If the deluge of eye-popping Gossip Girl spoilers from last week didn't give it away (most likely it did), the controversial romance of Dan and Blair is not being rekindled before the show takes its final bow this fall.

On the heels of these revelations comes a report from E! Online that "the duo formerly known as Dair will barely be interacting in the first half of the season" and "that romance is officially dunzo. For real."

Sorry, Dair Nation. There's always the back half of Gossip Girl Season 5.

Can they still salvage their relationship as friends? Will they at least achieve the kind of closure that Dan deserves after the end of last season? What was your favorite Dair moment? Tell us below.

Gossip Girl continued its final season tonight with an episode that continued the separate, yet intertwined storylines of Dan, Serena, Nate, Chuck and Blair, all of whom are determined to write their next chapter in life.

The Gossip Girl finale spoilers we've been inundated with over the past week offer more to discuss than anything playing out Monday in "Dirty Rotten Scandals," which wasn't really that dirty, rotten or scandalous.

Well, except for Dan. That guy's pretty rotten.

There were some memorable moments, however, as unlikely alliances formed and crumbled across the Upper East Side, leaving the respective careers of some of those involved hanging in the balance.

Let's break down tonight's top stories ...

Blair's fashion show was a disaster and Serena's relationship with Steven was nearly sabotaged, all because of Sage. Yes, this 17-year-old who isn't the slightest bit convincing is now out there besting the besties.

Serena's in a tough spot, for sure, because she really cares about the new man in her life and wants to prioritize what's important to him - his daughter. When did she become a total pushover, though? Blair too?

Don't eff with an effer, we once heard. When Nate Archibald isn't crumpling up her clothes in the corner, this newbie is effing with everyone in sight, and occupying far too much screen time on Gossip Girl's final season.

We'll see how it plays out in the coming weeks, and it's possible there's a twist coming that will redeem her, but we've seen far greater OMG moments than her underwear stunt, and the whole plot line feels a bit tired.

S and B need to get the heck over it, agree to share the UES HBIC crown, move on and live happily ever after.

On the plus side tonight, Steven seems like a good guy, and Chuck Bass stepped it up when it counted.

Chuck, and his quest to track down Bart, took a backseat to his will-be-better half this week, but he helped coordinate the fashion show when B was on bed rest, and was there for her even after she crashed and burned.

That's true love right there. That and a $250 bottle of champagne, and sleeping on opposite sides of the covers. That was a close shave (not as close as the job he's done on the side of his head), but he stuck to the pact.

It looks like Chair finally got the message that just because they aren't together together yet, doesn't mean they aren't at their best when they're spending time with each other in pursuit of dreams and aspirations.

Chuck's goal, when he's not running haute couture events, is to dethrone Bart, and with B's assistance, whoever this Lady Alexander is had better watch her back, because a tour de force known as Chair is coming to town.

Mind, body and scheme. That alone has to make you a little excited for next week. Pack your purple socks!

Meanwhile, Dan sold out hard. Wow. This dude's ego, hair and gumption know no bounds.

Ivy may be a professional con artist, but she's right about one thing: The innocent guy she once begged to call her Serena is now just as ruthless as she or anyone else on the Upper East Side, if not more so.

Hopefully Rufus is right, and he'll come around, because there aren't enough bridges in the tri-state area to sustain Dan at the rate he's burning them. Has he no shame? Or desire to have any friends or family?

The bromance was just being rekindled, too. What did struggling publisher Nate ever do to deserve that move? No loyalty to the Spectator for giving his career a re-launching pad? Unedited, no less?

Cold, Lonely Boy. Cold. Karma's a b!tch, and it'll enjoy paying you back for that one.

However wronged Dan feels he was, and however uncomfortable it may be to see Rufus and Ivy dating, you just can't treat people that way. Publishing the story was one thing, but chastising his own dad afterward?

The way things ended with Blair, one can see how Brooklyn's finest is a little jaded. You can be bitter - and write a book - without launching a scorched earth vengeance campaign, however. Find a middle ground.

People will forgive a lot, and he still has an opportunity to make amends here. But airing people's dirty laundry is bad enough without the omnipresent superiority complex. Heck, even Nelly Yuki experienced it tonight.

Come on, Dan. You're better than this. But S said it all tonight: Suck it, Humphrey.

Elsewhere, Ivy is still shady, no matter how enraptured Rufus is with the fact that someone's actually being nice to him, Dorota is still dutiful and wonderful, and Georgina was sadly missing in action tonight.

Cooking up some big takedown plot elsewhere, perhaps? Or actually hanging out with Milo? We may never know, but we can only hope she returns before long. Without her, Gossip Girl's missing (sorry) the Sparks.

