Okay, I usually hate Thanksgiving episodes because they're frustrating when everything goes wrong. With Gossip Girl, however, I crave all these setbacks and conflicts because the drama is the gravy that makes everything that much more delicious. Bring on the gravy!

Spoilers stuffed into the cavity of a large, buttery bird.

Part of the episode is bittersweet because we get a flashback to Thanksgiving last year: when Blair could smile, B and S were BFFs, Blair's dad and Dan's mom were pre-running off, Nate was faithful to Blair, Dan's crush was unrequited and Serena let alcohol get the better of her. Oh, what a difference a year makes -- well, except for the liquor. It does have preservative properties.

Fast forward to the present and we get one uncomfortable moment after another. Let's approach them systematically:

Fight #1 - After Serena confronts Blair about hooking up with Chuck, Blair gets all catty and snipes back, "Nothing hurts so much as sleeping with the best friend, right, S?" Ouch. As Serena puts some iodine on the scratches, she gets uninvited to the Waldorf Thanksgiving.

Unfortunate Occurrence #1 - Blair's dad Harold decided not to come home for Thanksgiving, even though that's their "thing."

Fight #2 - Blair and her mom have a very quiet blowup at the dinner table when Blair discovers that Eleanor had actually called Harold to tell him not to come and to not even call.

Unfortunate Occurrence #2 - Miserable, Blair eats a huge freakin' pie. Of course, the only way to do this is to purge between servings ... I was never a really big pie fan, but I certainly lost my taste for it watching this process, no matter how artfully it was shot. Was this the most dramatic, tension-filled music ever, or what?

Unfortunate Occurrence #3 - Nice guy Dan decides to save the day and invite the van der Woodsens to Thanksgiving. Despite lying about not feeling well, Lily gets roped into attending, which will be interesting, considering Allison, her former nemesis is back at the Humphreys.

Fight #3 - The Archibalds have the stiffest meal together, and the mom keeps trying to guilt trip Nate, who finally gets fed up and leaves the table.

Unfortunate Occurrence #3 - Lily reveals that she once had a horse named Rosewood, which, perhaps not so coincidentally is the name of one of Rufus' songs for this band. But that song was about his wife Allison's special sent of rose and sandalwood right? Right, dad?

Fight #4 - Now that the secret is out that Rufus and Lily used to date, there's no holds barred with the revived love triangle. Words are said. Allison claims that Rufus and Lily had an emotional affair (even though she had a physical one). Somehow, Lily is the odd man out at the end of it all.

Unfortunate Occurrence #4 - Howie Archibald overdoses on painkillers, is found by Nate and is rushed to the hospital.

Reconciliations #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - In her time of need, Blair calls Serena, who of course offers support. Lily shares fries with her kids a dirty diner. Eleanor apologizes to Blair and reveals she's depressed because she just got divorce papers from Harold. Nate makes a manly effort to reason with his mom and then tells his dad, "We need you." Dan and Jenny sort of make a truce with their parents and play their traditional touch football game.

Highlights/Thoughts:

- All is right with the world for now, except ... Where's my Chuck???
- There's nothing wrong with Peking duck on Thanksgiving!!
- Flashback Eleanor warning husband from her latest male model: "Not this one, Harold. We have to work together."
- Eleanor to Blair: "Why don't you run upstairs and change into something a little more enchanting?"
- Eric to his mom: "You're supposed to be with family on Thanksgiving." Dan: "And Nicolas Sparks is hardly family."
- Dan: "I'm adult-napping you."
- Eleanor sent Blair/Harold's traditional pumpkin pie down to the doorman. That is just cold.
- Dan after the Rosewood comments: "Raise your hand if you're over 30 and acting really weird right now."
- Blair: "You know what's really weird? There's a garage door in the middle of your room. (pause) Is that Cedric?"

Your thoughts? Anything I missed?

Comments

It was great episode enjoyed and focused on the parents and family issues.

Tyson | Nov 28, 2007 9:58:42 PM | #

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Anyone else notice that both Chuck and Gossip Girl were absent this week? Coincidence? Or does Chuck run a certain website under everyone's nose? :-)

J | Nov 28, 2007 10:29:33 PM | #

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I am not sure what it is about this show but I can't get enough. Great episode, kinda filled in some of the blanks.

H | Nov 29, 2007 7:21:31 AM | #

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Oh, I almost forgot! At one point, Blair sarcastically tells Serena, "I like the scent of [Chuck's] natural musk." Pure comedy gold.

Hanh | Nov 29, 2007 8:48:37 AM | #

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John Shea is on this show?! TIGHT! He's really good!

Ryan | Nov 29, 2007 10:40:08 AM | #

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I thought it was a good moment when it was revealed Blair's mom knew her husband was gay but dealt with it. I wonder if he's joining the show...he was great as Lex Luther in the New Adventures of Superman.

I sometimes like the adults even more than the kids. Just like The O.C.!

Jerry | Nov 29, 2007 6:23:37 PM | #

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Yep, this was a good episode. Lots to appreciate, although Chuck was most definitely missed.

Didn't Serena say she was leaving well before Blair ever said she was no longer welcome? Man! Guilt and denial sure do make Blair a bitchy poor little rich girl with no (decent) parents!

I wasn't too psyched about how they ended the adult threesome this week. Allison may have come back, but she only did because her daughter told her to and, while she was gone, she allegedly had an affair with the man behind the hot male voice who answered her phone. Why is Rufus' comparatively innocent/platonic time with Lily made to seem like the ultimate betrayal? Why does he have something to prove to her?

I'm actually of two mids about Rufus' decision to try to make it work with his legal wife. On the one hand, they do have children and have been making a life together. But, on the other hand, she did leave him, cheat on him and throw a bit of a fit when she found out he may have tried to move on while she was gone.

Sounds, to me, like someone likes the *idea* of having a husband and children much more than she likes the reality of it. Or that she likes the *idea* of beating Lily out of a life with Rufus more than she likes her own life with Rufus.

I predict rough waters ahead for that sad relationship. It's clear that Lily is still in Rufus' blood. It's clear she was the girl he loved and lost. That's some powerful stuff. I don't know how much a possessive wife can do to compete with that even if she still had the Doc Martins to use as a weapon.

I look forward to next week's ep when, hopefully, pie gorging scenes will be kept to a strict minimum.

Berlin | Dec 1, 2007 7:09:10 PM | #

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Gossip Girl was at the beginning and said something about taking the holiday off.

How could those adults not be bothered by Serena, a teenager, who was completely drunk in their midst? What kind of messed up place is that? And did Lily know Serena was passed out from drinking at the end and just said the thing about the turkey to be polite or did she really not know?

Dani | Dec 4, 2007 2:21:29 PM | #

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