Double Identity (Gossip Girl)
Encyclopedia
"Double Identity" is the 67th episode of the CW
television series, Gossip Girl
, as well as the second episode of the show's
fourth season
. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and Stephanie Savage
and directed by Mark Piznarski
. It originally aired on Monday, September 20, 2010 on the CW
.
Serena finds Chuck, and discovers his plan to leave Paris under a different identity. Prior to Blair's date with Prince Louis Grimaldi, she visits Harry Winston, when Serena and a French detective arrive, and it is revealed to both Serena and Blair that Chuck had intended to propose to Blair before he was shot. Ultimately, Serena convinces Blair to intercept Chuck at the train station before he left Paris with Eva, and convince him to return to New York.
gown while filming in Paris' famous Avenue Montaigne
.
Although she is credited, Taylor Momsen
(Jenny Humphrey
) does not appear in this episode.
The episode received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised Leighton Meester
and Ed Westwick
for their acting. Entertainment Weekly
praised the train station scene, calling it "stunningly shot and impeccably acted". Michael Ausiello
integrated suspense on Serena's storyline, telling viewers "By the end of the second episode, the question you (and everyone else) will be asking yourself is “Who the hell did Serena piss off?”". On the possibility of a reunion between Chuck and Blair, EW stated that "Waldorf and Bass are epic, eternal and sure to reunite again one of these days."
During the night that this episode aired, the name "Chuck Bass
" was one of the trending topics on Twitter
.
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
television series, Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, as well as the second episode of the show's
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
fourth season
Gossip Girl (season 4)
The fourth season of Gossip Girl, an American teen drama based upon the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar. Developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The CW officially renewed the series for a full fourth season on February 16, 2010...
. The episode was written by Joshua Safran and Stephanie Savage
Stephanie Savage
Stephanie Savage is a Canadian screenwriter and television producer. Savage is best known for developing The CW's teen drama series, Gossip Girl from the novel series, and being an executive producer of the Fox series The O.C....
and directed by Mark Piznarski
Mark Piznarski
Mark Piznarski is an American director and producer of film and television.He has directed episodes from a number of television series, including, amongst others, Veronica Mars, The Lying Game, Gossip Girl, 90210, NYPD Blue, Friday Night Lights, Everwood, My So-Called Life, Relativity and To Love...
. It originally aired on Monday, September 20, 2010 on the CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
.
Plot
Serena and Blair both run into a different Chuck in Paris, who is discovered to now be living with Eva, a young French woman who saved his life after he was shot in Prague. Juliet suggests that tricking Vanessa to be with Dan might be the right thing to remove Dan from the Dan-Serena-Nate triangle. Rufus learns that Dan isn't Milo's father after he checks Georgina's and Milo's blood test.Serena finds Chuck, and discovers his plan to leave Paris under a different identity. Prior to Blair's date with Prince Louis Grimaldi, she visits Harry Winston, when Serena and a French detective arrive, and it is revealed to both Serena and Blair that Chuck had intended to propose to Blair before he was shot. Ultimately, Serena convinces Blair to intercept Chuck at the train station before he left Paris with Eva, and convince him to return to New York.
Production
Leighton Meester had been dressed in an Oscar de la RentaOscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta is one of the world's leading fashion designers. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1973.-Career:...
gown while filming in Paris' famous Avenue Montaigne
Avenue Montaigne
Avenue Montaigne is a street in the 8th arrondisement of Paris, France-Name origin:Avenue Montaigne was originally called the allée des Veuves because women in mourning gathered there, but the street has changed much since those days of the early 18th century. The current name comes from Michel...
.
Although she is credited, Taylor Momsen
Taylor Momsen
Taylor Michel Momsen is an American actress, musician and model who portrays the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl and portrayed the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and fronts the rock band The Pretty Reckless.-Early life and career:Taylor...
(Jenny Humphrey
Jenny Humphrey
Jennifer Tallulah "Jenny" Humphrey is one of the characters in both the Gossip Girl and The It Girl series of novels by Cecily von Ziegesar...
) does not appear in this episode.
Cultural Allusions
- Dan sings a derivative song of You Are My SunshineYou Are My Sunshine"You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by...
by country music singer Jimmie DavisJimmie DavisJames Houston Davis , better known as Jimmie Davis, was a noted singer of both sacred and popular songs who served two nonconsecutive terms as the 47th Governor of Louisiana...
called "This loft is your loft" as a lullaby to his son, Milo. - Blair refers to Sophie's ChoiceSophie's ChoiceSophie's Choice can refer to:*Sophie's Choice , a 1979 novel written by William Styron which depicts a mother at wit's end faced with a forced decision in which any and all options have equally negative outcomes....
to describe Serena's dilemma between Nate and Dan. - Lily states that Rufus licensed a Lincoln Hawk song for Chicago HopeChicago HopeChicago Hope is an American medical drama series created by David E. Kelley that ran from September 18, 1994, to May 5, 2000. It takes place in a fictional private charity hospital.-Premise:The show stars Mandy Patinkin as Dr...
. - Inspector Chevalier is named after Inspector Chevalier Dupin of The Murders at the Rue Morgue.
- Juliet compares Serena's life to a Jane AustenJane AustenJane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
novel.
Reception
The episode was watched by 1.836 million of viewers, but it was 25% up from last week’s premiere with women 18-34 to a 2.5/6 and was up 7% with adults 18-34. It was also the first time that the second episode of the season was higher than the premiere episode.The episode received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised Leighton Meester
Leighton Meester
Leighton Marissa Meester is an American actress and singer. Meester first garnered attention for playing Blair Waldorf in the CW television series Gossip Girl...
and Ed Westwick
Ed Westwick
Edward Jack P. "Ed" Westwick is an English actor and musician, best known for his role as Chuck Bass in the main cast on the American television series Gossip Girl.-Early life and career:...
for their acting. Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
praised the train station scene, calling it "stunningly shot and impeccably acted". Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello
Michael Ausiello is an American television industry journalist and actor. He was a Senior Writer at TV Guide and its companion website, TVGuide.com. On May 28, 2008, Ausiello left TV Guide for Entertainment Weekly and posted his first blog for Entertainment Weekly on July 2, 2008...
integrated suspense on Serena's storyline, telling viewers "By the end of the second episode, the question you (and everyone else) will be asking yourself is “Who the hell did Serena piss off?”". On the possibility of a reunion between Chuck and Blair, EW stated that "Waldorf and Bass are epic, eternal and sure to reunite again one of these days."
During the night that this episode aired, the name "Chuck Bass
Chuck Bass
Charles Bartholomew "Chuck" Bass is a fictional character in the Gossip Girl series of teen novels and the television series of the same name. He is portrayed by English actor Ed Westwick. Although he is a secondary, antagonistic character in the original book series, in the television series Chuck...
" was one of the trending topics on Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
.