 

Gossip Girl 'Portrait of a Lady Alexander' Promo

Three down, seven to go. What did you think of this week's episode? How are you liking the final season so far? Has it kept you invested, or are you just going through the motions? Discuss below, and vote in our survey:

Gossip Girl Season 6 ...

Looks like Serena and Steven hit a snag on next week's Gossip Girl.

The revelation that Serena slept with Sage's boyfriend isn't exactly a surprise, given that we know her history with Nate, but Lily and Steven once hooked up, according to next week's promo? Who saw that coming?

Then again it is Gossip Girl. We should have expected it really.

 

Gossip Girl 'Portrait of a Lady Alexander' Promo

Next Monday, in "Portrait of a Lady Alexander," Chuck’s investigation into his father’s dealings leads him to an unlikely event with Manhattan’s elite, where he hopes to find the person who can tell him the truth about Bart.

Meanwhile, The Spectator is in jeopardy after Dan sold Nate out, so Nate must make a difficult decision to keep it in business. Speaking of Dan, Georgina pushed him to choose a worthy person to date to boost his image.

Who do you think that will be? After last night's antics (see our Gossip Girl review), how much lower can Dan go in his quest to burn every bridge in the tri-state area? And more broadly, are you liking this final season?

Tell us in the comments, and vote below: Gossip Girl Season 6 ...

She said she's all his on last night's Gossip Girl, but is the show about to throw a wrench into the widely-anticipated Chuck and Blair endgame? A new tease from E! Online's spoiler column today suggests as much.

On the possibility of Chuck and Blair getting married on the series finale, the site says:

"Can't dish on anything that far out (the finale is crazy top secret, despite the recent photos leaking, which may or may not be red herrings) but we can tell you that you Chair fans best prepare for some heartache in episode seven."

"We're hearing C and B are in very different places in their lives and it doesn't bode well for them at that point."

Doesn't sound good, but then again, Chair has weathered so many ups and downs that an obstacle in episode seven still leaves time for them to turn it around ... or does it? Is it possible they won't be together in the end?

As many of you likely know, based on pics and videos posted last week:

• A Chuck and Blair wedding was filmed in New York ...
• ... and possibly a Dan and Serena wedding too ...
• ... while future Chair may have a son Henry.

The question remains, however: Is any of it real? Or is there a twist?

Share your thoughts on Gossip Girl's December 10 finale below.

Welcome back, once again, to TV Fanatic's weekly Gossip Girl Round Table Q&A discussion! Below, our panelists break down all aspects of last night's Gossip Girl episode, "Dirty Rotten Scandals."

In our Q&A session, TVF CEO Eric Hochberger (Gossip Guy), editor Steve Marsi (Mister Meester) and staff members Courtney Morrison and Leigh Raines share their opinions on Monday's events.

Weigh in with your take on the following topics after reading ours!

-------------------------------

1. What was your favorite quote or scene from the episode?

Courtney: "My back is up against the wall, and not in a hot Chuck Bass kind of way." Gotta love Blair Waldorf.

Eric: No G? No favorite Gossip Girl quotes.

Leigh: Chuck coming to Blair's rescue at the atelier after she fainted. It was such a rare purely sweet moment between them, proving they are not just sex and scheming.

Steve: Leigh's use of "atelier" above. Best-written line of the week. That scene was also the most significant of the episode, plot-wise, which isn't saying a lot. Nice moment for the couple, whether they're "together" or not.

2. Dan going dark: Long overdue or over the line?

Courtney: A little bit of both. He has been walked on and taken advantage of enough in the past that it is about time he grows a set. But his own father as his first public take down? That's where I draw the line.

Eric: Long overdue. I'm proud of my little outsider. I don't blame him. That little stunt Blair has basically pulled with him? Hell hath no fury like a Lonely Boy scorned.

Leigh: Both. It should be called Snapped: Dan Humphrey Edition. Really upset that he did Rufus and Nate dirty. Not liking this. I mean, Rufus and Ivy eww but still, he's always loved and supported Dan.

Steve: I don't have a problem with the book. He's a writer and if it's the truth and a great story, let him use it to bolster his career. Where I thought he crossed the line was selling out Nate, and in not apologizing to Rufus. "Dad, I'm sorry I published the story and didn't tell you, let's move on." That would've sufficed, but his ego is way too big at this point.

3. Harder to believe: Sage playing Serena and Blair, or anyone thinking that was actually risque.

Courtney: How to choose? S and B ran the UES at Sage's age, of course they should have realized what was going on. I don't think anyone would find that risque, especially in the fashion world. And I definitely don't think people would walk out on a show because of it.

Eric: Definitely thinking that movie was risque. I've seen Kendall Jenner bikini photos get less flak.

