10/21/2008
Gossip Girl's Gay Gets a Guy
[[SPOILER WARNING - SORT OF]]
Eric van der Woodsen, the gay socialite son on Gossip Girl, emerged from obscurity last night with a love interest. The character, played by Connor Paolo, has been largely absent this season. The boyfriend's presence (at least in this episode) was short-lived, as the relationship was shuffled back to the closet by the closing credits.
Posted 11:42 AM EST by Andy Towle in News, Playing Gay, Television | Permalink
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G.G. uses Eric as a kind of narrative glue in linking characters and plot strands together. It would be nice if he and the bf got some decent plot action and weren't "barely there."
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Oct 21, 2008 1:00:51 PM
After watching the last few episodes, I wish the writers would beef up his story line, and fade Jenny into the background as narrative glue.
The "Fashion Superstar" storyline is starting to grate on the viewers because she's become fairly crass and unlikable.
Posted by: nick | Oct 21, 2008 1:31:52 PM
Hasn't Jenny always been totally unlikable.
More Eric please!
Posted by: Jeffrey | Oct 21, 2008 1:41:07 PM
A waste of air time.
Posted by: Matty | Oct 21, 2008 2:04:10 PM
Sorry, but I can't get on board the Eric love train. He's one of the most boring characters on the show. And the idea of his role being expanded on the show just because he's gay is ridiculous. The show is about bitchy girls and their boy-toys.
Posted by: sugarrhill | Oct 21, 2008 2:13:57 PM
yeah i actually think he's such a dull character. while its great to have a gay character who is a) NOT ostracized by the family b)NOT an embarrassing stereotype,
he is just boring!
Although last night when he brought his new boyfriend to lunch to meet his sister and blair, i loved that the two had such kind, welcoming reactions. remember that these characters are serving as idols now for MANY MANY young girls everywhere.
...So i was glad about the example they set of acceptance.
Posted by: Bobby | Oct 21, 2008 2:20:14 PM
I really wish they would explore Eric's character more and that there would be more of Eric's new gorgeous boyfriend because Matt Doyle is amazing! They could have a great storyline. They pump up Eric coming out as a big storyline and then do nothing with exploring him futher. :/
Posted by: SpringAwakeningGirl | Oct 21, 2008 3:08:08 PM
For this show, the boyfriend was kind of ugly but it's sad just how little time has been given to Eric's story.
Posted by: queendru | Oct 21, 2008 5:15:25 PM
They really should use him more! But WTF people:
I don't get why all the gay characters have to make SUCH a big, dramatic impact. I mean, is he boring, or just well-adjusted and suprisingly normal? Considering the trappings that the elites of GG seem to keep falling into, not to mention his offbeat upbringing by way of a partying sister, he's just a nice guy who's living his life one day at a time. What exactly is wrong with that?
Posted by: Andy S. | Oct 23, 2008 7:02:12 PM