Gossip Girl - 1x11 - Roman Holiday

[fembuck]

Another winner from the Gossip Girl team.  Seriously, I enjoy this show too much (okay, for the most part ... Dan/Serena is really starting to bug me, but that rant will come later).  And you know Waldorf's are never happy being second best, which is why it shouldn't surprise me that the Waldorf's and Blair/Eleanor in particular are beginning to catch up my van der Woodsen family love and might even tie them soon.  It's amazing how the writers (and Margaret Collin) have me adoring Eleanor now.  She's totally just a grown up, Blair.

Well, since I was just talking about it, I'll start out with the Waldorf family.

We finally get to see Harold in the present day, and it starts out in an Eleanor-ish fashion by disappointing Blair without even trying.  When she first sees him and runs up to him like a three year old, practically jumping into his arms it is maybe the cutest thing ever, which makes her face falling when she sees Roman there hit you in the gut even more.  Harold has brought Roman along for father/daughter bonding time with Blair, and Blair is NOT happy.

This situation allowed for some great Waldorf family moments though.  I loved Blair and Eleanor complaining to each other about Roman coming along, and Blair trying to get her mother to take Roman to her Victoria's Secret shoot to get him out of the way, and how Eleanor actually DOES try to get him to leave.  It allowed for some great bitchy Blair scheming (one part in particular I'll address later was awesome) and awesome acting from Leighton.  Blair's faux-concerned face is a gem.  But, what I love about this show is that it also allowed for some really sweet moments, like Eleanor straight up telling Harold that even though Blair tries to act grown up she's just a little girl who needs her Daddy, and Harold explaining that he just wanted them all to get to know each other and showing Blair the room he fixed up for her in his house in France and telling her that she'll always be a part of his life, and Roman fixing Eleanor up with a suitably rich gentlemen because even though he stole her husband he still cares about her and thinks of her as a friend.  And of course, the happy present opening montage with all of them, and Dorota together.

Next, WALDSEN, because Waldsen is awesome ...

I love chivalrous Serena, I love her.  Serena hailing a cab for Blair in like 3 seconds after Blair couldn't get one for herself was just plain cute.  And for some reason, even though Blair was paying next to no attention to Serena because she was hurrying off to met her dad, I found their interaction in that scene pretty adorable, the fact that Serena seemed amused by the fact that Blair was paying no attention to her amusing me even more.

The best Waldsen scene had to be Blair flexing her "Serena you is my bitch" muscles, calling Serena away from Christmas shopping to help her scheme, and then chastising Serena for taking too long getting to her.  Such an old married couple.  I loved this scene too because Blair was all "I need your password from your old modeling days" and Serena was like "I did one campaign for GAP when I was seven".  Serena as a kid GAP model is awesome.  I love little details like this.  The best part though is that as they sit on Blair's bed together with Blair typing away on her laptop, Serena just leans forward and rests her chin on Blair's shoulder and just keeps it there looking at what Blair is doing bored but content to just sit there with her.  It is so incredibly coupley and sweet. 

And finally, protective!Blair makes an appearance, which we all know I love.  Blair's eyes narrowing in on Vanessa when she makes some comment and then being all "I think I'll help with this project.  Vanessa *eyes narrow* why don't you come and help me find some scissors" and then dragging Vanessa into the bathroom to threaten her to keep her hands off of Serena's man was awesome.  Quite frankly, I wish Vanessa would take him away, but Blair actually hauling her ass into the bathroom to bitch at her on Serena's behalf because Serena is too sweet to figure out what she's up to was awesome.

Also, awesome was them not making Vanessa a boyfriend stealing ho and having her feelings be kind of subconscious and her actually making a conscious decision to watch her actions at the end.

In other news, Jessica Szhor continues to try and flirt with Blake always and I love it.  Vanessa and Serena still have chemistry baby, it wasn't just guitar hero.  I also like that the two characters are getting along and kind of friends instead of fighting and hating each other like would be the case on most shows.  Vanessa also continues to be ridiculously good looking.

Ding dong, Allison's gone.  *waves and kind of hopes the door hits her in the ass on the way out*

Chuck's in Monaco taking deliciously gay pictures with Nate and torturing Blair with the idea that he might tell Nate about their passionate encounters together.

