Gossip Girl Review: Royal Wedding Dreams, Awful Schemes

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Blair Waldorf got engaged last night on Gossip Girl, while Chuck and Serena vied for the honor of worst person ever. Just another night on the Upper East Side!

As Gossip Girl episodes go, there were certainly plenty of highlights in "The Princesses and the Frog," yet the overall narrative felt sorely lacking to me at times.

The Gossip Girl I like featured strong characters who are both funny and enjoyable to watch. Sure, there's scheming and backstabbing, but they're not ALL bad.

Somewhere along the line, though, the plot lines became really twisted and confusing and the relationships too tangential. Rant over. Let's break down Monday:

S the Back Stabber

Serena sucks. Sorry, but it's true, although you can blame the writers for this. Yes, she's jealous of Blair and sort of mad about Dan. But this is not the S we know.

Serena called Louis' mother to sabotage Blair. Then Serena sent Blair's dirty laundry (because Louis' mom can't read Gossip Girl) to further ruin her friend's chances.

All the while, she lied to Blair's face, except for when she defended Chuck after the party. That was honest at least. S probably believes Blair made the wrong call.

Chuck is on the brink. Not only of going completely off the rails and ending up shot in a seedy alley again, but of running out of excuses for us to make for him.

The Dark Knight broods. He is tormented, and has been dealt a lot of bad breaks. He can't handle emotional situations and drowns himself in booze and sorrow.

The stuff with his father - who we learned had an affair with Avery Thorpe - is not his fault, or something we would wish on anyone. It's gotta mess with his said.

But honestly, Chuck's behavior leaves little room for redemption at this point.

I mean, for someone who loves Blair SO much, he terrified, embarrassed and degraded her - BEFORE he forced himself on her and put his fist through a window.

That's how you treat your dream girl? This was worse than his usual efforts to crush Blair's soul to win her back, but it's not like he hadn't gone that route before.

It's very hard, if not impossible, to "root" for Chair now.

Even Nate can't find it within his man bangs anymore. He pointed out that Chuck's relationship with B is not normal, and blatantly chose Raina over him at the end.

Dair is all but forgotten. At least they were last night. After a slow, well-written lead-up to the Dan and Blair hookup, it's like nothing ever happened with them.

We like Dan, and have no problem with Charlie per se, but we just feel kind of used. Perhaps more importantly, GG needs to bring back Dan and Nate's bromance.

Princess Blair

Blair Waldorf is engaged! I couldn't care less that the royal family doesn't approve, but I worry more that she's been dating Prince Louis for about four days.

Blair's life may not be the fairy tale she thinks it is, but I admire her for wanting to spend it with a guy who treats her right and who genuinely makes her happy.

Louis is nice to her, and handsome. Gotta give him that. But is she really following her heart? Is she following what her brain says her heart is supposed to feel?

I love you to pieces, B, but remember, it's okay to dial it back a little. Prince William and Kate Middleton were together for the better part of 10 years. Ten years.

Think they'll actually get married? Do you want them to after Chuck's antics? At this point I'm willing to give the prince a chance, but suggest a long engagement.

Charlie is a regular Upper East Sider. Florida Schmorida. Between her elaborate plans to woo Dan, manipulating V and name-dropping Bing, girl's a natural!

You gotta love that Charlie insisted on confronting Vanessa alone at the end, and basically showed that even an outsider can thoroughly outshine an outcast.

How long until this new crazy side comes out in a bad way, however? Will her feelings for Dan erupt into a huge mess if he decides to pursue Blair (please yes)!

Rufus got a job! What house husband?! Hang up the waffle iron and the butler outfit, because the Fonz is totally going to be the manager of a band called Panic!

Vanessa is leaving at the end of the semester to study abroad. Approve.

What did you think of last night's Gossip Girl? Can you find anything positive to say about Chuck? What is Charlie's endgame? Leave a comment below to discuss!

The Princesses and the Frog Review

Editor Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
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Rating: 3.2 / 5.0 (297 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 4 Episode 20 Quotes

But while the beast locked himself in a tower of ennui, the girl found herself a prince. His name?

Gossip Girl

Once upon a time in the land called Upper East, a beautiful girl met a beast.

Gossip Girl