After the long hiatus, Gossip Girl season 4 is back with episode 18 titled “The Kids Stay in the Picture.” So what happened? Is it worth the wait? Or another filler episode?
According to TV Fanatic, it was not an exciting installment. It was fine, just not edge-of-your-seat material. New characters were introduced and story lines we left in February were fleshed out a bit. But the big drama is still to come.
Those hoping for some romantic fireworks or major developments in the three-way battle for Blair Waldorf’s love were probably disappointed. Unless you’re on Team Louis.
In typical Gossip Girl fashion, B’s royal suitor appeared in New York as the credits rolled. After an episode that saw Dair and Chair futures plummet, his arrival was intriguing.
The way the plot unfolded between Blair, Dan and Chuck disappointed me a bit. Both guys’ actions disappointed me. They left the door open for Prince Louis, that’s for sure.
When Blair said kissing Dan changed her, that doesn’t mean it meant nothing. She may have (or have had) legitimate feelings for Dan, but sees Chuck as her soulmate.
This I get. What I didn’t get was Chuck resorting to an old scheme to try to prove a point instead of just laying it all on the line, and Dan not stepping up to fight for her.
Blair defended Dan, saying that he’s more mature than Chuck will ever be. This seemed like Dan’s opening to confess to her what he made obvious to Eric: He loves her!
So does Chuck, of course, and had he expressed this in a way that didn’t involve humiliating Dan and making him look inferior, maybe I’d feel bad for him. But not here.
Perhaps they don’t mesh together like Chair, but there’s genuine emotion with Dair as well. And while he doesn’t make hearts race like Chuck, Dan really is a standup guy.
It’s hard to put my finger on it, but as a fan of both Dair AND Chair, I just felt a little let down. Maybe that epic trailer overhyped it. Maybe things will pick up next week.
One thing is for sure – Blair is done being pushed around. Whether she ends up with a Prince, a Bass or a Labrador Retriever, the downtrodden Queen B will rise again.
Chuck could sense that she’s off her game, but perhaps this is just what she needs to find herself again and truly go after what she wants. I can’t wait to watch, either.
Meanwhile, the rest of “The Kids Stay in the Picture” centered around an awkward Rhodes / van der Woodsen family reunion and photo shoot (see clever episode title).
There were a few subplots unraveling simultaneously, from Rufus’ distrust of William, Charlie’s conflict with Carol, to Carol being just as big a liar as Lily, apparently.
All in all, not that interesting. At least not yet. Its not that the new characters were lame or that it wasn’t fun to watch, it’s just that nothing felt all that important.
In fact, the biggest moment involving Lily’s family left us hanging. A phone call likely offering insight into her legal fate went to voicemail during the family photo.
It was tough to get invested in a character we barely know, although I did like Charlie okay (her facial resemblance to Leighton Meester throws me off, however).
As for Carol, she and Lily definitely have a believable sibling rapport. Lots of deeper issues, but even more unconditional love. Watching them had its moments.
The Rufus-William relationship picked up where it left off last season, but they came to an understanding. It looks like the family is circling the wagons after all.
What do you think? Too much Lily drama or just right? Where do you think this is headed? Will Lily really go to jail, and what can we expect next from Charlie?
Well, even though Gossip Girl didn’t come back with a bang, it surely gave us a decent episode. I can’t even say that this episode is a filler one because there are events which are necessary for the progression of the series. I’m just hoping that GG will give us something more spectacular on episode 19.
You can check other Gossip Girl Season 4 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.
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