Assignment

One

Valentina Sosa
Summary

In the show Gossip Girl, we are following the lives of rich Upper East Side
teenagers from New York. The four of them (Blair, Serena, Chuck, and Nate) are very
popular in school and everyone wants to be like them. Gossip Girl is an anonymous text
message alert system that keeps the teenagers around the Upper East Side in touch with
what these four characters are doing. Gossip Girl usually posts gossip about these
characters, like seeing them at the wrong place or with the wrong people. In the society
that these characters live in, they are not allowed to be seen with lower class people or in
a lower class place. Also they have to attend a lot of events like dances, fancy dinners,
brunches, and the list goes on. Something else that is expected from these characters is
that they marry in the same social class and also attend a big college or university like
their parents did. Sometimes, like in Nate's case, their parents take it a little too far and
stop caring about their children's happiness and focus more on money and reputations. As
you can imagine these teens have everything they could have ever wanted, except one
thing, a good relationship with their parents. That's when they all come together,
including Dan, and help each other get through hard times one way or another. Dan is a
different character because he doesn't come from a rich family which makes him less
popular than the other teens. Due to his social class, he has to try harder on everything,
like getting into a good college, than the others because he doesn't have connections
like the other teens have. Normally they communicate through phone, like text
messaging, calling and sometimes email.

Atkins Library 11/30/2015 10:26 PM

Comment [1]: Fantastic work on this
assignment! Your descriptions were very
thick and easy to follow as a reader, and
your definitions of the terms were spot
on; you certainly went above and beyond
on this work.

Assignment One

Valentina Sosa

Interview one- Mallory Give us some context about your interviewee. In other words, in 3-4
sentences tell us why you chose to interview this person and explain what his perspective
offers with regards to what you observed first hand. This can easily be added at the very
beginning of the interview section.

Atkins Library 11/30/2015 10:25 PM

Comment [2]:

1.What drove you to want to watch the show and what was one thing that stood out to you that
made you want to keep watching it?
Well I had a friend that told me about the show and I like the lifestyle and the cute boys
so I kept watching it.
2. What do you enjoy about the show Gossip Girl? Give some examples of your answer.
I enjoy a lot about gossip girl. One thing that stands out to me is their relationships and
how there is drama and it makes you want to keep watching more and more. For example
Chuck and Blairs relationship and how theyre together at one point and then something
drastic happens that separates them and you just want them to get back together each time
and each time.
3. If you had to pick a favorite character who would it be and why?
I have to say that my favorite character is Chuck. He's just a curious guy to me. I think he
and Blair have the cutest relationship and he's hot and he likes to keep the drama going.
4. Explain why the show can have a negative or positive impact on teens today.
Well I think that it can have a negative impact because there is teenagers in the show that
are our age now and theyre drinking and doing drugs and stuff like that. Theyre acting
like theyre adults but theyre not. But the positive thing is that they take school very
seriously and they want to go to the best colleges.
5. Explain why the setting of the show has a big impact on the overall life style of the characters.
Well they live in NY and that has effect on the characters because there is always a party
and partying leads to drinking and it leads to a lot of bad events in the show that leads to
drugs and drinking.
6. If you could change something about the show, what would you change and why?
Gosh thats very hard because the show is so good, but I would have to say if I had to
change it I would change to make it more relatable to my life and not being so rich.
7. Explain why you see something different about gossip girl compared to other shows or why
you think it's similar to many shows.
I see different because Ive never really seen a show where youre just so rich that you
can go buy planes and stuff. But I see it very similar because its based on teenagers and
there are a lot of shows based on teens.

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Valentina Sosa

8. Explain if you think that there are real teens like in the show or why you think that it's mostly
fiction
I think there is people who live that lifestyle today and have parents that can get them out
of trouble with their money.
.
9. Explain why you would think that many people can relate to the show or why think it's mainly
for a certain group of viewers?
Well I think that some people can relate to the show because of relationships but I also
feel like many people couldn't because of the lifestyle and being so rich.
10. Can you relate to the show or to any of the characters in any level? Why?

I like to say that I can relate very well with Blair, I just feel like I can relate to her
emotions and also Serena and how life can get stressful sometimes.

