The Dark Night
Encyclopedia
"The Dark Night" is the 21st episode of the CW
television series, Gossip Girl
. It was a bottle episode
and the third episode of the show's second season. The episode was written by John Stephens and directed by Janice Cooke. It originally aired on Monday, September 15, 2009 on the CW
. This episode is also the most watched episode of the series, with an average of 3.73 million of viewers.
Spain: El caballero oscuro (The Dark Knight)
Germany: Schmerzliche Wahrheit (Painful Truth)
The episode received mixed reviews from critics. Although, critics praised Leighton Meester
, Mädchen Amick
and Blake Lively
's performances by saying that they got all the best lines of the episode. Isabelle Carreau, from TV Squad, compared Serena
and Dan
's relationship to Friends
main couple Ross
and Rachel
by saying that "the couple has a bumpy road ahead". Although, she felt that the couples scenes "felt a little flat" for her taste, and that she had expected "something juicier than what we were offered". She defined the episode as "an enjoyable episode filled with twists and turns and loads of backstabbing" and also defended Vanessa
by saying that she's starting to like of the character "because of the calmness and maturity she can show". Michelle Graham, from Film School Rejects, had said that "Catherine’s comments on her need for Nate and how Blaire’s relationship with Lord Marcus might be missing one thing is an interesting parallel", and also said that even though "it was nice to see Vanessa again", "she did come off very whiny and a tad annoying". She had also said that "Jenny’s sudden rise from intern to confidante of the designer felt incredibly contrived", and that the scene where Blair make-out with Chuck knowing that it's him, not Marcus makes "no-sense". However, she defined the scene of the girls catching Serena and Dan up to the park as "excellent". Buzz Sugar, from the BuzzSugar site, had said that she can't anything too serious on the series and that she's "loving how ridiculous this season is". However, she did enjoyed the scene of the little girls at the park and the bonding between Eleanor and Jenny. Kona Gallagher, from Television Blend, had said that she felt "silly" that Catherine was jealous of Nate and Vanessa's relationship, because at the end she's a married woman. She was confused and angry over the reason that lead to Serena and Dan's break-up by saying that it was such a "clichéd class war nonsense". She said that the episode overall had made "every relationship suddenly became completely contrived and laughable" and that pissed her off. Amber Charleville, from Firefox News, had said that Dan's reason to break-up with Serena "sounds more like bitter jealousy than righteous indignation" than something else, and that the episode overall "ties up a lot of loose ends, but makes others fray unbecomingly".
Nevertheless the mixed reviews, Jennifer Armstrong, from Entertainment Weekly
, ranked this episode at #7 as the one of the best episodes of the year of 2008, as well as Brian Ford Sullivan, from The Futon Critic, who ranked this episode at #33 as one of the 50 best episodes of the year of 2008.
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...
. It was a bottle episode
Bottle episode
The term bottle episode is used in episodic television to refer to episodes which are produced using the least money, and restricted in their scope to use as few, or no, non-regular cast members, effects, and sets as possible...
and the third episode of the show's second season. The episode was written by John Stephens and directed by Janice Cooke. It originally aired on Monday, September 15, 2009 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...
. This episode is also the most watched episode of the series, with an average of 3.73 million of viewers.
Plot
Blair tries desperately to have sex with Marcus; Chuck, on the other hand, is having some "issues" dealing with his ladies friends; Jenny puts her internship at Waldorf Designs at risk after she criticizes one of Eleanor's dresses; Nate is torn between his feelings for Vanessa and his complicated relationship with Catherine; Dan and Serena express their true feelings for each other while they are stuck in an elevator; a blackout happens in New York, leading to a passionate kiss, a shocking revelation, a great realization and a break-up.International titles
Czech Republic: Temná noc (Dark Night)Spain: El caballero oscuro (The Dark Knight)
Germany: Schmerzliche Wahrheit (Painful Truth)
Reception
"The Dark Night" was watched by 3.73 million of viewers, and with the Live + 7 DVR Rating, it scored 4.16 million of viewers, making of this episode the highest of the series.The episode received mixed reviews from critics. Although, critics 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...