Serena and Dan continue to bore the fuck out of me.  And Dan, when with Serena, continues to annoy the hell out of me.  On his own, and with most other characters I love the guy, but with Serena I just want to smack him.  He's just so judge-y.  "With you even under doing it, would probably be overdoing it", what the hell kind of thing is that to say to your girlfriend?  Seriously, Serena comes in all happy with his Christmas present and within about a minute he has her looking like a puppy that's just been kicked.   When he opened that present up he looked like she'd wrapped poo in box for him.  *glares at Dan*  They also continue to generate next to no heat.  I mean, my god, when I'd rather watch Blair and Nate doing it that is NOT a good sign (not that I want to see much of either mind you!)

And I don't even know what to say about the ending with Lily and Rufus, because they made it a cliffhanger.  But I will say I love Rufus so much.  When you see the last scene it will be impossible for your ovaries not to twitch at Rufus's awesome.  Lily/Rufus is the only van der Woodsen/Humphrey pairing that I want.

Seriously though, this show is Leighton's.  She owns it and the writers I think are totally aware of that.  Blair Waldorf for the win!

Comments

[novak_fan]

Serena just leans forward and rests her chin on Blair's shoulder and just keeps it there looking at what Blair is doing bored but content to just sit there with her. It is so incredibly coupley and sweet.

I swear that, like someone else said today, the only thing they aren't doing is sex. At least onscreen *wink* I'd love to know though if that kind of details are on the script. Because if there are...damn writers...you are just mean. Teasing us like that. If not...awwww Bleighton!

also like that the two characters are getting along and kind of friends instead of fighting and hating each other like would be the case on most shows

That was what I liked about Vanessa since the beginning. For me she's like the Gossip Girl's Addison Montgomery. It's really hard to dislike her when she's so nice. And bitchy!Dan...you better stop treating Serena like that dude! *shakes fist* I hate that he always make her sad. Blair needs to lecture him as-well.
Agree on Danesa...booooooring to the bones. No heat. No passion. Nothing. They need to do something with them quickly.

Chuck's in Monaco taking deliciously gay pictures with Nate

The guys at this show needs a slap on the face or something. Nate have his girl back and all and what he does? he runs to a romantic city with his best friend. Nate also is soooo in the closet. Seriously Nate. But I wish it was Blair running away with Serena instead lol


Lily/Rufus is the only van der Woodsen/Humphrey pairing that I want.

yes, me too! I <3 Rufus. I love that sad and melancholic look he has in his eyes *melts* I want to hug him everytime. Lily/Rufus is the deal, not their kids -_-


Seriously though, this show is Leighton's. She owns it and the writers I think I totally aware of that

*nods* Totally. Blair rules the show. The fact its even when they name the episodes i. e. Blair Waldorf must pie and Bad news Blair

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I swear that, like someone else said today, the only thing they aren't doing is sex. At least onscreen *wink*

lol, it's so true. You cannot convince me that they are not doing it off screen.

I'd love to know though if that kind of details are on the script. Because if there are...damn writers...you are just mean. Teasing us like that. If not...awwww Bleighton!

I'm thinking more and more that it's Bleighton bleeding through to the screen. I really can't imagine notes in a script that say "Serena sits beside Blair on the bed and unconsciously caresses her knee". It's gotta be that Blake is just incapable of not molesting Leighton in some way when they are within reach of each other. And that combined with the closeness the writers have put in and notes like "Serena steals Blair candy cane and starts to eat it" which I could see being in the script come together to make them seem INCREDIBLY gay for each other.

That was what I liked about Vanessa since the beginning. For me she's like the Gossip Girl's Addison Montgomery. It's really hard to dislike her when she's so nice.

Yes, totally. That is a great comparison. I don't quite think she's going to be the breakaway sensation that Addison was, since this show has a more teenage audience who will not be able to move behind the 'omg she is a Dan stealing ho' attitude, but I like that the writers are making her an actual character and giving her layers instead of just making her a bitch that Serena is clearly superior to.

They need to do something with them quickly.

Break them up? lol

But I wish it was Blair running away with Serena instead lol

Truer words. We totally need a spring break episode where B and S go gallivanting around Europe together. Maybe they visit Harold first, and then they have an all girls trip (since the writers would probably need a reason for this, it can be a 'boys suck, we don't need them' trip because N and D have been douche bags), and they are just happy, giggly, drunken and totally handsy for the whole episode.

I love that sad and melancholic look he has in his eyes *melts* I want to hug him everytime.

It's true. He has such puppy dog eyes. You look at him and you're like "aw, schoompy ... come here".

The fact its even when they name the episodes i. e. Blair Waldorf must pie and Bad news Blair

So true. They know what's what.