Leigh: Sage playing Serena and Blair. I am SO OVER HER. She's boring and bratty. I'm sorry but there is nobody who is "ten times worse than high school Serena." Implausible. SVDW is one of a kind.

Steve: I get that Sage used her father's relationship with Serena as leverage, but it was still a stretch. Not as much as of one as the idea that her display on the runway would make a New York crowd recoil in abject horror, but a stretch. Anyone who's been to New York Fashion Week knows you'll see far more than that on a nightly basis.

4. More uncomfortable couple to watch: Nate and 17-year-old Sage, or Rufus and con artist Ivy?

Courtney: I can't believe I am saying this... Nate and Sage. At least Ivy is of age!! Nate is the head of a media company that runs stories like the one he is currently in. I just can't imagine Nate would risk all of that for this brand new girl. Especially when he has already been with Vanessa. I mean let's face it, Sage looks just like her. In the UES princess sort of way.

Eric: Rivy for sure. Rufus is a weird emotionless robot puppy around her. It's awkward enough watching them from my couch. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for Dan to walk in on.

Leigh: This is terrible, I hate them both. I guess Rufus and Ivy is just extra messed up and entertaining at least. See above: I want Sage gone.

Steve: I have to take Nage, because I don't see why Nate is so into her, and because of the age thing. Dating a 17-year-old is one thing, but openly talking about stripping her naked just feels a little strange.

5. What will Blair and Chuck find in their quest to take down Bart?

Courtney: I really hope it has nothing to do with Chuck's mom/aunt/or whoever. I have to admit, I'm not that invested in this story yet. And I love me some Chuck Bass. It better be something great to have taken up this much  time of the final season.

Eric: Another incredibly lame reason not to be together.

Leigh: I actually have no idea where this storyline is going, but I assume some kind of dirty business deal. This is Bart Bass we're talking about, he got revived from the dead. I'm not sure the writers can shock us anymore when it comes to him.

Steve: Hopefully something interesting. One gets the sense they are running out the clock with this storyline. When and how will Chair get together for good? Is this anything more than a vehicle to reach that end or will it be entertaining on its own merit? Hopefully the latter, but how much do we really care about Bart at this point?

6. Gossip Girl Season 6 so far: Thumbs up or down?

Courtney: Blair/Chuck/Nate - Thumbs Up. Dan/Georgina/Adults - Thumbs Down. I'm thinking the end of the season will get a thumbs up if all of the spoilers I've seen come true.

Eric: Going one thumb up. Relative to last season? I may need to borrow some thumbs. Not a huge fan of the Chair and Rivy storylines, but loving the rest of the gang's adventures. I just need more G.

Leigh: Thumbs up, minus last week. I just need Blerena back together. You wanna know who I ship? I ship Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen as besties.

Steve: Can I punt this until the coming weeks reveal more of where the season is going? I liked the premiere a lot, with its great dialogue and intriguing premise. Since then it's lost some steam. Too many distractions and stories I'm having a hard time getting invested in, unfortunately.

7. In light of the recent Gossip Girl spoilers, share your updated endgame predictions.

Courtney: Blair and Chuck are getting married. For sure. Whether a cop comes and carts him off is a different story. But believe me, those vowels are getting said. Serena is going to end up with either Steven or Nate... there is no Humphrey in her future. Eric is going to be revealed as GG and Jenny will come back with him to remind us that raccoon eyes are still out of style.

Eric: I desperately try to avoid Gossip Girl spoilers, but when you work with enough TV Fanatics you're bound to hear something about all these wedding dresses. Obviously a Chair wedding. And if there's a Gossip Girl reveal, like Courtney, my money is still on Eric. So Serena is in a wedding dress supposedly? I smell a trick again.

Leigh: I really don't see how Serena could marry Dan after the way he's been treating her. It just doesn't make sense. Maybe it's a foiler and she really marries Nate? I have to believe that there were scenes filmed in studio that we didn't see. They wouldn't just leak everything. That said, I definitely think there is a flash forward after seeing that adorable little mini-Chuck running around on set. I think it will end with the reveal of GG, some romances, families reunited and with Dan and a successful author but not from being a d-bag.

Steve: A focus on the CORE CHARACTERS, and a happy ending for all. Is that too much to ask?

What do you think? Sound off in the comments!

Welcome to the 230th Gossip Girl Caption Contest at TV Fanatic. Yes, 230 ... what a run! If you're new, this is where our readers submit their best caption(s) for a photo from the CW drama. Let's do it!

Follow the link to see who won last week's edition, then get ready to give it your best shot again, right here and now, with an image from this Monday's episode, "Dirty Rotten Scandals."

All you have to do, Gossip Girl fanatics, is think of your best caption(s), click "Comments" and send in your efforts. Go to town ... and have yourselves a great weekend!

