I usually hate season finales. Because either they leave the characters at a cliffhanger, with some sort of decision to be made, or there is a decision, but you don't like it at all and want to go back to when things were better.
But this finale of Gossip Girl just got me super excited for the coming season. Almost every storyline looks like it will be much more interesting than this years'. I am especially looking forward to what is going to happen with Serena. A lot of drama probably is what we can expect, it is Gossip Girl, right? But hopefully, a lot of fun, too. Having the old partygirl back could be really entertaining, don't you think? We didn't actually see her much like this before, though.
Anyway, fall can't come soon enough!!!
MUSIC:
Bombs by Golden State
the beginning of the episode
Give it back by The Ting Tings
At the divorce party
Hurricane by Ms Mr
"Prenup shots" at the party
Great track! Maybe the best of this episode, "We are young" is kind of overplayed, isn't it?
Space by Magic Wands
The press conference, Dan and Serena getting intimate
Television is evil. Evil and mean. How could they just let this episode end like that? And make it the end of the season! Now we will have to wait until the next season airs, to know who Zoe will choose. George or Wade? I was so happy to see her getting, ehm, closer with Wade, in my opinion, she should definitely go for him, he is way more fun, caring, his body is much hotter (we didn't really get to see much of Golden Boy's, did we?) and he is not having an evil ex-fiancée. I bet Lemon will be up for some revanche, don't you think? That could be really funny to watch. Or maybe she will be turning to Lavon again...
Can't wait for the next season to get released from all this uncertainties!
Music:
Touch by Josh Abbott Band
Wade and Zoe are getting driven home
Wild At Heart by Gloriana
Preparations for the wedding
I'll be waiting by Garrison Starr
Wade is getting dressed for the wedding, George and Lavon in the rain (I actually loved that moment when George said "Why didn't anybody tell me she was staying?", eventhough he is not the one for Zoe in my opinion...)
So, that Bart-Bass-storyline is really believable, isn't it? But I don't want to say much about this topic, neither about how S and Dan looked like as a couple, nor about Lola and her narcissitic ways of being ("Then I can get your full attention."-Lola, about the fact, that Diana is gone.) Ok, one thing that I just can't possibly ignore: Dan's hair. Ugh. Seriously? Just NOT ok.
But what I really want to talk about is next week's episode, because it is going to be the finale! Sooo much had happend, and I am really, really looking forward to how they are going to let all this mess end. Here are two promos:
"I don't want to be Mr. Blair Waldorf, I'm Chuck Bass." Finally! Chuck was such a cool person, before he got all Romeo-and-Juliet with Blair.
"I built this empire." -Chuck.
Again, he is just great and doesn't need anyone, not Blair, not his father, not Nate, who is scheming behind his back with Lola even if Chuck told him not to. (Perhaps he could need a little bit of Serena? Looks like she is getting back together with Brooklyn, but maybe next season, she could be cheating on him with the king of the UES...)
Blair and Serena's friendship seems to be heading a bad place, but that is nothing we didn't see before. In fact, it was kind of unrealistic to see them being all "BFF-love you so much"-ish.
So, Bass senior is back in the picture, huh? Who didn't see that coming? It might have been obvious, but not logical, not at all. Jack Bass, Chuck's uncle, not his father( a fact that no one really doubted, come on, can't there be a picture of you and your sister-in-law without an affair between the two of you?), he tried to get the Empire and stuff from Chuck first, using the meanest schemings, while he really was just hiding Bart for some creepy reason? Yes, that seems to be a believable reason. Now that Lily and Rufus are having trouble with their relationship, Bart can have a little comeback here as well... (aren't they in fact still married?)
I didn't like how Lola (why is she back? why?) and Nate treated Serena. I mean, she was willing to help them and do the right thing, but they just fooled her and lied to her. What is Serena going to do know? No job, no boyfriend, no real friends... Poor S.
And Dan is just a paranoid teddy bear, that's all.
Family is obviously the main topic of the last and the obcoming few episodes.
