Gossip Girl Season Finale Review: The End of the Beginning

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OMG ... or would WTF be more accurate?

No one can take this away from Gossip Girl's third season finale: It delivered the shocking twists and that fans of the ongoing emotional roller coaster have come to expect.

But were you turned off by the cliffhangers and scandalous developments of "Last Tango, Then Paris," or that much more intrigued to see the saga continue in September?

The episode basically tore down everything about Gossip Girl that had been created up until now, a bold move that's sure to be polarizing among the show's fan community.

There are two reactions, basically:

  1. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Chuck and Jenny?! WTF! Chuck shot!?! WTF again!! You killed Chuck (possibly in more ways than one)! OMG I am so DONE with this show!
  2. Wow. That was intense. Talk about cranking the drama up to a new level! I didn't see any of that coming, and can't wait for Season Four to find out what's next.

Which camp are you in?

Bluck Bickers

Chuck and Blair: The saga continues this summer.

Some aspects were a bit over the top, but the more we think about it, the more we find ourselves leaning toward category #2. No matter how painful last night was to watch.

Having Chuck and Blair thisclose to a fairy tale ending, only to be torn apart once again, was heartbreaking. That's the point. Sometimes you can't tie everything up perfectly.

There will be another chapter, too. Mark my words, "Last Tango, Then Paris" was not Chair's last tango. He was shot (trying to recover Blair's ring), but he will live. So breathe.

Chuck getting shot in Prague may feel cold, a cheap move by the writers. But perhaps only an event that serious can finally bring Chair together for good, even if it takes time.

Rather than being the end of Chair, and of Gossip Girl as we knew it, last night was merely the end of the beginning chapters - and maybe the next ones will be even better.

Not only does this plot set the stage for a dramatic reunion in Europe, it adds a new component to their relationship: Will Chuck facing his own mortality change him - or Blair?

A couple this epic is going to have to face obstacles, especially with the kind of baggage Chuck carries. Whether they overcome them is the question, and I'm inclined to say yes.

That said, we can't let Chuck, Jenny or the writers off the hook entirely.

The thought of him turning to Jenny at all, and her cashing in her V-card, was nauseating and seemed out of character, even for the mercurial Chuck Bass and Jenny Humphrey.

That Chuck would do that to Blair, or Jenny would do that after Season One, seemed unlikely. But maybe it was the only thing unthinkable enough to set future events in motion.

(While we're being critical, why would B not text Chuck to say she was running a couple of minutes late? Clearly she didn't miss him by much. What was it, 7:08? Just asking.)

Little JH

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, J.

You have to admit, though, it was compelling TV. Right along with Chuck, you wanted to forget about J as soon as B walked in, to begin anew as you intended from the start.

You hoped it would somehow never come to light, even if you knew it would, and painfully. It made the reveal, courtesy of a Dan Humphrey right hook, hurt that much more.

After this stunt, a spinoff entitled Everyone Hates Jenny Humphrey doesn't seem too far off, especially since she's been barred from Manhattan by Blair (awesome scene, BTW).

This happened after she tipped off Gossip Girl about Dan and Serena in bed together, too. That was some move. Perhaps it's good J takes her runny raccoon eyes and leaves.

If Blair doesn't take her down, someone else will at this point. It'll be interesting to see when - and why - the girl does return next fall and what sort of fireworks that sets off.

Speaking of other relationships Jenny ruined, Serena and Nate are done following the Gossip Girl blast, as (we think) are Dan and Vanessa! It was too much for N and V to take.

Pissed, Nate double-crossed Dan by forwarding the pic to Vanessa in Haiti. They made up later, which was great (they're guys, that's what they do), and they're both single now.

Dan and Serena aren't together, despite their obvious feelings for each other, and in all likelihood won't be. Serena's "working on herself" in Paris, after all ... that should be fun.

Even more ridiculous than the fact that she spent the episode dressed as an '80s prostitute is her ongoing list of reasons for breaking up with guys. How will she get it together?

Blair has an idea: Go to Paris. Since S is perennially unemployed and unenrolled in school, she decides to come along. What awaits them there - and back in New York after that?

Sparks in Disguise

Georgina Sparks: Perennial finale troublemaker ... and Dan's baby mama?!

Again, not a reunion with Dan. Something about the package Georgina brought him may make that tough. We knew something was up with G, but we did not see that coming.

Dan’s fathered her child? Why did she go to Blair and Chuck for help? Why did her hair change? Is it really Dan's? Nothing Georgina says carries any credibility, which is awesome.

The excuse for bringing everybody together last night was Dorota. Watching her become a mom was really sweet, even if all the characters showing up there was a big stretch.

It was far from perfect overall, but we give the show credit for rebooting itself if nothing else. This is Gossip Girl, right? Without shocking, OMG twists like these, why watch?

Okay, we wouldn't mind a happy ending too ... at some point.

We turn it over to you once again. What did you think of the Gossip Girl season finale? Did you love it? Hate it? Tell us why by voting and comment below!

Last Tango, Then Paris Review

Editor Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 (472 Votes)

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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Gossip Girl Season 3 Episode 22 Quotes

First of all, S., you didn't go to school this year and you haven't had a real job in months, so life is kind of like summer for you.

Blair

Blair loves the Empire State Building. Even though she doesn't want to, and she should just admit it and make all our lives easier.

Dorota

Gossip Girl Season 3 Episode 22 Music

  Song Artist
You've Really Got a Hold on Me Thao iTunes
Song Dead Man's Party Lights On
Song Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Eastern Conference Champions