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Gossip Girl Season 2 Episode 11

The Magnificent Archibalds

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7.9

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 11/17/08

It's Thanksgiving time and Blair is offended when her Mom's new man hijacks her Thanksgiving traditions. Lily attempts to strengthen the frail bond between Rufus and Jenny. Eric discovers a secret about Bart. Vanessa and Chuck help Nate deal with his father.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (11)

211

7.5

By Canogaparkcindy, Sep 24, 2011

Definitely not as good as last year's Thanksgiving special (to this day, it's still the best episode the series in my opinion), but this episode still was good regardless and possibly the best episode of the season by far. The thought of Jenny's emancipation story line becoming a season arc really turned me off but I'm glad to see that that's finally over, and we can finally move on from the annoying Jenny episodes.

We got a lot of Thanksgiving traditions brought to surface here like eating the fries at the diner or spending Thanksgiving with Rufus (the van Der Woodsens). So in a way, we got a season 1-feel, but still not quite as good. Blair and her family problems bored me but it was a nice tie in to Jenny and her problems.

The Serena/Aaron relationship is beginning to repeat the same problem Serena/Dan had, and I hope nothing comes of this problem in future episodes because that would just be pathetic. Vanessa stealing Nate's letter? That got on my nerves, but regardless, this was a feel-good Thanksgiving special that closed out a lot of story lines this season. Good episode.moreless
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A very moving episode.

9.0

By hrgaffney, Dec 01, 2008

This episode had some really great moments. I was so glad that Jenny came back home and found that she and Rufus could work out their differences. I was also particularly pleased to see Lily leave the odious Bart Bass and turn up at the Humphrey's once she discovered he had secret files on Erik and Serena as well as the one on herself that she already knew about.

Vanessa did herself no favours by hiding Nate's letter to Jenny, clearly she is still after Nate herself and is so jealous that he may want Jenny.

Blair's role her was also very sweet. It was a lovely thing to see her with her father and that she forgave her mother and Cyrus for excluding her from their engagement.

Looking forward to seeing what happens next.moreless
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Little J finally back where she belongs.

9.0

By sajekima, Dec 01, 2008

So many ups and downs though Erik made a show with whether or not his boyfriend is going out with someone else, worrying on Jennys behalf about her parents and her life generally. Blair got the wrong end of the completely wrong stick with her whole scene over her mother getting engaged to Cyrus, her soon-to-be stepfather. One thing I really am glad of is Lily FINALLY seeing sense and leaving Bart for a lovely thanksgiving meal with Rufus and his family. Serena made it with Aaron even after lying about her past drinking habits. I definately think that this episode had a perfectly happy ending and that the season should stop there!moreless
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Little J finds her way back home, Nate turns in daddy, Blaire finds hers and Bart Bass keeps a watchful eye out on Lilly her kids.

8.0

By le0nii, Nov 26, 2008

Little J has a mind of her own. Finally she realizes that her home is where she belongs. A 15 year old fashion designer? Who was she kidding? Seriously. She will get where she wants to be, I have faith in little J. She is one of my favorite characters out of Gossip Girl. Too bad she did not get home on time to read that letter Nate had wrote her. What is going to happen if Jenny finds out Vanessa stole it and keeps it a secret just because she wants Nate all to herself. Little selfish V.

I have read the books, and when I saw the first season it did not have a lot in common with the books. Now I finally see that things are slowly falling into place. Cyrus is a bold, small guy you want to shoot if you where Blair. I understand why she reacts so heavy and irritated by him. She is used to making a pie and then Cyrus wants to go to a restaurant. It is all so much and so fast. Too bad Serena already took care of Cyrus her hot son or ells Blair would have her fun as well. Sorry B.

Spotted, N. turning in his Dad. Finally took control of the situation after talking to the FBI and with some help from Vanessa and Chuck he got together with his parents and finally got his Dad to turn himself in. It is too bad Vanessa doesn't know when to stop. I know she's in it for Nate's best interest but, after helping him, she would have just left him alone. Sometimes I get annoyed by her, but then again I'm a big, Nate & Jenny fan.

Eric finds out Bart has a secret and he doesn't anymore. Bart Bass, what was he thinking when he pulled a background check on his wife, Serena and Eric. Then he makes a remark to Eric and then Eric will start digging. With a stepbrother like Chuck you will surly find something you really want to find.

Other than that, Blaire got out her good word and brought Jenny home. Jenny knows her dad loves her and she safest at home. Nate knows Chuck will always be there for him. Dan, didn't do much this episode. Blaire realizes her mother does love her and in the end even Vanessa can be a low life by hiding that letter from Jenny. The one that Nate wrote her. We'll see how this ends up next time.moreless
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awwwww, the cutest episode ever!

