The Hurt Locket
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"The Hurt Locket" is the 56th episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl.[1] It was also the thirteen episode of the show's third season. The episode was written by Sara Goodman and directed by Tony Wharmby. It originally aired on Monday, March 8, 2010 on the CW.
Critics for the episode was mixed, with the critics felting that the episode was a bit low compared to the previous one. Although, Leighton Meester's performances as Blair Waldorf in the episode was critically acclaimed.
Plot
Serena and Blair converse over the phone regarding Serena's growing relationship with Nate and she runs into Damien Daalgard (Kevin Zegers), a schoolmate from boarding school and she invites him to the French ambassador's state dinner. Chuck and Blair converse about the locket that Chuck found at his father's grave and the woman who left it there. While Blair is excited to meet the French ambassaor, Chuck discreetly tries to divulge any secrets regarding the locket. Rufus return from a skiing trip and leaves the loft. At the van der Woodsen apartment, Damien arrives to see Jenny and Jenny introduces him to Lily. Lily expresses her concern about having boys in her room but masks her concern pretending to be happy that Jenny might be in a relationship. Chuck is seen at a jewelry store and finds out that a woman named Elizabeth Fisher (Laura Harring) owns the locket.
Serena is ecstatic to see Nate at Blair's apartment and the two share a kiss. Later, Nate and Dan talk about Serena's quips and interests while Blair expresses her disdain that Serena has decided to slow down her relationship with Nate, telling her that she should introduce some competition into the romantic arena. Jenny and Damien plan a drug trade at the ambassador's dinner for the ambassador's daughter, one of Damien's clients. Jenny proposes to sew the drugs onto the jacket and Damien praises her plan. Taking Blair's advice, Serena calls Damien and invites him as a date, where Jenny is frustrated that Damien chose to have Serena wear the jacket instead of her, knowing that he is infatuated with Serena.
At the Empire hotel, Blair discovers Chuck's papers regarding the locket and confronts him about it, ending in an argument where Blair leaves early for the state dinner. During the state dinner, Serena arrives with Damien, drawing Nate's irritation. Jenny uses this as an opportunity to get back at Damien and uses Nate as date. Damien finds out about Serena making Nate jealous and further finds it difficult to have Serena remove the jacket when his advances draw her ire. Jenny gloats at his failure when Damien's client is angered. Chuck arrives at the party to persuade Blair to come with him to divulge any information about his father while Nate grabs Serena from a coat closet, revealing his feelings for her and was afraid of their relationship moving to fast. The two then have sex inside the coat closet.
Rufus confronts Lily regarding the letter stating that she had been staying in a hotel with him and she tells him that she never slept with her ex-husband but she did kiss him. Rufus leaves, feeling that the kiss meant a lot to Lily for her to continue lying for so long. Jenny further gloats at Damien's failure and Damien fears that he might be leaving because of this. Jenny spots the jacket and berates a coat check girl to make sure that the ambassador's daughter receives the it. Jenny tells him that he won't be leaving. At a hotel bar, Chuck gets to know Elizabeth and asks if she knows his mother. Elizabeth tells him that her relationship with Bart was merely casual and Chuck is convinced. However, Blair is undeterred and confronts Elizabeth, knowing that she is still hiding secrets from Chuck. Dan calls Vanessa and viewers discover that Vanessa had been avoiding him since his confession and Rufus is seen entering an apartment with Holland opening the door.
As the party ends, Nate and Serena leave the coat closet and Nate realizes that the jacket is missing and the two share a kiss as they leave, Jenny congratulates Damien but when he starts treating their night like a date, she flirtatiously turns him down. Blair comforts Chuck knowing that the experience opened old wounds regarding his mother. Chuck accepts that he doesn't have a mother but Blair tells him that he isn't alone. The episode ends with Elizabeth trying to call Chuck.
Reception
"The Hurt Locket" received mixed reviews with Leighton Meester's performances receiving critical acclaim. Isabelle Carreau of TV Squad praised Meester's performance, praising her decision to stand by Chuck and throwing away her chance to meet the French Ambassador.[2] Enid Portuguez, from Los Angeles Times, cited Blair's maturity in the episode when she did not believe Elizabeth's lies. Portuguez further praised the episode, stating "when contrasted with the vulnerability that they show each other privately, we truly see why they're the show's most compelling relationship", referencing Chuck and Blair as the power-couple of the show.[3] Jennifer Sankowski, from TV Guide, enjoyed the fact that the show's writers finally put Serena and Nate as couple by saying that "the two of them were adorably giddy" in the episode.[4]
Also, L.J. Gibbs, from TV Fanatic, gave the episode a 3.5 out of 5 stars,[5] and Jacob, from Television Without Pity, gave the episode a C rating.[6]
References
- ^ Gossip Girl Episode Listings http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=gossip_girl&view=listings
- ^ Carreau, Isabelle (March 9, 2010). "'Gossip Girl' - 'The Hurt Locket' Recap". TV Squad. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Portuguez, Enid (March 9, 2010). "'Gossip Girl': Reunited and it feels so good". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Sankowski, Jennifer (March 9, 2010). "Gossip Girl Episode Recap: "The Hurt Locket"". Tv Guide. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ Gibbs, L.J. (March 9, 2010). "Gossip Girl Review: "The Hurt Locket"". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
- ^ "BET THEY COLLECT THINGS, LIKE ASHTRAYS & ART". Television Without Pity. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
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