Really, show, really???

[felicityking]

Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled. Another rant about Chuck and Blair and they way they are written this season.

So, tonight, Gossip Girl tried to inform that Chuck and Blair not meeting at the Empire was because of "fate." Um, yes, as in he whored her out for a hotel and then then bullied her back to him in subtle and obvious ways. And, when his bullying failed, he immediately did another stupid thing and slept with his stepsister (so glad the show got part that part right tonight).

But, instead of that common sensical explanation we instead get Blair and Chuck wistfully having an 'only if' conversation. Um, NO! Nobody forced Chuck to act like such an asshole! Nobody forced Chuck to do all the stupid things he did. And, really, Blair, I know you're a softie, but even you would be rolling your eyes at Chuck's "it's never my fault, it's all fate's evil plot plan" speech. (And, seriously, writers: it's FATE's fault now? If Chuck and Blair weren't endgame, I might buy that, but since you've write the show around them now, I think Fate is an innocent concept in all this. In fact, Fate resents being abused by Chuck.

The only good part of this episode was Jenny not letting standing up to Chuck and Blair throwing shit her way. Good for her for outing Chuck. And for subtly reminding Blair that she doesn't own Manhattan.

Although I loathe that Blair took down Jenny. I've been having problems with Blair's characterization all this season (I'm glad that the Bitch is back, but hate that she is acting so shallow and not remembering any of her season 2-3 growth moments.). I can't root for Blair when she is refusing to forgive Jenny but somehow makes peace with Chuck.

Of course, Chuck is even worse. The perverted bad boy with a secret heart of gold (when he remembered he had it) is now a feelingless psycho stalker. Even Westwick, no matter how dapperly dressed, can't make Chuck look redeemable. And, Ed, in the past has been able to make Chuck's woobie and evil sides convincing.

I can't get past the final song though. "Love the Way You Lie" is about an abusive relationship. It was rather jarring it seeing it put in the episode because it wasn't meant in an ironic way: it was 'ooh, Chuck and Blair are Healthcliff and Cathy EPIC!!!! Squee.' And, I'm being told to root for it (the song was played against a scene where CB come to a truce and discover they stilll harbor feelings for each other: the hurt is the way of showing the love. Cue me rolling eyes.)

Fortunately, I found several CB videos set to the song that don't romanticize them but show how damaging they are to each other. (One vidder is a former CB shipper but writes on her page that she is disgusted by them now.) Will link them soon.

 

Comments

[felicityking.livejournal.com]

LOL! I LOVE that description of him. And, it's so true too! Everybody else freaks out if something bad happens and he's just like "well, it's going to happen, can't stop it, might as well enjoy the crazy ride." Ironically, for someone who is portrayed as dumb by both the fans and the show itself, he seems to be the most--maybe not realistic--but able to handle/make sense of the craziness thrown at him without reverting to his worse self (unlike S, who becomes a whore, B, who becomes a bitch, and Chuck, who becomes a manipulating pimp). And, for the most part, he does seem to be the most mature in how he responds to the other people affected by the crazy situations (although Dan and Eric do give him serious competition).