IMHO: "Gossip Girl" (2.15) and the impending Humphrey/Van Der Woodsen merger

Despite not appearing in the episode descriptions (in case you're wondering why Gossip Girl hasn't been in the Queerview), we've been seeing a good amount of Gossip Girl gay Eric lately. Last night, Eric spent a decent amount of screen time cringing at his friend Jenny (I empathise) and was there for the revelation of a major family secret.

Find out why I'm giving this episode a thumbs up after the break!

Aside from the story of Little Orphan Chuck (which needs to end yesterday), the big story on Gossip Girl is the revelation that 19 years ago, the star-crossed lovers Lily and Rufus had a love child that Lily secretly put up for adoption. This brings up complications for Gossip Girl's alpha couple of Dan and Serena since that means they share a half-sibling, a situation that would make anyone who doesn't write for Brothers & Sisters a little uncomfortable.

Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lily (Kelly Rutherford)

While we're watching Lily and Rufus rekindle their romance and wondering if that'll break up Dan and Serena, Eric and Jenny are nurturing a budding Will & Grace relationship, right down to the fact that Jenny's neediness stifles Eric's relationship with his boyfriend. Last week, Eric was there to help Jenny liberate Lane Kim Nelly from the mean girls' clique, a misadventure that left Eric the last person still willing to speak with Jenny who isn't family.

Eric eventually gives Jenny the talk about needing space, which might ordinarily lead to a major fight between them except that it is quickly overshadowed by their half-sibling being revealed to the world.

Eric and Jenny (Taylor Momsen)

Overall it's great to see that, despite being a recurring character, Gossip Girl always remembers to include Eric whenever something major happens to his family and often gives him more to do than to wait for the big event and then react from the background.

Also, despite the hints that they may break up, it was great to see Matt Doyle make a brief return appearance as Eric's boyfriend, Jonathan. We never did find out what Jonathan had to say to Eric that kept them together just as they seemed headed towards a breakup ... am I being overly optimistic when I hope that it's a sign of future drama for Eric and Jonathan?

Eric and Jonathan

Last night's episode ended with Rufus and Lily about to have a talk with the younger Van Der Woodsens and Humphreys. Hopefully, some of next week's episode will be about the reactions to that talk, with Eric included.

What did you think? Has Eric managed to avoid being a "barely-there" gay so far? More importantly, considering the way Humphreys and Van Der Woodsens end up in close relationships, is an investigation of Jonathan's family tree in order?