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Valentina Sosa

Interview Two- Jose

What drove you to want to watch the show and what was one thing that stood out to you that
made you want to keep watching it?
I started watching the show because my girlfriend watched it and she seemed to be very
interested in it. I only kept watching it because I had no choice but to watch it when I was
with her.
2. What do you enjoy about the show Gossip Girl? Give some examples of your answer.
I like to see the lives of the guys and how they party. Like Chuck his life is crazy and full
of drama but at the end of the day he ends up with the women.
3. If you had to pick a favorite character who would it be and why?
Well I like Chucks personality but Nate is more down to earth. But Serena is hot so I
would have to say Serena.
4. Explain why the show can have a negative or positive impact on teens today.
Well they drink and party a lot and I can see teens trying to live that life style today.
5. Explain why the setting of the show has a big impact on the overall life style of the characters.
They live in NY which is a big city which has a lot of party spots.
6. If you could change something about the show, what would you change and why?
I would make it has less drama and more action like make the show more about Chucks
like then of the girls.
7. Explain why you see something different about gossip girl compared to other shows or why
you think it's similar to many shows.
Compared to shows that I would prefer to watch, Gossip Girl has a lot of girl drama. But
I think that there are a lot of shows that consist of drama.
8. Explain if you think that there are real teens like in the show or why you think that it's mostly
fiction
Well I think that there is a possibility that there are real people like that in the world but I
think its rare.
9. Explain why you would think that many people can relate to the show or why think it's mainly
for a certain group of viewers?
I think that the show is mostly for girls because they can probably relate to the characters.
10. Can you relate to the show or to any of the characters in any level? Why?

Well if anyone I would say Chuck because hes pretty laid back about things.

Assignment One

Valentina Sosa

Relevant background information:

In the show Gossip Girl, we are following the lives of six Upper East Side, New York teenagers.
Four of them (Blair, Serena, Chuck, and Nate) are rich, very popular in school, and everyone
wants to be like them. And then we have Dan and Jenny who are complete opposite from the
other four. Unlike them Dan and Jenny live in Brooklyn, New York. They live with a single dad
who sent them to a private school just so they could have a better future. Gossip Girl is
actually a text message alert system that keeps the teenagers around the Upper East Side in touch
with what Blair, Chuck, Nate, and Serena are doing (yes, they are that popular).
Communities of practice: Groups of people who are not only interested in the same things but
are trying to learn about the same things. In a community of practice, people help each other
in many ways. One way is by teaching each other things that they know or have learned about
a specific topic. Also, the people in a community of practice help each other with issues they
might be facing.

The group: Serena, Chuck, Blair, Nate, Dan, and Jenny. All of these characters have
grown up with each other although in different social classes. They go through many
events, like when Chucks father died later in the season they all tried to be there for him
and tried to solve the mystery of this death. These events allow the characters to end up
knowing everything about one another and forming close friendship bonds. They are
usually there for each other in hard times and try to help each other overcome obstacles.

Domain: almost like the area in which your interest comes from. You're domain can also be
a shared goal that you and your community of practice have together.

Attending a good university: Dan, Serena, Blair, and Nate all want to go to a good
university and they help each other get into the one they want.

Solving problems for each other: they all have family issues that affect them
throughout the show. Their goal is to be able to overcome those and to become better
people different from their parents.

Practices of the community: these are the things that you and the other members of your
community of practice do in order to help each other and to learn from each other.

Planning schemes to get back to their enemies: although Blair is the master of this, all
of the characters and some point plan a scheme to get revenge or simply what they want.

Talking about the issue: although it seems silly most of the problems end up being
resolved by talking it out and apologizing.
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Atkins Library 11/30/2015 10:25 PM

Comment [3]: Provide us with some

more background information about the
other areas of Manhattan that contrast
with the upper east side that your show
takes place in. This way, readers can
better understand the distinct difference
of the social structures your characters
function within.

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Valentina Sosa

Figured World: A figured world is way of life that many people follow. In a figured world
there are expectations, manners, behaviors, and the list goes on. (Sometimes these things are
so natural that many don't realize that it's a rule.)