We now know the date on which Gossip Girl will be signing off for good.

The CW confirmed today a December 17 series finale for the long-running drama, which will bid viewers one final "XOXO" with a just-announced TWO-HOUR episode.

Moreover, in news broken by TV Line, the network will air a special retrospective immediately prior to the installment.

Not a great deal is known about the final Gossip Girl episode, except its title ("I Love You, New York XOXO"); the return of Jenny and Eric; and, oh, right, the possibility that we'll meet Chuck and Blair's son.

The CW promo for the fifth episode of the Gossip Girl's final season has debuted ... even though the fourth episode won't air until this coming Monday due to the network's unexpected schedule reshuffling this week.

"Portrait of a Lady Alexander" was originally scheduled to air October 29, but due to Hurricane Sandy the episode was delayed until November 5. This caused all unaired episodes to be pushed forward one week as well.

The Gossip Girl finale date is now December 17.

In any case, three episodes of Season 6 have aired thus far, with the last one not generating a lot of excitement. Maybe things will pick up. There are seven installments left, and the promos for the next two are posted below.

 

Gossip Girl 'Portrait of a Lady Alexander' Promo

 

Gossip Girl 'Monstrous Ball' Promo

Welcome to the 231st Gossip Girl Caption Contest at TV Fanatic. Yes, 231 ... what a run! If you're new, this is where our readers submit their best caption(s) for a photo from the CW drama. Let's do it!

Follow the link to see who won last week's edition, then get ready to give it your best shot again, right here and now, with an image from the show's most recent episode, "Dirty Rotten Scandals."

All you have to do, Gossip Girl fanatics, is think of your best caption(s), click "Comments" and send in your efforts. Go to town ... and have yourselves a great weekend!

Last month, a deluge of potential Gossip Girl finale spoilers hit the web, with photos from the set and rumors of weddings, children, arrests and endgames circulating faster than you can say "Til Death Do Us Part."

What's real? We'll find out for sure what goes down December 17 ... but what about the events leading up to the grand finale? Well, read on for some crucial details on the second-to-last episode (spoilers) ...

In the penultimate installment of Gossip Girl, scheduled for December 10 ...

• There will be a plane crash.
• Someone will DIE.

That's all we've got for now; the two events may not even be related, and the details of the downed aircraft are being kept closely under lock and key. However, TV Line confirms at least one major character is on board.

What do you make of this scoop? Who do you think passes away in the ninth episode of Gossip Girl Season 6, and under what circumstances? How will this set up the following week's Upper East Side swan song?

Share your comments, theories, predictions and opinions with us below!

Gossip Girl returned from its hurricane-related hiatus this evening with an episode that ... well let's just say that if Hurricane Sandy had prevented you from seeing it last week, you wouldn't have missed all that much.

The hour continued the separate, intertwining storylines of Dan, Serena, Nate, Chuck and Blair, bringing us slightly closer to the grand finale (now pushed back to December 17) but without too many big developments.

There were some memorable lines and scenes, at least compared to the previous two episodes, yet the continued presence of Steven and Sage, plus Chuck's convoluted quest to take down Bart, still dragged at times.

In "Portrait of a Lady Alexander," Chuck's continued investigation into his dad's dealings led him to an unlikely high society event - a horse show where he hoped to find the person who can help him uncover the truth.

After a few dead ends, some surprising twists and a big assist from Blair, who played sidekick to her once-and-future love tonight, the younger Bass finally learned what the resurrected patriarch has been hiding.

Bart apparently bought foreign oil from Sudanese nationals in violation of an international trade embargo. It would take a lot to drive Bart Bass to such great lengths; a potential federal prison term probably qualifies.

Chuck's going to need hard evidence of this, of course, in order to make his move ... and who knows what that will even be. This storyline is a slow burner, but at least we now have a plausible explanation for Bart's "death."

Blair and Chuck sure do make a great scheme team. Drawn out as the together-but-apart arrangement may be, they've managed to share some quality moments these last two weeks as the other's respective sidekick.

Speaking of right hand women, has there ever been a more ridiculous and awesome literary agent than Georgina Sparks? Pimping out celebutantes for Dan to have sex with? Amazing. Hijacking S' sex tape? Masterful.

Sure, she's certifiably insane and devoid of any discernible human emotion, but someone's gotta keep the show interesting. Especially with Dan at last dismounting from his high horse (pun intended) at the end.

Rediscovering his moral compass somewhat after an epic verbal trashing of Serena, Lonely Boy realized that being a player isn't all it's cracked up to be, and that he longed for some genuine human companionship.

Crazy thought. Who did he seek out? None other than Blair Waldorf. Classy move on B's part to let him crash with her, and perhaps a long overdue, albeit minor consolation to Dair fans. Hey, at least they can be friends?

