Episode 17
S3E17 - "Inglourious Bassterds" (featuring Jaiden)
This week on the Non Judging Breakfast Pod, Leif and Steve are diving into the dramatic depths of Gossip Girl Season 3, Episode 17, titled "Inglorious Bastards." Get ready for a whirlwind of emotions as the Upper East Side crew engages in a game of assassins, where friendships are tested and alliances are shattered. Serena's surprise birthday party for Nate takes unexpected twists, and Jenny's scheming leads to a chaotic showdown that leaves everyone questioning their loyalties.
Joining Leif and Steve is the fabulous Jaiden, who brings her own unique perspective to the table. Together, they dissect the episode's most jaw-dropping moments, from Chuck's manipulative tactics to Jenny's questionable decisions. Expect sharp commentary, hilarious banter, and a deep dive into the tangled web of love and betrayal that defines this iconic series. So, pour yourself a mimosa, grab your favorite breakfast treat, and settle in for an episode filled with all the scandal and drama you crave!
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Jaiden
Instagram: @lottiematthewslvr
tiktok: @wcnclairs
tumblr: emilyskinners
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Produced by Leif Capicola and Steve Marchion.
Edited and mixed by Leif Capicola.
The Gossip Girl Theme Performed By Steve Marchion.
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Transcript
It's a weird thing to be excited about, but okay.
Yeah, I mean that I was right about the prediction. I'm not celebrating Jack being, I'm not celebrating Bart Bass's little brother trying to proposition a teenager. That's not what I'm celebrating. Just that I was right.
(:Hey, uppercisers and all you scandal-loving listeners out there, you just tuned into the Non-Judging Breakfast Pod, where the coffee is strong, the waffles are fresh, and the gossip is hotter than ever. My name is Leaf, and I'm your Season Gossip Girl veteran.
And I'm Steve, the Newbie, the Greenhorn, the... I don't know, Leaf, what are we saying now that we're in Season 3?
Well, when I promised to stand by you through your darkest moment, I never thought the worst thing you would do would ever do to be, would be to me.
ashion choices of this iconic:your magnifying glasses because each week we're dissecting every juicy detail of the show one episode at a time. We'll connect the dots, uncover the sneaky little Easter eggs, and of course serve up some piping behind-the-scenes tea, and expect some iconic fandom moments too, because what's a deep dive without a little drama?
(:And since we are all about inclusivity here at the Non-Judging Breakfast Pod, there is always room for you at the Non-Judging Breakfast Table. So go ahead and grab your mimosa, a cup of coffee, or something from Chuck Stache, and let's go ahead and get started.
Let's get started and guest month continues at the non-judging practice pack as we have here with us, Jaden.
Woohoo! Welcome!
Hi.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
(:Okay, so I'm from Arizona, it and especially with the weather that it's been happening. It's like I've been staying absolutely indoors because it's basically hell out there. So like, not come here during the summer at all.
I actually lived in Calexico, California, about an hour from Yuma, and I completely understand that, where it would be like the heat index would get up to 120s and stuff like that. So I completely hear that.
That leads me into my next question. What is your history with Gossip Girl? When did you first watch it? How many times have you rewatched?
ns. It's me like knowing like:every weekend. So it's been kind of fun. with Gossip Girl, it's a mess. But also it's like you can't help but continue watching even though it is such a mess.
(:Yeah.
Yes.
Since we last recorded there's been some news here. The judge has dismissed the Baldoni countersuit Fuck that guy
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's looking that way. Right. Yeah.
(:That was the news since we've last recorded. You want to chat about it? Come on over to our Discord server. You can find the link on our webpage, nonjudgingbreakfastpod.com. But we are here to talk about Gossip Girl today. Season three, episode 17, Inglourious Basterds. Yes. The original air date was April 5th, 2010. And the title is, of course, based on the movie, Inglourious Basterds.
Wow.
(:from 2009.
With one s
Very, very close.
And yeah, so the Quentin Tarantino directed it and starring Brad Pitt and a bunch of other people. Michael Fassbender's in that. He's probably the other.
Yeah.
(:Yeah, that's a fun movie.
This episode was written by Len K. Rosenfeld. This is his final episode of the series after being a story editor and writer since season one.
Did he leave the show or did he just stop?
I didn't look into it. mean, this is the last writing episode and then yeah, after the season, he's not listed in the story editor anymore either.
But he previously air devil from season one school lies from season one Chuck in real life from season two also the carnal knowledge from season two and from season three the grandfather part two and it was directed by John de Zagonsak for and he is also at his third and final appearance on the show.
(:wow. And as for the writing, it's solid episodes. mean, our favorite episode to date, I think, is... wait, you said Daredevils. I was thinking Poison Ivy. Did you say Poison Ivy? No. No, okay.
So yeah, the director previously did 211 Magnificent Archibalds and 303 The Lost Boy.
Magnificent Archibalds was good. That's the one where he goes to jail, right?
Yeah.
(:I really did enjoy that episode. It's probably one of my favorite Thanksgiving episodes. There's so much happened.
Yes.
(:Yeah, I think it is the best Thanksgiving episode. Well, the end scene with Jenny, Blair, and Eleanor was just great.
Yeah, I didn't- I love that scene, truly. Because we don't really see like a lot of moments, sweet moments with Lara and Jenny, so it's like it's very nice to see those type of moments between two characters and then odds.
Yeah.
Steve, why don't you go ahead and give us that vulture recap?
Serena arranged a game of assassins for Nate's birthday, but it was more than just a game. It was a metaphor. Love for our Upper East Siders is not unlike a game of assassins, in which participants wary, flirtatious, and occasionally pleather-clad, hunting with one another is usually followed by a relatively short, brutal tussle, after which only one person comes away with all of the cards, and the other is left gasping.
(:bereft, dead. At least for a few episodes. Then they resurrected themselves and began to play again. Last night, three of Gossip Girl's couples were in various stages of this game. Jenny was gearing up to launch a proxy war against Serena for the affections of Nate. Vanessa and Dan concluded the second battle of their romantic relationship and we could see the third, sure to be bloody one on the horizon.
and Blair and Chuck came to a gruesome, terrible end. Only Dorota and Vanya seem, it seemed, are at peace with one another. And even that may not remain once they learn to communicate in anything other than Pigeon English.
(:Uh, I had to take a shot at the pigeon English.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Moving into act one, we open as always with a Gossip Girl monologue.
(:Every war has its weapons, but on the Upper East Side, the rules of battle are simple. There are no rules. It's Nate's birthday and he's trying to figure out what Serena has planned for him. Serena seems disinterested, but when Nate leaves and Dorota walks in, it seems like Serena is planning a surprise party with Nate's favorite game, Assassin, as the main event.
It's funny because Serena actually does pull off what she is going for here. And it is kinda cute. And it is this whole like, he's gonna think we all forgot his birthday or that it's not that important. And it's a big surprise party for him. But that's gonna get under Nate's skin. is now a golden retriever not getting his treats.
But I do love Dorota in this scene as well.
Dorotta's
For me, it's like... For me, the first thing that comes to my mind is that Serena does plan good parties and she does have their best interests at heart, but also at the same time, it's just the way she kind of goes on about it. like, maybe Serena should just never plan a party ever again because last time that she planned a party, that went completely south.
(:Double Oroda.
(:Mm-hmm, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, not her forte sometimes.
At the Empire Suite, Chuck is begging Jack to name his price to sell him the hotel back. Jack just mocks Chuck for being weak and in love. As the scene cuts, Jack says there's something that might sway him.
