- Serena decides to visit Yale and gets even with Blair. Dan learns that none of his recommendation letters made it to Yale.
- During the weekend, Blair, Nate, Dan, Chuck decide to travel to New Haven, Connecticut to interview for early applications for Yale University. After Blair and Serena get into another argument over the hyper-competitive Blair's wanting more in life, Serena decides to get even with Blair by going to Yale instead of going to Brown as planned, and she easily charms the Dean of Yale's private invitation to the campus. Meanwhile, Dan discovers that none of his recommendation letters for Yale were sent, so he tries to figure out a way of getting into the school. Also, Chuck is kidnapped by a secret society, called Skull and Bones, to recruit him for their secret group in which his father was also a member. Also, Nate hooks up with a attractive co-ed. Back in New York, Jenny continues to fall more into her new job as an intern designer while Rufus worries about this path which will take his daughter.—Anonymous
- Previously on Gossip Girl: Serena rocks Eleanor Waldorf's fashion show -- in Jenny's design! Jenny is leaving school! Dan will get no recommendation! Nate's dad is in trouble! Serena and Blair are totally on the outs! For real!
We're in one of Blair's Audrey Hepburn-inspired dreams -- except this time, she's Eliza Dolittle, trying to speak about rain and Spain and plains. Her accent is actually not too bad -- wow, Leighteon Meester is excelling in her gift for comedy! But -- suddenly Serena appears in Ascot Opening Day gown, speaking perfect King's English. By George, Serena's got it -- Blair, not so much...
The alarm wakes Blair from her bad dream -- but in three short hours, she's heading to Yale, banishing all bad dreams. Turns out Blair's dad went to Yale, so it's a dream of hers. Is she a shoo-in? Of course -- she gives good interview! Dorota the maid is so proud, and B is so ready to get away from S!
Serena, meanwhile is on her way to Brown, mom's alma mater. Lily wonders, though, why Serena would turn down a personal invitation to Yale, though! It's handwritten, Serena -- in cursive! S sez it's more Blair than her, and the two have not talked in a while. (Blair is meanwhile dissing her former BFF to Dorota the maid) Oh, Lily has some great new dresses from Eleanor, but um, mom, aren't those edgy frocks for me?
In Brooklyn, Dan's angsting over paper color re his trip to Yale. Rufus is supportive - you have the SATs, the grades, it's all fine. If you don't get in, Dan, it's Yale, not you! (Dan could write a book, maybe: Yale's Just Not That Into You -- our joke, totally.)
Nate, meanwhile, is also heading to New Haven -- Chuck, too, and judging from his ascot, he wants to get into Women's Studies in a big way. Nate, rocking the argyle, is considering USC (a better match for his hair) but Chuck tells Bangs Boy that Yale should be his "safety school." Might it work? Chuck will go tp Yale if he can join Skull and Bones; might his best pal consider it also?
OMG, the students are getting a lecture on being ambassadors and presenting themselves in the best possible light. Chuck and Dan trade barbs re Dan's attempts at chronicling Chuck's lifestyle -- won't Dan say hello to the folks on public transportation for Mr. Bass?
Serena attempts to be nice to Blair, but Blair brushes her off and trashes Brown, saying S will come back a "vegan militanista." S is riling at the insults, and they snap and bite. Um, Yale is for me, S, not you! And Serena, you could so not make it! Get your hair dreadlocked in Providence, hon! Serena makes a call -- yes, we're on our way to Connecticut, not Rhode Island, mom!
(Commercial break -- did you know High School Musical Trois is coming to theaters?)
Back in Brooklyn, Jenny is frowny-face with dad, but then Vanessa shows up. Rufus, did you know Vanessa is home-schooling to get into NYU? (Um, this must be a super-trendy version of home-schooling, complete with fab outfits.) Rufus doesn't bite, so Jenny goes into plan B: come to Eleanor's and see how I do. It's really different! Rufus warily agrees.
Meanwhile, someplace not in Connecticut is standing in for Yale, as Dan is standing in for himself in a terrible interview with the English department. Only one letter of recommendation, Mr. Humphrey? No, I really interned with Jeremiah Harris! Sorry, the credentials are not checking out.... and you need another letter of recommendation. Put on your walking shoes, Dan, and get a real-live professor to read your work.
