The usual Josh Schwartz formula, a party and a fight, plus a little of the old sentimental guy loses girl/guy gets girl back equals the best Gossip Girl yet.
Then again, maybe I just relate to the 'boy isn’t good enough for the parents' plotline way too much.
Party of the Week: There was also a tea party, but that’s small potatoes compared to the debutante ball. I loved when Donna Martin became a debutante on 90210. Like that episode, the plot of any debutante episode must be: Is the guy she is dating good enough to escort her? And "Hi Society" doesn’t disappoint.
Dan and Jenny Define Their Characters: Dan hates the idea of debutante balls. Jenny is dying to come out.
Move Over, Legendary TV Bitches, Here Comes Celia Rhodes: Here’s what happens when you smoke the demon weed and watch teen shows. You realize that the name of Serena’s grandmother, Cecelia Rhodes, has to be an homage to the bitch that Elizabeth Perkins plays on the show Weeds, Celia Hodes!
There was never any doubt in my mind that Cecelia was going to turn out to be a bitch, but who knew that it would be one of such seismic proportions? This woman is literally responsible for everything bad in these people’s lives!
The Big Shocker: Lily broke Rufus’ heart because her mother threatened to write her out of the will, and Cecelia finally informs Rufus of her treachery, something he never knew. Lily failed the Dudley Moore Arthur test. It doesn’t say a ton for Lily, but apparently just knowing that there was a sinister force involved is enough to make Rufus re-evaluate his whole life. This can’t end well for anyone Rufus, Lily, or mom, whatever her name is.
More Evil That Is Way Too Relevant To My Life: I had this girl that I met over the Internet. We would chat over the phone and even exchanged gifts. Then her mom faked a life-threatening illness on her and she disappeared on me. That’s just the first insane thing Celia did tonight. Her reason for the emotional blackmail — she wants Serena to participate in the ball.
The Fiercest Speech of All Time: Cecelia lays into Dan in order to let him know he’s not good enough for her granddaughter. “Serena will leave you … you’ll be a cocktail party anecdote ... give it up and spare yourself the pain.” Truly vicious, hats off to the writers! By the way, I'm willing to be your cocktail party anecdote!
Having Not Already Done Enough Damage: Celia tries to double-bribe Rufus by offering to buy all of mom’s paintings if he’ll stop Dan from escorting Serena to the ball. When he refuses to be bought she hits him in the gut with her 20-year-old act of treachery.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments