My occasionally wavering adoration (see: the Marcus affair of earlier this season) of Blair Waldorf is based not on her bitchiness, but on her vulnerability. As such, the last couple of episodes of Gossip Girl have been a heaven fest.

Look how shaken up she got when Serena walked out of the Dean’s office just before her Yale interview! Feel the tug on those heart strings when she tells the Dean that everything there is to know about her is in her application - she made sure of it!

Oh Blair, there’s plenty more that’s worth knowing about you, you’re just too ashamed to let people see it.

Which is exactly the point. Some of the witful souls on the Television Without Pity forums have lately called into question Blair’s abilities as a schemer - and there’s little doubt her recent schemes have not been up to scratch. There were moments this week – and last – when I felt embarrassed for her just watching. Think her attempts to sabotage Serena at the Dean’s do.

But all this leads me to think is that Blair’s powers of manipulation really only work when she’s in control and on top. As soon as someone or something threatens her position, her insecurities come to the fore and she grows haphazard. And however undeservedly, Serena (who possibly acted like even more of a cow than Blair this episode) really brings those insecurities to the fore.

My favourite non-vulnerable Blair moment this episode? Chuck telling Serena talking about her plans to go to Yale during foreplay really gets Blair going. Too funny.

And too realistic, for that matter.