Gossip Girl Round Table: "The Ex-Files"
As fans gather in our Gossip Girl forum to discuss their favorite characters and story lines, our staff members gather each Tuesday to analyze burning questions, funny quotes and memorable moments from the best show on TV.
Welcome to the Gossip Girl Insider Round Table!
Topics from "The Ex-Files" include Nate's future, Serena's transformation, Blair's posse, and various idiotic blunders ...
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1. What was the best Gossip Girl quote from the episode?
DANdy: Only Blair can pull off the ridiculous, bitchy move of sabotaging Dan's lunch plans with Amanda by sounding like a loyal, logical friend to Serena: "They were going to lunch together. Lunch! As in the meal before dating? Is that what you want, S?"
Mister Meester: Dan, on Chuck lurking in the shadows ALL EPISODE LONG: "You should put a bell on." His response: "Kinky. I'll think about it."
Gossip Guy: It may be the webmaster in me, but I loved when Dan said "Google revenge and you get BlairWaldorf.com." BTW, you get a Wikipedia entry for it.
2. Who is your favorite member of Blair's bitchy posse?
DANdy: Isabel, hands down.
Mister Meester: Hmm. Gotta go with Penelope (in between Blair and Isabel in this pic of the clique). The other girls are kind of catty, loser hangers-on, but this Penelope girl is just plain mean. She totally wishes she was Blair.
Gossip Guy: Umm they have names? Next question.
3. So Nate is sort of off the hook now. What's next for him?
Mister Meester: Does Nate even know where he is right now? Dude is so clueless, it'll take him weeks to figure out everything that happened around him in the last 15 minutes.
Gossip Guy: Well, my vote is for anyone but Vanessa. Hey, I hear Serena is single now.
DANdy: Hopefully a Barney marathon. Dude has to learn to brighten up.
4. Do you like the new, quasi-evil, queen Serena?
Gossip Guy: I don't think like begins to describe the emotion. Serena is finally being the bitch we always knew she was. Sure I loved the Serena she was with Dan, but I think this is the real Serena and it's hot.
DANdy: I liked the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra throughout the three-way date at the club. But no matter how sexy this queen may be, I'll always lament her straddling a throne instead of Dan. Derena 4 eva!
Mister Meester: I wasn't a huge fan at first, but S' transformation should set up some serious drama with Blair. Two words: Cat. Fight.
5. Moron of the Week: Rufus (spurning Lily), Dan (getting played by Chuck and terrible actress who portrayed Amanda) or Vanessa (screwing up Blair's plan)?
Gossip Guy: First, I've been saying this the last two round tables, but Dan is the moron of the week, month, year, decade, and century. He gave up Serena to go for the terrible actress that played Amanda? Seriously? I give second to Rufus for turning away his favorite blonde and bottle of wine. Vanessa, you're barely worthy of me mentioning your name.
DANdy: I admired Rufus for taking a stand, despite the likely longing in his pants and his heart; and who can blame Vanessa for thinking Blair was up to no good? Dan, however, will forever be the original specimen of a new species known as Perpetual Moronic Erectus for his dumping of Serena.
Mister Meester: Dan. See photo above.
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What is your take on these hot Gossip Girl topics? Leave a comment with your answer(s). We want to know what you think!
September 23rd, 2008 12:59 PM
1. What was the best Gossip Girl quote from the episode?
I agree with Mister Meester. Dan: "You should put a bell on." Chuck: "Kinky. I'll think about it."
Seriously though, what was with Chuck's shadow-lurking, anyways? Didn't he have anything better to do?
2. Who is your favorite member of Blair's bitchy posse?
Agree with Mister Meester again! Penelope is such a bitch!! The other girls are just tag-alongs and pushovers, but Penelope is nasty!! She has even got the signature bitch look of death down. Watch out Blair... and Serena..
3. So Nate is sort of off the hook now. What's next for him?
IS he really off the hook though? I was concered his dad would be found out, since he pissed off Catherine enough that she might spill the beans about the captains whereabouts.
In the meantime, maybe he will go back to Blair for trying to help him... and Blair will do it to piss Chuck off more.. this would be an awesome storyline but I know it won't happen because N wants to hook up with lame little J :(
4. Do you like the new, quasi-evil, queen Serena?
Love it!! It's about time she stood up to everyone! The only thing I don't like is the possibility of her hurting B, because B has always been such a good friend to her. But at least the increase of drama will make the show much more juicy!!