The upper class: Blair, Serena, Nate, and chuck. Here you have many, I mean many,
expectations. First you must keep up with fashion. For these characters in particular its
the new juicy couture, coach, or Louis Vuitton. Next you must get into a good university
and become successful like your parents. It's important that you don't associate with
anyone of lower class because that can look bad. Also it's always good to marry inside
your circle so the money can keep moving around. An expensive vacation is normal
during the summer and holiday breaks. And you can't forget about the parties and social
events! It is very important for these characters to attend to all social events, like parties,
brunches, and horse races. It's always good to host your own too. Although their lives
seem pretty glamorous, they also have to be able to keep their families dirty secrets a
secret because it might have an effect on their reputation.

The lower class: Dan and Jenny. Although they may sometimes hang out with the upper
class, they don't belong there. Dan and Jenny are basically expected to do well in school
and to get their family out of their economic status. Also it's very important to be there
for each other at all times like true "Humphrey's". It's normal for them to not attend to
any social events and to focus more on building their future with hard work.

Actors: These are people who play a significant role in the other story or idea. I have chosen
these actors because they are generally who the show is about. These actors are ones who
develop throughout the show.

Blair- she is one of the most important character in the show. Blair Waldorf is the it
girl. Everyone wants to be like Blair and she like the attention. Although she shows
herself as hard headed and not so nice. Deeply she is a nice, caring person who is always
there for her friends, especially her best friend Serena. Blair develops a lot throughout the
show and soon begins to not care what people think of her but instead of finding true
happiness and true friends.

Serena- although Serena is the other it girl, she doesn't care about the title. She used to
be a troubled teenager who liked to party and do drugs. But after she went away to
boarding school the summer before the show started, she changed for the better. She and
Dan have a romance that essentially changed her even more. She treasures her friendship
with Blair and is always there for her too.

Chuck- he is probably the richest of the four but most likely the saddest. He basically
had to raise himself because his father is a wealthy Business man who doesn't really have
time for him. He does a lot of drugs and loves to drink rum. At the beginning on the show
he loves a good drama or bringing out the bad secrets about people, but later in the show
he grows up and becomes more mature.
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Valentina Sosa

Nate- this character coincides with Serena because he's different. He likes to see the best
in people and accepts people for who they are. But this becomes a struggle when he tries
to make his parents and his friends happy but can't be happy himself.

Dan- he is very smart and likes to be there for his family. Although he is lower class he is
fine with that and doesn't try to be friends with the others.

Jenny- her character develops a lot throughout the show because she entered as the
youngest of the characters. In the beginning she wants to be like Blair and join her world,
but soon she realizes that it's not worth it and that she doesn't belong there.

Artifacts- can be physical objects, feelings, or thoughts that have an important meaning in
your community. These can have a meaning behind them that expresses a certain idea. Also
these artifacts can set you apart from the rest of the communities.

Blairs schemes: Blair is known for her schemes. These are important to the story
because they bring a lot of the drama and a lot of the action into the show. For example in
Episode three, she plans on putting Serena on the spot about being in rehab just to get her
back (although she didnt know what was really happening). It also brings out a side of
Blair that many people know and allows her to hide her true self.

The clothes: clothes are very important in the show because depending on what you wear
is what social class you are. Also the type of dress you wear also signifies the type of
event that you are going to attend and what time of person you are.

Limo: unlike the other teens, Blair, Nate, Chuck, and Serena have limos that take them
everywhere which also adds on to their social class.

Their home: living in an apartment is common for New Yorkers, but for Blair, Serena,
Nate, and Chuck their apartments are far from the usual. They live in luxurious
apartments that symbolize who they are. Like for Blair her apartment has marble floors, a
personal elevator as the entrance and she even has a personal cook (Derota). For Dan and
Jenny, you can't really get a high end apartment in Brooklyn, so you can only imagine
how basic their place is (brick walls, a normal entrance, and their dad is the cook).

Literacy practices: these are common forms of communication with in a community that allow
for characters to keep in touch with one another.
Cell phone: throughout the entire show the cell phone is the most important way of
communication. Through their phones they text each other all the time if there is an
emergency or where to meet. They also call each other through their phones and
communicate that way. But the most important way is that GG send her new gossips to
everyone's phone, so people can keep up with the latest news.