So
(:I'm at this point, I'm already feeling vindicated from my prediction from last week. I'm like, I was right. He didn't even say it yet. But last week I predicted that he was gonna indecent proposal Blair.
but you didn't predict the twist.
I did not, in fact, predict the twist. yeah, let's get there. Soon.
Jenny and Eric with Rufus hovering are having a chat in the penthouse. Eric informs Jenny about Serena's plan to make Nate feel neglected to make the party a bigger surprise. Jenny latches on to that bit of the plan and announces that she has an errand to run.
can't help but I wonder does Eric know Jenny's pining for Nate? I feel like he knows her so well.
(:Yeah, he definitely does.
Absolutely.
But I like his friend that has a finance for bath houses and group photos.
(:And it's also late.
You need to rebound from his rebound.
And it's also the fact that he's been gone in Japan for like, who knows how long, because the last time that we saw him was like an episode 12. And then we see him again, five episodes later, it's like, has he been gone for like three months or something?
Yeah, has he been gone that long?
He was off on Long Island plotting revenge.
(:That's right, we had talked about that, that this was when he was shooting Revenge.
Vanessa shows up to the Walt to find Dan at the end of an all-nighter. He is working on an application for Tisch. Unlike in the past, Dan is reluctant to show Vanessa an early draft. However, Vanessa convinces him to exchange essays so they can give each other feedback.
of this stupid fucking Dan Vanessa drama. I hated it from the start.
Yeah, very well.
(:So my personal opinion about Dan and Vanessa, I don't really have much of an opinion. It's like, I don't hate it. And I feel like they were going to happen at some point. I think there was also because since they did hint at it earlier on in the show, along with Serena and Nate, that because Dan and Vanessa were like a major like on again, off again relationship in the books and I'm pretty sure they end up together. So.
I understand the writers wanting to expand on that relationship.
but they're both completely different characters in the books.
I don't know how much of the show you've listened to, but my ongoing theory since season one is they're all going to bang at some point. That all of these characters are eventually going to bang each other. So Dan and Vanessa happening seemed inevitable. It's just, and Leif and I talk about this a lot. Now you have these Brooklyn people who have their own thing going on and while the rest of the show is happening. And even when you bring them into the party of the week later,
They're still doing their own thing and it's still not a part of the event. So I, yeah, I just find the whole relationship really fucking annoying and I can't wait for it to blow up. Hopefully next week.
(:Jenny shows up to the Waldorf penthouse to wish Nate a happy birthday. Jenny manipulates Nate into asking her to lunch.
That gift that she gave Nate, did she buy him a book? That's not a good Nate gift. It looked book shaped and buying a book for Nate does not seem like a very good, it's not a Nate shaped gift. It could have been, yes. It was, you know, the Dr. Seuss omnibus.
It's kind of a picture book.
(:And look, I love Nate. He's my favorite male character on the show, like kind of back and forth between him and Dan. It really just depends on the day and how I feel about said character. And for Nate, it's like he's dumb, but also like not that dumb. I mean, he did, he got into Columbia for a reason.
Nate Stan here.
(:Well his granddad's money is probably part of the reason.
He got he got it clubby by himself.
He did, he did get into Columbia by himself. And here's the big thing with Nate, like you said, he's not completely stupid. I mean, he did also go to a prestigious school where he probably did got, you know, BC work that probably would have been straight A's in 50 % of the public high schools in this country. And I'm being generous.
You know, so like, yes, he's accomplished and he's not a complete idiot, but he's also a Labrador retriever and he's not a reader. He is established in many occasions. Reading isn't for him.
I can see him keeping a journal,
(:Yes.
But there's this headcanon that I see for other people, like headcanon-ing me as dyslexic. I mean, it kind of makes sense in a way.
That that actually makes sense for the character, too. And again, Nate Nate also is really, really good at reading people and knowing how to like get what he wants from people in a sense, you know, getting thing, getting information from people, getting people to talk. And, you know, he was a therapist to Dan and Serena all in one episode.
Serena and Blair are on their shopping trip. Serena is half regretful, but half proud of how sad Nate was when she left. Blair lets Serena know that Chuck is currently negotiating with Jack.
I love whenever they find the time to put these two together to just have a little bestie touching base catching up. They serve this time as giving like the, the recap portion of the exposition for what's going on here. They kind of summed up the scenario with Chuck and Blair and Jack and Eleanor all in this scene for
(:folks who missed the previous episode because it was showing one week at a time.
It's also nice to just like not see them like hate each other for like once. Yeah. The writers just put them at odds whenever that like they need to like spice things up. like another Lacerane rivalry and it's just it's like it gets tiring after a point so it's nice to see them have you know good friendship moments.
Yeah.
Yeah. And right now, I mean, even now that they're at a good place, Blair later in the episode takes some pretty brutal shots. Very, very brutal. Out of the most friendly. Yeah.
Hey
(:As Serena leaves, Jack shows up and starts making gross compliments about the dress Blair is admiring. Jack reveals the indecent proposal he offered to Chuck, but we get a commercial and a gossip girl quip before we get Blair's reaction.
Yes, my, and I was, this is where I celebrated that I was correct. I knew, I saw it coming previously, but this is where I was, yes.
Okay.
weird thing to be excited about, but okay.
Yeah, I mean that I was right about the prediction. I'm not celebrating Jack being, I'm not celebrating Bart Bass's little brother trying to proposition a teenager. That's not what I'm celebrating. Just that I was right.
(:He's so gross and it's just like, getting him off my screen.
And if I'm correct, had sex with her when she was 17.
No, I think she would have been 18 because it was New Year's Eve so it would have 18.
New Year's, right, right, right.
her birth that is like before
(:was an early birthday.
Yeah, it was mid season, not the season premiere. I got my part of the season confused.
So Gossip Girl's quip is...
(:Be B. Jack Bass' weapon of choice comes fully loaded and hits his target. There'll be at least two victims.
Act two begins. We come back from the commercial break and Blair is rightfully disgusted by Jack's offer. Kind of a continuation of the previous scene.
also be disgusting because one he's a creep and two he's awful like i just can't think of any other words for jack and just being a creep and just being awful go away
Yeah.
Dan seeks out Rufus for under the guise of getting Polaroid film but really needs relationship advice. Rufus, the fucking hypocrite, preaches honesty.
(:Yeah.
Bye!
I did love how he's like, I need film for this thing done. Yes.
Because now the show is getting those Microsoft dollars.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we once again have Rufus being a good dad to Dan. Great advice, even though you're right, he's a fucking hypocrite, but great advice. Like just, this is, you guys decided. Yeah, yeah, well done. Yes, yeah, best episode for Rufus in quite a long, oh, actually the last episode he did well because he got Jenny the internship.
(:It's rarely
really in it.
(:And obviously I'm kind of glad that he's barely in this episode because you know the past few episodes besides you know the whole helping him helping Jenny and he's just been absolutely insufferable to me and it's like I just like worse and it's like
Yeah. yeah. There's plenty of Rufus hate.
This is just horrible, but it's like and it's like it's completely valid because like everyone in the fandom is like talking about like He's such a good dad and like Jenny is just like ungrateful and it's just it's so annoying because he's not a good dad I mean, he's not on the same level as like It's like he's not the same level as like Bart or like the captain or whatever, but he's in his own territory
No, I'm usually Team Jenny.
(:That's a low bar.
Yeah.
