the episodes

Gossip Girl Episodes

Episode 1: Pilot air date September 18 on CTV | September 19 on CW
Serena returns to town under abrupt and mysterious circumstances, similar to how she left just one year ago, and her best friend Blair is less than thrilled about this.

The privileged prep school teens on Manhattan's Upper East Side first learn that Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") is back in town the way they learn all the important news in their lives -- from the blog of the all-knowing albeit ultra-secretive Gossip Girl.

No one knows Gossip Girl's identity, but everyone in this exclusive and complicated vicious circle relies on her website and text messages for the latest scoop. Even Serena's closest friend, Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester, "Entourage"), is surprised to find that Serena has suddenly ended her self-imposed exile to boarding school and returned to Manhattan.

Once the Upper East Side's most notorious party girl, Serena's reasons for returning are mysterious, although they may have something to do with her younger brother Eric (Connor Paolo, "Alexander"). Whatever the reasons, the change in Serena is obvious, especially to Blair, whose friendship with Serena has always been competitive and difficult.

Episode 2: The Wild Brunch air date September 25 on CTV | September 25 on CW
Blair tells Serena she knows about her past betrayal, then turns a cold shoulder to her; Chuck hosts a fund-raiser brunch, and Serena brings Dan to the event; and Jenny and Blair become friends.

In the wake of the scandalous Kiss on the Lips party, Serena (Blake Lively) receives an icy cold reception from her best friend Blair (Leighton Meester), who reveals that she knows Serena slept with her boyfriend, Nate (Chace Crawford), before mysteriously running off to boarding school.

As if it couldn't get any chillier, Serena decides to take Dan (Penn Badgley) to arch-enemy Chuck's (Ed Westwick) fundraiser brunch at The Palace, and Jenny (Taylor Momsen) seeks advice from Blair, who realizes she may have something to gain by allowing Jenny into her inner circle.

Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star. Mark Piznarski directed the episode written by executive producers Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage.

Episode 3: Poison Ivy air date October 2 on CTV | October 3 on CW
Dan and Nate compete for an usher position when Ivy League representatives visit their school. Meanwhile, Blair learns a secret about Serena; Jenny and Eric get acquainted; and Rufus asks Lily for a favor.

As the Upper East Side teens from Constance Billard and St. Jude's prepare for a much-anticipated visit from the Ivy League representatives, Blair (Leighton Meester) uncovers a scandalous secret about Serena (Blake Lively) that may not remain a secret much longer. Dan (Penn Badgley) has his heart and future set on the coveted usher position for the Dartmouth rep, only to be beat out by Nate (Chace Crawford), who has no interest in the school despite pressure from his controlling father, The Captain (Sam Robards).

Meanwhile, Jenny (Taylor Momsen) bonds with Serena's younger brother, Eric (Connor Paolo), and Rufus (Matthew Settle) must swallow his pride and ask Lily (Kelly Rutherford) for a favor to help his son, Dan. Ed Westwick also stars.

J. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Felicia D. Henderson.

Episode 4: Bad News Blair air date October 9 on CTV | October 10 on CW
Blair's excited to be chosen to model for her mother's new fashion line---until Serena upstages her and it feels just like old times. Meanwhile, Nate and Chuck embark on a wild boys' weekend.

Blair (Leighton Meester) is thrilled when her mother, Eleanor (Margaret Colin), chooses her to be the new face of her clothing line. However, Blair's happiness soon turns to feelings of betrayal and jealousy when Serena (Blake Lively) moves into the spotlight and Blair is finds herself back in Serena's shadow.

Meanwhile, Serena and Dan (Penn Badgley) are reminded once again that they come from two very different worlds, and Nate (Chace Crawford) and Chuck (Ed Westwick) indulge in a boys' weekend to blow off steam after Ivy Week. Taylor Momsen, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star.

The episode, directed by Patrick Norris was written by Joshua Safran

Episode 5: Dare Devil air date October 16 on CTV | October 17 on CW
Dan goes above and beyond while planning for his first official date with Serena. Meanwhile, Jenny attends Blair's sleepover, where a revealing game of truth or dare is played; and Lily turns to Rufus when Eric goes missing from his treatment center.

Dan (Penn Badgley) makes elaborate plans to impress Serena (Blake Lively) on their first official date. The same night, Jenny (Taylor Momsen) is invited to the infamous Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) sleepover and finds herself in a high stakes game of "truth or dare."

Meanwhile, when Lily (Kelly Rutherford) discovers that Eric (Connor Paolo) is missing from his treatment center, she finds herself seeking help from her ex-boyfriend, Rufus (Matthew Settle). Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick also star.

