I’ve pressed pause on my Vampire Diaries marathon. Today I jumped vamp shows to re-watch some Buffy the Vampire Slayer with an out-of-town pal who loves the Buffster as much as I do. (It’s kind of a non-holiday tradition.) It was tough picking which episodes to watch (7 seasons of glory! well, minus “Doublemeat Palace”) but with the aid of Nikki Stafford’s choices, we settled on “Surprise” (Buffy’s 17th bday goes bad, then really really good, then ultra bad), “Innocence” (the fallout from the really bad, aka Angelus), and the season 2 two-part finale, “Becoming Parts 1 & 2.” It’s a testament to how awesome the show is that both T. and I fell right back into the Buffy/Angel love story — not a moment needed to be so into them. (And I am a pretty dedicated Spuffy.) The end of season 2 was soooo sad that we wrapped up our marathon on the lighter side with “Something Blue.” Buffy and Spike engaged is comedy gold. As is Giles and his Kiss the Librarian mug. Adore them.
If for some reason you never watched Buffy, please consider adding the Chosen Collection to your Chrimbo list. You will not regret it. Though you will cringe at the late ’90s fashion.
So this whole marathon, two episodes a night plus blog posts thing has turned out to be a little much for the holiday season! Last night I was out at a choral concert of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (which included this cool solo thing where the soprano sang something or other about Christmas, in German, and then one chorister was on the balcony echoing back words to her. Very cool.
Anyway! On to The Vampire Diaries!
“Friday Night Bites”: Good lord, Damon Salvatore. Watching him manipulate Caroline and try to subtly (well, sorta subtly) chip away at Elena’s relationship with Stefan, watching him go from kinda sweet to murderous to kinda sweet again — Damon Salvatore makes for good TV. The moment at the end worked so well for me — sometimes the writing-in-my-diary narration cheeses me out a little, but hearing Stefan write about how his brother has become the monster Damon had only pretended to be, how he has entirely lost his humanity while Damon stands watching Elena sleeping, tenderly brushing her hair off her face… So creepy, so sweet. Stefan was right the first time: Damon still mourns Katherine, and that keeps him on this side of a terrible monster with no chance at redemption. Either that or he was just planning how he’d kill her. Errr, I vote for option 1.
Rewatching these episodes it’s also cool to see how they dole out the information on how vampires work in this universe. Healing powers? Check. Disabled by vervain? Check. And as we find out about the vamps, Bonnie finds out about her witchy-witchy ways. I wish I had the power to just *know* where all the things are hiding in my kitchen.
Even though I knew it was coming, I still felt a little ripped-off that the hot & heavy make-out session between Elena and Stefan was just a dream . . . but I love the twist of Stefan turning into Damon, so we’ll call it even. The other moment that gets me: when Elena and Damon are talking in her kitchen, and she says to him, I’m sorry about Katherine. You lost her too. ::heart breaks:: Shirtless vampire? Double check.
“Family Ties”: A Taylor Swift AND a Twilight reference in the same episode?? The whole mind-frak Elena has to navigate, with both Salvatores acting alternately charming and baffling, in this episode is perfect. I liked seeing Stefan outsmart his brother, finally getting a chance to one-up him and lock him in that vervain grow-op.
Other fave moments: Bonnie lighting all the candles in the dining room; the reveal of the Founders Council at the end; and the backstory (well, some of it) of what happened to Katherine back in 1865. Fittingly for the “family ties” episode, we got to see more of “Uncle” Zack and meet some parents: Sheriff Forbes and the Mayor and Mrs. Lockwood. Boo on all three of them. Well, half a boo on Sheriff Forbes, and two and a half boos for the Lockwoods. That mom is an evil, evil person. And I love that Vicky made one more “bad decision” and went back to Jeremy. He got the girl and the pocketwatch. Shirtless vampire? mais oui! both S. and D.
next up on the Slow-Poke’s Marathon: 3.05 “You’re Undead to Me” and 3.06 “Lost Girls”
I love a TV marathon! Last night the CW aired the first 2 of 10 Vampire Diaries episodes: “Pilot” and “The Night of the Comet.” (yup, working to reduce the 24-hour delay between the eps airing and my post…)
Let me just say off the top that, much like Being Erica’s success being so reliant on the awesomeness and watchability of Erin Karpluk in the lead role, The Vampire Diaries works because Nina Dobrev is just the perfect Elena. She’s moody but not too mopey, she’s coy and playful without being overdone, she’s tough…yet vulnerable. (And it doesn’t always work. Remember how awkward the first season of 90210 was?) Also: hot shirtless vampires makes for good television.