But like, the captain is a really low bar. Yeah, the captain who was like, no son, we're just all gonna go on the run.
Hurry, to hell.
(:gonna hold you for ransom.
Yeah, and I'm just gonna hold you for ransom, son.
It's for you and your mom. The money's for you guys. Totally.
Kang Mi-Wong really just tries to get his daughter arrested. It's like, Jesus. Like, I'm holding that over his head till the end of time.
Ha
(:Yeah. yeah.
Jenny and Nate are having lunch together. Jenny is leaning into dumping on Serena for being a bad girlfriend as well as playing up sympathy for what happened last episode. She ends the scene with the servers bringing over a birthday milkshake and a big show of celebrating Nate.
Jenny, what are you doing? Like this, stop.
Just stop. The moment is cute, but also it's kind of tangent of what they're trying to do with Jenny's character at this point. And I am very, I'm very pro-Jenny. It's like, I will defend my girl until like the very end. It's just like, I hate what they're doing because they, like in last episode, they put her in such a traumatizing situation. Yet again.
And using that as a catalyst for her to get in between Nate and Serena. And I just think that's kind of gross in my opinion, because they barely talk about it and they only talk about it just for her to manipulate him to like hanging out with her. it's so annoying, especially like I really love their relationship like very much. It's a lot of like personal projection onto this relationship because like I have my own similar experiences with
(:falling for an older guy and also that happens to be my brother's best friend and also very specific that son best friend also lived with us for a very long period of time. that's like, and then me relating to Jenny and also me also having a crush on Nate because it's Nate.
Well, Nate's a cutie, there's no denying. We're both Jenny stans. We love Jenny too. We totally, and most of the time when she was fighting with Rufus, we're totally team Jenny. I think this particular episode, the thing that we love about Jenny is that she really portrays a teenager really well.
And teenagers are moody and they will go and do shitty things if they think that it's not as shitty as they think it is. And so I don't think it's out of line for Jenny to do these things, out of character, despite it being shitty for her to do. Like sometimes Jenny gets shitty and we know that, you know? Which I love that she's dynamic like that. That like, she's so lovable and so shitty.
She's a little evil sometimes. It's like, it's enjoyable for me in some ways if I just look at it through a different lens. Me personally looking at this day, I guess like the writers are trying to make her into this tone wrecker and I just, I really hate that so much because they use this traumatic moment that she went through last episode and then just using it for this plot line so that the audience can hate her and it's bad. And also it's like,
I totally understand why she would go after me because she has been depressed.
(:It's so obvious why she will, which again is why I'm not like mad at these writing decisions that like she just experienced something traumatic and this knight in shining armor was there to help her out on kind of two occasions. Like the past two episodes, he was kind of there for her and she kind of indicated that she was into him. like, yes, Jenny was really grimy in this episode.
But it's not from nowhere. It didn't happen in a vacuum. It really came from a good place.
So a little behind the scenes info at this point Taylor mom sin was not happy Acting, she was feuding with the writers because she wanted to bring she wanted to bring her personal style onto this into her character And like even like crew members were complaining about her unprofessionalism So she was yeah, she was an unhappy teenager and well, they're hard to deal with
Yeah. But like she's still, but she's still acted the shit out of this role at every moment.
moments and literally outshine some of the older actors and like the first one that comes to mind is purpose of after.
(:Yeah, she's she's a better actor than Rufus. He can't do angry.
All it's just like I can't take it seriously. No, it's like you expect me to side with them acting like a child. Like fuck off. It's like at least when the teens it's like they're young. They do stupid things and they act annoying because they're teenagers. They're supposed to be annoying. But Rufus is a grown ass man and he's acting like a child. And it's like I can't justify his behaviors. Yeah. Jenny and like some of the other characters I could understand because they're teenagers.
they're supposed to make decisions. it's just like, I don't know. Maybe it's also because I'm closer to the ages of these characters because like, I'm 20 and like some of these characters are like...
Dan is about to tell Vanessa that he didn't like her script, but at the last second lies and says he loved it. However, Vanessa claims she hasn't read Dan's application yet.
Dan, you lying fool, you're not good at it, stop. This is the dumbest fucking plot line. I'm so sick of this, we were friends and now we're not. Stop working it out on screen. Work this shit out somewhere else. Yeah.
(:One plot line.
Dan doesn't want to hurt Vanessa's feelings. if she can't take criticism, then like, you have to take criticism.
You can't be a screenwriter. Any screenwriter, any writer ever will tell you that if you're not listening to what other people have to say and if you can't be told that something is bad or needs to be reworked, then you're not going to make it in that industry.
Well, I think what the show is trying to say is that it's different when it's coming from someone you're fucking.
Yes.
(:Right. And honestly, like, I'm trying to say it shouldn't be like Robin is Robin is the first person to say to me, like, Hey, your voice sounds off or like, I don't like that line in that song. I don't like the way that you, I, I don't listen to your podcast. Robin is the first to be critical, like all the time.
And it means something. And I don't always listen to her criticism. Like sometimes it's like, wow, that makes a lot of sense. I need to internalize that and go a different direction. And other times it's like, wow, I really understand where you're coming from. I don't care. That's why it's meaningful to me. I have a line in one of my songs about my back that mentions my wife and she hates it.
It means something to me and it's in the song. And so I just don't always. Steve? What's that?
Congratulations for being more mature than a 19 year old.
Well, I've not it hasn't been long I did just figure this out within the past within the past 13 years
(:Dan needs to just rip off the bandaid and be honest. like, think Vanessa can at least, you know, try to be understanding. If Dan is honest, it's like honesty in a relationship is important. And if you're just keeping these things, it's like, it's just going to blow up in your face. their relationship, it's not bad. I wouldn't say it's bad, but it's just poorly handled in some ways, especially that you guys have mentioned. There's like, they're separated from everyone else from the upper East side and everyone else is doing
They're doing their own thing and everyone else is trying to do it.
Maybe fight on the different show.
Maybe.
Yeah, they'd be fine on a different show.
(:Dorota is starting to part a panic over the party prep. Serena calls the grandfather looking for Nate, but finds out that Nate canceled lunch at the last minute.
My big takeaway is that Serena had grandfather on her contacts, in her contacts. I think it's more the fact that here is this incredibly powerful gentleman that she just has that kind of access to. Like my grandson's girlfriend can just call me. Do you think in his contacts it says Nate's current blonde and then just changes the number out?
He's dating a different blonde and he has another one that's brunette that has Blair's number
Yes. I was also wondering if this happened with Vanessa, but also at the same time, the relationship with Vanessa didn't really last long once grandfather came into the future.
Right. Then he got back with Blair and he replaced the number.
(:to make it doesn't over and over again. It's just rotating with the girls at this point. It's Serena and then Blair and Vanessa and Jenny and then just goes backwards. And also just random reoccurring minor characters are just there for like an episode or two.
Yeah, the Buckley and the...
Whatever they introduce a new character there goes with me
It's a giver, right? It is a giver.
It's like hazing.
(:Vickers Chase proper is such a f-
He's very he's very well
Pasing ever
Such a pretty face. It's like the writers are just abusing it nakes ship ability to absolute hell and Sometimes it works because she can have a good chemistry with who he's playing alongside with
Well, I think the problem was the cast was became imbalanced when they decided to make Chuck a major character. Originally he was supposed to be like a side character. Yeah. Because I think I think the original plan was for, you know, Nate and Serena and Dan and Blair all to kind of just like rotate.
(:Yeah.
