Gossip Girl: As Fake as That Escort's Breasts?

Gossip Girl shocked this week-- Brandeis was an escort? (in retrospect the hair and boobs should have been a dead give away) Nate falsely confesses? Trip's wife set up Grandfather? I never saw that one coming... The writers gain points once again for topical references to political events and pop culture, but I found several of the plot lines completely incredible.

The Good

Serena calls out Blair on her fake friends

Plus 1

The NY 1 news clip was so real that I fast forwarded through it on Tivo

Plus 2

Jenny finally gives up her raccoon makeup and looks quite ill (but why didn't they make it swine flu??)

Plus 1 million

Blair gloats over Patrick being a drunk and fixing the situation, implying that Serena, once again, is a total screw-up. This felt so real... who doesn't love to gloat when someone you're feuding with has a legit mess up?

Plus 1

As Blair notes, Paula Abdul is such a lush!!

Plus 5

"Nobody goes to the Mercer for the maid service they go to hear Russel Crowe throw a hissy"

Plus 1

"Throw a hissy"? And I thought Chuck couldn't get any closer to coming out

Plus 1

"Security just escorted her out"-- zing

Plus 1

Blair calling Serena a prostitute-- YES! (and surprisingly convincing logic) Serena pushes Blair's face in the cake! YES!! Drama finally returns-- Almost as good as the Yale explosion last year

Plus 5

The sexual tension between Trip and Serena was ridiculously uncomfortable to watch

Plus 2

The Bad

The reason that Serena has to bring her drunk fake-boyfriend actor to the election party is completely lame. And then he pees in the plants?? And isn't slurring his words at any point?

Minus 10

Why are Nate and Serena meeting down in the Financial District by Battery Park???

Minus 1

Really, you don't just call up New York 1 and get put through... and its unlikely Nate would have the number in his phone

Minus 3

They have sample sales at outlet malls??? Since when? I've only been to sample sales in the city, but none have ever been in an outlet mall (do they exist in New York??)

Also, like Chuck Bass even knows what an outlet mall is?? Please

Minus 15

Why is Blair just standing at the party cleaning out her hair when she could go up to the penthouse to change and shower? Girls like us like privacy and would never suffer the indignity of public grooming. Especially after we've been humiliated.

Minus 5

Why the heck would Trip's wife EVER admit that she just succeeded at framing Grandfather?? That's just arrogant and stupid. Especially when Grandfather hardly seems to know she exists and would have never suspected her.

Minus 10

Brandeis nonchalantly says -- "This is how I pay for college and couture" to Blair, admitting she is an escort--it just seems insane to openly admit to someone that you just met that you are a high-end escort who is sleeping with senators... Spitzer scandal anyone? And this girl is picking up guys at the party where there would be cameras and tons of media? What Senator thinks that would be a good idea? (although i guess people really are that stupid)

--- No points, just disgust with politicians and their hypocrisy along with mild jealousy over the girl's purses

Olivia was on Jimmy Falon twice within a week?

Minus 10

Jenny finally ditching her makeup puts us way into the positive (plus a million will do that) but I still find the episode fairly flawed. Although, I almost cried when Nate confessed and was appalled by Serena who ends up at the bar with a Vanderbilt. The last time we saw that it was her mounted on Nate... Are we supposed to think that she seduces Trip and crosses that line? I have to say I genuinely hate Serena. All of the dialog then was incredibly painful... I really hope that Serena doesn't prove her self to be the ...... we know she is.