Chuck's problems are kind of confusing, Elisabeth is saying "I'm your mother", then she says "sorry, I'm not your mother", and then comes Diana "I am your mother" (with this accent, making it sound rather ridiculous), but here we go, Elisabeth: "Look at the cute pregnant me, I'm his mother." And now? Chuck is questioning if his father even was his father. Nice choice: The man, who made your childhood all about that you are not good enough, or someone, who is always sabotaging and wanted to sleep with your girlfriend, causing a major fight between the two of you?
I am glad Serena is finally treating her dad the way she should. Honestly, do you guys remember how obsessed she was looking for him, ruining relationships because of that? Oh, and suddenly he is back, and everyone loves eachother? No, she was supposed to be mad, she wasn't at first, but now she is and it is good.
Blair's issues about how cool she is? I have one tip for her: Get a job, girl!
This season is really annoying me at some point (especially the girls: Lola, Ivy, BLAIR...), but Serena, taking over Gossip Girl and using it for what she wants, might be the thing happend in a while. The past few seasons, S was always the sweet, kind of innocent girl, everyone else messed with, but now, she is finally taking control. Hopefully, she will be doing some more malicious stuff. :P
Something else I am hoping for is a new love interest for her. It doesn't have to be a serious one, but I want to see her having some fun. Maybe a handsome, rich boy, she party with, without any "I love you, you're the world to me" shit. (Chuck!!! I know, I am annoying.)
A highlight of this episode was Chuck's outfit in his first scene. I miss his funny style, do you guys remember all the ridiculous clothes he used to wear? Ridiculous, but it still suited him. He could just wear anything, I would still love him.
Lola is still annoying, that is nothing new. "Oh my god, I am way to cool to be an It-girl". Go away, girl, nobody needs you.
The two best songs this episode were:
Bad Girls - M.I.A.
Skins fans might remember it from 6x08. Anyway, it is a great song. I hope, Serena will be living like that a bit more soon. "Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well..."
Hit the Ground (Superman) - The Big Pink
Love that song. The band is very cool anyway, you should really check them out, especially the song "Dominos".
Oh my god, it really is the end. I can't believe it is over now. The season finale of Skins has finally arrived . Seriously, 10 episode are really not enough. Wasn't the best finale ever, but I liked it, although I wanted to see more of Mini and Alo, but that is what I always wanted. Probably have to spent the entire next week watching the episode again, listening to the music and reading fanfiction about Alo, Mini and the baby...
I'm going to miss them all !!!!!
"JUST LOVE, SWEET LOVE."
Full Tracklist:
Franky searchs her adaption papers: SBTRKT - Hold On (Sisi BakBak Remix)
Playing in the truck: Wild Billy Childish - Cowboys Are Square
Nick and Matty in the cafe: Django Django - Default
In the truck: Burial - Loner
Franky and her sister leave their mother's old house: Kindness - House
Franky at her sister's: Boards Of Canada - Everything You Do Is A Balloon
Franky gets back in the same lorry: Wes Willenbring - As You Fade Away
In the truck, again: Marty Robbins - Five Brothers
Franky jumps out the truck: Sara Sayed - The Earth Got Round
Liv and Alex talk: Sharon Van Etten - Give Out
Rich dances, best scene ever!!! Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Nick takes Matty to Rich's: Fred Kash - A Fool
At the pool party: Cramp - RU116
Parker and Hanson - Afterthought Matty and Nick talk: Segal - Shimmer
At the party: The Black Keys - These Days
Rich dives in to see Grace: Goldmund - Clement Danes
The boys lay down post-party: Segal - Shimmer
Everyone in the end: Rae Morris - Don't Go Love it! Love it! Love it! I'm so sad...
Playing the series out: Titus Andronicus - Fear and loathing in Mahwah, NJ
So, this episode was about Franky and Mini. But was anyone interested in Franky and her problems? I definitly wasn't. Oh my god, all the boys love me, but I don't know what love is. My mummy didn't want me, I am so messed up. Seriously, who cares? When she deleted Alo's message ("We can pull this together, I love you."), I really hated her. Anyhow, Mini and Alo worked things out, that is what matters most for me. But what will be happing next time? Are Mini and the baby are going to be alright? I want Alo, Mini and the baby-girl to have a happy end as a happily ever after family so much...