(:I heard about that is because like were painting at it like creepy episode 7 of season 1 with like especially with Dan and Blair because like I'm more biased towards them because they have like such an interesting dynamic and and like since like the whole we see I am always like just been invested in like on how that relationship develops from like kind of enemy
In Daredevils, right?
I had no, before that.
Bad news Blair. So the episode
Yeah, bad news Blair. I that was the epi That was the seat that was the scene. I was talking about I had that was wrong episode But yeah, we've talked a lot about the just the general chemistry of Blair and Dan and how There they've been on my predictions for a while again Like I have my predictions they're all gonna bang at some point, but I really feel this episode has started laying some major Which we'll get to
(:If their show can have Chuck and Vanessa hook up twice, think they can do Dan and Blair at some point.
Nate is about to leave, but Jenny plays up the sympathy and convinces Nate to stay a bit longer. Jenny surreptitiously checks a Gossip Girl blast about Serena looking for Nate, and Jenny suggests a dark movie theater has something to do.
Jenny, just knock this shit off.
I mean she's playing it perfectly. He is p-
100 % The best example of Serena's power. Serena does everything wrong. Jenny does everything right, but Serena still wins.
(:Serena gets everything and it's in her by the end and she doesn't even do much. So... And I love Serena, but also like, I don't like how she's handled most of the time, and like at least after season one. And also like I liked Dan and Serena in season one.
It's the power of Serena.
(:I like Dan Threden in season one, but Georgina ruined them. Like, yeah, he just did.
She
love Dan and Serena as a first love that ran its course. And now like them having a good friendship and also like now being step siblings. it like, and that's great development on their part.
I will never forgive Dan and Georgina having an all-out conversation while Lisa Loeb was playing. I was trying to listen to Lisa Loeb and instead I had to listen to that bullshit.
Blair catches up with Chuck and asks him about his talk with Jack. Chuck says that the only thing Jack offered was something that he would never consider. This elicits a hint of a smile from Blair as they get on the elevator. Chuck gets a call with a forlorn look, tells Blair that Jack is closing the hotel. As they exit the elevator, Chuck starts climbing the stairs towards the bedroom and Dorota hands Blair a note and a garment box from Jack.
(:And again with the cell service of the elevator.
There's a shot of Blair's face that I thought, we talked last week how there's not a lot of great like cinematic moments or great, like we don't talk often about shot selection and stuff like that. But when Chuck says the line of, it's nothing that I'm willing to do or he made an offer and it's nothing I'm willing to consider and he reaches over and hits the elevator door button.
and you just watch Blair, watch him hit the button and go back to his face and sees it all sink in. And I thought that that captured her face perfectly. like Leighton does so much, you just saw everything she was thinking right on her face. She just laid it all out there in a glance. And it was just some phenomenal acting and perfect framing for that shot.
And Gossip Girl takes us to the break with...
(:Careful, B. Don't forget the first rule of battle. Beware of basses bearing gifts. We move into Act 3. The party has begun, but the guest of honor is still missing. Everyone is dressed to kill, literally. Black spy outfits are the mode du jour, and Eric sees a blast of Nate getting into a cab with a mystery woman, who Eric of course recognizes is Jenny.
I meant to ask this earlier, is this a game? Like is this something that you've... I've heard of many games called Assassin that have been played in different ways. Is this one that you're familiar with?
Nah.
Yeah, it seems like it would be fun. I'm sure the businesses would really appreciate it. I know she didn't give the rules yet. We'll get to that. Is this when Blair comes up to her, comes up this arena? Okay.
That's the next scene. Blair pulls Serena aside and asks her if it's okay to do something terrible for love. Blair is already considering jacks off her but clearly looking for reasons not to do it.
(:We're laying out Serena's resume and killing Pete Farriman. And just with that, like those doe eyes. Remember when you cheated on, when you slept with Nate and behind my back and then you killed Pete Farriman? Yeah, when we were saving ourselves for each other and when you killed Pete Farriman, just throws it out there. Yes. And the worst day of Serena's life.
Reach out.
(:literally happened in the same
(:And I also love how Serena just listens to Blair ranting and it just bounces off of her. I love how Serena's like, well, of course this is Blair. Of course she's going to take these shots so casually. Like, yeah, she's a little annoyed, but like, okay, what are you getting at?
But not like, not like these things that should like end friendships. Just Serena's like, okay, what are you getting at?
Eric is leaving a voicemail for Jenny, wondering why she hasn't delivered Nate to the party. The nervous Lil and his voice suggest he knows the answer to that question.
Yeah, Eric knows what's up and gets on the horn.
Dan greets Serena and lets her know that he can begin taking everyone's picture. While looking for the camera in Vanessa's bag, Dan finds his application essay with a heavy dose of red ink. Odd considering Vanessa claims she hadn't read it yet.
(:I love that this little interaction with Dan and Serena that you know from earlier things that Dan and Serena kind of planned this party together, it feels like. And so it is a really nice Dan being a good friend to Nate, Dan and Serena being good siblings, and Serena for her boyfriend. I love that this all feels like they planned it together, that behind the scenes.
I also, you know, finding that, finding the red ink all over the paper is just... First of all, it took me back, made me nostalgic for my own red pens.
Blair finds Chuck sulking in her bedroom. He rubs it in even more that he just has to sit back and watch the Empire die a slow death. Blair tries to be optimistic but gets her head shoon off for her efforts. Chuck whispers, I'm everything my father said I was, and walks away. Blair peeks into the garbage box she pulls from under her bed.
I liked that moment where Chuck kind of explodes at her and then instantly brings it back and instantly apologizes and is like, I'm not mad at you. Like it's not you. I thought that was really good Chuck growing up at this point in the episode. However, I cannot get over the butthole lips now that we talked about that a couple episodes ago that.
Can't look at Chuck with that when Chuck's mad. It's like man Chuck Chuck's bringing out the butthole lips but whole now
(:I can't really take Chuck seriously most of the time and I think it's mostly just because of his voice. I know it's an accent because Ed Westwick is British.
It's Batman. Yeah, it's always either Batman or he can't do the accent. He always reminds me when he starts getting more vocal, he reminds me of James Masters in Buffy when Spike does an impression of an American accent where you have the American who uses a fake British accent trying to do an American accent. I'm a friend of Xander's.
That's how I feel his, when he gets more animated, I feel that's what he sounds like.
Serena is panicking to Eric about Nate not showing up and thinking she blew it. However, just then Jenny and Nate get off the elevator Serena and Jenny exchange knowing looks
Yeah, Serena, he thought you didn't care because your whole plan was for him to think you didn't care. So there is a risk to your plan backfiring. But not my plan, I'm Serena.
(:She just should have sent someone to hang out with him. Like, obviously, he didn't have plans to hang with his grandfather, but also, if he did hang out with his grandfather, I just think it'd be completely fucking boring.
Yes, if I if you could have made one adjustment to the plan instead of having it at like some banquet with Chuck and everyone we're gonna have a remote romantic dinner together just you know, low-key whatever
Because the-
Yeah, yeah, that you and I are gonna.
No, here's the surprise, there's actually a big party.
(:because the total gala, the total gallery or whatever. it's just like that, I don't know if that's a thing that they would be interested in. mean, personally, I wouldn't really be.
I think it's specifically something he wouldn't be interested in.
Yeah, yeah, he very much was like really a toad benefit.
Serena, you could have made this like something better for Nate to like be excited. Yeah. At Tone Gallery, like, Jesus.
Exactly.