Atkins Library 11/30/2015 10:27 PM

Comment [4]: Definitely include some
photos from what you have observed to
help readers visually connect to your
descriptions. Perhaps having a picture
of some of the significant scenes you
observed, the characters, etc..

Assignment One

Valentina Sosa

Observation One
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Netflix Original Film Gossip Girl
Note: I have taken the following information and examples from a 40 minute episode. The
episode that I have chosen is from season one and its called pilot which means that it is the
very first episode. I chose this specific episode because it introduces the characters very well
and has a lot of important events happening that are going to be key for the rest of the
seasons. The episode is forty minutes long so I have divided my observations into six sections
(6:27, 12:27, 18:27, 24:27, 30:27, and the end).
6:27 minutes- the show starts with a voice acting like a narrator, Gossip Girl. The setting is a
train station and you see a girl who has arrived, Serena. Then gossip girl starts to talk about how
Serena Van der Woodsen is finally back and that no one knows where she went. Then enters Dan
and Jenny who just got back from seeing their mom. At the moment that they are about to leave
Dan glasses over and sees Serena (who at this point he has a crush on but she doesn't know who
he is). After this Gossip Girl tell us that she sent out the text to everyone announcing that Serena
is back and everyone is shocked, even Blair who is supposed to be Serena's best friend. Then the
setting moves to Blairs house where she is having a party. Knowing that Serena is back Blair
tries to get in bed with Nate because she thinks that he and Serena have feelings for each other
and to her this is the only way to make sure he stays with her. Then before Blair gets to do this
Serena arrives at her house and she has to come out to say hi. As expected Blair is super nice to
Serena and begs her to stay for dinner but Serena refuses and says that she has to go do
something important and that she only came to say hello but that she will see her at school
Monday. Then Blair goes back to not being nice and says so that means she's back for good.
12:27 minutes- When Serena left Blairs she went to visit her brother who is in a rehab hospital.
Her brother is happy to see her and she apologizes to him for being a bad sister and not being
there for him. Her mom walks in and Serena tells her that she would like to take Eric (her
brother) to breakfast and her mom refuses. Serena being the person she is, goes after her mom
and tells her that she cannot hide her brother forever just because she's afraid of what people may
say. Her mom tells her that she has no idea what it's been like for her since she's been gone. The
scene closes. Later Serena is walking back to her home when she comes across Nate. They talk
and he basically wants to know if they will ever get back together (affirming Blairs suspicion
that they had a thing) and Serena says no, that he is her best friends boyfriend and things can't
work out. Setting changes and goes to Dans house where Jenny mentions that she's going to
Blairs KISS party because she made the invitations for her. Dan mentions that he wouldn't want
to go. At first her dad refuses to let her go but then Jenny mentions that her mom was fine with it
and her dad tells her that it's fine for her to go. Later that day Dan gets on the bus to go to school
and he runs into Chuck and Nate who are talking about how hot Serena is. And then they say a
rude comment to Dan not realizing that he also goes to their school.
The scene changes back to Serena who is now at school and has met up with Blair who is rude to
her and tells her that she's not invited to the KISS party. Serena says it's fine and that she would
like to talk to her at The Palace (a hotel bar) and Blair agrees.
18:27 minutes- While Dan and his dad are going around putting posters for his dad's band