“Pilot”: When I first watched this episode, it made me want to re-watch the Scream trilogy and Dawson’s Creek simultaneously. It’s sad and funny and effing scary as all get out. And just this side of corny — the vampire tricks that Damon busts out play a little bit cheesy (Fog, I am looking at you) but the self-awareness, in acknowledging the horror-movie tradition of it all, makes it all A-OK. The effect that totally works for me is the vamp face — super creepy with those veins and blood-thirsty eyes. The Stefan/Elena scenes and the Stefan/Damon scenes are genius, but what stood out on the rewatch was that one conversation between Bonnie and Caroline at the Grill after the party, where Caroline is comparing herself to the always-perfect Elena and Bonnie says it’s not a competition. The look on Caroline’s face and her “ya, it is” with the Bat for Lashes song in the background was just perfect. Didn’t take long to feel like you know the bestie characters. Shirtless vampire? Check: Stefan.
“The Night of the Comet”: I love how Stefan and Damon may not get along that well, but they do love to wear matchy-matchy outfits. Sometimes it’s hard to think straight when both are on-screen in their leather jackets, getting their furrowed brows on. The stuff with Vicky in the hospital dreaming of being attacked by Damon freaked me the frak out. That poor girl is much abused. (Did Stefan really need to throw her to the ground when he was resisting his need to feed?) Loved the contrast between Elena and Stefan’s perfect first-kiss moment and Caroline and Damon getting hot and heavy . . . and bitey. Shirtless vampire? Check: Stefan and a teeny bit of Damon.
This trailer for the new episodes in January makes me very happy! “Why do I look like her, Stefan?” (That’s for me to know and you to dot-dot-dot)
One more sleep til The Vampire Diaries marathon! When the show normally airs, on Thursdays, I’m over at my pal A’s house for Tuesday Night Knitting Club (which was named when it was on, you guessed it, Tuesdays). The four members of TNKC (plus A’s husband, sometimes) watch TVD without fail and discuss important topics like what the correct adjectives are for describing the physique of Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. (This was a rather heated debate.)
I adore this show, but am never home to blog on it so I’m going to take advantage of this marathon and post on the first 10 episodes this week. Hurrahza!
Before we get into the episode, the most important question of all: what the eff was with the WOLF PACK on the highway?? (My working theory: they were sent by Republicans to ensnare the van der Bilt Democratic Congressman in a scandal.)
i'm cool with GHOST BART being in every future episode of GG. BB=hott.
As sad as I am that we have to wait until January and then only get two episodes before the big old break March, this was such an epic episode to leave us hanging.
All season it’s felt like Serena’s been headed for that car crash, and she’s never been lamer than when she was whining on the phone to Tripp about being left sans coffee and cable. Seeing her turn to Lily for help and having Blair and her family and Nate at her side was so … well, touching.
It’s been a while since Gossip Girl made me teary, multiple times in the same episode, and “The Debarted” brought that back in full force. Maybe because Stephanie Savage wrote it — her first episode of the season and the first she’s written all on her owny since “O Brother, Where Bart Thou?” This definitely felt like the sequel to that: Chuck dealing with his father’s death, pushing Blair away before realizing he does need her and his family; Dan making a declaration of love, this time to Vanessa and being shot down — a totally packed episode to end the first half of the season on a high note after some sketchy plotlines.
I’m glad the House Husband Humphrey issue was addressed. Just today at work we were talking about how empty and lame Rufus is this season. Ordering in Thanksgiving dinner? That was so not a Humphrey move. He does nothing but try to make Lily happy — and now it looks like he’s realized it may not have been worth losing his entire personality for.
So what exactly was in that letter from Doctor van der Woodsen? “Dear Serena, Your mother and I were alone …together … in a hotel room. Love Daddykins.” I’m guessing that Lily and Doc VDW didn’t actually have an affair; there’s gotta be a bigger twist. Another sibling hidden away somewhere? And Lily is such a wackjob — lying all the time to everyone about huge things but then having moments of being the perfect mother to Serena and to Charles. She confounds me!
Not that I needed an episode full of awesome Nate Archibald moments to secure my undying love for him but OMG. He’s hilarious with Dan and sweeter than sweet Nate pie with Serena and super handsome and punches out a-holes (but maybe spelled his cousin’s name wrong in his phone. it’s two Ts in Tripp, right?). I am totally 100% on Team Nate and Serena. Please let them be happy at least for an episode or two. She needs him.
To recap where we’ve left our darling UESers for the Christmas hols what seems like eternity:
Serena’s recovering with Prince Nate at her side,
Little J is a drug dealer (fail) but totes BFFs with Eric again (win),
Lily’s been caught in Lie #978 by Rufus, who may or may not be stepping out with the Condo Board Lady With the Unfortunate Hairline,
Blair and Serena are besties who tenderly mock each other’s PJs and make me cry (what? I love S and B friendshippy moments), and Blair has her Chuck back,
Chuck has his dead father off his back and his “dead” mother alive,
Dan loves Vanessa but Vanessa likes douchey Paul Hoffman, and
the New Mean Girls have matching handbags bought with drug money and they also have names: Sawyer, Carmen, and Jane. (Don’t ask me which is which.)
As we wait until 2010 for the next episodes of Gossip Girl, you can kill time by:
Revisiting the first two seasons of Gossip Girl with a handy-dandy guide…like my book! Which is also available for Kindle, y’all!