I am all about Derena too, but for now, D should get what he deserves. They will get back together eventually anyways.. next season maybe..
5. Moron of the Week: Rufus (spurning Lily), Dan (getting played by Chuck and terrible actress who portrayed Amanda) or Vanessa (screwing up Blair's plan)?
Dan!!!!!! (and agreed, that chick was a terrible actress.)
Vanessa in a close second, although I can understand why she did what she did...
Lily totally deserved Rufus spurning her. She made her choice, now she's got to live with it. She could have had Rufus!! Her loss!
September 23rd, 2008 1:56 PM
I Dont Understand.. One minute that (agreed) TERRIBLE actress playing Amanda was all innocent, then Chuck was paying her to bring the bitch out of Serena...? Makes no sense, but I guess without surprises it wouldn't be this good! When Serena snatched the crown from B, I couldnt help feeling sorry for her. I have always loved her character, and prefer her to S because she is more interesting. Reagrding the latter, we will see.
Serena looked FIERCE in that Herve Leger dress.
September 23rd, 2008 3:43 PM
I agree too, the girl playing Amanda was terrible. But I was completly clueless, didnt even guess that Chuck was paying her to go out with Dan.
Love Blair telling off Marcus and Catherine.
Not sure about the new Serena, always preferred Blair being mean, hard to say.
One thing that pissed me off was what happened to Vanessa. She helps Nate and he's mad.Stupid!!
September 23rd, 2008 4:02 PM
1. What was the best Gossip Girl quote from the episode?
- The absolute best quote had to be either "If looks could kill, we wouldn't want to be Dan Humphrey" or " Never Again... From now on everything goes through me." Because it was like the revealing of Serena van der Woodsen as Queen.
2. Who is your favorite member of Blair's bitchy posse?
- Hands down, Penelope. Shes so dang awesome. Like she has this way about her and she knows shes a bitch. Total Blair-wannabe, but its okay we like it.
3. So Nate is sort of off the hook now. What's next for him?
- Personally, Nate and Serena should reunite. It would cause serious drama and I like them together. But Nate's just messed up. Whatever is next for him it better not include these 7 letters V A N E S S A...
4. Do you like the new, quasi-evil, queen Serena?
-I adore this Serena. I have been waiting for it. But I will say Blair is my favorite and she belongs on top, and I hate when B & S fight.
5. Moron of the Week: Rufus (spurning Lily), Dan (getting played by Chuck and terrible actress who portrayed Amanda) or Vanessa (screwing up Blair's plan)?
- Definitly have to say Vanessa. She sucks. (No offense) She kinda screws up everyone's life. So she can just leave.
September 23rd, 2008 4:45 PM
i hope this new bitchy serena doesnt last too long. If theyre all bitches, whats the point? they need at least one genuinely good character.
September 23rd, 2008 6:07 PM
serena is an even bigger bitch than blair
September 23rd, 2008 6:34 PM
I liked it better when Blair was the Queen Bee and Chuck should NOT be in this episode. The girl who plays Amanda is a terrible actress.
September 23rd, 2008 7:26 PM
now we know why Blair and Serena have that cat fight... Serena is re-claiming her spot as the 'It' girl, like it was before she left for boarding school and Blair cant take it...
okay what happened to Hazel? that short blonde chich who was part of the posse last year? you know, jenny stole the valentino dress from her mom...
and Vanessa was deff the moron of the week. i was soo pissed when she did that, i wanted to scream.
September 23rd, 2008 7:47 PM
I've always hated Serena. I mean, where does she come off being such a total ass to Blair? I've yet to see evidence of Serena helping out Blair in any significant way, while Blair seems to always be there for S and helps her out constantly. Serena should be grateful she has a friend like B, who not only FORGAVE her for sleeping with her BOYFRIEND, but who, after that incident still stuck by her thick or thin (e.g. the whole Georgina storyline last year and the whole Dan thing). And what does she do? She stabs Blair in the back AGAIN and takes her crown. What a BITCH. She doesn't deserve a friend like B.
