Gone Maybe Gone

Last updated
"Gone Maybe Gone"
Gossip Girl episode
Episode no.Season 6
Episode 1
Directed by Mark Tinker
Written by
Featured music
Cinematography byMauricio Rubinstein
Editing byMarc Pattavina
Original air dateOctober 8, 2012 (2012-10-08)
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Return of the Ring"
Next 
"High Infidelity"
Gossip Girl season 6
List of episodes

"Gone Maybe Gone" is the first episode of the sixth and final season of the American teen drama television series Gossip Girl , and the 112th episode overall. Written by series developers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage and directed by Mark Piznarski, the episode originally aired on The CW on October 8, 2012.

Contents

Gossip Girl follows the lives of a group of young adults coming from a wealthy background. In this episode, the group consisting of Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), and Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg), tries to find Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) who has not given any news during the summer. Trachtenberg and Robert John Burke returned in guest star capacity, along with newcomers Andrea Gabriel, Barry Watson, Sofia Black-D'Elia, and Roby Schinasi.

Upon its initial airing, the episode was viewed by 0.78 million Americans and garnered a 0.4/1 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, registering as the series' least-watched premiere. Despite the low ratings, the premiere received mixed to positive reviews from television critics praising the writing, except the development of Rufus and Ivy's storyline, which was criticized.

Plot

In the fifth-season finale, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) decides she wants to have a relationship with Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) and she meets him in a casino of Monte Carlo. Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) leaves New York City after being rejected by Blair and Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) and does drugs with a stranger in a train. Dan decides to expose the real world of the Upper East Side in his new book and teams up with Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg) while Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) tries to unmask Gossip Girl. Lily Bass (Kelly Rutherford) annuls her marriage to Rufus Humphrey (Matthew Settle) in order to get back with Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) who recently resurfaced. Ivy Dickens (Kaylee DeFer) plans to take down Lily with the help of Lola Rhodes (Ella Rae Peck). "Gone Maybe Gone" picks up right after those events; Blair and Chuck have sex in a room of the casino's hotel, Serena is seen unconscious in the train, Dan is in Italy with Georgina who tries to make him write, and Nate prints pictures of a video featuring the masked Gossip Girl.

Four months later, Lily and Bart come back from their holidays in the Hamptons during which they renewed their vows. It also revealed that Lily has not been in touch with her daughter, Serena, for the whole summer. Blair is running her mother's clothing company in Paris, Dan continues the writing of his book with Georgina, Nate is working at The Spectator, and Chuck is in Dubai trying to find what his father was doing there, before he faked his death and reappeared months ago, with the help of his father's translator, Amira (Andrea Gabriel). When the group receives the news that Serena has gone missing, Blair, Dan, Georgina and Chuck fly back to New York to find her. Ivy has moved in with Rufus letting him believe that she has no money anymore and no place to live to manipulate him and destroy Lily.

Having no clue as where Serena might be, Nate sends Gossip Girl the video he had of her obtaining in exchange the location where Serena is. The group goes at the location and finds Serena who goes by the name of Sabrina and has a new boyfriend, Steven (Barry Watson). As it looks like a wedding will take place and that Serena is the one who is getting married, Blair and Georgina tell the truth about who Serena is, ruining the wedding of two men; Serena was only a maid of honor. Blair apologizes to Serena for the mean words she said to her months ago but she responds that she wants a fresh start with Steven.

It is revealed that Blair and Chuck made a pact to stay apart from each other in order to allow them to accomplish things in their careers before getting back together for good. Since Steven now knows who Serena is, she decides to go back to New York with him. After Amira has received money to remain silent about Bart's actions in Dubai, she goes at Chuck's and tells him she will help him find what he is hiding. Meanwhile, Nate goes out for a drink with Sage (Sofia Black-D'Elia), a girl who wants to interview him. As Dan is heading to his apartment in Brooklyn, he discovers his father and Ivy in bed together.