Maybe next week he can bring up the green headband thing. Yikes, B.

Despite burning bridges with reckless abandon, it looks like we'll see how well Dan can repair them. That SVDW sex tape is potentially the Hurricane Sandy of gossip bombshells, though. How and when will G leak it?

Whenever that happens, one can only imagine how Serena van der Woodsen will react. Ditto Sage and Steven Spence, who continued to occupy major screen time tonight and apparently will next week as well.

It's not that they're terrible characters, per se, it's just that with a limited, 10-episode final season run, every scene is potentially critical, and a lot of theirs come at the expense of others' and aren't particularly interesting.

S and S' decision to share their pasts was fairly predictable in that neither actually did so, and changed nothing as they're still together. Even the Lily revelation didn't feel all that significant - or surprising at all.

Heck, it was more shocking that he's seen the Kate Upton Cat Daddy video.

That's Season 6 in a nutshell. There are good lines and there's potential beneath the surface, with a chance we'll be rewarded with a terrific series finale, but at certain points, we're sort of limping our way to the glue factory.

Nate also knows a thing or two about being screwed over by Dan, and the truth hurt; his paper is going under and he was willing to take extreme measures to save it. Just not taking money from Bartholomew Bass.

Of course, it appears the Bass Industries chief is underwriting the line of credit Nate got anyway, but he's not aware of that at this time. Golden Boy believes he saved the Spectator on the strength of content alone.

Thanks to boxes of Rufus' old stuff sent over by Lily - one included his waffle iron, which has to bring back the memories of the good old days - Ivy had all the ammo she needed to stir up trouble for reasons unknown.

Why does she exist on the show? To seduce people with her hot, raspy voice and serve as a plot device for sending blasts and seeking vengeance on whomever she's upset with that day. That about sums it up.

In any case, Golden Boy can't catch a break at work, and his bad luck is set to continue if Bart controls the cash flow. If this helps align Nate with Chair in the master plan to vanquish King Bass, then so be it.

Before we turn it over to you, here's next week's promo for "Monstrous Ball" ...

 

Gossip Girl 'Monstrous Ball' Promo

And, four episodes in, how are you liking Gossip Girl Season 6 so far?

What did you think of tonight? Share your comments below!

Gossip Girl aired its third straight lackluster episode Monday as the CW series limps toward its December 17 finish line. Will things finally pick up after the last five minutes of "Portrait of a Lady Alexander"?

One can only hope, with just six episodes of the series to go. Next week, on the Upper East Side ...

• After Eleanor gives Blair an ultimatum, B is determined to remedy Waldorf Designs’ problems by making a splash at the upcoming Cotillion, but a shocking revelation at the ball affects everyone.
• Serena is worried about Steven’s attitude toward her, then learns the surprising reason why.
• Chuck finds an unlikely ally as he tries to drive a wedge between Bart and Lily’s relationship.
• Dan publishes another article, but the effect is just the opposite of what he was hoping for.

Check out the CW promo and photos from "Monstrous Ball" below if you haven't seen them:

 

Gossip Girl 'Monstrous Ball' Promo

Click to enlarge the episode photo gallery:

Welcome back, once again, to TV Fanatic's weekly Gossip Girl Round Table Q&A discussion! Below, our panelists break down all aspects of last night's Gossip Girl, "Portrait of a Lady Alexander."

In our Q&A session, TVF editor Steve Marsi (Mister Meester) and staff members Christina Tran and Leigh Raines share their opinions. Weigh in with your take on the following topics after reading ours!

-------------------------------

1. Favorite quote from the episode?

Leigh: Lily to Serena: "It's probably my fault you have a father complex." Ya think Lily???

Christina: Blair: “Listen, Princess Jasmine, I’m sure every one of those horses went straight to the glue factory.” I’m always down for a perfectly-timed Disney reference.

Steve: Georgina matter-of-factly stating that she's "pimping out celebutantes for Dan to have sex with." All business, that G.

2. Favorite scene or storyline?

Leigh: Ummmm, this week was probably one of the worst episodes I've seen in years. I'll go with Serena yelling at Dan in the restaurant because he has really turned up the douche meter.

Christina: Slim pickings! However, I’ll go with the fact that Blair actually acknowledged that Dan helped her out last year.

Steve: Chair scheming. They do make a good team, even in slow episodes.

3. Would you hire Georgina Sparks as your agent?

Leigh: It depends how badly I wanted something. She's damn good at her job and knowing how to get Dan a better deal. She's crazy and unethical but effective.

Christina: No, because I can’t stand her. I never have and never will, and I absolutely hate that she is still around in what I thought was supposedly deemed an epic final season.