How will we survive when this season is over and nothing left to be waiting for???
Music:
In the mornig: Grouper - Moon is Sharp
Franky is making breakfast : Clare Grogan - Don't Give Up Girl
On the Radio during breakfast: The Saturdays - All Fired Up
Matty and Franky are fighting while Mini collapse: Daughter - Love
At the hospital: Hannah Peel - Sugar Hiccup
Nick and Matty are fighting over Franky: Gem Club - Breakers
Alo and Mini are talking on the stairs: Segal - Everywhere
Mini spots Franky out the window: I Am Harlequin - Wild One http://iamharlequin.bandcamp.com/track/wild-one LOVE IT!!!
Franky and Mini get the bus... away: Porcelain Raft - Backwords
Dancing in the hostel: Benny Benassi - Cinema ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE!!!
Rich and Alo are talking: o F F Love - Be Around U
Waiting in the rain: Expensive Looks - Nothing More
Waiting in the bus station: Segal - Everywhere
Franky is running away from Mini's: Visions of Trees - Sometimes It Kills
Rich is picking up Mini: Tim Victor and Segal - Let Me In
I waited so desperately for Alo's episode, for Mini to tell him about her pregnancy, for them to FINALLY get together. Is it too much to ask for? Appearently, yes. Because on Skins, no one gets to be perfectly happy, ever. Instead of working things out with Mini, Alo had to sleep with some 13 year old girl, go to jail, mess everything up. And when I thought Mini would finally tell him everything (that she going to have a baby, that she loves him like crazy), but then Alo's damn phone rang! Honestly, I have never been this furious about technology.
So, 3 episodes left. No.9 is going to be about Mini and Franky, I can't wait!
Track list:
Martin Solvieg - Boys and Girls (Laid Back Luke remix)
This post took me, like, forever to write, because I couldn't just check out the songs again really quick, you know, listen to the first 30 seconds of one song and the first 20 sec of the next one. No, they were so many beautiful songs, that I had to listen the whole tracks of almost all the 15 songs. And then one more time to decide, which I want to particularly present you guys. Because this episode has quite a couple of songs, that are very different from the "normal" Skins soundtrack.
OMG, why can't next episode be a Mini's, too? I am sooo desperate to know what is going to happen. Mini is pregnant! Is it weird that I am always that happen when someone on TV gets pregnant? In contrast to Jal (remember? season 2?), she will be keeping it, I think.
But how is she going to tell Alo? And how will "farmboy" react?
A little Malo baby, I am so excited. They, Mini, Alo and the baby girl (in my imagination, it is a girl, don't ask me why), should become a little crazy, but happy family! Eventhough I know, that Skins doesn't give us happy endings too often, but that is what I am hoping.
Doesn't really have anything to do with the whole Mini and Alo thing, but I am so glad Rich is back, I missed him.
Elvis is an unlicensed mortician in his family's funeral home, a once splendid American Gothic in rural Texas. His sense of family obligation and love for his eccentric, infirm father keep him from following his dreams.
Anabelle is a small-town beauty queen being groomed for the big time by her pushy, show-biz mother. All her decisions are made for her - she just has to make sure she fits the part.
Their two lives are worlds apart, but those worlds collide when Anabelle, in a moment of triumph, collapses and dies on a beauty pageant catwalk - and ends up on Elvis's embalming table. As he is about to go to work on a dark and stormy night, Elvis magically revives Anabelle with an impulsive, innocent kiss. (It actually is a bit different, less "magically", more about medicin, but yet very sweet...)
News of the miraculous recovery sparks a media frenzy, but despite her mother's efforts to capitalize on all the attention, Anabelle finds that she's changed. Worn down by her mother and the media hype, and haunted by visions of her uncanny awakening, Anabelle is drawn back to the funeral home.
