They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They? 1 of 4-Jenny, Nate

Episode Synopsis: We here at YKYLF don't like to beat around the bush...so let's make note of the elephant in the proverbial (chat) room.  We know everyone is talking about this week's episode because of, well, um, little J and her leather gloves of course!  We jest dear readers...this episode became an especially hot watercooler topic because of the Dan, Olivia, Vanessa action, but we'll leave the one, two, three times a lady? talk to the pundits, the politicos, and the Parents Television Council, and get on to the business of what we know and love...the fashion!

Jenny was the style star in this week's episode.  Her miles of legs, and scrap of fabric someone (not me, but someone) would call a skirt, remind me of something friends of mine (never yours truly) would do when they went out in high school.  Have an "appropriate" outfit on to pass the parental check...a leather jacket, tights and booties, a skirt that's past your fingertips--why you're good to go hit up that burger joint!  But post check, I (I mean my friends) would hike that skirt up.  Could that be what little J did?  Because the photo is screaming out:

Hello world!  I'm Jenny, and these are my thighs.  But look at my smart top.  But um, really, how could you, because I'm wearing a skirt that is ABSURDLY SHORT.

This next dress is a little too Stevie Nicks for me.  It ages her significantly.

For Jenny's big debut, however, I think this is perfect.  She looks, dare I say, her age?  

Here's a closer look...I love the fabric.  She looks elegant.

But of course little J has to funk it up.  And so I present to you her super cool, only cover half her hand, I mean why don't they cover the entire hand, black leather gloves.

They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They? 2 of 4 - Dan, Olivia, Vanessa, Lily, and Rufus

Dan in a plaid shirt.  Quelle surprise.  Olivia with an attention-grabbing necklace.  Again, quelle surprise.

Vanessa finds a way to jazz up a traditional cardigan with a bold color.  And later she'll find a way to jazz up a typical night out...

In a decidedly more tame atmosphere, Lily's impeccable breeding is rather apparent.  I love the pleating at the top of the dress.

And here's those crazy newlyweds at the Ball.  Rufus looks so dapper!  And that necklace is gorgeous on Lily!

They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They? 3 of 4 - Chuck and Blair

Confidence is key to Chuck pulling off this color combination....but he's got that swagger in spades.

And this is Blair's "relaxed" look.  You can tell because her clothes aren't dripping in intricate details.  The color won't stop you dead in your tracks.  And sakes alive, not every hair seems to be in place!

Now this coat is more like the B we know and love.  It's in her favorite style (a trench), only Blair could manage the care of this pristine color, and the slight ruffles under the collar?  Perfect.

And Blair's beau stays true to form by selecting loungewear in quite the striking hue.  Purple is made for royalty, and Bass baby looks like a King.

Love the cuff, the dress I'm not crazy about.  Especially because Blair goes head to head at this event with Serena, whose clad in her one-shoulder LBD.  And for this round at least, the blonde delivers a quick KO. 

Does anyone else see shades of Dynasty in Blair's choice of frocks for the Cotillion Ball?  It's the second coming of Alexis Carrington, in a hell yes I'm the Queen bow down to me blazen red dress, with that signature Blair frill of the huge bow around her waist.

 

They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They? 4 of 4 - Serena

Nothing screams political savvy like this ultra glam necklace.  But props on the jacket, S.

My favorite look of the episode.  Serena certainly does love to play with fire.  And what better way to be an alluring temptress, I mean, um, just like a super caring and nice employee dropping by some food for the boss, then by donning this season's most popular take on the go-to LBD: the one-shoulder style.

And unlike her usual tendency to amp up her American girl appeal with a curtain of cascading blonde locks, Serena shows her style sensibility by pulling her hair back and making the dress the star here.  She looks so elegant.  So mature.  So seconds away from launching into yet another sound decision...a dangerous liaison with a married man of the people.

And I know Serena isn't big on "layers" or "long sleeves" or her major pet peeve, "pants," but I don't know how she could part ways with that coat, if even for a moment.  The buttons, the shape...magnificent.

I wasn't a big fan of the shirtdress.  The color was a little drab, and the ensemble was a little more plain then we've come to expect from Serena.  But of course, she does give the look the S treatment by letting her locks flow loosely, and by making sure the zipper ventures way past any conceivable notion of professionalism.

PREVIEW: They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?

The title of this episode is inspired by the book/film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, a story about people who appear normal, but in fact, when faced with desparate circumstances, they fall back on questionable morals and are exposed to be nothing more than animals. 

In otherwords, it's exactly like Gossip Girl.

So, these new CB minions, with their coordinating colors?  So Heathers.  In fact, maybe they should have named this episode "Jennys".  I don't remember Blair's ladies-in-waiting being quite so matchy-matchy

Chuck lounges around in trousers and suspenders, reading the FT and listening to Chopin. You know, like most 18 year olds do.  vid clip

Jenny Blair and Serena fight over Jenny (vid clip)

And oh!  Did you know there's going to be a threesome?  Yeah, there is.  30 second trailer

To borrow a line from TSH,DT?: UES people are the ultimate spectacle, and next week, Jill is all too happy to, um, speculate.