(:Gospel Girl takes us to the next act break with...
(:Uh-oh, S. Looks like little J's knives are sharpened and she's ready to use them for battle for Nate Archibald. And we move into act four. Serena explains the game of assassin as everyone disperses. Serena tries to confront Nate, but he thinks everything is fine and wants to start the hunt. Chuck ends his game early and hands his photo to Nate.
This is where it's like, you gotta stay on this block, but you can go in and out of all of the buildings, restaurants, and businesses that you want. It's like, how fucking mad would you be if you're like the concierge at a hotel and these goddamn teenagers are running around tackling each other?
Definitely exploiting that rich white privilege.
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, this does. Yeah, it's criminal like.
restaurant and disturbing
(:Get faster!
And not even into like the public areas. They're like going into the back rooms and stuff as well. Like the only areas.
Yeah, like they're trespassing.
That is restricted access.
They're full on trespassing.
(:This should have been thought out just a little bit better. It's like screen up, please Like this is why she should never be allowed to plan a party again
but these are the types of people that would get away with something like that.
Yeah, they would absolutely do this. And then there would be people that would be like, it's so cute. And the people dining in those restaurants are like, what the fuck are these kids doing?
Look, I'm trying to-
Like some of them are recognizable for being on page 6.
(:Yeah.
We get a comic book filter and a montage of players dispersing for the game. Dan and Vanessa face off as do Jenny and Serena. Jenny watches Nate take the first kill and Serena quickly falls with a kill of her own. Comic book filter is a little bit different.
Yeah, yeah. Nate seems a little oblivious to Jenny's ploy at this time. Like he doesn't seem like it was anything other than just consoling a friend and Jenny hasn't made a movie yet. and Serena being irritated, it's like Serena, this is the bed you made. Like, yeah, he was late to your gala thing because he didn't want to go to. Like you set that up.
yet.
(:Dorota and Vanya have a cute scene where Dorota tries to explain the game. Vanya interrupts to get down on one knee and proposes to her. Dorota is so happy she doesn't even care that she is killed by a minion. Eric trips over Vanya and bumps into a cute boy in the process. Eric promises to come back but spots Jenny and goes after her not realizing he lost his own photo in the collision.
And now I die with happy.
It was my favorite scene of the episode. It's just like so much was happening, you know, with the road and Vanya and then Eric coming in and then this guy coming in and just like, like this, this is great. I'm like happy for Dorota and Vanya. It's like I love them. But even though they don't really have a lot of scenes.
this is where I started my wait, where do I know that guy from? I was like, where do I know this guy from? And now I know, but I'll talk about that later when he says his name.
Need to, like I know I'm from somewhere too.
(:Back to the game, Jenny takes down two minions at once while Nate ices another frat bro. Nate backs off and Jenny pursues. So of course, Nate is the only one in cast to actually have expanded his friends group because I know they mentioned his Columbia friends. That doesn't make sense. be the only one actually make friends.
Yeah. Yeah.
(:I mean, but that makes sense though, right? He is going to classes and going to school.
speed art.
It's got its whole other web of storylines that are completely off screen.
I wanna see what's happening with Native Columbia. I'm interested in that, in making these friends. Because now I'm seeing these people that are supposed to be his friends from Columbia and it's like, when did this happen? It's like obviously happened off screen, but I feel like there should have been more explanation, just at least like a tiny bit. Because it's like, who are these people?
Mm-hmm.
(:But it does kind of make sense that Nate is the only one who can make friends.
Yeah, yeah, he is the only one with a...
He can be friends with anyone. at all.
Dan and Vanessa dance around each other and their issues momentarily before Dan cuts to the chase and calls out Vanessa's lie. As she is apologizing, Dan admits to his own lie of liking Vanessa's script. Using Vanessa's shock, Dan grabs the photo, only to have Serena come up from behind and grab both photos.
Dan you don't have to be shitty though. Like he's so fucking petty and shitty
(:Yep. I mean, hey, but Blair just, they always go right for the throat.
Also, there's this tiny tidbit that Vanessa says, it's like, I'm loving this killer side of you, and my mind immediately just sauntered Joe Goldberg.
(:Eric corners Jenny and asks about her intentions with Nate. Jenny denies everything, so Eric grabs Jenny's photo. However, Jenny grabs it back and points out that Eric can't kill her. He's already dead.
Eric.
And it's also the fact that Eric knows their history of Nate and Jenny's romantic history, even though he wasn't necessarily there. And he's like, friends don't kiss friends at their fashion shows. it's like, you probably saw a gossip girl blast while he was away to wherever he was. So it's like he knows and he's acknowledging that, which makes sense because it feels like some parts of this show kind of wanted for
that Nate and Jenny were romantically involved, even if it was for two episodes. mean, it was, even though in those two episodes it was kind of intense, because Nate wrote a love letter to her that she never got, so it definitely meant something.
Yeah, but Nate's completely forgotten about this point.
(:Jenny has her feelings for him overall.
Serena returns to the apartment to find Chuck waiting for Blair to finish the game. Serena points out that Blair's photo is sitting on the table and that Blair is probably cheating. Chuck gets a scared look on his face and gets up to leave. Chuck goes up to Blair's room and finds the empty garment box and Jack's note.
(:I feel like this was the worst writing in the episode. This scene was because he's specifically acting for the audience here to give us a twist.
What?
(:Yeah, because he knows that what's going on.
I have a lot of about this, but when we get to the thing.
And I hate when shows do that.
(:Blair shows up at the Empire wearing the dress from earlier. Jack is waiting with uncorked champagne and a pair of glasses.
He's so grotesque. sentence like, it's just... Every time I think of Jack, I just remember that scene back in season two with him and Lily. it's just... I can't... He's your host. And like, just get him off my screen.
Although he does have a point in this episode where he is the one bass with a little bit of morality.
which is so shocking. It's like, wow, how is, how is, like, how is Jack more moral than you, even though it's like a tiny bit?
Just a spedge. Gossip Girl takes us to the break with.
(:When all other weapons fail, there's always human sacrifice.
(:We move into act five. Blair didn't come empty handed to this party. She has a contract and a story so Chuck will never find out. Jack signs the contract, but decides he wants to have a drink before the big event.
Gross. Just more gross jack.
Just every time they're interacting throughout this episode, it's just... I just tune throughout most of this while I just kind of tune out.
I will give props to the costume department because they are really leading into that Darth Vader, Sith Lord look for Jack.
Yeah
(:Nate and Jenny are dancing around a waiter in a crowded restaurant, each trying to gain the upper hand. When Nate leads the chase into an empty back room, Jenny closes the door behind them.
So yeah, this is where they're just like completely interrupting the restaurant. Yeah. The waiters way.
In the freezer.
Wait, did we skip the scene with Serena and Nate talking about why did you ditch my plan to spend the day with Jenny? Or whatever?
Oh yeah, I guess we did. Yeah, there was, yeah, there was a scene there in between. Yeah. Yeah, that happened. Oh yeah. Okay. I, skipped that was a couple, that was a while was back. Yeah. Where are they? We, uh, yeah. Serena, you know, they, they kind of at the beginning of the restaurant, like he holds the door closed on her and Jenny comes in and grabs the photo while they kiss. yeah, cause Nate gave up Jenny's secret pretty quickly there. He's like, Oh, I shouldn't tell you, but okay. I'm going to.
(:Cuz I'm
(:Hey, it's like-
But again, I feel like that's Nate being honest with his girlfriend. Yeah.