Steve: Definitely. I'd just be prepared to change my name and number and the locks on my house, because when you do business with the devil, it's only a matter of time until she changes sides.

4. Bart's big secret: Intriguing or disappointing?

Leigh: I guess it needed to be something really big, international, federal crime kind of big to waste several episodes on it. Why does Bart keep referring to Nate's dad as a criminal though? Has he met himself? Pot meet kettle.

Christina: Major disappointment! Seriously, Bart rises from the dead, and that’s his big secret?! He should have just stayed dead.

Steve: Of all the potential reasons for Bart Bass faking his own death, that does kind of make sense. Being rich is great, but not if it lands you in a federal prison. What Chuck decides to do about it and whether the payoff will be worth the many episodes spent on the storyline remains to be seen. What is Chuck's endgame with regard to his father? Does even he know?

5. Will the Dan-Serena sex tape see the light of day?

Leigh: I don't know. I think it'll be used for blackmail and maybe not released.

Christina: It’s only a matter of time. By the way, I loved that S had no qualms whatsoever about leaving her bag with Georgina. That was just so S.

Steve: It's already up on serenasecrets (dot) com. Just kidding, but admit it, you momentarily thought that was true. With G, you know she's already fielding offers.

6. Least interesting character: Steven, Sage or Ivy?

Leigh: Ivy has had zero use or entertainment value this season.

Christina: Ivy! I am so over her.

Steve: Sage. I just can't get into her storyline.

7. Biggest surprise: Dan rediscovering his moral compass, Blair wearing that green thing on her head, Steven name-dropping Kate Upton, or Scott getting a mention?

Leigh: I suppose Scott getting a mention was the most random even though I don't believe Steven got with Kate Upton. However, the writers know how to drop a line about relevant pop culture, so I'll give them credit on the Cat Daddy reference. Blair makes more fashion mistakes than not and I don't believe Dan is being truthful.

Christina: Scott getting a mention. I thought everyone forgot about him. Hey, I almost did, too.

Steve: Steven does have a thing for younger women, so going from Kate Upton to SVDW doesn't surprise me too much. Nor does Blair's headband (if you can call it that), for the reasons Leigh said. That leaves Dan and Scott, and I guess I have to pick the latter, simply because no one's mentioned him in years.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments!

With this week's "Portrait of a Lady Alexander" in the books, four episodes of Gossip Girl's sixth and final season have aired, with only six more to go. The grand finale is scheduled for Monday, December 17.

Monday's episode is "Monstrous Ball," followed by "Where the Vile Things Are." On November 26, the seventh episode of Season 6, "Save the Last Chance," airs on the CW, and we've got the pics for you.

As you can see, it's a big night for Waldorf Designs, with its young CEO looking to make an impression. Her man is by her side, as is her BFF ... who also appears to be cozying up to her ex. Interesting.

Scroll through the images below and tell us what you think ...

Welcome to the 232nd Gossip Girl Caption Contest at TV Fanatic. Yes, 232 ... what a run! If you're new, this is where our readers submit their best caption(s) for a photo from the CW drama. Let's do it!

Follow the link to see who won last week's edition, then get ready to give it your best shot again, right here and now, with an image from the show's most recent episode, "Portrait of a Lady Alexander."

All you have to do, Gossip Girl fanatics, is think of your best caption(s), click "Comments" and send in your efforts, as many as you like. Go to town ... and have yourselves a great weekend!

After six seasons and more than 100 episodes, Kristen Bell will finally be seen as well as heard on Gossip Girl. The star, who voices the show's titular, as-yet-unseen character, will appear on the December 17 finale.

Though Bell has provided the voice of Gossip Girl for every single installment, it remains to be seen if she'll actually be playing the mysterious and all-knowing blogger with a penchant for terrible, snarky plays on words.

The 32-year-old, pregnant actress did Tweet earlier today about her final voiceover session for the show, writing, "The saddest day I've had in a while... Last day on #gossipgirl Ill miss you, you snarky bitch!"

No mention of her cameo, however.

Gossip Girl's final episode will begin with an hour-long special retrospective at 8 p.m. EST, featuring interviews with the cast and crew looking back on the CW series' six seasons. Then it's on to the final farewell.

The identity of Gossip Girl will be revealed in the finale, titled, "New York, I Love You XOXOX."

Think she's Kristen? Or is her guest appearance unrelated (which would be equally funny)?

Share your predictions for the Gossip Girl finale in the comment section below!

Gossip Girl's females will soon unite in pursuit of taking down a common enemy.

Their storylines have been divergent and tensions between them palpable at times, but according to E! Online, Blair, Serena, Georgina and Sage will join forces before long. Their goal? Take down a major adversary.

Who could it be? All we know at this time is that their target is male.