There, with the reluctant help of Elvis and the enthusiastic support of his father Charlie, Anabelle finds refuge and also begins to find herself. She and Elvis gradually start to connect, but her past is closing in - along with her mother, the police, and the relentless news hounds.
That sends Elvis and Anabelle on a mad dash to the Texas coast, where they discover a sense of freedom that neither of them had ever known, and where they soon discover their true feelings for one another.
But the world is close behind, and soon the young lovers are torn apart by tragic events that leave each of them alone to question their lives, their choices, and their love. In the end both Elvis and Anabelle must face their own demons before they are able to realize that for every tragedy there's a miracle waiting to happen.
It is just a magical movie, that slowly follows Elvis and Anabelle's love story and how they find to themselves.
The story is moving, and the phenomenally written characters and good actors, that are taking part, make it as beautiful as it is. Gossip Girl's Blake Lively is, well, ok, though I love her role. But the best are actually the men, I like Max Minghella (Elvis), and the one I LOVE is Joe Mantegna. He is most known for Criminal Minds, which has most of the times very flat stories, but in "E&A", he acts without putting himself in the foreground, very calm, not piteously. And his character, Elvis's father Charlie, who has slowly been losing his lucidity, is so sweet and, as mentioned, perfectly written.
What is great, too, is the soundtrack. My two favourite songs (and the most popular ones) are "Via Con Me" from Paolo Conte and "First Day Of My Life" by Bright Eyes, which is played in a really beautiful scene.
(Not knowing the movie, you should probably not watch these videos, if you don't want to be spoilered. But still, if you know the context, the scenes are a lot more intense)
So, if you haven't seen the movie so far, you really have to or you are missing so much. And if you already know it, go and see it on more time. Or two more times. That is what I am going to do...
This episode had one of the best playlists ever. Especially the beginning of the first song is just ... magic.
Alex's morning: Mike Simonetti – The Third Of The Storms (feat. Sam Sparro) Love it!!!
Breakfast time on the radio: The Secret Sisters – The One I Love Is Gone
Alex takes Liv home: Mariachi El Bronx – My Love
Alex reads his Grandfather's diary: Bonnie Prince Billy - Is It The Sea?
Mini dances in the pub: Segal - Headroll Federal Deal
Gambling scene: Segal - Punishing Cake
Alex gets freaky with 'Ryan': Segal - Big sky
Alex and Liv cleaning up a stranger's house: Nguzunguzu - Mirage Scariest thing ever: Leaving your house in a mess, and coming back and it is all cleaned up.
Alex runs home: Soft Moon – Tiny Spiders
Alex gets home to find his Gran dead: Jack Blanchard – Lonely Bell
Alex takes the postcard from his Gran: S. Carey – Broken
Liv flashes the memorial: Council Estate Supermodels – Keep Smiling Pretty good track, too. Like that voice! And of course, the beat.
Partying on the boat: Death In Vegas – Your Loft My Acid - Fearless Transhouse Mix Long
Alex says goodbye to his Gran: Death In Vegas – Your Loft My Acid
Liv and Alex jump right in the water: Akron/Family – One Spring Morning
End credits: The Rapture – How Deep Is Your Love? Perfect end. Last song always stays in head the longest.
Can't believe it. Grace really is dead. I am going to miss her so much. Poor Rich. He will probably be sad, depressed (suicidal?) for the rest of the season. As long as there is nobody coming to cheer him up, after all. I think, Rich and Liv were really nice together, when they sat in and infront of the café. But as much as we can see in the promo for the next episode (which is coming tomorrow, yeahy), I think Liv is going to have trouble with this new Alex guy, though he is gay...
Something else: Fuck Norris! Rich, Alo and O'Malley's new band. I love it. It is less metall than I expected it to be, but that is a good thing. Hope, they continue to play, despite everything that happend (and is going to happen).
Music: On the E4's website, there is this video from Kyle Lynd, the music supervisor of the show, who explains a bit about the music he used. It is pretty interesting, go check it out. http://www.e4.com/skins/series6/music/ep2.html
Quotes: Sometimes it is difficult to choose which line was the best, but this time, I found an undoubted winner:
