SCOTT SODE
| 9.24.2008
CATCHING UP ON THE first batch of “Gossip Girl” episodes, we were struck by two thoughts: One, this is the best show on television (take that, “Lost”-ies), and two, we’d go straight for Blair Waldorf. Or her actress alter-ego Leighton Meester. Or both.
OK maybe not. But still!
We'll be the first to admit — when it comes to television — our tastes ain’t always sophisticated. But anybody who watches "Gossip Girl" and Meester's Blair and doesn’t walk away totally addicted hasn’t given it a fair shake.
The escapist qualities alone are unrivaled, and let’s be honest, with the economy from hell and the Republican Convention, we could all use a little escapism in our lives.
What makes “Gossip” a cut above is that unlike series that succumbed to the pressure, and as a result, descended into maddening sophomore slumps, the second year of “Gossip” sticks to what it knows best.
It's not particularly creative. We don't care.
The season premiere could be any episode of “Gossip Girl”: Blair (Leighton Meester) manipulates Chuck (Ed Westwick) and vice versa. Jenny (Taylor Momsen) whines or cries. Serena (Blake Lively) wonders if she should be in a relationship with Dan (Penn Badgley) and vice versa. T.G.G. (Token Gay Guy) Eric (Connor Paolo) shows up, but mostly as a prop for another character.
One of the couples has sex. One half of the aforementioned couple regrets having sex. Everyone goes to a party. The end. XOXO.
Leighton Meester as Blair (Photo courtesy CW)
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EVEN SPOILERS FOR THE SHOW SOUND altogether familiar yet promising: a further exploration of the Chuck/Blair relationship (after all these bad girl/nice guy hookups over the years, we're so ready for a bad girl/bad guy one again), and in episode seven, according to “Entertainment Weekly,” Eric gets himself a man. Yes!
A show deserves props even if it’s not innovative, but gives its audience what we want. Even if you’re not a fan of the show, at least you have something interesting to talk about with your nieces and nelly nephews.
AS FOR BLAIR/MEESTER, A TEEN SOAP is only as good as its slightly crazy, secretly damaged conniving bitch. Get rid of her or soften her up, and suddenly you’re as forgettable as the last three seasons of “Dawson’s Creek.”
Not since Tiffani Thiessen bolted the old “90210” 10 years ago has there been an actress who can play the archetype to such devilish perfection. Meester creates a pretty young thing who confidently wears her wealth like an entitlement: bratty, spoiled, bitchy and proud of it. We can’t help but delight in Blair’s more reprehensible qualities and be mesmerized by Meester’s presence.
Case-in-point: in one of the best scenes of the entire series so far, Blair walks in on her ex-boyfriend Nate (Chace Crawford) and his secret cougar girlfriend, Catherine (Madchen Amick) mid-tryst in a library.
“Oh my effing God!” Blair screams, and the delivery is so spot-on, so appropriate for the character and so self-referential at the same time, we doubled over in laughter.
Gay character or not, Meester is our M.V.P. by a long shot.
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