September 23rd, 2008 7:51 PM
all i have to say is...
the Bitch is back and i like it
September 23rd, 2008 7:55 PM
I don't mind Serena being bitchy, heck, it's probably gonna make things more interesting. I just hate the fact that she's a HORRIBLE friend to Blair, when B has always been the best towards her.
September 23rd, 2008 7:57 PM
1. What was the best Gossip Girl quote from the episode?: The absolute best quote had to be either "If looks could kill, we wouldn't want to be Dan Humphrey" or "You should put a bell on." Chuck: "Kinky. I'll think about it."
2. Who is your favorite member of Blair's bitchy posse?: Who ever was the bitch that burned Amanda's hair with that blue gunk. That was wicked awesome. Talk about Blair's posse stepping up.
3. So Nate is sort of off the hook now. What's next for him?: I loved him with V at first, but now I belive he belongs with S. Threy make a good couple and in the first episode of the season, their make-out was so Hot.
4. Do you like the new, quasi-evil, queen Serena?: I like her as the bitch, but B needs to get her crown back. B earned her spot, but I really want some B and C action, so I am glad she got dethroned. I don't care if S is queen, even if I prefer B. I just want B and C to get together.
5. Moron of the Week: Always going to be Dan. He and Vanessa should get together and get out of the picture. I don't like Vanessa at all, and what D did to S was just terrible. Dating on the first day of school after their break-up,jerk.
September 23rd, 2008 8:50 PM
well I agree with ypu guys the girl who played Amanda's charechter was terrible, as Jenny said "Hanna Montana". Anyway, I hate when S has to be the bitch queen, I think no one can replace B even S , she's really a good actress though. Can't wait for the Next ep.
September 23rd, 2008 9:49 PM
Did anybody else get a little uncomfortable the morning after S reclaims the throne as Queen B, and Blairs comes by and she takes the scarf and puts it around her and touches her hair like that, the look she had on her face and the tone of her voice made her sound kind of lesbianish, me and my mom were like Woahh, thats weird.
September 23rd, 2008 9:49 PM
i always like when Serena and Blair be a BFF.
sure i don't realy like serena become a bitchy.. it just.. too easy..
September 24th, 2008 12:37 AM
My favorite posse member has got to be Penelope. That girl has her own bitch look down, it's highly entertaining when she does stuff.
September 24th, 2008 1:45 AM
Don't get me wrong, I love Charles, but what was up with him in this episode? Usually his pervy/evil level is at a 6 or 7. It was like at freaking 9.5 the whole time! Plus how does he really plan on getting Blair back by hurting her???
September 24th, 2008 3:14 AM
LEAVE DAN ALONE!Its Serena you should be angry at. thats so low. and i love them both. but im taking sides. Dan all the way!
xoxo Laura.
September 24th, 2008 3:34 AM
I was confused by some of the plot. I didn't find the bribery of Amanda (agreed-terrible actress) believable, because a)she and Dan had a lot in common, alright that is ok if Chuck noticed it; but b) she was a student at the actual school; Blair was holding her profile. So Amanda going to Vermont? An inconsistency there.
Other than that, it was an AWESOME episode. I watched it abt 3 times. :)
September 24th, 2008 8:15 AM
I was so glad to find out that Amanda was a fake - Maybe that's why she was so awful at "acting" (and I use the term loosely) sweet and innocent?!
I think Chuck's game is a long-term plan, maybe to make Blair miserable so she turns to him, again? Not that that's a good plan, and I'd like to think he's craftier than that. Either way, how smug is he going to be when he finds out about the disgusting Marcus being out of the picture?!
I'm not entirely sure why, but I hate Serena being a birth, and think she's really going to grate as the queen - Blair deserves her spot, I agree. Plus, really, no matter how good S is at it, I don't think she could do either a) queen or b) bitch better than B! I'm looking forward to some Dan-bashing, though. He's gotten increasingly holier-than-thou over season 1, as well as more and more judgmental. Boy needs to be shown who's actually in charge in the UES.
September 24th, 2008 10:32 AM
HalliGrll, hopefully this will help:
A. Her having a lot in common with Dan was just part of the scheme. She had to act like Dan in order to attract him. No doubt, Chuck coached her in this regard. It's no coincidence that she was reading that book, etc. It was set up.