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Valentina Sosa

concert, Jenny texts Dan and tell him to meet her at a department store. When he gets there she is
in a dress and she asked him if it will look good for the KISS party, and he says yes. Jenny
mentions that it's more than their rent but that she can make something like it. She then sees
Serena and greets her and tries to introduce her to Dan but he hid before she could see him. The
scene changes to Chuck and Nate who are walking and smoking weed. They're talking about
how Nate and Blair are finally going to have sex but Nate is unsure and tells chuck that he feels
as if his life is planned out without him having a say. Chuck makes fun of him and tells him that
that's the life that was chosen for them, but that they will have nice houses, a drug problem and
that happiness just isnt on the list. The setting goes to Serena and Blair who have met up at the
bar. Blair basically tells her that she's upset because Serena left without telling her, and during
that time her parents were getting a divorce. They argue a bit but at the end Serena apologizes
and then they reunite. Gossip girl then comes in and mentions that she still thinks Serena is
hiding something.
24:27 minutes- Dan gets home and Jenny is sewing get dress for the KISS party and she
mentions how he ran away when Serena got there. She tells him that he's had a crush on her
since ninth grade and that he needs to at least try because she feels like she would really like him.
He says that there is no way that a girl like her could ever like him. But Jenny insist and the Dan
finally says that he'll give it a try and goes to the bar where Serena is. Before Dan gets there
though, Chuck sees Serena and basically tries to get her to sleep with him but she takes him as a
joke and says no. She does mention she's hungry so he offers her some food from the chef and
she agrees. The scene goes to Nate now who is now with Blair about to have sex, but he stops
and tell her that he has something to tell her. Then the scene goes back to Serena and Chuck.
Chuck is trying to sleep with Serena and tell her that the only reason she doesn't want to is
because she had sex with Nate at a wedding. While Chuck is telling Serena that he knows, Nate
it telling Blair what he did. Blair is crying and Serena is having memories of that night.
30:27 minutes- Dan finally arrives at the bar and Serena is walking out, upset because of what
Chuck did. They run into each other but Serena doesn't talk to Dan, she leave and he finds that
she has dropped her cellphone but she is gone by the time he realizes it. The setting changes to
Nate and his dad taking a jog and to Nate tells him that he broke up with Blair and his dad gets
upset and tells him that he needs to get back with her because he needs to close a deal with her
mom. The scene goes back to Dan and he is now returning Serena's cellphone at the front lobby
of the hotel. The worker calls her over and she thanks Dan for bringing her phone back. While
this is happening Serena's mom, lily, walks in and tell Serena that she bought her a dress for the
KISS party. Serena doesn't want to go to the party so she uses Dan as a cover up and says she's
going on a date with him. Dan is leaving and thinks that the whole date thing is a lie but then
Serena makes it official by asking him what time he will pick her up. It then to Nate who took
his dad's advice and is now with Blair apologizing to here or what he's done and she just accepts
his apology. After this the scene goes back to lily (Serena's mom) who is now at Dans dads
gallery. Apparently they know each other and had a past. She tells him to tell Dan to stay away
from her daughter and Dans dad simply says that he can't tell his son who he can and cannot
see.
End- Jenny and Dan are both getting ready for their night. Jenny going to the KISS party and
Dan going on his date with Serena. Jenny's dad said that Jenny looks beautiful and just like her

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Valentina Sosa

mom. The scene changes over to Blair, she is wearing a dress and her mom walks in and says
that she needs to change because she would look better in the other dress and that its for her
own good. Serena and Dan are on their date and having a good time. Chuck, Blair, and Nate get
to the party and Chuck sees Jenny and wants to talk to her. He asks her to go upstairs with hi and
she does but then she starts to get scared at what he's going to do so her texts Dan to come find
her. Dan tell Serena and she says she'll go with him to find Jenny. They arrive and everyone is
whispering about Serena being there and Blair finds out and wants to kick her out but Nate tells
her not to and Blair gets mad at Nate. He leave to get some hair and Blair confronts Serena but
they don't speak Serena just goes to look for Jenny. They finally find her at the roof with Chuck
who's trying to kiss her but she's trying to get away. Dan get him off and punches him in the
face. On their way out Dan holds Serena's hand and Blair sees it and then when they were g
eating in the cap Nate sees them too. Now both Chuck and Blair hate Serena. They drop Serena
off and then Gossip Girl talks at the end saying that there is school on Monday.