On the commons, Chuck is lounging in red pants alongside Bangs Boy -- where is Skull and Bones? Chuck says they will find them. Gallery tour, Chuck? Um, maybe no - Nate spots some cuties and is on his way. As Mr. Bass stalks off, he's kidnapped by some surly, hunky dudes -- a secret society may have found him indeed!
Blair is waiting for an interview with the dean, who's laughing merrily at his current interview. Yowza, turns out it's Serena, who's practically charmed the pants off of said dean! Blair is stunned -- can her Eliza Dolittle follow up to beauteous S?
Nat'es chatting up a Vanessa-esque brunette -- she's cute, but no V. Uh oh -- does Bangs Boy know a Nate Archibald? Turns out Econ class is all about (and against) guys like Nate's dad, bigwigs in industry doing bad things. Brunette asks Nate's name: it's....... Dan! Dan Humphrey!
Meanwhile, Chuck's getting initiated into a secret society -- is Chuck as good as his advertising? Mr. Bass proffers a private party to prove his perfection.
Blair is foundering at the spontaneous portion of her interview -- she's rather traditional compared to Serena, yes? Can you be non-stuffy, Ms. Waldorf? Blair is suddenly honest, but segues into trashing S -- my life is in that folder, Mr. Dean! It's all there. But, alas, Eliza Dolittle is getting the brush-off. So much for rain on the plain. And Spain.
Blair immediately confronts Serena outside -- Yale is mine, blondie! Go home now! But, Blair, it's so nice here! Did I close myself off to options? Hey, Serena -- you couldn't get in if you tried! Just then, S's phone rings: a private party at the dean's, tonight? I'd lurve to! No deans for you, Blair!
You realize, Blair says (not literally), this means war -- Nate, my mom, now Yale? I will take you down in your monochromatic outfit! No way, Serena! Bring it on, says "the new" Serena (not literally, of course).
Gossip Girl gleefully announces war is declared!
At Eleanor's, Rufus is watching Jenny at work -- working hard, working serious, being a total project manager. Rufus finds Eleanor, "Oh, is it bring your father to work day?" Rufus wants a serious tete-a-tete with Eleanor. Will you fire my daughter? Um, no! She has dreams, and even at 15, would *you* have waited? This gives Rufus pause.
Chuck, meanwhile, is surprised to see his stepsister at Yale, and fills her in on some supposed scoop: if the dean is impressed with your answer regarding who you'd most like to have dinner with, dead or alive, you get shortlisted. Chuck says steal Blair's answer (George Sand), and Serena doesn't even know Sand is a girl. Will Serena use this knowledge? She's conflicted.
OMG -- Nate is making out with Brunette girl, who thinks he's an English major. Nate is lost in a sea of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and cholera... he's faking his way through it, so far! But then there's a knock at the door -- it's the real Dan Humphrey! Confusion ensues. This is... Nate? And this is... Dan? Both are thrown out, and Dan rails against Bangs Boy, who comes back with a Serena insult. Ouch!
Blair is accosting the dean's secretary -- give me an invitation, missy spinster! If you do, I can get you these precious ceramic kitties on auction, which I know you adore (they're all over her desk). An address is given. Blair is in!
Back at Eleanor's atelier, Rufus is impressed with Jenny. But... you should go back to school. Jenny doesn't understand, and is disappointed. She acknowledges Rufus, sadly.
At the dean's party, Serena is cramming like mad as Blair waltzes up in a fetching bow-tied headband. I'm going to get this, S! But Blair's face totally falls when Serena gives her answer to tonight's parlor game -- and by the way, names are called alphabetically, so van der Woodsend comes before Waldorf! George Sand is mine, Headband Girl!
At Le Secret Society, Chuck Bass' private party girls are arriving -- they don't speak English, and there's not one for everyone as they work best in threes. (Tres kinky!) But Chuck isn't done, as he needs to prove his loyalty, in the form of Nate Archibald. Bring in Bangs Boy, and Mr. Bass is in.
Serena's charming the pants off an older couple -- in French, no less -- when Blair swoops in, corrects her on her "tu" versus "vous" and takes them away. Point Waldorf!
Nate is disillusioned with Yale as Chuck calls -- can we leave? Chuck evilly says yes -- meet me at "Mike's Bar"? Are shenanigans are being planned for Argyle/Bangs Boy?