Yeah, I will have a fight with it, but yeah, but it's just kind of silly cuz he's like, I shouldn't tell you but okay I'm going to
Yeah, but honestly, yeah, I would have done the same. Like, I don't judge him at all for that. Like, it's not really my place to tell you, but I'm going to tell you this.
It's like, understand where Serena is coming from, but I also understand both sides. Serena thinks something might be going on with me and in her point of view. meanwhile, it's Nate just wanting to be there for Jenny because she just went through this very difficult time. also, he has this thing of what happened to Jenny. And it's obviously not in his place to tell because this is an event that happened to her and he just so happened to be there. So it's completely valid why he didn't want to say anything.
(:But then he just immediately gave it up. So, yeah.
Back to act five, back at the party, Dorota is showing off her engagement ring. She is unable to give Eric the name of the boy he was talking to earlier. She's clearly distracted by the big shining rocks.
Sparkling and all that like just the blame. I mean personally, I probably wouldn't stare at it
Dan and are having an honest conversation and offer each other some constructive criticism. However, as they embrace, it looks like Vanessa may still be hiding something.
Yeah, the makeup was fine, the conflict was dumb. Let's get on with this.
(:It just feels so season one
Yeah.
like that they're being honest with each other. But also it's like this plot line is like just another like, we were like able to do this for like, were friends, but now that we're like dating and like have seen each other naked, we don't want to like hurt each other's feelings and all that. And it's just, it's stupid. they, this, I just think they should have been handled slightly better, in my opinion.
In the storage closet, Jenny lures Nate into a quick kiss, which she then uses a distraction to kill Nate. Jenny exits the room, leaving him Nate-fused.
you're dead.
(:So grimy.
She's she's a little gremlin. What she is doing is wrong, but also at the same time, I get why she's doing this. She's just acting it out wrongly.
that and also Serena just kind of has it coming to her a little bit. Yeah. For what she's already done this season.
So one of my friends I talked about Gossip Girl with, like, they said, like, this is their work, not mine, that Jenny is Serena in Nate's karma for their hookup with Nate was still with Blair. And like, I want to see it at that angle, because I just think it's kind of interesting looking at it that way.
Well, not only Nate and Serena, but even just like a couple of months ago with Serena and Tripp, who was a married man.
(:Mm-hmm.
That whole idea
Well, and even and even the whole like Serena and Damien thing when she tried to like use him to make Nate jealous two, three weeks ago.
My feelings about Serena and Nate's relationship is just, I don't really care for them. I'm trying to be as nice as possible because I don't really have a lot of positive feelings about them. I just kind of find them boring in my opinion.
Yeah, I agree. and Blair are on a couch in the Empire suite and Jack is taking every opportunity to mock and deride Chuck. Jack puts his hand on Blair's knee, who then stands up to take off her dress, just wanting to get it over with. Jack continues to slow things down and pulls Blair in for an almost tender kiss. After a moment, Jack pulls away and thanks Blair and Jack reveals that he and Chuck planned this whole thing out. And then Chuck did in fact choose the hotel.
(:Over Blair.
Sorry.
Yeah, grimy. Like, Chuck set this whole thing up.
There's a line. There is a line of justification, but I like, it's just, it's messy. It's it's awful. like, is this not human trafficking in its own way?
But like to the the directing the scene I do like how the music Completely cuts. Yeah, where they start kissing. It's like it's like this is a heavy moment recognize it and then gossip girl takes us to the final commercial break with
(:Arms are laid down only to realize you've been hit by friendly fire.
Go into the epilogue. On the elevator ride back to the party, Nate questions Jenny's voters vis-a-vis the kiss, but Jenny denies, denies, denies. As they exit, everyone congratulates Jenny on her win, except for Eric, who is staring daggers at her.
Yeah, Nate's seeing through these shenanigans.
Well, I mean, it's pretty obvious, but she kissed him.
Okay.
(:Yeah, yeah, I mean, it takes a lot for Nate to see through shenanigans. He needs it to be, he needs to be hit over the head with it.
I was about to say he needs to be like metaphorically like hit in the space with it for him to like finally get it and it's just I think this storyline would have been more interesting if Nate was conflicted with his feelings instead of just it being a one-sided thing because just having Jenny just pined for Nate while he's all about Serena is just sad to watch.
Blair finds Chuck who admits that Jack was telling the truth and that Chuck planned the whole thing. Then when Chuck tries to victim blame Blair, she slaps him and tells him goodbye.
I do want to point out that when Blair used Chuck to get the kiss for the...
Oh yeah, that was a very obvious setup for this.
(:But also that is when they said like we're not gonna do this shit anymore Yeah, so like for him to be the one to then do the same shit back only like to a bigger level like that was a kiss Yeah, like that wasn't like banging your uncle there was precedent for this to not be okay, and it is just like Chuck you're you are the worst now you
And this is where the the line was I use for the opening. never thought the worst thing you would ever do would be to me.
would be to me.
It's, uh, my feelings on Chuck has just been 99.9 % negative because I didn't really fall for the redemption art that they were trying to do. I was just waiting patiently for him to do something to screw everything up because he does something to screw everything up. And I only merely tolerate him when he's not being completely awful. And then he ends up pulling shit like this and it's
Am I expected to side with him? Am I expected to root for him? It's like, no, I haven't liked him at all. I did not fall for the redemption. And it's just like, he's he's proving. He's further proving that he hasn't.
(:Nate and Sreena are getting flirty and Steve gets his wish of them being handcuffed together. A defeated Jenny is ready to go home.
I keep saying handcuff them together. Don't let them look at anyone else.
I know we're not supposed to feel bad for Jackie and this fella because she did do a grimy thing, but also, I can't help it. It's like, I'm more easy to sympathize with her than with Chuck. Because I've seen people trying to compare both situations when they're vastly different.
don't feel bad for it.
(:We saw Nate pass his first test. Will Serena pass hers?
I'm about out of arms.
Vanessa returns to her dorm alone and we find out her secret was that she also is applying to the Tisch writing program and that spots are limited.
Yeah, what an asshole. You fucking asshole, Vanessa.
This is once again Gossip Girl reusing storylines from the OC. Because this is like the same thing they did with Seth and Summer trying to get into Brad.
(:It's funny. And it's also reusing Gossip Girl plot lines, because it's also with Dan trying to go to Yale and Nate interviewing for Yale and Poison Ivy. They weren't dating, but...
They were.
(:I may.
If only on a better show
It would have been a better show.
If O.G. Gossip Girl aired around this time, it could have been likely for Dan and me. I have my own non-canada pairings for this show that I think would have been interesting to explore if it was placed at a later time.
Before Eric and Jenny can leave, the boy from earlier shows up looking for Eric. We learn that his name is Elliot.
(:Yeah, and I was like, where do I know this guy from? And he's actually been in quite a few things I've watched. He was in Pretty Little Liars, which is probably where I knew him from the best. That's It was Travis. Yeah, he was in that show, Something Suspect, Usual Suspect or something. I forget the name of it, but it was with the guy from Lost. I think it was actually in the J.J. Abrams show. So yeah, then I finally recognized him. Luke something from some stuff.
Yeah. All right. Blair alone in a room takes off her dress in disgust and jumps onto her bed and starts crying.
I feel so bad for her. it's like for most of the season, I couldn't really tolerate her because she's been kind of annoying. I think at this point, with this whole thing with Chuck, she's the lesser of two evils. And like she was like, she was basically a victim. Okay. And it kind of sucks that like, she really loved Chuck and has given up anything, like given up opportunities to help him. And then the one time
Definitely sad.