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Valentina Sosa

Observation Two
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Netflix Original Film Gossip Girl
Note: I have taken the following information and examples from a 40 minute episode. The
episode that I have chosen is from season one, episode two and its called The Wild Brunch.
I chose this specific episode because it continues to introduce the characters very well and has
a lot of important events happening that are going to be key for the rest of the seasons. The
episode is forty minutes long so I have divided my observations into six sections (6:27, 12:27,
18:27, 24:27, 30:27, and the end).
Recap of last episode:
Serena is back from boarding school but no one knows where she was. Blair is upset at the fact
that she's back because she found out that Nate and Serena had sex behind her back while she
was dating Nate. Nate tries to come back to Serena but she refuses because Blair is her best
friend. Serena and Dan meet and they go on a date which goes great and they begin to like each
other. Jenny (Dans sister) is going to Blairs KISS party where she meets Chuck and he tried to
get in bed with her so she calls for her brothers help and he defends her. Later that night they go
to drop off Serena and the scene closes.
6:27 minutes: gossip girl opens the scene stating that for the Upper East Side, Sunday's are not
the typical Sunday. There is a brunch that Chucks dad is hosting for all their closest friends and
enemies. Dan and Jenny are in their house and they are talking about the incident between
Chuck and Jenny, but Jenny says she's fine that she shouldn't have trusted him and Dan tells her
that she trust people too easily. They begin to talk about the night before with Serena and how
Dan awkwardly waved when saying goodbye. The scene then changes over to Serena and her
brother who are also talking about the incident and how she thinks Dan didnt like her. Then Dan
says that he's going to go clear the air with her and then the scene changes back to Serena who
admits to her brother that she has feelings for Dan.
12:27 minutes: Serena is talking to her brother about how mean Blair was to her last night at the
kiss party and tells him that she should go to Blairs to talk to her. At this point Blair is with her
friends and she is telling them how she never wants to see Serena again, implying how mad she
is at her. Then Blair calls Nate to remind him about the brunch and he wakes up at chucks house
hung over. Chuck is also hung over and he wakes up next to two girls who actually work at the
hotel, this shows the kind of person Chuck is. The girls leave and then Nate and Chuck go to the
kitchen to talk about the punch Chuck received last night form Dan but then he says it's better
to have a broken nose then a broken heart and Nate immediately says that he didn't see Serena
last night and Chuck mentions that he didn't mention Serena. The show goes back to Dan, who is
ready to go see Serena but before he leave he tells Jenny that she needs to talk to someone about
her incident with Chuck and she agrees and says that she knows just who to talk to. Before they
leave they run into their dad who says he wants to hear about the night but they say they can't
and that theyre in a hurry. The scene then goes to Serena who is calling Blair to let her know
that she's coming over and also Nate who is calling the hotel where Serena is staying to ask what
room Serena is in. Serena then is at the hotel and she complains to her mom that she doesn't want

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to go to the brunch and her mom finds it weird and tells her that it's unlike her and that she
normally loves parties. Serena says that maybe her mom doesn't know who she is anymore
because she has changed. The mom asked how her date with Dan went and she mentions that
they never made it to the concert that instead they went to the KISS party. Serena's mom then
says that Blair must have loved seeing her there and Serena clarifies that she really didn't but that
she's going to go talk to Blair about it now. Before Serena leaves her mom reminds her to be
back before the brunch and Serena gets annoyed and her mom mentions that she can't hide
forever because it will make her look bad. The Serena tells her that she can't hide her brother
forever either and her mom says it's different.
18:27 minutes: Nate and Dan find themselves waiting on Serena at the same time. Serena is at
Blairs and she said she's brought food and a movie like their tradition and Blair mentions that
she doesn't remember inviting her over. Then Blair tells Serena that she knows that she slept with
her boyfriend and Serena doesn't know what to say. Then Blair tells her that she's done and
gossip girl comes in saying that revenge is on its way. After Serena leaves Jenny comes in
Blairs house. Blair figures out that what Jenny came for was to find out of anyone way saying
anything about her and she says that their not. But then Blair has a thought which is anonymous
to us and she invites Jenny to help her get ready for brunch. Then there is dans dad and Serena's
mom going to get coffee in Brooklyn. She tells him that she wants to talk to him about Serena
and his son and Rufus (Dans dad) interrupts by saying he's not going to tell Dan who he can and
cannot see and that Serena may actually need a guy like Dan in her life.
24:27 minutes: Dan and Nate are both leaving the hotel when Chuck comes out and sees Dan.
They get into an argument and they almost fight again but Nate tries to calm them down and they
leave. The scene then goes to Blair and Jenny who are in her room talking about Blairs outfit to
the brunch and Jenny complements her on the dress but Blair says its average and last season.
The Jenny mentions to Blair that Serena went out with her brother last night, Dan. Blair is
surprised that that's Jenny's brother and asks her if she's friends with Serena but Jenny doesn't
take sides. The. Blair tells Jenny that she can have the dress she likes and mentions that she's
sure Jenny can find a way to repay her and Jenny thanks her. Then we see Dan still waiting for
Serena outside the hotel and she sees him and they meet. Dan apologizes for the wave and
Serena agrees. Then they make plans for lunch until Serena's mom gets there and reminds her of
the brunch party. Serena then says that the only way she'll go is if Dan goes with her and her
mom agrees. Then there is Dan and Serena at the brunch and they notice that Blair, Chuck, and
Nate are there, which makes them realize it was a bad idea to go.
30:27 minutes: Jenny gets home where her dad is waiting and he asks her where she got the
dares and she said it was a thank you gift from Blair for doing the party invitations. Her dad says
that it's a pretty expensive thank you gift and that the dresses Jenny makes are nicer. Then the
scene goes to Dan and Serena who are at the brunch and Serena sees Nate who makes the signal
to meet him somewhere and she tells Dan she needs to go to the bathroom. She meets with Nate
and he tells her he needs to talk to her but she interrupts telling him that she can't believe he told
Blair but Nate says he can explain and that she needs to meet him in chucks room in ten minutes
and Serena agrees. Then there is Blair talking to Nates dad who is asking about her mother and
telling her how great of an investment she would be. Then Nate comes by and his dad talks to
him and tell him thanks for going along with the deal (the one about getting back with Blair) and