Blair's still talking up professors, as Serena swoops in with some Tudor-ish history, thanks to a certain Showtime show. Blair is angry, Serena is smug -- and BTW, Blondie, I have a backup question to the dean's fave parlor game! Just then, the dean himself calls the room to order, and the game has begun!
Somewhere on the Yale grounds, Dan is being kidnapped by Le Secrety Society as Chuck watches.
Back at the dean's, they're making their way through the answers still: Blair and Serena are the last girls standing. It's Serena's turn -- who would you like to have dinner with? Pete Fairman? Uh oh -- S is stymied and stunned. Blair helpfully answers that it's the man she killed.
(Remember Serena's "I killed someone!" speech from last season! It's totally him! Yowza!)
Would Serena care to explain? S fills in nicely as Blair tries to offer details: a drug dealer, sex tape, etc. Can we sort this out in private, Mr. Dean? Please do! Blair is less than noble being dragged out, as they start screaming about crossing lines and such. Ouch -- Blair tosses her purse at Serena! Uh oh - yes I did! You are so not Yale, S! Pushing gives way to throttling! I hate your stupid headband! Kicking, fighting, yelling! Ow, ow ow!
Suddenly we're at Lily's, who's trying on Serena's sexy dress -- just as Rufus and Jenny arrive uninvited. Jenny's making a quote-unquote delivery, and setting up dad by pushing him towards his love object and showing him that she knows how to dress Lily in the extreme. Jenny makes an excuse to leave, and Lily and Rufus to talk for the first time post-wedding. Chit-chat is made -- did you know your daughter made this dress, and that she has a gift? Didn't you have a gift this early, Rufus? Points are made, flirting is done.
Nate's at Mike's Bar -- um, where are you, Chuck? Just then Le Secret Society pops in, going on about how they tied "Nate" to a gazebo somewhere. Bangs Boys steps up and sets them straight -- I am Nate, and he will enjoy kicking *their* asses next year! Oh, why wait? Barfight, barfight!
Meanwhile, a toned and waxed Dan, clad only in boxers, is trying to get passers-by to untie him from said gazebo. Nate arrives to rescue Brooklyn Boy, and explains why the Archibald name is so hated (it has to do with trust funds losing their value). Just then Mystery Brunette Girl from before arrives -- stand back, Bangs Boy, I can untie these knots!
It's post-fight for Blair and Serena -- S can't do it anymore, the wars and betrayals and everything. It's exhausting! They're both exhausted, and life is indeed short. Maybe we shouldn't be friends at all, and spare the angst. They say yes, but their eyes say no -- can this dynamic duo be broken up, for real? A true cease fire, after so much scorched earth?
Back in Brooklyn, Jenny finds Vanessa at the loft for breakfast. Rufus is speechifying -- he realizes things don't have to be done the old way. V has brought her trendy home-schooling stuff by, and maybe we can revisit this whole work/school thing after Christmas? Jenny screams in glee. I won't let you down, dad!
Wow - outside the dean's office, Blair and Serena confront each other, and find out they're both there to give props to the other. "I can't not know you," says Blair. Is the reality of being separated scary? Let's ride home together.
(The unanswered question is, who's getting into Yale?)
Meanwhile, the weird threesome of Dan, Nate and Brunette Girl are being all happy la-la: she'll get someone to read Dan's work! And do a recommendation! Nate apologizes too, and gets a kiss in response. She'd like Bangs Boy, no matter what his name!
Uh oh - Le Secret Society is confronting Chuck on the fact that he sent them after the wrong guy! Chuck, in a Nautica (we think!) cardigan, is not chagrined -- remember the girls? They had lipstick cameras. You are so on digital, boys! And Chuck Bass owns Le Secrety Society now!
But... Nate is there to confront Chuck. This is all part of your plan, to send those guys after poor Brooklyn Boy? I was doing you a favor, Mr. Green-and-Blue Rugby Shirt! Wow, Nate's going to take the train with his new BFF, Dan! Bye, Chuck!
B and S are comparing notes on the inscrutable dean: who got in? Just then, Serena's phone rings. Wow, Serena got early acceptance -- however, Blair will learn her fate in the spring. Uh oh -- Mr. Dean wants to issue a press release regarding Serena's acceptance. We smell something fishy, and so does S, who tells B she won't accept. No, you have to, Serena! Can we share this? We'll find a way, together... but can they? Who's saying goodbye to Yale for certain? Whose dream is deferred?
XOXO, Gossip Girl
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