The Wrong Goodbye - Part 1 of 2 - Au Revoir

Episode Synopsis: What a finale, indeed. Chuck saves Blair (Nate and Raina are there too), Raina turns her father in and decides to return to Chicago. Chuck chooses Blair's happiness over his own and gives his blessing to the Prince and Blair. Serena overcomes yet another girl who wants to be her, and spends the summer in Malibu, where she lands a job because when you're Serena van der Woodsen, these things come out of nowhere. Charlie admits she needs to return home, but upon doing so we realize that Charlie is not Charlie, but Ivy, an imposter/thief hired by Carol. We end Season Four of Gossip Girl with a bang - a positive pregnancy test in B's trashcan! Is it Blair's, who is jetting off to Monaco with Louis while Nate and Chuck embark on a Lost Summer around the world? Dan gets left behind, but Rufus decides to let him and Eric use the Hamptons home (how nice of him). Vanessa leaves to study abroad, but not without leaving even more destruction in her wake. Georgina stands poised to make a triumphant return to the Upper East Side, now that Ivy has her number. We say au revoir to some guest stars and characters, but à bientôt to most - it's going to be a long summer before Gossip Girl returns!

Nothing too conspicous/interesting about Russell's only outfit this episode. Seems like he's headed for orange jumpsuits, so I'm sure he'll miss the Italian suits and patterned silk ties.

No interestingly printed coats for Nate. Nope. Poor guy.
Raina's double-breasted coat, however, is gorgeous. I love the lemon-y mustard color, the fit, and how it manages to work with the dress, instead of against it.

Speaking of crazy, Carol may think her family's nuts, but hiring someone to pretend they're your daughter? That definitely fits my definition of crazy. Her outfit is a bit dark for sunny Florida, and I cringe at the thought of any mother in leggings, but it works with her overall character.

Not sure why I even bothered to get a closer shot of Vanessa's outfit, because there's nothing good to say about it. It's a print (obv), has no shape, and simply isn't flattering at all.
But she's toned down the jewellery, so props to V!

Studying abroad, even with a scholarship, requires some extra money, apparently. In Vanessa's case, selling your ex-best-friend's novel without his knowledge/permission, is a way to raise that money. But enough about what she's doing.  This was the best shot I could get of her, and you'll recognize Vanessa because of her hair. If not the hair, then the printed top. Or giant gold bangle.

While I rather liked Headmistress Queller's advice to Serena, I do not like her dress, which seems a bit too…stiff? Perfect for a Headmistress, though.

Anyone else think the writer of the original Gossip Girl books looks a bit like an older Serena? No? In any case, the subtle sparkle of her dress set off the lovely shape and fit.

The Wrong Goodbye - Part 2 of 2 - À Bientôt

If you squint really hard and tilt your head to the left, Charlie does kind of look like Serena.

Then again, it could be the vodka - it's a very accurate Serena prop.

But in all seriousness, Charlie does make a very convincing S double in the dress. Like Ann, I hesitate to call it the same dress, but it is a very close duplicate. Or perhaps it's been reworked to fit Kaylee DeFer? I've heard the GG prop department keeps all its past outfits. It looks just as gorgeous on Charlie as it did on Serena.

I surprisingly loved this. The chunky-heeled ankle boots (not pictured) complement the otherwise comfy casual traveling outfit well. Then again, if I've gotta be on a bus (never gonna happen - I have a phobia) from NYC to Miami, I'd be wearing cropped yoga pants and a baggy sweater. So Charlie gets points for dressing fabulously even if she's not traveling via a chartered flight.

It's ornate, a bit ridiculous, and entirely appropriate for a royal-to-be. I'm including B's Alexis Mabille dress again because I thought it was lovely. Okay, I could've done without the tulle protruding from her shoulders, but I loved the beading, the embellishments, and the rosettes that echoed the rose on Chuck's lapel.

I dislike the clear plastic necklace, but I just love this Balenciaga on Blair. It's demure, spring-y, and fresh without being outdated.

Chuck's suit may seem (at first glance) to be entirely unoriginal. But the textured mauve bowtie and little rose on his lapel add interest that Dan, Nate, and Eric's suits lack. Also note the grommet studs on his shirt. And the slightly exposed shirt cuffs (very European of him).

