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Scandal. Scheming. Songs? "Gossip Girl" Music Recap 11/5

Cortney Riles |
November 6, 2012 | 12:49 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Blake Lively as Serena Van Der Woodsen and Sofia Black-D'Elia as Sage on "Gossip Girl". (CW)
Blake Lively as Serena Van Der Woodsen and Sofia Black-D'Elia as Sage on "Gossip Girl". (CW)

Greetings Upper East Side lovers, only three episodes into the final season following “Manhattan’s Elite” – yes I know, I can’t believe it either – and there’s more to cover than Columbia’s Jessica and Constance’s Penelope, even with the former help of Kati, Iz and little J could ever handle. And let’s be real, I wouldn’t dare challenge the power of Blair Waldorf and her minions (despite how they seem to redefine ‘flighty’ with every silly screw up) but – from Serena and Blair’s friendship ending for the umpteenth time to Rufus and Ivy, to “lonely boy’s” profusely annoying and borderline pitiful exposition of a life he was so close yet so far from living – a post Sandy debrief is way over due.

But as the focus of this weekly column: where is the music? The sass-infected acting, endlessly envious wardrobes and Kristen Bell’s eerie-yet-amusing, and often rhyming narrations are the main attractions of the CW series that has been running five years strong, obviously. But chances are over one million viewers would be reaching for their remotes if it weren’t for songs like Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around,” The Bravery’s “Believe,” Gotye’s “Heart’s A Mess,” Sia’s “I’m In Here,” Robyn’s “Hang With Me,” Badly Drawn Boy’s “In Safe Hands,” Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” or Florence and the Machine’s “Heartlines.”

They make impressions and therefore memories. They not only evoke, but also emphasize emotion, no matter how untouchable the lives and unrealistic the situations of the characters may seem. And finally they create or simply boost artists careers, while expanding our iTunes libraries. So when the fourth episode aired tonight (after being postponed due to hurricane damage on the east coast) and only three songs were use to enhance scenes I was a little more than disappointed, despite how well the tunes fit.

White Arrows “I Can Go,” was a perfect start to highlighting Nate as Dan’s latest victim and perhaps last friend (besides Georgina of course). With Sage over his shoulder and Bell providing us with a preview of what was to come Arrows set the tone. Unfortunately, the second and third tracks were not as captivating.

 

Next was “Paper and gun” by The Cold and Lovely, as Blair and Chuck went to interrogate a local artist about Lady Alexander, who happened to be a horse. And finally was StepDad’s one of two featured songs in the episode, “Warrior (Jungles Part II).” Another fitting episode closer, something the show has never struggled with.

But no tunes for Bart’s piercing yet persuasive words to Nate about his father or what about when Bart lays down the ultimatum of Lily having to choose between loyalty to him or Chuck? Remember when Japanese Popstar’s “Shells of Silver,” redefined irresistible or SBTRKT’s “Trials of the Past” perfectly closed ‘The Fasting and the Furious’, an episode filled with apologies, growth and the Upper East Siders seemingly going their separate ways?

On another note, is it me or did song played throughout Lily, Chuck and Blair’s arrival not sound like the introduction to Super Mario Brothers video game? More importantly does Lily seem to be loosing it? I think so.  

The episode was good so far; especially now that we know Serena has shared a lover with her mother, which I’m pretty sure takes the cake to Rufus and Ivy's sad "relationship". But more music could have been played; more memories from the episode could have been made. Perhaps it’s because the scandalous and scheming stricken show is coming to a close that the idea of playing music the motto  “less is more,”  follows. But in this case less leaves us GG fans not asking but demanding more. 

Check back next week for more noteworthy tunes used throughout the show. One can only hope. But considering last season, any time an engagement or wedding is in the air, good music can’t be too far away. Let’s see if next week’s episode - where it looks like Serena will be getting engaged (if she's able to doge Blair and Sage double-team of scheming) - tops Oh Land's "Wolf & I",  although I doubt it will come close to matching the princess's wedding, or Grouplove’s “Slow” from last season.  

You know you hear me, xoxo. 

Reach Staff Reporter Cortney Riles here



 

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