The Last Days of Disco Stick
Encyclopedia
"The Last Days of Disco Stick" is the 53rd episode of the CW
television series, Gossip Girl
. It was also the tenth episode of the show’s third season. It aired on November 16, 2009, and was written by Leila Gerstein and directed by Tony Wharmby. The episode features a cameo
and special performance by Lady Gaga
.
(Blake Lively
) continues to have chemistry with Tripp (Aaron Tveit
). Serena knew that it was wrong and went to Nate
(Chace Crawford
) for help. Nate decides to not let Serena out of his sight until Tripp leaves for Washington D.C. the following day. They spend a lot of time together and some chemistry builds there. At a bar, Nate confesses he has always been in love with Serena and leans in to kiss her. As he does this, a distressed Tripp walks in and interrupts. He just learned that it wasn't their grandfather that set up the drowning man in the Hudson River on Election Day, but his wife. Now that his marriage has fallen through, Serena goes to comfort him. Nate urges her not to go, but she insists.
Things are awkward between Dan
(Penn Badgley
), Vanessa
(Jessica Szohr
), and Olivia (Hilary Duff
) now after their threesome
. Nate tells Dan that the third person should always be a stranger. Vanessa and Olivia fight over Dan's time and attention. They are all brought together by Blair
(Leighton Meester
) for a performance. Blair runs another one of her get popular schemes; to get in with the elite of The Tisch
School of the Arts. They hosted a gathering of actors and writers to perform a play based around pop culture: a modern-day Snow White
using the music of Lady Gaga
. Blair was originally not invited, but got Olivia to get her in with her connections.
Dan brings Vanessa in as the director of the play. Olivia and Vanessa vie for Dan's attention. During one of the scenes, Olivia calls out Dan for having a thing for Vanessa. She leaves, leaving Vanessa to fill in for her as Snow White. When Dan kisses Vanessa, he realizes that he's had feelings for her all along. Unfortunately, Vanessa is interested in some artsy guy from Tisch. Olivia decided to leave NYU, leaving Dan all alone.
Blair brought Lady Gaga on stage which really impressed her classmates. Meanwhile, Jenny (Taylor Momsen
) has been hanging around New York City with one of Chuck
's (Ed Westwick
) clients, international drug dealer Damien Dalgaard (Kevin Zegers
). She gets herself caught up in a drug exchange. Chuck steps in to save Jenny. Although, Jenny doesn't feel like she needs protection and texts Damien to hang out again.
-winning recording artist Lady Gaga makes a cameo appearance.
bag, Ralph Lauren
hat and Manolo Blahniks. When styling Blair's more mature look, Daman stated "I chose very sleek, very linear clothing...It's almost architectural in design." Daman drew on the character of Jenny, citing her preference for wearing "lots of vintage clothes like torn-up jeans and paint-splattered T-shirts." and dressed Momsen in an Alexander Wang
jacket over a Topshop
dress and Hue tights. Daman also cited recording artist Courtney Love
as an inspiration for the character's style. When dressing Blake Lively
, Daman considered Serena's confusion over her feelings for the married congressman and incorporated her character's outfit into the episode. "From a fashion standpoint, Serena is in a little bit of an identity crisis," Daman explained. InStyle praised her Serena in her Twenty8Twelve coat, Alice and Olivia dress, Hue tights, a Kotur
bag, Stephen Dweck necklace and Manolo Blahniks, describing it as "perfectly put-together". Eric Daman praised Vanessa's growing confidence, commenting "She's becoming her own woman,” and accessorized Vanessa's Diane von Furstenberg
coat and Nanette Lepore
dress with American Apparel
leggings, a L.A.M.B.
bag and a bold blue Gemma Redux necklace.
, a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on TV Fanatic, and a 7.3 out of 10 stars rating on IMDb.
Isabelle Carreau, from TV Squad, had said that the episode was very predictable, and that even though "the drama following the threesome was put center stage, yet it fell flat".