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Nate says not everything in life is a Business deal dad. Chuck and Blair are talking about how
much they hate that Serena is back and Chuck asks Blair is she's afraid that Serena will take
Chuck away and then he gives her the key to his room and tell her to go sleep with him and that
will make Nate stay with her, so she does. Once they get to Chucks room though, Blair is
surprised to find Serena waiting on Nate.
Ending: Dan is looking for Serena and he goes outside where he actually finds her mom and
chucks dad talking. He overhears lily (Serena's mom) saying that she understand people
shouldn't find out but that he should at least stop seeing girls. Then she realizes that Dan was
listening and she chases him inside. She tells him that Serena doesn't know and Dan assures her
that he will not tell anyone what he heard. Then Blair decides to tell Dan about Serena and Nate
to get her back. She meets him down stairs at the brunch and Serena, Nate, and Chuck all show
up and then Chuck tells Dan the truth. The Chuck mentions Jenny to Dan telling him they have
some unfinished business and then Dan gets mad and pushes Chuck. Then Dan leaves and
sedan asks to go with him but he says no. Nate looks over at Blair and asks if she's happy with
what she's done and she says not even close. Then Serena follows Dan outside and tells him
that she's not like that anymore but he still walks away and she's left alone. Nate and Blair are
laying down together and Nate tells Blair that she can either forgive him or break up with him
and she holds his hand, so basically she forgave him. Then gossip girl comes in and recaps the
following: Serena is left alone and she's looking through her old photos of her and her friends
and she's throws her phone away, Jenny is happy with her new dress, Dan is looking out the
window thinking, and Blair and Nate are back together.

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Observation Three
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Netflix Original Film Gossip Girl
Note: I have taken the following information and examples from a 40 minute episode. The
episode that I have chosen is episode three from season one and its called poison ivy. I
chose this specific episode it allows for the viewer to start to see how the characters begin to
develop. The episode is forty minutes long so I have divided my observations into six sections
(6:27, 12:27, 18:27, 24:27, 30:27, and the end).
Recap of last episode:
Dan finally scored a date with the love of his life, Serena, but he has competition. Nate and Dan
find themselves waiting on Serena at the same time but only Dan gets to go to brunch with her.
Serena finds out that Blair knows that she slept with Nate, and it doesnt take long for Dan to
find out at the brunch. Dan is not really thrilled about it so he leaves Serena. Then Serena tried to
apologize to Blair for sleeping with Nate, but Blair says that she cant fix what shes done and
that she needs to stay away.
6:27 minutes: Gossip Girl opens the scene explaining that in the Upper East Side, kids whose
parents are successful expect the same thing from them (Chuck, Blair, Nate, and Serena) so that
means getting into a good university by using their fame, and for those whose parents arent as
successful (Dan) its up to them to try the best they can. At the high school that all of the
characters attend, they will be hosting a college day where they can get to meet some important
people, but only some people can attend. Dan is worried that he will not be able to attend
because hes not like the rest of them, he doesnt have a trust fund to rely on and all he can
depend on is his intelligence. Nate is talking to his dad about school and his dad keeps insisting
that he goes to Dartmouth but Nate tells him that he doesnt want to, that he wants to make his
own plans. But his father refuses and tells him that he must go to Dartmouth or else his family
will be disappointed in him. Blair is sitting with her friends and they ask why Serena isnt there
yet and she tells them to be quiet and that she wants to hear about Yale (her dream school).
12:27 minutes: Serena was running late to school because she spent the night at the hospital
with her brother. Shes taking to her mom who is getting on to her about doing that and she says
that she only has one plan for now and thats to go to Brown and her mom says that shes very
happy to hear that because since shes been back she didnt know if she still wanted to. Serena
mentions that right now with everything going on she really wishes to go far. Serena finally
makes it to the assembly and she runs into Blair who dresses her down and says rude comments
to her. The students are now trying out for the spots to talk to the representatives from each
university. Nate and Dan are running for the same position, but Dan answered all the questions
correctly and Nate simply said that he doesnt really want to go to that school. Nate got the
position though and Dan is very upset about it because he has more of the qualifications then
Nate, but nates got the money.