10

By carolaguilera, Nov 24, 2008

I love thanksgiving. Actually I guess if I lived in a country that celebrates it, it would be my favorite holiday and this episode just shows what the holiday is about.

Love!

Blair showed her soul once again, she just wants to be loved by her mother and father. And I guess it was perfect when Blair's mother went there to pick her up. Amazing episode. Sometimes I thought Blair's mom didnt have a heart, but she even helped Jenny.

Jenny coming back home and Lily and Eric going to the Humprey house were the best part I guess, they are truly what a family means.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Blake Lively	Serena van der Woodsen
Leighton Meester	Blair Waldorf
Penn Badgley	Daniel "Dan" Humphrey
Chace Crawford	Nathaniel "Nate" Archibald
Ed Westwick	Charles "Chuck" Bass
Matthew Settle	Rufus Humphrey

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Sam Robards	Howie "The Captain" Archibald	Guest Star
John Patrick Amedori	Aaron Rose	Guest Star
John Shea	Harold Waldorf	Guest Star
Connor Paolo	Erik van der Woodsen	Recurring Role
Margaret Colin	Eleanor Waldorf	Recurring Role
Robert John Burke	Bart Bass	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (7)
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- Dan: You okay with it? Jenny not being with us tonight?
  Rufus: If by okay you mean extraordinarily depressed, then yes. I miss her a lot.
  Dan: You know, in all the arguments you two have had, I haven't once heard you tell her that.
  Rufus: (Shocked) Oh my God, you're right.
  Dan: That's not ... that rare is it?
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- Rufus: I was kind of hoping she'd be here.
  Dan: Yeah, me too. (Jenny comes around the corner)
  Jenny: I love you too, Dad. I don't want to not be your daughter. (Rips up the emancipation papers and hugs Rufus. He pulls Dan into their hug) Guys, I can't breathe.
  Dan and Rufus: Good.
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- Gossip Girl: Signed, stealed, delivered, I'm yours. XOXO, Gossip Girl
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- Blair: (Talking to Serena about Aaron) And how do you plan to introduce him? Mom, you DVR 'Big Love'? This is Aaron and he's just like Bill Paxton only younger and with scruff.
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- Gossip Girl: For the rest of the country, Thanksgiving is when families come together to give thanks. But on the Upper East Side the holiday thankfully returns to its roots. Lying, manipulation and betrayal.
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- Erik: (Talking about Lily's time in an institution)I look forward to talking about it when you're ready. It takes time, I should know.
  Lily: How did you get so wise?
  Erik: The nanny.
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- Gossip Girl: As the end of another holiday draws near, I'd like to take a moment to list all the things I'm thankful for: I'm thankful that no matter how dark things might get, old friendships can still be rekindled... and thankful for new relationships that help us realize how far we've come from who we were... and how close we get when we can really be ourselves... I'm thankful to know that no matter what they say, you can go home again, whether it's your home or not... but the thing I'm most thankful for: how even on the most giving of days, people can still do something unforgivable.
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NOTES (4)
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- International Episode Titles:
  Czech Republic: Archibaldův osud (Archibald's Destiny)
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- Wallace Shawn (Cyrus) also worked with Sam Robards (the Captain) in the 1994 movie Mrs. Parker And The Vicious Circle.
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Latin America: February 18, 2009 on Warner Channel
  The Netherlands: March 13, 2009 on Net 5
  Norway: March 18, 2009 on TVNorge
  Philippines: April 14, 2009 on ETC
  Greece: April 25, 2009 on Star TV
  Denmark: August 9, 2009 on Kanal 4
  Turkey: November 17, 2009 on CNBC-e
  Poland: December 6, 2009 on TVN7
  Czech Republic: March 14, 2010 on Prima COOL
  Australia: March 18, 2010 on GO!
  Slovakia: May 30, 2010 on Doma
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- Music in the episode:
  "My Only Offer" by Mates Of State
  "Bad Man's World" by Jenny Lewis
  "Danger! (Ice Cream Shout Version)" by The Sound Of Arrows
  "I'm A Slave 4 U" by Britney Spears
  "Reasons To Sing" by The Crash
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- Blair: Mom, you DVR 'Big Love'? This is Aaron and he's just like Bill Paxton only younger and with scruff.
  
  Big Love is the HBO TV show starring Bill Paxton as Bill Henrickson, the man with three wives.
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- The title of the episode, 'The Magnificent Archibalds' is a reference to the 1942 movie 'The Magnificent Ambersons', written for the screen and directed by Orson Welles, from the novel by Booth Tarkington.
  This is the tale of a well-known and respected American family - "The Magnificent Ambersons" and their rise and fall.
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