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 also the tenth episode of the show’s third season. It aired on November 16, 2009, and was written by Leila Gerstein and directed by Tony Wharmby. The episode features a cameo
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
and special performance by Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
.
Plot
SerenaSerena 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...
(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...
) continues to have chemistry with Tripp (Aaron Tveit
Aaron Tveit
Aaron Kyle Tveit is an American theatre and film actor originally from Middletown, New York. He is known for originating the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale Jr...
). Serena knew that it was wrong and went to Nate
Nate Archibald (Gossip Girl)
Nathaniel Fitzwilliam "Nate" Archibald is a character in the best selling Gossip Girl book series. He is portrayed by Chace Crawford in the television series of the same name...
(Chace Crawford
Chace Crawford
Christopher Chace Crawford , better known as Chace Crawford, is an American actor. He currently portrays Nate Archibald on the CW television drama Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
) for help. Nate decides to not let Serena out of his sight until Tripp leaves for Washington D.C. the following day. They spend a lot of time together and some chemistry builds there. At a bar, Nate confesses he has always been in love with Serena and leans in to kiss her. As he does this, a distressed Tripp walks in and interrupts. He just learned that it wasn't their grandfather that set up the drowning man in the Hudson River on Election Day, but his wife. Now that his marriage has fallen through, Serena goes to comfort him. Nate urges her not to go, but she insists.
Things are awkward between 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...
(Penn Badgley
Penn Badgley
Penn Dayton Badgley is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl. He has also starred in the movies John Tucker Must Die, The Stepfather, and Easy A....
), 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:...
(Jessica Szohr
Jessica Szohr
Jessica Karen Szohr is an American actress. Szohr began her screen career starring on television shows such as CSI: Miami and What About Brian...
), and Olivia (Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff is an American actress, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and author. After working in local theater plays and television commercials in her childhood, she achieved fame playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She also reprised her role in...
) now after their threesome
They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?
"They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?" is the 52nd episode of the CW television series, Gossip Girl. It was also the ninth episode of the show’s third season. The episode was written by Amanda Lasher and directed by Alison MacLean. The episode was considered very polemic according to the Parents...
. Nate tells Dan that the third person should always be a stranger. Vanessa and Olivia fight over Dan's time and attention. They are all brought together by Blair
Blair Waldorf
Blair Cornelia Waldorf is the main character of Gossip Girl, introduced in the original series of novels and also appearing in their television and manga adaptations. Described as "a girl of extremes" by creator Cecily von Ziegesar, she is a comical overachiever who possesses both snobbish and...
(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...
) for a performance. Blair runs another one of her get popular schemes; to get in with the elite of The Tisch
Steve Tisch
Steven "Steve" Tisch is an American businessman. He is the Chairman and Executive Vice President of the New York Giants, the NFL team co-owned by his family, as well as a film and television producer...
School of the Arts. They hosted a gathering of actors and writers to perform a play based around pop culture: a modern-day Snow White
Snow White
"Snow White" is a fairy tale known from many countries in Europe, the best known version being the German one collected by the Brothers Grimm...
using the music of Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
. Blair was originally not invited, but got Olivia to get her in with her connections.
Dan brings Vanessa in as the director of the play. Olivia and Vanessa vie for Dan's attention. During one of the scenes, Olivia calls out Dan for having a thing for Vanessa. She leaves, leaving Vanessa to fill in for her as Snow White. When Dan kisses Vanessa, he realizes that he's had feelings for her all along. Unfortunately, Vanessa is interested in some artsy guy from Tisch. Olivia decided to leave NYU, leaving Dan all alone.
Blair brought Lady Gaga on stage which really impressed her classmates. Meanwhile, Jenny (Taylor Momsen
Taylor Momsen
Taylor Michel Momsen is an American actress, musician and model who portrays the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl and portrayed the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and fronts the rock band The Pretty Reckless.-Early life and career:Taylor...
) has been hanging around New York City with one of Chuck
Chuck Bass
Charles Bartholomew "Chuck" Bass is a fictional character in the Gossip Girl series of teen novels and the television series of the same name. He is portrayed by English actor Ed Westwick. Although he is a secondary, antagonistic character in the original book series, in the television series Chuck...