[novak_fan]

I don't quite think she's going to be the breakaway sensation that Addison was,

Yep, also agree. Vanesa isn't even close to Addison or what Addy was at Grey's. But at first Addison was what Vanesa is now, the major threat to Darena and everybody want her out of the picture. But surprise! she's not faking, she actually likes Serena and is being nice to her. Despite her feelings for Dan. I admire her really, doing that can be really hard.

It's true. He has such puppy dog eyes. You look at him and you're like "aw, schoompy ... come here".

So true. The final scene with him freezing outside the Palace was like awwwwwww Rufus! That single scene was way better that all the Darena's on the show same episode together, I swear. And now about that...why on eart they keep doing bed scenes with Serena/Dan?? That bother me a little for a reason. I mean...I got it show...no need to stamp it on my face everytime. -_-

BTW, I have forgot... the Waldorf's clan? I swear I never have seen a so open minded family in my entire life lol

[freakorgeek.livejournal.com]

The Waldsen was awesome and those little details (Serena as a child model for GAP? So believable) made them even more awesome. They have such a detailed, intricate history together that whenever they allude to said details, it makes me smile.

Blair/Leighton, still the main reason why I tune in to this show and all the Waldorf family dynamics are just as twisted but just as touching as the Van der Woodsen clan's. Love.

I can't help but kind of adore Serena/Dan (of course, Waldsen = MY OTP!) because Serena's always so silly and happy when she's with him and Dan, despite his pretentious posturing, can be quite cute. I have to concur though. Dan rejecting Serena's initial gift was horrific!
1. I'm sure that's a no-no of Upper East Side gift etiquette
2. Way to break your girlfriend's heart and sound like an asshole!

(Oops, my commenting form stuffed up)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

The Waldsen was awesome and those little details (Serena as a child model for GAP? So believable) made them even more awesome. They have such a detailed, intricate history together that whenever they allude to said details, it makes me smile.

Waldsen is entirely composed of win. And yeah, the details add these little layers and really drive home how well they know each other and how long they've been in each others lives. Friends from the beginning to the end ;)

Blair/Leighton, still the main reason why I tune in to this show and all the Waldorf family dynamics are just as twisted but just as touching as the Van der Woodsen clan's. Love.

Definitely. The more I see of the Waldorf clan the more I love them. The van der Woodsens and the Humphrey's hogged most of the family time earlier in the season, but now that the Waldorf's are making an appearance I love them more and more.

I can't help but kind of adore Serena/Dan (of course, Waldsen = MY OTP!) because Serena's always so silly and happy when she's with him and Dan, despite his pretentious posturing, can be quite cute. I have to concur though. Dan rejecting Serena's initial gift was horrific!

lol, they are not horrible all of the time. I have liked them together on occasion before (i.e. the pool/first date episode), but as much as he makes her smile he makes her sad, which makes me not like him around her. I pretty much adore Dan around everyone else, and I practically want to marry him when he's around Lily and starts rambling *hugs* but around Serena it's a tug or war between like and hate for me.

[jeepy91.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I want to think that the writer's are purposely putting in the little touches, like Blake's chin on Leighton's shoulder. I think I would rather believe it's just Blake not being able to keep herself from touching Leighton. Heh. Did you notice the little rub Blake gave Leighton's knee a smidge earlier in that scene. So cute. I swear that taking of the jacket shot as Serena sits on the bed will work so well in fanvids. lol

The longer the show goes on the more married couple Waldsen comes off. It's freaking adorable. And possibly more Bleighton than Waldsen, but I don't find myself caring either way. During that cab hailing scene, I kinda adored how Serena just takes Blair's half eaten candy cane and starts munching on it.

As for Dan and Serena, I'm beyond them being boring, they've gotten to the skip over, don't watch, make my skin kinda crawl place.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I want to think that the writer's are purposely putting in the little touches, like Blake's chin on Leighton's shoulder. I think I would rather believe it's just Blake not being able to keep herself from touching Leighton.

lol, I think you're right. I really can't imagine the writers putting in little details like that. "Serena sits beside Blair on the bed" as a direction I can see, "Serena sits beside Blair on the bed and caresses her kneecap before tenderly placing her chin on Blair's shoulder" I can't really see. It has got to be Blake being physically unable to keep her hands off of Leighton. I think the fact that it's mostly Serena who is so handsy supports that. In the candids it's usually Blake who is fiddling with Leighton in some way (though Leighton does get her fair share in as well).