Production

The episode was written by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (one of the few episodes co-written by Schwartz, and his since season two's "Valley Girls"), while Mark Piznarski directed it. [1] Schwartz revealed the title of the episode on June 26, 2012, via his Twitter account. [2] Filming started on July 5, 2012 [3] with some scenes being shot in Melville, New York. [4] The dress worn by Serena (Lively) was designed by Jenny Packham. [5] Michelle Trachtenberg [6] and Robert John Burke [6] reprised their guest star role as Georgina Sparks and Bart Bass whereas Andrea Gabriel, [7] Barry Watson, [8] Sofia Black-D'Elia, [6] and Roby Schinasi [9] made their first appearances as Amira, Steven, Sage, and Jean-Pierre, respectively. Featured music included The Ting Tings' "Hang It Up", Ladyhawke's "Gone Gone Gone", The xx's "Angels", and Rebecca & Fiona's "Dance". [10]

Executive producer Sara Goodman said that she did not want Rufus "to sit there moping" after Lily chose to annul her marriage to him to be with Bart in the season five finale. She explained the storyline involving Rufus and Ivy was imagined in the fifth season as some connections had been witnessed and that "it made sense in terms of them ending up together." [11]

Reception

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage's script was lauded. Josh Schwartz Infobox photo.jpg
Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage's script was lauded.

"Gone Maybe Gone" was first broadcast on October 8, 2012, in the United States on The CW Television Network (The CW). The episode was watched by 0.78 million Americans and scored a 0.4/1 Nielsen rating/share in the adults among the 18–49 demographic. [12] Registering as the least-watched episode of the entire series, "Gone Maybe Gone" was down 33% in viewers, [13] from the previous episode "The Return of the Ring", which netted 1.14 million American viewers and a 0.6/2 Nielsen rating/share during its initial airing [14] and it also represented a decrease of 45% in comparison to the season five premiere. [15]

"'Gone Maybe Gone' was what we always hope Gossip Girl will be, pushing the characters' boundaries while uniting them in a common goal."

—Steve Marsi of TV Fanatic [16]

The episode received mixed to positive reviews. Prior to its broadcast, Verne Gay of Newsday gave the installment a B grade, describing it as "breezy, entertaining and –as usual– sharply written." [17] Entertainment Weekly 's Sandra Gonzalez wrote that "this final season of kicked off in fine form". [18] Steve Marsi of TV Fanatic, who appreciated the OMG-moments, the introduction of new mysteries, and the hilarious lines, praised Savage and Schwartz's writing as the episode "revived the entire series and raised expectations for Gossip Girl going out on top". [16] TV columnist for The Huffington Post , Laura Prudom applauded Savage and Schwartz's script which "recaptured some of the sparkle that has been missing for the past few years". She enjoyed the "in-jokes, knowing winks and sharp one-liners", and that the characters were "sane" and "rational". She called Blair and Chuck's deal "a fairly sensible agreement" while deeming Dan's story arc "the most childish of the bunch". [19]

Prudom found that Lily's reunion with Bart and the Rufus/Ivy storyline were uninteresting. [19] While Marsi named the development of the relationship between Rufus and Ivy "creepy", [16] Sydney Bucksbaum of Hollywood.com expressed criticism towards it, feeling it "was about a billion steps too far" because Rufus had always been like a father for Ivy. [20] The Wall Street Journal writer Dawn Fallik was also critical of this move calling it "gross". [21] Catriona Wightman of Digital Spy was disappointed by the premiere because everything that happened felt déjà vu. She found that the episode fell "flat" and called the intrigue of finding Serena "a bore". She, however, liked Dan's speech to Blair and highlighted the moments shared by Blair and Georgina. [22] The A.V. Club awarded the installment a D− grade describing what followed the search of Serena as "a traumatic zombie movie". [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serena van der Woodsen</span> Character in the Gossip Girl novel series and its TV adaptation

Serena Celia van der Woodsen Humphrey is a fictional character and the protagonist in the Gossip Girl novel series and in its TV adaptation, in which she is portrayed by Blake Lively. Serena is featured on the blog of the series' mysterious narrator, "Gossip Girl". Serena is known as the 'it girl of Manhattan' and is a character that appears to easily get whatever she wants because of her captivating beauty and charismatic personality. She is the daughter of a successful doctor, and a well known socialite/heiress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Bass</span> Fictional character

Charles Bartholomew Bass is a fictional character in the novel and television series Gossip Girl. In the TV series, he is portrayed by British actor Ed Westwick. Although he is a secondary antagonist in the original book series, the TV series elevates him to an antiheroic main character, and the male lead of the show, where he is noted for his financial ambition, hedonism and personal style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wild Brunch</span> 2nd episode of the 1st season of Gossip Girl

"The Wild Brunch" is the second episode of the CW television series Gossip Girl. Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage wrote the episode; it was directed by Mark Piznarski. It premiered on The CW on September 26, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric van der Woodsen</span> Fictional character

Eric van der Woodsen is a fictional character from the book series Gossip Girl and the television series of the same name, in which he is portrayed by Connor Paolo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgina Sparks</span> Fictional character

Georgina Sparks is a fictional character in the Gossip Girl novel series and a recurring character on the television series of the same name, in which she is portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg.

