The Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate
Encyclopedia
"The Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate" is the 13th episode of the CW
television series, Gossip Girl
. The episode was written by Felicia D. Henderson
and directed by Norman Buckley
. It originally aired on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 on the CW
.
lauded the development of the Blair/Nate/Chuck triangle, "[...]one, it adds another layer to the big revelation that she lost her virginity to Chuck before losing her fake virginity to Nate. It would have been hard enough to deal with the truth about who’s sleeping with whom, but adding a paternity test to the mix kicks it up several notches. For two, we get to see Blair’s swift and stunning fall from grace after Chuck decides to finally play his hand on the Gossip Girl site."
Chris Rovzar from New York Magazine praised the panic that the pregnancy storyline caused. "To be fair, Blair's sleeping with Chuck after getting dumped was kind of understandable. But it's so real that no one would see it that way." Tobias commended the writers' shifting the storyline from Serena to Blair. "[...]surely none of you believed that Serena was buying the test for herself, did you? The writers do a fine enough job covering up this little twist, but it’s impossible to believe that she and Dan would have unprotected sex." On reviewing the episode, Tobias praised the pregnancy scare storyline for Blair, calling it a "masterstroke" and noted the commonality of the rules of 19th century New York high society and the rules of high school hierarchy in the show. "The moment Blair is tarred as a harlot, her adoring underlings turn on her like a pack of hyenas; it’s strange to think that Blair’s pristine sexuality was somehow the root of her power [...] but in this world, it makes sense. Sleeping with two guys in quick succession (particularly Chuck, who isn’t “special” like Nate) is a show of weakness, and she fast discovers that her loyal subjects do not respect vulnerability from their leader." Tobias expected the return of a vengeful Blair. "Blair will have to dig pretty hard to hurt Chuck as badly as he did with that “Arabian horses” speech. Can’t wait for her Medea phase to begin."
Tobias praised the direction of Jenny Humphrey from her role in bringing down Blair to being given an elevated storyline. "I’ve been waiting for Jenny to play a more integral role than luring her boring mother back into the Humphrey household."
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...
. The episode was written by Felicia D. Henderson
Felicia D. Henderson
Felicia D. Henderson is an American television producer, screenwriter, comic books writer and a director of music videos and television episodes. She has worked on Moesha, Sister, Sister, Soul Food, and Fringe....
and directed by Norman Buckley
Norman Buckley
Norman L. Buckley is an American television director and editor best known for his work on The O.C., Chuck, Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars.-Early life:...
. It originally aired on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 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
Blair's world is crashed after Nate finds out about her affair with Chuck; a Gossip Girl blast leads to Dan to believe that Serena is pregnant; Rufus is back in the dating game.Reception
"The Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate" was watched by 2.27 million of viewers and received positive reviews from critics. New York Magazine praised the episode following the show's return from the Writer's Strike and the use of Gossip Girl to elevate the episode. "We were concerned after last week's episode that Gossip Girl was embarking on a downward spiral, that the writers' strike would cause it to slink off the air like a disgraced social climber, [...] Every time we find ourselves doubting or mistrustful of our lover, he or she surprises us, we are proven wrong, and we fall in "love" all over again. As the great writer Jessica Fletcher once said, what does not kill us makes us stronger. And this week's season finale had us feeling strong indeed! [...] it was the first to play up the role of Gossip Girl herself and her effect on the character's lives." Scott Tobias of The A.V. ClubThe A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
lauded the development of the Blair/Nate/Chuck triangle, "[...]one, it adds another layer to the big revelation that she lost her virginity to Chuck before losing her fake virginity to Nate. It would have been hard enough to deal with the truth about who’s sleeping with whom, but adding a paternity test to the mix kicks it up several notches. For two, we get to see Blair’s swift and stunning fall from grace after Chuck decides to finally play his hand on the Gossip Girl site."
Chris Rovzar from New York Magazine praised the panic that the pregnancy storyline caused. "To be fair, Blair's sleeping with Chuck after getting dumped was kind of understandable. But it's so real that no one would see it that way." Tobias commended the writers' shifting the storyline from Serena to Blair. "[...]surely none of you believed that Serena was buying the test for herself, did you? The writers do a fine enough job covering up this little twist, but it’s impossible to believe that she and Dan would have unprotected sex." On reviewing the episode, Tobias praised the pregnancy scare storyline for Blair, calling it a "masterstroke" and noted the commonality of the rules of 19th century New York high society and the rules of high school hierarchy in the show. "The moment Blair is tarred as a harlot, her adoring underlings turn on her like a pack of hyenas; it’s strange to think that Blair’s pristine sexuality was somehow the root of her power [...] but in this world, it makes sense. Sleeping with two guys in quick succession (particularly Chuck, who isn’t “special” like Nate) is a show of weakness, and she fast discovers that her loyal subjects do not respect vulnerability from their leader." Tobias expected the return of a vengeful Blair. "Blair will have to dig pretty hard to hurt Chuck as badly as he did with that “Arabian horses” speech. Can’t wait for her Medea phase to begin."
Tobias praised the direction of Jenny Humphrey from her role in bringing down Blair to being given an elevated storyline. "I’ve been waiting for Jenny to play a more integral role than luring her boring mother back into the Humphrey household."