Reality Index

Every Tuesday, the previous night's Gossip Girl is examined by the staff at New York Magazine and assigned scores according to its "reality index."
Check out some of the highlights from the magazine's analysis of In The Realm of the Basses

• Blair Waldorf's address, according to the mail, is 1136 Fifth Avenue. Seems reasonable. Plus 5. Also, the Colony Club? Unfortunately real. Plus 2.

• When Dan reaches to kiss Serena, he has a lovely manicure. Minus 1.

• How awesome was it when Blair started shushing Dorota about Chuck, and Dorota instinctively started shushing herself? Plus 3.

• People are allowed to give babies up for adoption! In fact, if parents aren't ready, it's a wonderful thing to do for a child and a set of hopeful parents. Minus 10 to the producers for making it seem so incessantly monstrous.
• Jenny dyed her roots halfway through the episode! Plus 1.

• Chuck shows up at school wasted, smoking hash and wearing a horrible (sans scarf) and all Blair can think about how he hasn’t said "I love you." Plus 1.
  
  
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• Let's discuss Uncle Jack. Hot, but a letdown. He's an idiot in this episode, and we're led to believe he's going to be an appropriate villain in the next? Minus 5.

• The scene when Blair looks into the mirror, cries, gets serious, crumples, and freezes is perhaps the best moment all season. Plus 20. Where is her Emmy?!

• Serena tells Dan she never e-mailed or called him after break because she "needed to make sure we both felt the same when the dust settled." Sure. Because teenagers are known for their patience and maturity. Minus 3.

• Uncle Jack gives 15-year-old Eric van der Woodsen a drink and told him to enjoy it. Plus only 2, because how did that kid get in there anyway? Even a bouncer at Chuck's bar wouldn't let in someone who looks approximately nine.
• Dan always has the most beautiful coats. Sorry, they don't have Zegna at Buffalo Exchange. We've checked. Minus 3.
  
  
• Dan: "Well, you look tan." Serena: "Well, it is summer in Buenos Aires." Um,
  Serena is white as a ghost. Minus 2.