The Debarted (Gossip Girl)

Last updated
"The Debarted"
Gossip Girl episode
New-Stills-3x12-The-Debarted-gossip-girl-12950135-320-400.jpg
Blair helps Chuck in grieving the anniversary of his father's death.
Episode no.Season 3
Episode 12
Directed by Jason Ensler
Written by Stephanie Savage
Production code312
Original air dateDecember 7, 2009 (2009-12-07)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Treasure of Serena Madre"
Next 
"The Hurt Locket"
Gossip Girl (season 3)
List of episodes

"The Debarted" is the 55th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl . [1] 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.

Contents

Plot

On the first anniversary of Bart Bass' death, Chuck wrestles with hallucinations of Bart (Robert John Burke), who tells him that he is weak. Blair seeks Lily's help in coercing Chuck to visit his father's grave. Meanwhile, Lily cannot find the letter from Serena's father that she left in her coat. She doesn't realize that she put the letter in Maureen's coat instead of her own.

In Long Island, Serena stays with Tripp (Aaron Tveit) in a cottage after leaving New York City when her mother found out about their affair. Tripp leaves Serena to speak with his grandfather regarding his divorce from Maureen (Holley Fain). Nate then tells Serena that his grandfather is in Bermuda. Tripp contacted Maureen in order to protect his political career. Maureen arrives at the cottage and gives Serena an ultimatum: Maureen would stay married to Tripp to protect their social statuses, and Serena could be Tripp's private mistress. Maureen then shows Serena the letter from her father that reveals an affair between him and Lily. Upon his return, Serena refuses to speak to Tripp, and she makes him take her home. While arguing, Tripp swerves to avoid hitting an animal, and he crashes his car. In order to avoid being seen with Serena, Tripp calls 911 and leaves the scene. When Nate arrives, Serena tells him that Tripp was driving. He hunts his cousin down, who begs for news on Serena's condition. Nate punches Tripp, and Maureen makes him leave with her. Serena survives the crash, and Nate sleeps in her hospital room all night.

Back in New York, Eric (Connor Paolo) continues to sabotage Jenny's reign as queen. He teams up with Kira (Sarah Steele) to turn Jenny's minions against her. In the end, Jenny outwits him, and he tells Kira that they will try again soon. When Jenny and Eric see each other at the hospital after Serena's accident, they apologize and call a truce. Meanwhile, Dan and Vanessa attempt to navigate their newly complicated friendship. Dan seeks a new potential relationship with one of Vanessa's friends, Winna. He cannot bring himself to hook up with Winna, and he is forced to leave her when Lily calls him regarding Serena's accident. He then finds Blair and goes with her and Vanessa to the hospital. Lily arrives at the hospital, and she tells Serena that Rufus still does not know about the letter. Serena asks her mother to leave, and Blair arrives to find Chuck. He reveals to Blair that he regrets running away when his father died. Blair tells him that he only ran away from his feelings, and Chuck decides to visit his father's grave. He discovers a woman (Laura Harring) leaving yellow roses at his father's grave. The woman recognizes him, but she quickly flees, leaving only a locket with Bart's picture and the letter E.

The episode concludes when Maureen arrives at Lily and Rufus' apartment, and she gives Rufus the letter that Lily hid from him. Rufus then goes to talk to Holland Kemble (Sherri Saum) at a bar. While at the hospital, Dan tells Vanessa that he loves her, but she doesn't return his feelings. Finally, Jenny is seen meeting Damien (Kevin Zegers) for another drug deal.

Production

For the mid-season finale of the show's third season, Leighton Meester was dressed in an Escada coat, a Valentino bag, black fleece Brooks Brothers skirt, black Falke fishnet tights, and Lanvin pumps. Meester also sported an Alexander McQueen dogstooth print blouse for the episode. InStyle praised Meester's attire, calling it "an eyeful of style". [2]

Reception

"The Debarted" received mostly positive reviews. Isabelle Carreau of TV Squad said that the episode should have aired in January, given how many cliffhangers the episode had, because it would have a better rating. He also praised the episode's main storylines, involving Chuck dealing with the one-year anniversary of his father's death, Serena and Tripp's relationship and Dr. Van der Woodsen's mysterious letter. [3] Jennifer Sankowski, from the TV Guide, had criticized Dan and Vanessa's storyline, replying that "this plot line felt a bit rushed, like there wasn't much room for it in this episode". However, she had praised the scene where Nate punches his cousin by commenting, "He so deserved that!". When it comes to Chuck's storyline, she said, "It was a refreshing change to see dark Chuck again." She later mentioned that she "forgot just how cruel Chuck can be". [4]