Thinking about how amazingly well Ed Westwick did in this episode. So broken, so Chuck Bass. That moment as he and Blair walked down the hospital hallway where he sighed and then kissed her on the head? Mad love for Chuck and Blair, and those clever, clever actors Ed and Leighton.
Thoughts on the episode, my spider-monkeys?
**Oh you just can’t trust Wikipedia anymore. It said two more episodes in January, then the big break. But Gossip Girl herself says no new episodes til March.
thinking that a Squishable T-Rex is just about the best thing in the universe
reading New Moon parodies and/or My Life is Twilight (the girls who ask their BFs to ice their lips so it will feel like they’re kissing Edward are my faves)
thinking about how incredible this week’s episode of Glee was. The mattress commercial? Mr. Schuester finding out that Terri was faking it? The episode went from insane highs to dark places in an instant.
wondering how strong Rain must be to do those hand-stand push-ups in Ninja Assassin (you get a glimpse at 0:53). If you can tolerate cartoonish, bloody decapitation and have any interest in awesome fight sequences (ninja fight on the highway!), it’s the movie for you!
Best episode of the season. Hands down. Let’s recap my favorite moments! So much great dialogue. And twists!
No van der Woodsen thanksgiving traditions…except for mental institutions. And for B? Holiday paranoia. “Precedence is not paranoia.”
Serena’s jacket in those opening scenes was beauteous.
Blair to S: “What are you exactly? An 18-yr-old blonde coincidence?”
“Threesomes, man. Don’t believe the hype.” I am in love with Nate Archibald. And I love how Dan (the supposed nice guy and good friend) doesn’t even ASK Nate who he’s having mixed-feelings issues with.
Eleanor: “It is just me or is my daughter getting crazier and crazier?”
Every year Blair wears the most insanely beautiful dresses at Thanksgiving. Dorota wears her Thanksgiving themed maid outfit. And Serena puts on something insane. Remember last year? Well, this year she looked way better … until you realize she’s wearing an effing catsuit. To a family meal with her boss/boyfriend and his wife.
Blair to Jenny: Where are you dragging me? Haven’t you ever heard of a whispered aside? … By the way how do you like having a sibling? Someone whose sole purpose is to compete for your parents’ love and attention?
Dan to Vanessa: “Cece’s heart pumps secrets and gin.”
J: Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?
E: Your sweet potatoes are bland.
Boo on Lily banishing Serena from her house. Srsly. Your daughter is 18 and clearly troubled.
Contender for best line? Blair to Eleanor: “And, no offense to Cyrus, but do you think the world really needs another Aaron Rose?”
Enough with Vanessa and the historic Brooklyn bar. But thank you GG writers for having the heart-to-heart talk between Gabriella and Vanessa off screen.
The same-jacket-switcheroo!! Maureen’s character is so perfect. And super pretty. About time we had a half-evil redhead on Gossip Girl. Represent Gingers!
I am kinda sad that S didn’t go to Paris with Blair. Mainly because: how much effing fun would it be to go to Paris with Blair Waldorf??
Ouch. Serena to Lily: “You don’t get to judge me. Ever again.” What is her secret? How many major secrets can one UES lady have in her lifetime??
Chace Crawford has never looked cuter than when he asked Serena to stay with him. I am in love with Nate Archibald.
My favorite music moment on Gossip Girl in a long time. The end montage song: “The Only Exception” by Paramore.
We were having some chatter on twitter about who lives where (and why some people have motorcycles in their home??) Here’s where I think our GGers are: Dan at the Humphrey Loft; Lily, Rufus, Jenny (in S’s old room), and Eric at the VDW; Serena at Chuck’s hotel; Chuck and Nate in the penthouse at the Empire; Blair and Vanessa at the NYU dorms. No one in the Waldorf penthouse . . . for now. If I was B, I’d be headed back there stat.
What did y’all think? Are you as in love with Nate as I am? The preview for next week looked kind of insane. And maybe not in a good way. Will post when it’s up. Until then, you know I love you.
I’ve pressed pause on my Vampire Diaries marathon. Today I jumped vamp shows to re-watch some Buffy the Vampire Slayer with an out-of-town pal who loves the Buffster as much as I do. (It’s kind of a non-holiday tradition.) It was tough picking which episodes to watch (7 seasons of glory! well, minus “Doublemeat Palace”) but with the aid of Nikki Stafford’s choices, we settled on “Surprise” (Buffy’s 17th bday goes bad, then really really good, then ultra bad), “Innocence” (the fallout from the really bad, aka Angelus), and the season 2 two-part finale, “Becoming Parts 1 & 2.” It’s a testament to how awesome the show is that both T. and I fell right back into the Buffy/Angel love story — not a moment needed to be so into them. (And I am a pretty dedicated Spuffy.) The end of season 2 was soooo sad that we wrapped up our marathon on the lighter side with “Something Blue.” Buffy and Spike engaged is comedy gold. As is Giles and his Kiss the Librarian mug. Adore them.
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