I have been on a weeks long Gossip-Girl marathon, till I ran out of already-released episodes. I started having withdrawal symptoms from just having to wait a week for the next episode, but it turns out I´ll have to wait 6 weeks... No, wait, please don´t do that to me !!
Weeks of staying at home with a torn ligament and I was so bored that I started looking for my next guilty-pleasure series. I wanted something light and fashion-y, like Sex and the City (which I loved-hated --- loved Carrie, her clothes and the friendship the four share; hated the job-interview approach to dating and finding love, and Mr Big (am I the only one he reminds of Mr Bean ? ) ). I tried watching Desperate Housewives (seriously, one whole season of DS has as much plot content as one episode of GG), but I almost died of boredom. Then Mad Men, but the sexism irritated the heck out of me. When some forum suggested Gossip Girl, I was afraid that it would be a typical teen drama with little high-school problems, as cutesy as Blair´s bows. But Blair´s bows turned out to be camouflage -- she is more spunky, edgy and mean than her outfits betray, and so is the show.
Gossip Girl is edgy, fast-paced and addictive, with enough glitz and glamour to keep me happy. These teens are very privileged and independent, and the storyline is often more "grown-up" than SATC. The characters are more complex, the story has much more twists. Then there are more sparks, passion and head-over-heels love. Although there is no nudity or explicit talk in à la SATC, it´s actually hotter and naughtier. There is also plenty of humour and self-parody, and the actors clearly have fun.
Chuck and Blair are hands down the best (and most addicting) part of the show. You hate them as much as you love them -- they are heartbreakingly romantic, and they are some of the most flawed, destructive and selfish people ever. They are a bit of 'Dangerous Liaisons', of 'Wuthering Heights' and 'Bonny and Clyde'. I relish watching them plot one another´s destruction almost as much as I delight in their moments together -- whether the devastatingly passionate and romantic ones; or the ones where they plot the destruction of the world. I can´t remember the last time I´ve sooo wanted two TV characters to come together. The chemistry the actors have is amazing, you can see the sparks flying even when they´re just saying a casual "goodnight".
The razor-sharp wit. Especially Chuck & Blair´s duels.
The vintage touches. Masquerade balls. Blair´s wardrobe. Pearls and corsets. All the touches of nostalgia generously sprinkled in this trendy, fast-paced New York lives. I especially loved Blair´s old movie dreams and the gangster-film like assassin game.
I´m the it girl does a fashion break down of every episode (warning: spoilers !)
You know you love fashion does very very detailed breakdowns.
The music.
Instead of a background score, GG uses bits of songs ranging from well-known hits to new artists. I discovered some great songs such as Embers, and squealed as I heard great favourites like Crystalized during a great scene.
That said, the show does have it´s weaknesses. The plot is often contrived, and I´m seriously wondering whether at the end of season four there will be any characters left that hasn´t hooked up (or tried to) with all of the characters of the opposite sex. Season 3 was boooring (except for the little Chuck-Blair moments). And Serena is getting more and more annoying in every new season, which is a pity since I loved her in season one.
Still, I remain addicted, and can´t wait for the series to resume.
What´s your favourite TV series ? Do you like Gossip Girl ? Any other recommendations for me ?
