Finally, Ca Commence....

Early signs of upping the more cerebral aspects of Gossip Girl since the hiatus:
Scene opens on a Balthus meets Brassai dream sequence...
Return of new episodes ushers in some clever intertextuality, as Serena refers to a friend making it into Brody Jenner's cellphone...
Further eeriness is delivered as Penelope's new crew is shown all lined up with spoons, eating yogurt... again a surreal tableau...

In the department of disturbing developments:
Token Asian girl has disappeared, leaving token black girl to carry the CW's minority audience all by herself...
Girls all eating yogurt, but it doesn't look like Activa brand -- what a faux pas!