The actions taken by Serena in this episode, however, were mainly criticized. Enid Portuguez from Los Angeles Times said, "Her judgment has been more than impaired lately." He goes on to say, "If it weren't for the wolves that caused Trip's Range Rover to swerve", he was sure that Serena would actually have accepted being Tripp's secret mistress. He gave a negative review to Blake Lively's performances in the episode, by saying in other words that Serena's accident "was the only head injury I have ever cheered for." He also said that when it comes to Lily and Rufus's problems in their marriage, he would expect "a showdown between Rufus and Dr. Van der Woodsen". [5]

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 is the 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">Jenny Humphrey</span> Fictional character

Jennifer Tallulah Humphrey is one of the characters in both the Gossip Girl and The It Girl series of novels by Cecily von Ziegesar. She is portrayed by Taylor Momsen in the Gossip Girl television adaptation on The CW.

<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 English 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.

"Victor, Victrola" is the seventh episode of the television series Gossip Girl. The episode was written by K.J. Steinberg and directed by Tony Wharmby. It originally aired on November 7, 2007, on The CW.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanessa Abrams</span> Fictional character

Vanessa Abrams is a fictional character in the Gossip Girl novel series. She is portrayed by Jessica Szohr in the television adaptation. Vanessa was introduced on the first season as a recurring character, but became a series regular after a successful run due to the popularity of her character. She left the series at the end of the fourth season.

"Last Tango, Then Paris" is the 65th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. It is also the 22nd and the final episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and Stephanie Savage and directed by J. Miller Tobin. It aired on Monday, May 17, 2010 on The CW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hi, Society</span> 10th episode of the 1st season of Gossip Girl

"Hi, Society" is the tenth episode of the first season of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and directed by Patrick Norris. It originally aired on Tuesday, December 5, 2007 on the CW. The episode received positive reviews from reviewers and critics. The character of CeCe Rhodes received critical praise throughout the episode

"Desperately Seeking Serena" is the 15th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. The episode was written by Felicia D. Henderson and directed by Michael Fields. It originally aired on Monday, April 28, 2008 on the CW. It is the first episode to feature the recurring character of Georgina Sparks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Been Marcused</span> 2nd episode of the 2nd season of Gossip Girl

"Never Been Marcused" is the 20th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl, as well as the second episode of the show's second season. The episode was written by executive producer and developer Stephanie Savage and directed by Michael Fields. It originally aired on Monday, September 8, 2008 on the CW. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hurt Locket</span> 13th episode of the 3rd season of Gossip Girl

"The Hurt Locket" is the 56th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. It is also the thirteenth episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Sara Goodman and directed by Tony Wharmby. It originally aired on Monday, March 8, 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.

"Petty in Pink" is the 84th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl and the 19th episode of the show's fourth season. The episode was written by Amanda Lasher and directed by Liz Friedlander. It originally aired on Monday, April 25, 2011 on the CW.

<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.

"Father and the Bride" is the 12th episode of season 5 on the show, Gossip Girl. The episode was directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Peter Elkoff. It was aired on January 23, 2012 on the CW. Similar to previous names in the TV series, the title of the episode references a work on literature. The title reference is from the 1991 film, Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin.

"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.

"Rhodes to Perdition" is the ninth episode of season 5 on the show, Gossip Girl. The episode was directed by Andrew McCarthy and written by Natalie Krinsky. It was aired on November 28, 2011 on the CW.

"Riding in Town Cars with Boys" is the tenth episode of season 5 of the TV series Gossip Girl. The episode was directed by Vince Misiano and written by Amanda Lasher. It was aired on December 5, 2011, on the CW. It is the winter finale with the fifth season starting again on January 16, 2012.

References

  1. "Gossip Girl Episode Listings". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  2. "Gossip Girl Season Three: Get the Look". InStyle.com. InStyle.com. April 11, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  3. Carreau, Isabelle (December 8, 2009). "Review: Gossip Girl - The Debarted". TV Squad . Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  4. Sankowski, Jennifer (December 8, 2009). "Gossip Girl Episode Recap: "The Debarted"". Tv Guide . Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  5. Portuguez, Enid (December 8, 2009). "'Gossip Girl': A Bass from the.past". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 15, 2010.