed his feelings for her. The love triangle ends up at Blair's ball, where the masks and gloves come off. Despite their history, Dan still likes Serena. He's here at the freakin' ball, right? And Vanessa is left with just a friend.

So, this will be the first and last time (maybe) I'll grouse about how Vanessa's character changed from the book to the show. In the book, Vanessa is a rebel, has shaved her head practically bald, wears all black, is an aspiring filmmaker and has an unrequited crush on Dan. The Vanessa in the show is, as even Serena notices, beautiful. I feel kind of cheated.

Nevertheless, I'm relieved to finally get a little color and flavor in this show. I know, I know. There's Kati and Isabel. But seriously, they're the Worst. Tokens. Ever. Back to Vanessa. I wonder what role she's going to be playing now that supposedly Dan has cleared up his affections for Serena.

I leave you with a few observations and theories:

- Nate messed up getting the Big V from Blair. Blair will soon discover his love for Serena. Is Nate still in the running for the Big V? Or is it telling that in this episode, both Blair and Chuck wear pink sweaters at different points? They seem to deal very well together.
- Little Jenny, who is trying out her new wings, has a bird theme going on with her outfit. The mask's nose is a little beaky, she has a plume in her hair, and the canary yellow gown has maribou feathers on the bodice. Hmmm. Oh, and I'm super glad that when Dan mistook Jenny for Serena, he didn't pull that same kissing move that Nate did. That would just be wrong.
- Lily tells Serena: "At your age you should be playing the field." Wow, I've never gotten this kind of advice from my mom. I wonder if this is the attitude that drew Lily away from Rufus. Maybe Lily isn't the best role model for Serena.
- I'm really not liking the initials thing in conversation. Don't ever call me "H."

Okay, so next week is Halloween and no Gossip Girl. So if you miss some backstabbing, hold your own masked ball, and if you miss the show, you can always check out Zap2it's Gossip Girl blog.

What do you think about my theories? Is Vanessa going to be good/bad for the show? How will Blair react to Jenny's info?

Comments

Good to see CariDee doing something after ANTM. I have a feeling Vanessa has something more up her sleeves, like a little betrayl?

gus | Oct 24, 2007 8:54:40 PM | #

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I thought this ep was a step down from last week's sleepover ep.

Once again the show fails to include it's entire cast as Erik was missing.

I did like how thy brought back the work "Yeahyo" (sp) - I hadn't heard that word in about 15 years.

As an aside, can they please bring in some competition for Nate as far as Blair is concerned. I don't like that Blair keeps chasing a guy who doesn't want to be with her. It seems like Blair wouldn't do that, but alas she is. No disrespect to Blake Lively, but comeon, she isn't in Leighton Meester's league.

Rishi | Oct 24, 2007 9:36:19 PM | #

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I loved the episode! I wanted to see how Vanessa will fit in all of this but it better than I expected. of course there will be problems. I think Dan will figure out he still loved Vanessa and at some point I will like to see Nate and Serena explore their relationship so they can move on or be together. The fact that the show is not exactly the books comforts me because I wouldn't like to see Jessica with her head shaved. Blair and Chuck should be together too but I don't think it is too far away.

Mariela | Oct 25, 2007 4:37:46 AM | #

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This was certainly a fun episode, but a bit too predictable. Last week when I saw the CW previews for this episode, I correctly predicted that Dan would hit on his own sister, mistaking her for Serena. Now I wish that the producers hadn't cast two actresses who look so similar -- Dan is attracted to Serena, who looks a lot like his younger sister Jenny (EWWW!).

Anyway, I really like the introduction of Vanessa. The actress who plays her is beautiful, and she isn't annoying! I was definitely getting a vibe like Vanessa was supposed to be "Joey" to Dan being "Dawson" (sorry about the old Dawson's Creek comparison).

I actually liked the interactions between Rufus and Lily at the party. They seemed like old friends who might have some romantic feelings as well. **NO SPOILERS** I think that Allison will come back and be jealous of Lily just as Rufus starts to get over their marriage.

Paige | Oct 25, 2007 7:55:16 AM | #

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I feel the need to complain about GG right now..
some of the characters in the actual books were awesome because they were so offbeat. Like Vanessa. It made things way more interestin, less predictable, and less like the O.C.

So who is Vanessa in the Gossip Girl/O.C continuum?

Hmm. Perhaps Theresa?
And I guess I can sense yet another ridiculous love triangle coming about..

just like the O.C.

I'm a bit angry about how they could've gone a different direction with this show, but they did they same old crap, just in a new setting.

And I watch anyways..

I hate you Josh Schwartz.

Nicki | Oct 25, 2007 5:50:59 PM | #

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Nicki, you sound conflicted. Sympathies.

Paige, Serena and Jenny are bloth blonde, but other than that I don't think they look that much alike. The show had to have all that contrivance with the mask and the shrug to confuse other characters.

I think Blair should give up on Nate. I can't really figure out why anyone wants him, though if he can step up to hid dad, that might help. I hate to think her next best choice is Chuck. He's kind of a slime.

I think Vanessa could be a good addition to the show, though I'm not quite sure in what capacity. I'm kind of with Nicki in not wanting to see the standard love triangle.

meggins | Oct 26, 2007 3:20:07 PM | #

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Triangles are a-comin', people. It's only a matter of time ....

The CW/WB always has to draw out virginity storylines. They seem to think losing one's virginity is the height of drama for any and every young woman. I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more of this for Blair, and in relation to Nate too.

Although I can see Cliff sniffing around too. Perhaps as a way to change his character from "bad" to "good"?

You know Jenny's only going to tell Blair about Nate's true love in order to get herself out of Blair's wrath about her being at the masquerade. You know how diversion works.

I doubt Jenny will use it to encourage Blair to make her her right-hand minion.

I thought Jenny's revenge on Cliff was cheesy. "I think I've died and gone to heaven." Yeah, me too.

And of course Jenny resembled a bird! I said she acted like a duck taking to water last week at the slumber party. Her character is all about resembling a little ducky learning to swim in dangerous waters.

Vanessa's going to be a complication for Serena's and Dan's budding love. That's clear. (See above.) Maybe some of Vanessa's edge in the books will come out as her character develops on the show.

Maybe. I agree with Nicki on that score. The CW/WB isn't known for working well with anything out of the mainstream as they envision it.

Berlin | Oct 27, 2007 9:30:18 PM | #

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" Nevertheless, I'm relieved to finally get a little color and flavor in this show. I know, I know. There's Kati and Isabel. But seriously, they're the Worst. Tokens. Ever. "

This is one of the rudest things I have ever read. Have you ever considered the fact that Kati and Isabel have been racially stereotyped? They are given BARELY ANY LINES. And their characters are to play "Tokens"... It's not fair. The writers should give these characters more depth instead of mocking them as Blair's "Nameless Asian and Black" friends. It doesn't help that this article degrades the indifference even more.

irate | Oct 28, 2007 6:53:35 PM | #

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