B. Chuck made a fake profile about her, and gave it to Blair. There was a pretty prominent shot at the beginning of the episode that shows him giving it to her and her tossing it in the (very short) acceptable pile. As to how she sat through classes all day, I have no idea; maybe she just hid out somewhere. And as for her going to Vermont - that's just the rumor that will spread around school (via Chuck) as to why the "New Student" is all of a sudden gone.
I think the whole "terrible actress" thing was a part of the point. She was supposed to look weak, shy, and vulnerable - she's the new girl, and needs a friend to show her around. Also she has to act like a brain, not a socialite. It's much easier to get Dan to latch on to a charity case as opposed to someone confident. So that all made sense - but it was the pushiness later that was weird and inconsistent with that ("Where are you taking me tonight", wanting to go to clubs she clearly didn't belong in, etc.). And then we were supposed to believe at the end that she was some bada** conniver like Chuck, when she did nothing to change her mannerisms, voice, and personality? Now THAT was bad acting, ugh!
Hope this helps! :)
September 24th, 2008 10:32 AM
I knew Amanda was a set up because in the beginning of the episode, Chuck handed Blair the transfer folder, which he also had earlier in the morning during breakfast. I thought he had to be up to something. Great episode though.Loved the last scene of the show. It really was shitty for Dan to do this to Serena so soon!
September 24th, 2008 12:23 PM
I CANT STAND DAN THAT HE DID THAT TO S..HE ALWAYS THINKS HE IS BETTER/ABOVE EVERYONE ELESE. IN THE PREVIEWS FOR THE NEXT EPISODE IT SHOWS AN S & B FIGHT. ALTHOUGH I LOVE THE NEW S.. SHE BETTER KNOW WHO SHE IS MESSING WITH. AND B HAS IS ALWAYS THERE FOR S!!S DOESNT REALLY DO THAT MUCH FOR B!!
September 24th, 2008 1:52 PM
LuvChuck, thank u! That was very helpful. Yet, I find it hard to believe that Amanda's personality was composed that quickly, & that Chuck fooled Blair..even if it was filmed in the beginning. But still, very helpful. I appreciate it. :)
September 24th, 2008 2:11 PM
1. What was the best Gossip Girl quote from the episode?
Personally, I love this one:
Isabel: [to Amanda] We know. Dan Humphrey? Bad idea.
Blair: It could be hazardous to your health.
And then she drops the hockey stick on Amanda's foot. ONLY Blair Waldorf could get away with this blatant bitchy-ness and physical injury without so much as a retort from the other party.
2. Who is your favorite member of Blair's bitchy posse?
I'm gonna go with Gossip Guy on this one. Who the hell cares what their names are? They are just background noise for all I care.
3. So Nate is sort of off the hook now. What's next for him?
Nate really ISN'T off the hook though. He still has no money to prevent his family from falling further into shambles, there is still the possibility that Katherine will disclose the info about the Captain's whereabouts, AND he has to worry about the Duke coming after his ass. Talk about problems! But at least he finally got annoying Vanessa out of his life. It was only so convenient that she screwed everything up.
4. Do you like the new, quasi-evil, queen Serena?
I was wondering when this side of Serena would came out from us to see again, but I don't know how long it can last. I truly believe Serena has changed for the better, thanks to Dan. It's only a matter of time before B knocks her off the throne and she comes to her senses about torturing Dan. Sure he deserves it for being such an ass, but S loves him. She'll snap out of it soon enough, I think.
5. Moron of the Week: Rufus (spurning Lily), Dan (getting played by Chuck and terrible actress who portrayed Amanda) or Vanessa (screwing up Blair's plan)?
Ok, Dan takes the cake for believing that little weasle Amanda. I mean seriously, first she's all innocent. But then, even after being seriously warned by Blair and her posse, she still pursues Dan? He should have known that no one can easily escape Blair when she has her mind set on something. And then for Amanda to DRAG him to the most popular bar on the Upper East Side for everyone to see? Only someone who is up to no good would do this. Dan's a moron for not seeing how obvious she was being.
Vanessa comes in a close second tho. She should seriously mind her own damn business for once. I cannot stand her, honestly. If anything, Blair has more reason than Vanessa does from history alone with Nate to try to help him. Ugh, I seriously can't believe she screwed up the whole thing. WHAT an idiot.