, Mädchen Amick
Mädchen Amick
Mädchen Amick is an American actress best known for playing Shelly Johnson on the cult television series Twin Peaks and its 1992 prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.-Early life:...
and Blake Lively
Blake Lively
Blake Christina Lively is an American actress and model who stars as Serena van der Woodsen in the television teen drama series Gossip Girl...
's performances by saying that they got all the best lines of the episode. Isabelle Carreau, from TV Squad, compared Serena
Serena van der Woodsen
Serena Celia van der Woodsen is a fictional character in the young adult novel series Gossip Girl and its television adaptation. Serena is featured on the blog of the novel series' mysterious "Gossip Girl" narrator...
and Dan
Dan Humphrey
Daniel Randolph "Dan" Humphrey is a fictional character in the best selling Gossip Girl book series. He is the main male character in the television series of the same name and is portrayed by Penn Badgley. Daniel Humphrey is the son of Rufus Humphrey and has a younger sister, Jenny Humphrey. His...
's relationship to Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
main couple Ross
Ross Geller
Ross Eustace Geller, Ph.D. is a fictional character on the popular U.S. television series Friends, portrayed by David Schwimmer. The character is noted for his geeky, lovable demeanor.- Origin :...
and Rachel
Rachel Green
Rachel Karen Green is a fictional character on the popular U.S. television sitcom Friends, portrayed by Jennifer Aniston. Aniston received an Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe for her performances.-Background:...
by saying that "the couple has a bumpy road ahead". Although, she felt that the couples scenes "felt a little flat" for her taste, and that she had expected "something juicier than what we were offered". She defined the episode as "an enjoyable episode filled with twists and turns and loads of backstabbing" and also defended Vanessa
Vanessa Abrams
Vanessa Abrams is a fictional character in the book series Gossip Girl. She is portrayed by Jessica Szohr in the television series of the same name.-Novel series:...
by saying that she's starting to like of the character "because of the calmness and maturity she can show". Michelle Graham, from Film School Rejects, had said that "Catherine’s comments on her need for Nate and how Blaire’s relationship with Lord Marcus might be missing one thing is an interesting parallel", and also said that even though "it was nice to see Vanessa again", "she did come off very whiny and a tad annoying". She had also said that "Jenny’s sudden rise from intern to confidante of the designer felt incredibly contrived", and that the scene where Blair make-out with Chuck knowing that it's him, not Marcus makes "no-sense". However, she defined the scene of the girls catching Serena and Dan up to the park as "excellent". Buzz Sugar, from the BuzzSugar site, had said that she can't anything too serious on the series and that she's "loving how ridiculous this season is". However, she did enjoyed the scene of the little girls at the park and the bonding between Eleanor and Jenny. Kona Gallagher, from Television Blend, had said that she felt "silly" that Catherine was jealous of Nate and Vanessa's relationship, because at the end she's a married woman. She was confused and angry over the reason that lead to Serena and Dan's break-up by saying that it was such a "clichéd class war nonsense". She said that the episode overall had made "every relationship suddenly became completely contrived and laughable" and that pissed her off. Amber Charleville, from Firefox News, had said that Dan's reason to break-up with Serena "sounds more like bitter jealousy than righteous indignation" than something else, and that the episode overall "ties up a lot of loose ends, but makes others fray unbecomingly".
Nevertheless the mixed reviews, Jennifer Armstrong, from 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...
, ranked this episode at #7 as the one of the best episodes of the year of 2008, as well as Brian Ford Sullivan, from The Futon Critic, who ranked this episode at #33 as one of the 50 best episodes of the year of 2008.
Featured Music
- "Lights Out" by Santogold
- "Like Knives" by The Fashion
- "Closer" by Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
- "I Can Feel A Hot One" by Manchester OrchestraManchester orchestraManchester Orchestra is an American indie rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2005. The group is currently composed of rhythm guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull, lead guitarist Robert McDowell, keyboardist and percussionist Chris Freeman, bassist Jonathan Corley, and drummer Tim Very...
- "It's A Lot" by The 88The 88The 88 is a four-piece indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. They have released five full length albums as of 2010, and are the backing band for the Ray Davies Fall 2011 US Tour.- Members :Members of the band are:...