Gossip Girl airs its fifth installment of the 10-episode final season this evening on the CW. Share your theories on the mark's identity - and the reason for his imminent demise - in the comments below.

Gossip Girl finally found a little bit of its groove again with the aptly-named "Monstrous Ball."

After a strong premiere, Gossip Girl Season 6 quickly lost steam. The characters have felt like they're through the motions at times in the buildup to the finale. There are always fun moments, but overall, it's been slow.

Hopefully tonight signified the momentum building once again as we head into the back half of this abbreviated final chapter in anticipation of a conclusion that can at least send the show into retirement on a high note.

Tonight's Cotillion-themed episode was all about alliances past, present and future, with the characters jockeying for position and trying desperately to take the reins in life, even if it was at the expense of their peers.

In almost every case, best laid plans blew up in their faces.

Convoluted as the plot was at times, at least some things happened that reverberated throughout the Upper East Side and altered the trajectory of the season a bit, which hasn't been the case in previous weeks.

Blair and Sage were determined to make the former's company a success with the latter's Cotillion attire making for one provocative coming out party and offering her a chance to dethrone her dad's big proposal.

Serena was concerned about Steven’s attitude, but after some sleuthing, found out why. Sadly, or perhaps for the best in retrospect, his daughter's undermining derailed any hope of Serena and Steven getting engaged.

After stealing G's phone in the least believable run-in/misplaced electronic device Gossip Girl has ever thrown at us, the girl in the sex dress treated us to a screening of the Dan-Serena sex tape from the Season 5 finale.

Dan and Georgina ... okay, that's not even really a tandem at this point. G is just a crazy literary agent and pot-stirrer gone rogue. A true wild card with the night's most memorable quotes, but nobody's ally.

Georgina was impressed with Sage's gumption. Steven was irate with his daughter, but also upset with his would-be fiancee's actions. B was crushed by the tape; S was devastated that B and Sage were in cahoots.

Fans were probably just hoping that this marked the last of the Spences on GG.

The sex tape's long-awaited release certainly didn't lack for collateral damage. PG-rated as it was, no one came away clean. Dan came away with some phone numbers; he was as close to a winner as there was.

Perhaps the most upsetting facet of tonight was yet another setback to the Blair and Serena's relationship that has been a cornerstone of GG since the pilot. As she said, it's been a long time since they were friends.

If they're going to find their way back to each other by December 17, the clock's ticking. The pursuit of a common enemy might help them mend fences, but it's sad to see how wide the rift between them has grown.

Ironically, if any relationships were strengthened tonight, they were Blair and Chuck - which Dan spent a good portion of the evening trying to unravel - and Dan and Serena, who wallowed in their mutual humiliation.

The surviving members of Dair Nation may have briefly felt a tingle up their collective leg, but it was clear by the end that no matter how ridiculous the Chair pact may sound, they are committed to it wholly.

Even as Chuck and Ivy's plan hit a roadblock when they couldn't turn Lily and Bart against each other (at least for the time being), and when Dan hoped to ruin Chuck in his true love's eyes, Chair didn't break.

The Chuck chapter of Dan's novel didn't have the desired effect. Nor did his efforts to worm his way back into the emotional opening he saw between that necklace and her ring finger. Lonely Boy got the heave-ho.

Hey, maybe there's a Derena reconciliation on the horizon. The diner scene definitely hinted that we're headed in that direction going forward. Wonder if missionary works for her ... in the fashion sense, that is.

Meanwhile, Nate and Sage and Rufus and Ivy continued to vie for the honor of least appropriate (and sadly, useful) couple. Poor Rufus. So maligned by his ex-wife and the show's writers simultaneously.

Overall, better, Gossip Girl. Not great, but better to say the least. Let's keep it going and see what happens heading into the final month of episodes and give this once-great series the sendoff it deserves.

Before we turn it over to your comments, here's next week's CW promo:

 

Gossip Girl 'Where the Vile Things Are' Promo

What did you think of this very "Monstrous Ball"? Sound off below ...

Next week on Gossip Girl, we'll hear the five words we've been longing for.

Okay, fine, no one would have ever guessed these particular five words:

 

Gossip Girl 'Where the Vile Things Are' Promo

In episode six of Gossip Girl's last hurrah, "Where the Vile Things Are" ...

• Blair gets ready for her mother's imminent arrival and demands.
• Serena and Dan find themselves feeling unexpected emotions. 
• Ivy, Chuck and Nate team up to uncover evidence against Bart.
• Ivy and Rufus' gallery opening hits a snag - an empty RSVP list.

For a rundown of last night and where we stand heading into the back half of this truncated final season, check out our Gossip Girl review of what was one appropriately-titled "Monstrous Ball."