<i>Gossip Girl</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American teen drama television series Gossip Girl premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007, and concluded on May 19, 2008, consisting of 18 episodes. Based on the novel series of the same name by Cecily von Ziegesar, the series was developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. It tells the story of Serena van der Woodsen's return to Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York City following her mysterious disappearance to boarding school in Connecticut, while being watched by the anonymous and omniscient blogger Gossip Girl.

<i>Gossip Girl</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the American teen drama television series Gossip Girl premiered on The CW on September 13, 2010, and concluded on May 16, 2011, consisting of 22 episodes. Based on the novel series of the same name by Cecily von Ziegesar, the series was developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The CW renewed the series for a full fourth season on February 16, 2010. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, Jessica Szohr, Kelly Rutherford, and Matthew Settle all return as series regulars.

The Debarted (<i>Gossip Girl</i>) 12th episode of the 3rd season of Gossip Girl

"The Debarted" is the 55th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. It was also the twelfth episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by executive producer and one of the series' creator Stephanie Savage and directed by Jason Ensler. It originally aired on Monday, December 7, 2009 on the CW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Much 'I Do' About Nothing</span> 18th episode of the 1st season of Gossip Girl

"Much 'I Do' About Nothing" is the 18th and final episode of the first season of the American teen drama television series Gossip Girl. The episode was written by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage and directed by Norman Buckley. It originally aired on The CW in the United States on May 19, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reversals of Fortune</span> 1st episode of the 3rd season of Gossip Girl

"Reversals of Fortune" is the 44th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl and the third season premiere. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and directed by J. Miller Tobin. It originally aired on Monday, September 14, 2009 on the CW.

"The Lost Boy" is the 46th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. It was also the third episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Robert Hull and directed by Jean de Segonzac. It originally aired on Monday, September 28, 2009 on the CW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belles de Jour</span> 1st episode of the 4th season of Gossip Girl

"Belles de Jour" is the 66th episode of the CW television series Gossip Girl, as well as the season premiere of the show's fourth season. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and Stephanie Savage and directed by Mark Piznarski. It originally aired on Monday, September 13, 2010 on the CW. The episode filmed several scenes in Paris, a move that was heavily promoted by the show's network and commended by critics. A promotional video entitled "Oh Mon Dieu" used a French rendition of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walking" to advertise the season premiere.

Double Identity (<i>Gossip Girl</i>) 2nd episode of the 4th season of Gossip Girl

"Double Identity" is the 67th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl, as well as the second episode of the show's fourth season. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and Stephanie Savage and directed by Mark Piznarski. It originally aired on Monday, September 20, 2010, on the CW.

Gaslit (<i>Gossip Girl</i> episode) 10th episode of the 4th season of Gossip Girl

"Gaslit" is the 75th episode of the CW television series Gossip Girl, and the tenth episode of the show fourth season. The episode was written by Robert Hull and Joshua Safran, and directed by Tate Donovan. It aired on Monday, November 29, 2010, on The CW.

"The Wrong Goodbye" is the 87th episode of The CW television series Gossip Girl. It is also the 22nd and final episode of the fourth season. The episode was directed by Patrick Norris and the second finale in the series written by Joshua Safran. This also marks the second time that the show filmed a scene in California. "The Wrong Goodbye" aired on the CW in the United States on May 16, 2011, and was viewed live by an audience of 1.36 million Americans. Despite the low ratings, the episode garnered positive reviews from reviewers and critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivy Dickens</span> Fictional character from Gossip Girl

Ivy Dickens is a fictional character who exclusively appears in the Gossip Girl television adaptation, portrayed by Kaylee DeFer. She first appears in "The Kids Stay in the Picture," initially appearing as Serena's estranged cousin, Charlie Rhodes, whom Serena takes under her wing and introduces to the Upper East Side. The fourth season finale "The Wrong Goodbye," reveals her true identity as Ivy Dickens, a struggling actress and con artist hired by Carol Rhodes to pose as her daughter in order to gain access to the real Charlie Rhodes' trust fund.

