Gossip Girl Recap: Dan unsurprisingly out of it, ends up with hot superstar girlfriend

There have been some Facebook grumblings about tonight's episode of Gossip Girl, but I personally have to say that, as it goes, my previous grievances were completely mollified in tonight's installation of the world's favorite crazy teen television drama and so I have no major complaints. For instance: a new character, totally-unrelated to Humphrey-Van Der Woodsen-family history, was introduced for what I assume will be at least several episodes, due to the fact that she is Vanessa's roommate and (wait for it...) Dan's new girlfriend. Needless to say, she is also Hillary Duff, and the plot points surrounding her arrival are totally absurd. But this is Gossip Girl - isn't that the whole point of this show? Actually, what was surprising was the shockingly realistic portrayal of Blair's reaction to her collegiate hierarchical fall-from-grace by... going back to high school to throw her weight around. Don't worry, though - the rest of the show returned to its gloriously preposterous form: Vanessa's roommate turns out to be a Kristen Stewart-worthy teen superstar; Dan, in his total obliviousness in re: anything not related to plaid shirts and/or hacky NY writers, fails to note celebrity of said roommate and starts to date her; Serena befriends Tyra Banks and, totally coincidentally, yet the same teen superstar; and many earnest conversations ensue. Sadly, we also learn that the long-overplayed storylines involving Georgina and fake-brother/V's ex-bf (Scott?) will not only continue, but actually unite. Well! Never a dull night on that Gossip Girl! Until next time!