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18:27 minutes: Blair calls Chuck and asks him if he can find out why Serena came home and he
agrees to find out. Dan got home and told his dad the bad news. His dad couldnt believe what
happened and tried to make him feel better but Dan just wanted to be alone. Then jenny tells her
dad were Humphrys dad, not really royalty uptown. Chuck followed Serena and found out
that she went to a mental hospital so he called Blair and told her the news. So dans dad decided
to help him out and go talk to the school about not picking Dan, he finally got him a spot serving
drinks.
24:27 minutes: Serena and her family were having a conference with Erics counselor about
letting him out. Serena wants Eric to be out of rehab but her mom says that hes not ready, so
they ask Eric and he says hes not ready to leave yet but that he wants to go out tonight. Then
Blair and Serena are both at the college fair and Serena is suddenly interested in Yale just like
Blair and they start to compete over the spot. Nate is talking to the Dartmouth representative and
hes trying to connect with him but he cant because he didnt understand the book the
Dartmouth professor wrote.
30:27 minutes: Nate meets with Dan and he tells him that his interview with Dartmouth isnt
going good and Dan tries to give him some tips but Nate just tells him to go talk to him instead.
So nates dad sees that Dan is going to talk to him and he goes to Nate and tells him he needs to
go back but Nate refuses and tells his dad that he doesnt want to go to Dartmouth. Jenny and
Eric met and Eric wants to tell jenny the story of how he ended up in rehab and they bind and she
promises him that she wont tell anyone. So Blair then goes up on stage and talks about how the
school gives back to the community every year by supporting an institution that does well for the
community, and she says that its touched one of their own students and calls Serena to the stage.
Ending: Eric goes to Blair and tells her what really happened and why Serena was going to the
rehab center. Blair is shocked and you can tell in her face that she feels bad. Then Dan and
Serena run into each other and he apologizes to her for thinking that she was like the rest of them
when he doesnt really know her. Nates dad calls him to go on their regular run and when he gets
there his father is standing with the Dartmouth representative and he told him that Nate wasnt
feeling well and asks him to join them on the run. Lastly, Blair sees Serena at central park and
she apologizes for what shes done and they call truths.

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Above and Beyond

I went above and beyond by adding a note section. Here I explained why I chose the
episodes that I chose and also how I was going to divide them.
I conducted two interviews for my paper in order to get two different perspectives of the
show. I made sure to get one from a girl and another from a guys point of view.
Included a relevant background information section to give the reader extra info that may
be helpful.
I included my personal opinion and comic relief in some parts of the paper, like in the last
sentence of relevant background information section. This helped to show how much I
actually enjoy the show and also to show how some things in the show can be comical.
Inside of the definitions I gave examples of how these definitions worked. For example
check Communities of Practice.
I also included a recap of last episode because there is a lot going on in each episode in
the show and I thought it would be helpful to remind the reader of the big events in a
recap.
I also took the time to organize my paper into sections that make it easier to read and
understand.

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