Gossip Girl - Sound

Season 2, Episode 6; New Haven Can Wait (Aired: Weds 4th March @ 9pm, ITV2)

There is always a lot of sound used in Gossip Girl, be it diegetic or non-diegetic. Evey episode starts with the voice-over from "Gossip Girl" herself; introducing the episode and setting the scene. Her voice re-appears throughout the episode, usually just before an ad break, where she ties up what we have just seen with an insight into what might happen next; seeing as she is the omniscient character in the programme, she therefore knows what is going to happen. "Gossip Girl" always has the last words in every episode; a conclusion of the events, and again, an insight into the upcoming drama.

Here is a summary of the music/sound in this week's episode:

• The episode starts with 'The Wake Up Song' by The Submarines. This plays as it shows both
  Blair and Serena get up and get ready for the big day at Yale University. The upbeat track is lively and cheery - synchronous to the mood created by the characters' excitement of the new day.

• When Chuck and Nate are sitting on the grass outside Yale and Nate notices the attractive girl, a fast-paced, edgy track called 'White Diamonds' by Friendly Fires comes on - this suggests that something is going to happen between the two characters and, as we find out later on, it does!

• During the Dean's dinner event at Yale, The Section Quartet's rendition of Muse's Time Is Running Out is playing in the background; assuming that the quartet are actually present at the Dean's home. This version is aptly named, because of the increasing competition between Blair and Serena for a place at the university. The fact that it is a string version also suits the aristocratic atmosphere of the evening, adding a poignant and high-class feel to the event itself.

• In this episode Jenny is told she has to give up fashion and go back to school; obviously, she is distraught by the news. Throughout her scenes, a slow-paced, gentle piano piece is played - this reinforces the morose mood and allows the audience to sympathise with her.
  

• In almost every scene there is music playing in the background, under the dialogue - this gives us the constant feeling of movement and action as the plot unfolds. The music is mostly played by stringed instruments and is pizzicato, to create a plucky [no pun intended!], upbeat mood.