's (Ed Westwick
Ed Westwick
Edward Jack P. "Ed" Westwick is an English actor and musician, best known for his role as Chuck Bass in the main cast on the American television series Gossip Girl.-Early life and career:...
) clients, international drug dealer Damien Dalgaard (Kevin Zegers
Kevin Zegers
Kevin Joseph Zegers is a Canadian actor and model. He is best known for his leading roles as Josh Framm in the Air Bud series, as well as playing Damien Dalgaard in the Gossip Girl series and the protagonist in Rock Mafia's The Big Bang...
). She gets herself caught up in a drug exchange. Chuck steps in to save Jenny. Although, Jenny doesn't feel like she needs protection and texts Damien to hang out again.
Production
The episode marks Hilary Duff's final appearance in the role as Olivia Burke after fulfilling the whole contract as a recurring character for the third season. Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning recording artist Lady Gaga makes a cameo appearance.
Fashion
Similar to most Gossip Girl episodes, The Last Days of Disco Stick drew heavily on fashion. Costume designer, Eric Daman dressed Leighton Meester in a Theory coat, Vince leggings, a ChanelChanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
bag, Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
hat and Manolo Blahniks. When styling Blair's more mature look, Daman stated "I chose very sleek, very linear clothing...It's almost architectural in design." Daman drew on the character of Jenny, citing her preference for wearing "lots of vintage clothes like torn-up jeans and paint-splattered T-shirts." and dressed Momsen in an Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang may refer to:*Leehom Wang, Alexander Lee-Hom Wang, Taiwanese-American musician*Alexander Wang , the American designer...
jacket over a Topshop
Topshop
Topshop is a British clothes retailer with shops in over 20 countries and online operations in a number of its markets. Its sales come primarily from women's clothing and fashion accessories...
dress and Hue tights. Daman also cited recording artist Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
as an inspiration for the character's style. When dressing 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...
, Daman considered Serena's confusion over her feelings for the married congressman and incorporated her character's outfit into the episode. "From a fashion standpoint, Serena is in a little bit of an identity crisis," Daman explained. InStyle praised her Serena in her Twenty8Twelve coat, Alice and Olivia dress, Hue tights, a Kotur
Kotur
Kotur is a village in Belgaum district in the southwestern state of Karnataka, India.-References:...
bag, Stephen Dweck necklace and Manolo Blahniks, describing it as "perfectly put-together". Eric Daman praised Vanessa's growing confidence, commenting "She's becoming her own woman,” and accessorized Vanessa's Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Fürstenberg
Diane von Fürstenberg, formerly Princess Diane of Fürstenberg , is a Belgian-American fashion designer best known for her iconic wrap dress. She initially rose to prominence when she married into the German princely House of Fürstenberg, as the wife of Prince Egon of Fürstenberg...
coat and Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore is a well known fashion designer based in New York City. New York magazine has said that she is "Known for her feminine style and fine detailing, Nanette Lepore makes ultra-chic clothes that are at the same time easy to wear."-Biography:Lepore's father, James, was a professor of art...
dress with American Apparel
American Apparel
American Apparel is a clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing...
leggings, a L.A.M.B.
L.A.M.B.
L.A.M.B. is a fashion line by American singer Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock band No Doubt. The line manufactures apparel and fashion accessories. The line was founded in 2003 but made its runway debut the following year in 2004. The fashion line manufactures accessories like shoes,...
bag and a bold blue Gemma Redux necklace.
Reception
"The Last Days of Disco Stick" was watched by 2.24 million of viewers. The episode received mixed reviews, with an 6.1 rating out of 10 from TV.comTV.com
TV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The site covers television and focuses on English-language shows made or broadcast in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan...
, a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on TV Fanatic, and a 7.3 out of 10 stars rating on IMDb.
Isabelle Carreau, from TV Squad, had said that the episode was very predictable, and that even though "the drama following the threesome was put center stage, yet it fell flat".