(:This, flips around, he doesn't do the same for her and that just really sucks for her.
When the show was originally airing, at this point, I was still a Chuck and Blair shipper. not past this episode. this point, I thought they kind of deserved each other. They're both kind of horrible. But from this point on, Blair tries to improve herself. And Chuck just doesn't.
Yes, absolutely. He... Absolutely not. Blair becomes a better character as time goes on, and I like her in the later seasons.
But we don't want to we don't want to go too far into what hasn't happened yet because I haven't seen anything past here
And then the final scene is Jack welcomes Chuck back to the suite and gets in a few final barbs before Chuck can have him escorted out.
(:Yeah, and Chuck's confident that Blair's just gonna get past this. That she's gonna be like, we're Chuck and Blair, we're good. But really, I'm wondering, so we have Vanessa being an asshole, we have Chuck being an asshole, that leaves Dan and Blair, I feel like this could be, especially because Blair is now friends with the Tish kids, I could see this being an avenue. The theater thing again.
You know, their first really, not first, but that one scene where they really had that charisma together was on stage in a play. So I wonder if that could be a recurring thing. I'm talking about the Miss Carr. Yeah.
Yeah, I
Yeah, I'm just like the Miss Carr thing. just brought back some like just
Gossip Girl ends the episode with...
(:When the battle ends and weapons are put away, new strategies take shape. Soldiers decide to fend for themselves, but they are casualties. In matters of love and war, all weapons cause injury. The question is, who will live to fight another day? XO, XO, Gossip Girl. That is our episode. Steve, what's coming next?
So first of all, like I said, I think the Blair Dan thing is on the horizon. I feel like Jenny is gonna keep going after Nate, but I think it's gonna lead to a pretty big crash out. I feel like it's gonna hit another Jenny rock bottom pretty soon over this Nate thing. think that we're gonna see Chuck, yeah, those are my two big ones I think I'm gonna just stick with, is the Dan Blair is on the horizon.
and Jenny is gonna have a big crash out over this Nate thing.
Yeah.
Serena's gonna be a narcissist.
(:That's right.
It's inevitable. like they've all passed each other around.
Go ahead, And they're all gonna bang.
Yeah.
(:Let's go ahead and get into segments. This week in fandom, we jumped into the way back machine to visit the fan forums from 2010. Hello there. Peabody here. And this is the way back machine. We're traveling through time. And this is my boy, Sherman. Speak Sherman. Hello. Good boy. There was a lot of nervous anticipation for the episode this week. there was definitely spoilers about what was going to happen.
Yeah, I guess everyone was worried about Chuck and Blair. Yeah.
But the overall impression of the episode was it was one of the best episodes of the season felt like season one episode
Really? Really. I mean, they definitely felt like season one stuff.
I thought this, I agree this was one of the best episodes of season, I think.
(:I have wishy washy feelings on the other
Yeah. I don't like this season at all.
Yeah, yeah, the season is not great. So that's why I said this is one of the better episodes. They were they were devastated for Blair, but still overall have faith in Chuck and Blair coming back together.
I'm bored.
I do feel like they're not done. I feel like there's more there, but
(:I
(:So did copy down one full comment from a user and it says, the truth is I didn't fall for CB because I like bland vanilla couples and always do everything right and exchange vanilla kisses at the end of the night. I fell for because they are dark and twisted and unrepentant. And if this is what it takes to bring those characters back, then bring it on.
Fair. I mean, right?
All right. Yeah. I mean.
I have a few dark ships and other fandoms so it's- I kinda understand what they're coming from but also at the same time I can't stand Chuck. Chuck and Blair do have chemistry but it's just- I just don't like Chuck. That's the main issue so-
fair.
(:There was a lot of Jedi hate.
Not surprised.
Yeah, there always is though. I mean like the fandom hates Jenny.
So much. It's like... The three most hated characters, at least in the main cast, is Jenny, Vanessa, and Dan. And some of it can be warranted, but also at the same time, the hate just kind of goes a little bit too far because some of the hate can just really reach to either misogyny.
And there, there's.
(:or in Vanessa's case, know, racism, especially the hatred towards her actress because she's the only woman of color on the main cast. So it's really annoying, especially at that time period where it's like you have the token POC character on the show and and then it's just like a huge fan base that's predominantly white will just go after her. it's just and also like
It's just so annoying because I personally like Vanessa. She is one of my favorites. It's kind an unpopular opinion. I always have unpopular opinions for every show. So it's kind of an
My theory has always been that the fandom largely self inserts with Blair and thinks that they are Blair. They're also wondering, so if Jenny has no chance with Nate, where is this story leading?
A crash out?
but what does that involve this time? Some fans thought Vanessa submitted her a dance script as her own, but I don't think that's the case.
(:Yeah, that'd be weird.
And then why spend so much time redeeming Chuck just to throw it all away in one episode?
Yeah.
Basically, yeah.
And Steve, you weren't the only one, because several people wondered if the Chuck and Blair breakup might open the door for Dan and Blair.
(:No kidding. That's funny. I've been waiting for them for a season now.
There was some of the Joey Pacey avatar really pushing for Dan and Blair.
It makes sense because I've seen people make parallels between both pairings, especially since like I kind of started Dawson's Creek like I said earlier, and like I do see like the parallels between them.
They have similar chemistry. They have a similar bantery chemistry. That is it for this week in Fana moving over to episode grades.
Exactly.
(:Steve, you are first this week.
I gave this one a C plus. I really, I hated the Dan Vanessa storyline. I thought it, I think that they keep replaying all of these like, tropey, we were friends and now we're dating storylines and they're terrible, I hate it. And you know, I thought the game of Assassin was kind of cool. I thought that the Chuck thing was just.
I'm really on that team of why did you do this big glow up only for him to be such a piece of shit? so I'm just kinda, yeah, I didn't love this episode. C plus. I have not loved this season either though, so C plus.
What about you, Jayden?
So I have it all noted down from like the day when I watched the episode. I kind of like it's it's goes back and forth between a C plus and a B minus. It's like I love the cinematography and I do love like the drama and how like everything seems like it's come to its conclusion. But there's always hinting like more stuff is going to be happening in the following episodes. But like overall, I just think it's so mind numbing with the whole thing.
(:Dan and Vanessa, they're just doing their own thing, so I don't really care that much despite liking their characters and like, And then the Jenny-Nate-Sarina thing, it's like, once again, demonizing Jenny and all that, it's really annoying, especially as a Jenny lover myself. And then the whole Chuck, Blaine, Jack thing, it's a whole mess, it is a whole mess, and I just, I can't. I can't!
All right. Well, I liked it a little better than you guys. Yes. The Dana Blanch storyline was kind of boring, but that was the C storyline. The B storyline of Jenny, Nate and Serena was not perfect, but generally I enjoyed it. I thought it was a fun time and yeah, like it would have been better if they showed some reciprocation of the feelings, but it was a decent B storyline. And while I didn't like the result,
as the one who results for Blair. I do think that the A storyline of Jack, Chuck and Blair was well executed. Yeah. It well acted all around. Even Ed was good this episode. Jack is a great villain. He's disgusting in all the right ways. If that makes sense. Yeah. So I ended up giving this a B plus.
(:On to StockWatch. Steve, who do you have going up?
