Despite the fresh locale and the ever snappy voiceover of Gossip Girl, I couldn't help but think most of the characters were up to their same, stale tricks. Last year it was new and interesting, this year if they don't get some new storylines quickly, I'm going to get a headache from the amount of times I'm rolling my eyes.

There is no story I could possibly care less about than Jenny Humphrey's. If Jenny wasn't friends with Eric, I would have no reason to watch when she came on the screen at all. I'll admit it's always nice to see a snotty boss get put in their place, but I'm tired of Little J's struggle to be one of the cool kids. We get it, okay? She's beautiful and talented and raised with wholesome values. But oh the horror! She is from an upper-middle class family instead of being filthy rich like all the other kids. It's really quite tragic, and I'd totally sympathize with her... if she wasn't boring as hell. As it is, the only time I can stand her is when she's hanging out with Eric. I sort of adore him, and any time he's on the screen is a-okay by me (even if it means putting up with Jenny being boring as sin).

Speaking of Eric, his little bond with Chuck continues to be adorable - I don't care what Serena thinks. And now that Nate and Chuck are BFF again, I want Eric, Chuck, and Nate to form an awesome three musketeers inspired rock band and go on tour opening for Rufus's band. Er... I mean, I want them to all be friends and hang out a lot so that I can watch Nate and Eric exchange impressed/bemused looks when Chuck talks about the private detective he keeps on the payroll (because dude, that made the whole episode totally worth it).

Though, I'll tell you what, the complete one-eighty they pull with Serena and Eric's grandmother was almost enough to cancel it out. Seriously, when people talk about epic fail, they're talking about grandma and her character reversal. Where the hell did she get her sudden heart o' gold, anyway? Did she rip it out of some other grandmother's cold, dead body? Somewhere, someone's grandkids aren't getting any cookies. Instead, we're getting a reunion tour of the world's most boring couple thanks to Grandmother Personality Transplant.

It's a shame a couple I loved so much and cheered for in the first season has become so tired and repetitive. I'm talking, of course, about Dan and Serena. If the writers aren't careful, I'm going to start referring to Dan as the new Lana Lang. Honestly, how many times can the same scenario happen before he just accepts that secrets and half-truths are part of Serena's world, full stop? I'm hoping that he might just calm the hell down now, but with the pattern he's set up, there's no reason to think he would.

I'm starting to wonder if the writers are just trying to capitalize on the actors' relationship for as long as they're still together. That way, they totally run the Dan/Serena plot into the ground and by the time the actors break up (which they inevitably will), they can break up their fictional counterparts for good to the cheering of the fans (or at least this fan). But that would make too much sense for a show on the CW, so I'm not really holding my breath.

Despite the odds (and her love of Dan), I still really like Serena. Even though she's this beautiful, statuesque model-type with money and status (none of which I have), I still manage to relate to her quite a bit. I think it's because she genuinely loves her friends and does a lot for them, even to her own detriment. She's not perfect (obviously her whole bad girl past is a major point in the series), but she does try to be a good person. Her friends tend to take her for granted/take advantage of her because of that. Anyway, even if she stays with Dan for a while (doubtful on this show), I rarely dislike when she's on screen. I just throw whatever's handy at the TV when Dan is extra stupid (which he is a lot).

You know, Dan should take a clue from Nate. Now there's a character that manages to take what his momma, I mean his writers, gave him and make it work. If Nate could just continue to run around half naked and make out with hot blonds, I would be totally satisfied with his character development (or lack thereof). Luckily for me, it looks like we're in store for a lot of that this season. I actually kind of like his "cougar" (and for real, we're calling her a cougar now? she looks like she's maybe 29/30... what the hell?) and I'm looking forward to lots of illicit sex in hotel rooms from here on out. Not that we were ever lacking that with Chuck around, but our dear Mr. Bass may be a little preoccupied to get up to his usual antics.

And yes, that means we've arrived at the important part of this review. Chuck and Blair were utterly perfect and single (double?) handedly saved the episode from total ruination. When Chuck gave Lord Dues Ex Machina the pop quiz on Blair, I thought I would roll off the couch laughing. Chuuuuck, how so totally adorkable and a douche at the same time? It's a mystery! Not that Blair didn't hold her own. She's easily the most complex, layered character on the entire show and I really feel like when I tune in, I'm there for the Blair and Chuck hour.

Seeing those two go at it (whether in the back of a limousine or exchanging verbal barbs) is the highlight of the show. (All other couples, please take note. This is how it's done.) I hope they don't eventually make them boring, too. This show seems to have a knack for making things I once loved totally unbearable later on. For now, though, I'm content to watch Chuck struggle with loving Blair while she flounces around and cunningly makes everyone's life miserable if they don't do exactly as she pleases.

All in all, when I wasn't being bored to death by the Humphreys (when am I not? Oh... that's right, usually Rufus isn't quite so lame), I did enjoy the episode. It's just that the Humphreys are supposed to be our window into this world, our anchors. Unfortunately, they rarely do anything but complain about everyone else and yet try desperately to be part of it all. BORING.

Some things that could have made this episode better: Vanessa showing up anywhere, anytime. Jenny developing a personality. Eric, Chuck, and Nate going on a road trip together and telling everyone else to screw off. An appearance by Bart and Lily.

Here's hoping next week brings all that and more. So, who wants to sign the petition for the Chuck Bass Experience (the trio's band, of course) going on tour with Rufus?