Then share your comments on the promo above, and season thus far!

Welcome back, once again, to TV Fanatic's weekly Gossip Girl Round Table Q&A discussion! Below, our panelists break down all aspects of this week's Gossip Girl, "Monstrous Ball."

In our Q&A session, TVF editor Steve Marsi and staff members Christina Tran, Leigh Raines and Courtney Morrison share their opinions on everything that went down on the UES.

Weigh in with your take on the following topics after reading ours!

-------------------------------

1. Favorite quote or scene from the episode?

Christina: Best scene was when Chuck glared at Ivy up-and-down in disgust for the trash that she truly is.

Leigh: Nate to Sage: I know you're legal, but this is all way too high school for me. Burn! Go man bangs!!

Courtney:Surprisingly... Steven’s breakup with Serena. “I’m a father!” He was mature and smart about it. Just as I was starting to like him....

Steve: I enjoyed the diner scene at the end. The irony of Dan and Serena bonding over this particular sequence of events was well done.

2. Most dynamic duo of this alliance-heavy installment?

Christina: Blairena. Sure, they had some high and low moments and didn't end on the best note, but they are ultimately the most dynamic duo of GG. They always have been and always be. 

Leigh: I cant even believe I'm saying this but... Dan and Blair. I always thought they were a great duo as friends and they had some good banter.

Courtney:Also going with Dan and Blair. They do make a great time and are great as friends.

Steve: Dan and Serena for their chemistry (sex tape and beyond), and Blair and Serena in hopes that they will right this ship, mend their strained relationship and end the series on a high note.

3. Worst scheme team award goes to ...

Christina: Blair and Sage! Shouldn't Blair know better than to work with Vanessa 2.0?

Leigh: Chuck and Ivy. Why is she still on the show??

Courtney:Chuck. Nothing was accomplished of his big plan to take down his Dad. He even enlisted Ivy... the only reason I didn’t pick her is because she was actually able to lie and get out from Bart pretty quickly.

Steve: Gotta go with Sage and Blair. As the saying goes, those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.

4. Harder to believe: Sage stealing Georgina's phone, Blair as a fashion designer, or Ivy ... in general.

Christina: Ivy! By the way, how ridiculous was that scene with her rolling down the cab window to spy on Lily and Chuck?!

Leigh: Ivy in general. See my above answer. Also G was dying to release that tape anyway.

Courtney:Sage stealing Georgina’s phone. G knows what she’s got on there, there is no way she would let that out of her sight!

Steve: The phone. We've seen some amazing lost/stolen phones and other dubious electronic device plot holes in our day but that took the cake for me. PS ... @ Christina: VERY.

5. Have we seen the last of the Spences?

Christina: That's probably what everyone is hoping for but for, but I'm betting Sage isn't done wreaking havoc for Blairena. There's also no way any girl would give up on Nate Archibald so easily.

Leigh: According to sources, unfortunately no. Sage will be back.

Courtney:I'm thinking not. Steven will be done with S but Sage will find a way to get involved.

Steve: And have the show return to focusing almost exclusively on its five core characters for the last five episodes? No, that would be too enjoyable for the fans; it's definitely not happening.

6. More underutilized this fall: Rufus or Nate?

Christina: It's funny how the only way these two could get a storyline is for one to be paired up with a teen while the other is with an actress-turned-con-artist-turned-psychopath. However, between Nate and Rufus, I think we could always use a little more Nate in our lives.

Leigh: Nate. Always Nate. But I do question how Rufus is letting himself get conned so easily.

Courtney: Nate, because he is one of the core characters. Although he has had better stories than previous seasons. I don’t expect too much out of Rufus since he is an adult character.

Steve: Nate has definitely been in writer exile for a long time, but I have to go with Rufus. At least Nate's Spectator storyline, ability to sleep with every female character and general charm give him some purpose. The Season 6 version of Rufus, however, is doing nothing but eat up what little screen time the show has left.

7. Dan and Serena: Will they, should they or won't they?

Christina: They will and should if, and only if, their parents don't get back together. That's the only way I'll be down for Derena.

Leigh: I feel like too much has gone down at this point, some things can't be unsaid. I did see some underlying old chemistry at the end though.

Courtney: They will. I didn’t mind the two in the beginning of the series but I got majorly weirded out when their parents were married and they were dating. Now that Rufus has moved on to a younger model with a sexy voice... well looks like all doors are open.

Steve: Why not. Maybe being back with Serena can help bring back good guy Dan from Gossip Girl Season 1, and vice versa ... they seemed to bring out the best in each other for a time. If not, they're clearly good at turning on each other at a moment's notice, and the fallout could be spectacular. Either way, let's see what happens!

What do you think? Sound off in the comments!