"The Backup Dan" is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television teen drama, Gossip Girl and the show's 101st episode overall. The episode was written by Matt Whitney and directed by David Warren. It premiered on The CW in the United States on February 6, 2012.

"G.G." is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the American television teen drama, Gossip Girl and the show's 100th episode overall. The episode was written by executive producer Joshua Safran and directed by Mark Piznarski. It premiered on The CW Television Network in the United States on January 30, 2012. In the episode, the wedding of Blair Waldorf to Prince Louis Grimaldi takes place.

"New York, I Love You XOXO" is the series finale of the American teen drama television series Gossip Girl. The episode serves as the tenth episode of the sixth season and the show's 121st episode overall. Written by Stephanie Savage, and directed by Mark Piznarski, the episode originally aired on The CW in the United States on December 17, 2012.

References

  1. Writer: Schwartz, Josh; Savage, Stephanie. Director: Piznarski, Mark (October 8, 2012). "Gone Maybe Gone". Gossip girl . Season 6. Episode 1. The CW Television Network.
  2. Bonner, Mehera (June 26, 2012). "Gossip Girl Season 6: Josh Schwartz Reveals the Title of the Premiere!". Wetpaint . Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  3. Christine (July 2, 2012). "Gossip Girl's final season begins filming Thursday, July 5, 2012". On Location Vacations. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  4. Christine (July 9, 2012). "First look at Michelle Trachtenberg and Leighton Meester on the set of 'Gossip Girl' Season 6". On Location Vacations. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  5. Walano, Rose (September 18, 2012). "Blake Lively to Wear Similar Kate Middleton Dress on Gossip Girl Premiere". InStyle . Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Gossip Girl Teasers: The Final Season Premiere". TV Overmind. September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  7. Marechal, AJ (July 6, 2012). "Gabriel grabbed for 'Gossip'". Variety . Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  8. Ng, Philiana (July 9, 2012). "'Gossip Girl': '7th Heaven' Alum Barry Watson Cast as Serena's Love Interest". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  9. "Roby Schinasi de "Plus Belle La Vie" à "Gossip Girl"". Le Nouvel Observateur (in French). September 5, 2012. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  10. "Season 6, Episode: 1 "Gone Maybe Gone" Music". TV Fanatic. October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  11. Ng, Philiana Ng (October 8, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' React: Producer Sounds Off on Premiere's Biggest Developments". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  12. Kondolojy, Amanda (October 9, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice', 'DWTS' Adjusted Up; '90210', 'Revolution', 'Partners', '2 Broke Girls', 'Mike & Molly', 'Hawaii Five-0', and 'How I Met Your Mother' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  13. Mitovich, Matt Webb (October 9, 2012). "Ratings: Gossip Girl Returns Low, Castle Rises and (Most) CBS Shows Eye a Possible Uptick". TVLine . Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  14. Bibel, Sara (May 15, 2012). "Monday Final Ratings: 'How I Met Your Mother', 'Two and a Half Men', 'Mike & Molly', 'America's Got Talent' & 'The Bachelorette' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  15. Russell, Rick (October 9, 2012). "NBC rolls again on Monday". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 Marsi, Steve (October 8, 2012). "Gossip Girl Season Premiere Review: Do. That. Again". TV Fanatic. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  17. Gay, Verne (October 5, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' premiere: Serena still missing". Newsday . Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  18. Gonzalez, Sandra (October 8, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' season 6 premiere recap: A fresh start". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  19. 1 2 Prudom, Laura (October 10, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' Final Season Premiere Recap: Chuck And Blair Have A Pact, Has Serena Cleaned Up Her Act?". The Huffington Post . Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  20. Bucksbaum, Sydney (October 9, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' Season Premiere: Was That an OMG or a WTF Moment?". Hollywood.com . Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  21. Fallik, Dawn (October 8, 2012). "'Gossip Girl' Season 6, Episode 1, 'Gone Baby Gone': TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  22. Wightman, Catriona (October 9, 2012). "'Gossip Girl': 'Gone Maybe Gone' recap". Digital Spy . Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  23. Saraiya, Sonia (October 8, 2012). ""Gone Maybe Gone" - Gossip Girl". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.