I've got quite a few going up this week. I had Chuck going up. He got his hotel back. I and also I don't think that Chuck really believes he lost Blair. So I feel like in Chuck's mind, everything's smooth sailing right now. Yeah. I think that he's just like, yeah, we'll we'll work through this. I had Nate going up. I had Serena going up for pulling off this party for Nate in the end. I had Vanessa going up because she's
applying to this program and is doing stuff with her writing and work things out with them. I have Eric going up because he met a nice boy and I also have Elliot going up for being a nice boy so far. And then I have Dorota and Vanya going up. Congratulations Mazel Tov to Dorota and Vanya on their engagement.
Yep. So I have Eric going up because, you know, he met a new guy and he got like, know, like Cinderella, like type saying with the whole Polaroid photo being, I guess, a metaphor for the glass slipper. I got Elliot going up because, well, he seems like a step up from Jonathan. So.
Jaden, how about you?
(:I have Dorota and Ganyu going up, obviously. They're engaged and they're happy and they're in love and they're gonna have a baby. So it's like, everything is going well for them. I have Serena and Nate going up because, well, everything, despite the whole Jenny thing, they still kind of Nate came through and also they're gonna have kinky birthday sex. yeah. And then I got Dan and Vanessa going up. I don't like...
I guess because they managed to like sort out their issues, also like mainly Vanessa because like she's applying, applying for the Tish position. And then I have Jack going up because he won in the end. So in a way, because he managed to like torch up and play her part.
All right, for me, Nate wins the episode. He had a fun friend date. He had a great party and he gets kinky sex at the end of the day.
Yeah, Serena also because you know, she failed upward as is normal. Yeah. I had Rufus going up because he actually gave good advice.
(:Jack goes up because he won and tore Chuck apart and destroyed his life. I had Eric going up because he met a cute boy. And of course, Throda and Vanya for getting engaged. Who do you got going down Steve?
I originally had Jack going down. I'm keeping Jack neutral because like, yes, Jack won and accomplished what he was after, but he also didn't get what he's after and lost the hotel. like he like, but he. And actually, he's selling the hotel back because I'm I'm assuming they're going with Blair's contract that he's selling it back out of profit. OK, yeah, Jack's going up. Sorry. Sorry. Flip him for me.
was destroyed check and we yeah
(:I have Blair going down, even though she didn't quite get to that. I have little Jay going down. I Jenny is, you know, swirling right now. Yeah. And I have Dan going down because he's still with Vanessa.
Alright, Shaded, who do you got?
So I got Jenny going down sadly, but like she like fought for Nate in just like the worst way possible and like well She obviously didn't get the guy at the end. So it's like it that sucks But poor poor little day. So I got Chuck going down because well He did lose there. Maybe not like in his point of view, but at least of flair at this point They're done and that's who all I have going down
Alright, for me, I had Chuck and Blair, because they both lost the episode. Chuck was horrible and loses Blair. Blair did something, or was about to do something horrible, but, and then is completely destroyed by her, the love of her life. I had Jenny going down because she, uh, she, I thought like she made every right move in her scheme. She still failed. And I had Vanessa going down because she's a lying liar.
And I had Dan going down because he's stuck with Vanessa.
(:Mm-hmm.
Steve, who do you have for best outfit?
I really loved the Where in the World is Little Jenny San Diego with the... So I loved Jenny's sleuth spy outfit. That was the winner for me with the hat and the Carmen San Diego gear.
Jane?
Yep, that's- I wanted to give Jenny at least one win in this episode, so I was giving her best outfit for me. Like you said, like the Carmen San Diego type thing with like the fedora and like the large scarf and like all- and I just think it was great, personally.
(:Yeah, it was good, but I ultimately went with Blair's outfit from her shopping trip the black and gold box dress from Marc Jacobs with the black lace tights the Wrist cuff and a big red Chanel bag
Yeah, yeah, I like that.
That is it for our segments. All we have left are some plugs, but first, Jayden, thank you very much for joining us today.
It's been a pleasure. I've been, for me, I mean, I do have some social media. It's more of like fandom type thing. So it's like not my own personal accounts. mean, like the pod follows me on TikTok and I, and also I don't really like promote myself often. So, I'm just kind of being sort of a mystery in some aspects.
(:All right, well Steve, you got anything to plug?
Yeah, just we are still looking for folks to audition for best of this, the feature film that I was cast in with some friends. And so I think that by the time this airs, our crowdsourcing campaign is pretty much over. But keep an eye out for that and I'll keep you updated on what's going on with it. That'll be a lot of fun. If you're in the southeast PA area, we are still auditioning for some of the roles.
So reach out to the pod and I'll get you in touch if you're looking for that. Outside of that, you can follow me on TikTok or Instagram, steve.marshon, M-A-R-C-H-I-O-N, or you can also find me at theweedwizard on blue sky.
Nothing for me to plug this week, but you can follow me on Instagram and blue sky at hot Capacola. That's H O T C A P I C O L A. And you can follow the podcast on Instagram threads, tick-tock, et cetera at non judging breakfast pod. And you can check out our website, non judging breakfast pod.com where you'll find links to our discord server, our Patreon account.
Etc and that's about it for that
(:And if you'd like to get in touch with the podcast, we'd love to hear what you have to say and read your emails here on the podcast. You can get in touch with us by sending an email to nonjudgingbreakfastpod at gmail.com. And you can also, while you're listening, go ahead and hit that like button, the subscribe or follow and leave us a comment that really helps us with our visibility in Apple podcasts and Spotify.
And while you're at it, let your friends know what you're listening to. Let people know that there's going to be a new episode of the Non-Judging Breakfast Pod and they should catch up on their watching gossip girl and come join us and make us your water cooler talk.
So quickly, I have told some of my friends because I didn't mention that I was gonna be guest-arming on the pod and they were very interested because I have my own opinions and we like talking about it. So they're very interested to see the whole thing.
Awesome.
Thank you.
(:And listen back, Jayden's friends to all of our previous episodes and listen to them several times. Leave a comment on each one, your homework today.
Join the Discord server.
Jin, join the Discord server.
And we'll be back next week to talk about season three, episode 18, the unblerable lightness of being. The episode description reads, Chuck offers to throw a wedding for a very pregnant Dorota who insists that she and Vanya have a traditional wedding before her parents arrive from Poland and find their daughter pregnant and without a husband. Dorota and Vanya getting married.
Yeah, right there.
(:Mazel Tov. I love a wedding episode. This is only the second one this season.
And also like...
Well
Or will the Sonic Youths be here?
Yeah, and it's like the third I think it's the third wedding in total so far because like the first one was like the end of season one with Lily and Bart and then then Rufus and Lily earlier in the season and and now next episode is gonna be Dorota and Mondia so That's fun
(:Yep. Well, until next time, you know you love us.
(:you take a piece of me with
(:Seems I'm walking right
(:Still resting, looking for something more
(:see everything you mean to me I'm trying really hard to believe every time you walk away run away you take a piece of me with you there every time you walk away run away you take a piece of me with you
(:Take a piece of me with you there Never feels right when I'm out here
(:Left last night and it feels like way too late
(:Everything you mean to me I'm trying really hard to believe Every time you walk away or run away you take a piece of me
(:time you walk away or run away you take a piece of me with you there
(:Take a piece of me with you there.
(:Come back to me.
Smile and you'll make my life complete. Every time...
(:Take a piece of me.
(:Every time you walk away or run away, you take a piece of me with you there.
Every time you walk away or run away you take a piece of me with you there. Every time you walk away or run away you take a piece of me with you there.