Did you notice the little rub Blake gave Leighton's knee a smidge earlier in that scene. So cute. I swear that taking of the jacket shot as Serena sits on the bed will work so well in fanvids. lol

I hadn't noticed it, I was too busy loving Blair's not helpful suggestions "a medium sized entree a mid-level restuarant, 3/4ths of a DVD box set..." lol while grinning because she knew that she wasn't being helpful at all. After reading your comment I went back and watched the scene again and saw it. *squees* That's just so intimate. Like seriously, that's so something couples do.

The longer the show goes on the more married couple Waldsen comes off. It's freaking adorable. And possibly more Bleighton than Waldsen, but I don't find myself caring either way. During that cab hailing scene, I kinda adored how Serena just takes Blair's half eaten candy cane and starts munching on it.

I seriously loved that too! And the way Blair didn't even blink at it, like they're totally used to just sharing everything with each other. I loved how they were grinning at each other, and Serena's lip bit as Blair got into the cab, and the little kiss Serena blew at Blair as the cab drove away. The kiss made me melt.

Oh, Waldsen!

[billy-rose.livejournal.com]

wow, dan is a schmuck...
almost as big a one as chuck
ooh rhymage *kicks self*
only difference between dan and chuck is that dan is a 'poor' schmuck while chuck is a rich schmuck *nods*
I love the word schmuck... no idea what it means but it's fun

and awww
blair wanna spend time with her daddy and not the boytoy
she just tripped the guy, lol
*glomps blair then hands over a crown for Deliciously Hot Ice Princess while backing away chanting "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!" *

rufus's wife ain't so hot.. lily bettah *nods*
though the scene where they(Rufus and the wife) have a heart to heart is boring... and followed by dan and jenny... *sleeps*

ooh blair!
and serena!
awww, that chin resting thing is cute indeedy *sigh* ^_^

ugh.. animal print and purple horizontal stripes..
and again..

oh that's wonderful! go blair!
that look where hse just zeroed in...
priceless...
wow, she's like... like... awesome!
like she already knows serena will eventually realize she loves blair and until then blair is content to let serena figure that shit out for herself and and... I forgot where I was going

I actually like serena's bro
"He has only one facial expression. He scares me."

heee, evil laugh moment... blair busteeeeed...
I love her *happy sigh*
wow, it's great elanor and... adam kane from mutant x don't snipe at each other and make blair feel bad that way...

wow, at least they got the total blue of blair's room right from the book
go cw
*feels dirty for that*

ugh.. serena/dan evil and so dull..
if she were with blair there'd never be a dulll wow what a bra or/we on srena O.O ^_^
ohGOD post coital... bleccch...

if he don't call eleanor later I hope she destroys that guy
and aww - blair' making an effort

ha, the humphry kids can sense the split already - what a thing to announce on x-mas..

and blair got her maid a present!
kick ass for her ^_^

lmao.. eric didn't like his gift much
and lily gettin' married maybeh...
scary
related to a bass

huh, chuck is finally coming off as more gay on the actual show
in the book I think he wore a scarf all the time and owned a fucking monkey
creepy shite...

sorry to comment on here... didn't realize I had been until just now..O.O

[memorylapses.livejournal.com]

The best Waldsen scene had to be Blair flexing her "Serena you is my bitch" muscles,
I swear that almost made me choke on my food HA. I might quote you on that somewhere because it's just too good.

Serena just leans forward and rests her chin on Blair's shoulder and just keeps it there looking at what Blair is doing bored but content to just sit there with her.
I keep going back and forth between thinking the writers are making a conscious effort to taunt us, which would make me happy because at least they know Waldsen is important. OR that it was improvised because it just seemed that natural, which would be unbelievably adorable on Bleighton's part.

Lily/Rufus is the only van der Woodsen/Humphrey pairing that I want.
WORD. And what pisses me off is that Dan/Serena will not only continue to annoy, it will also be an obstacle for Lily/Rufus.

Ding dong, Allison's gone. *waves and kind of hopes the door hits her in the ass on the way out*
WELL SAID.

Even though I have no interest in Serena/Vanessa, I did notice Blake biting her lip in that first scene with Jessica and I almost yelled
"that's Bleighton's thing!"or Waldsen's..I don't even know anymore.

Blair, Serena and their mothers, Teh Ladies make the show. But for serious, LEIGHTON PWNS ALL BITCHES.

..sorry for stalking your journal. I was re-reading parts of Tango in D minor and came across this.
I can't help it, your commentary is too entertaining.