There are a few things I miss about Gossip Girl.
I miss the actual story arcs of Season 1. It seems the writers have exchanged the deconstruction,personal conflict and resolution that made me actually like the show for shock value and shallowness.
I miss Blair and Serena. No, not the vapid, debauched incarnations running around now, but the Blair and Serena we met in Season 1. The Blair and Serena that I could sympathize with, relate to, and root for, even when they were at their worst.
Mostly, though, I miss the music. I suppose I could check in at the music page of the show’s official site, but I forget. The music is now Gossip Girl’s best feature. And I should remember that next time I’m looking for new music with which to fall in love.
Last season during my first break-up with the show, there was an episode — 10 — that had a lot to do with Aaron, who I hated, and so I didn’t pay much attention. I think I was reading a book with it on in the background. Maybe I was playing Solitaire on my phone. Anyway, I did remember thinking, “Wow, the music is especially awesome tonight. I’ve gotta find out who that is so I can download it.”
Well, I forgot about it until tonight. Surprise, surprise, that was the episode where Kings of Leon was used for practically the entire episode. Three of its songs were used in pivotal scenes, and now that I’ve downloaded the entire CD and listened to them again, I remember why it is that I loved those songs so much.
Here’s a live version of their No. 1 single “Sex on Fire” (used when Aaron was trying to get Serena to pose for him). I’m also including “Use Somebody,” which wasn’t in that episode, but it’s one of my current favorite songs. It’s somewhere in the Top 40 and has been for a few weeks now.
Caleb Followill’s voice is frakking amazing.