This patterned coat Jen referenced in the mini-recap is one of my favourites as well. On the wrong person (Rufus) it could look like a mere housecoat. On Chuck Bass? C'est fantastique.

Another shot of the fabulous coat. I'm not going to comment on Blair's because I'm not a huge fan of mohair, even if it is Ferretti.

I am not liking the mustard-and-pink combo, but this is Chuck Bass, and Chuck Bass can pull off anything. Even if that anything includes matching the walls of the van der Woodsen penthouse.

Louis' suit isn't nearly as interesting as Chuck's. But he is also exemplifying the Eurpoean-cuffs-peeking-out trend. And he looks dashing. Louis = dashing, Chuck = dapper.

They're both wearing black suits with white button-ups and a skinny black tie. The collar on Dan's is slightly different, but not incredibly so. Even though men's suits tend to look more or less the same, Dan and Nate look as though they've gone suit-shopping together. I'm on to you two.

Nate's building up quite the collection of plaid shirts. Hopefully a Lost Summer with Chuck (and away from Dan, I mean, Brooklyn), will help wean him off his plaid obsession.

 
Dan's outfit was so boring it necessitated a hilarious picture to alleviate the tediousness.
(At least we didn't spot any chest hair this episode! Phew.)

Little Eric, all grown up! I wish he'd gone to Chuck for a bowtie, because here he just looks like he belongs with Nate and Dan - he's just missing a skinny black tie.

 
And here he just looks like Rufus - plaid shirt and what looks to be very comfortable shoes.

Plaid shirt. Skinny jeans. *Yawn*. Next!

Rufus may have an actual job now (one that apparently necessitates leather jackets), but that doesn't stop him from wearing woollen socks and moccasins.

Lily manages to stay so chic even while on house arrest. Though she's not stepping foot outside anytime soon, she can lounge around the house with perfect hair, ostentatious jewels, and silk blouses till then. Because Lily van der Woodsen would not be caught dead in sweats.

The monotone effect of the outfit is not boding well with me, nor is the fact she matches the furniture. But I will say that Lily's wearing that ankle monitor well.

Anyone else excited for G's return? I can't wait to see what crazy she brings this season. Let's start with her gorgeous Marchesa. The snake print is a little ironic, but it works with the swooping black bands and the shape. I love the way the draping, the cut, and the fit. Georgina's makeup, however well done it was, is a little over the top. But would you expect anything else from Georgina Sparks, child or not?

Because I still love baby Milo, and wish we'd gotten to see more of him. Isn't he absolutely adorable?

I wish we'd gotten to see more of S' coat, because it looks lovely. So does the multi-patterned scarf - this, Vanessa, is the right way to do multiple patterns.

Yes, the dress is skintight and barely covers anything. But I think Serena looks great here. I love the belted silk top and the chunky bracelet. I could do without the tassel earrings, but at least Serena's wearing two of them this time.

Clearly, S has always been meant for greener sunnier pastures. Everything - from the gladiators, oversized Bottega, jean jacket, polka-dotted wrap, and surfer girl hair scream Malibu - a (not surprising) good look on S. It's a terrible outfit, but on the girl (and in the locale), it works!

Mini Recap: The Wrong Goodbye

Um. Wow. But also...ehm. Ok. Wow.

(Get it together, Jen!)

Sorry. What I meant to say was: Best GG season finale ever?

Party du Jour
We're still at the Constance-St Jude's Alumni shindig. Yes that's right, dears...this episode picked up right where the last one left off. A GG first, I believe.

Best Line
I'm torn between Vanessa telling Dan to "be a great man instead of a good boy" and Georgina's laundry list of scheme nicknames. What were your favorite zingers?

Best Outfit
With a plot like that, who noticed the clothes? But if I had to choose, I'd say Chuck's delightfully patterened overcoat.

Headshakernodder
Georgina's back! Russel's in the pokey! Carol's out to screw the family! Charlie's actually a hired gun named Ivy! Blair's going through with the royal wedding!

Also: Raina's going back to Chicago, Dan's about to publish a book whether he likes it or not, Vanessa's off to Spain, Chuck and Nate are off to somewhere, and Serena got a Hollywood job justlikethat because things like this happen when you're SERENA FRIGGIN VAN DER WOODSEN.

Oh, and something about a positive pregnancy test in B's trash can?

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but Steph will see us out. Check back on Thursday for her full recap!