The episode directed by Jamie Babbit was written by Lenn K. Rosenfeld.

Episode 6: The Handmaiden's Tale air date October 23 on CTV | October 24 on CW
Dan's childhood pal Vanessa returns to town and tells him she wants to be more than friends. Meanwhile, Blair does her best to keep party crashers out of the masquerade ball, but a disguised Dan and Jenny sneak in.

MASQUERADE BALL, ANYONE? — Dan (Penn Badgley) is torn between two girls when his childhood friend, Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), returns home and declares her feelings for him, just as he and Serena (Blake Lively) are trying to figure out what they mean to each other.

At the infamous masked ball, Blair (Leighton Meester) sends Nate (Chace Crawford) on a scavenger hunt, but Nate is ultimately still distracted by his feelings for Serena. Although Blair makes it perfectly clear that outsiders are not welcome, a disguised Jenny (Taylor Momsen) and Dan sneak into the ball.

Finally, Lily (Kelly Rutherford) asks Rufus (Matthew Settle) to accompany her to an Eleanor Waldorf (Margaret Colin) event in order to make Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) jealous. “America’s Next Top Model” winner CariDee English makes a cameo as Bart Bass’ date. The episode was directed by Norman Buckley and written by Jessica Queller

Episode 7: Victor Victrola air date November 6 on CTV | November 7 on CW
Serena and Dan acknowledge that they are crazy about each other; Chuck contemplates investing in a burlesque club to make his father proud; Nate confronts his father (Sam Robards) about drugs he found in the house.

After surviving the on-again/off-again nature of their new relationship, Serena (Blake Lively) and Dan (Penn Badgley) finally acknowledge they are crazy about each other, despite their polar opposite worlds that constantly threaten to pull them apart.

Chuck (Ed Westwick) contemplates investing in a burlesque club in the hopes of making his hard-to-please father, Bart (guest star Robert John Burke), proud of him. Nate (Chace Crawford) confronts his father, Captain (guest star Sam Robards), about the drugs he found in the house, but his father denies having a problem.

Jenny (Taylor Momsen) discovers a secret her father, Rufus (Matthew Settle), and mother, Alison (guest star Susan Misner), have been keeping from her. Finally, Blair (Leighton Meester) is once again devastated by Nate's actions after Jenny reveals that Nate kissed her by accident thinking she was Serena.

Episode 8: Seventeen Candles air date November 13 on CTV | November 14 on CW
At her 17th-birthday party, Blair attempts to mask her strained relationship with Nate; and Dan invites Vanessa to the party so that she and Serena can bond. Meanwhile, Nate's parents pressure him to make a sacrifice for the family.

Devastated by the current state of her relationship with Nate (Chace Crawford) and still dealing with the guilt from her recent indiscretion, Blair (Leighton Meester) puts on a happy face for her 17th birthday party and attempts to hide the truth from her friends.

Hoping to ease the tension between Serena (Blake Lively) and Vanessa (guest star Jessica Szohr), Dan (Penn Badgley) takes Vanessa to Blair's party so the girls can have some bonding time, but this only ends up making Serena more uncomfortable.

Jenny (Taylor Momsen) brings her mom (guest star Susan Misner) home for a surprise visit, but Rufus (Matthew Settle) may not be ready to forgive and forget. Nate's parents (guest stars Sam Robards and Francie Swift) ask him to make a huge sacrifice in an effort to salvage his father's business as he faces charges of embezzlement and fraud. Ed Westwick and Kelly Rutherford also star.

Episode 9: Blair Waldorf Must Pie air date November 27 on CTV | November 28 on CW
The Humphreys and Van der Woodsens share an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. Meanwhile, Blair's emotions spiral out of control when she learns that her father isn't coming home for Thanksgiving.

THE HUMPHREYS AND VAN DER WOODSENS SHARE THANKSGIVING — When Dan (Penn Badgley) hears that Serena (Blake Lively) and her family are spending Thanksgiving alone at The Palace, he naively invites them to spend the holiday with his family, creating an uncomfortable situation for Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lily (Kelly Rutherford) whose children are unaware of their complicated romantic history.

Meanwhile, Blair’s (Leighton Meester) emotions spiral out of control when she learns that her father isn’t coming home for Thanksgiving.

Nate (Chace Crawford) spends the holiday with his mom (guest star Francie Swift) and dad (guest star Sam Robards), but their awkward dinner quickly goes from bad to worse. Taylor Momsen also stars. The episode was directed by Mark Piznarski and written by K.J. Steinberg & Jessica Quelle

Episode 10: Hi, Society air date December 4 on CTV | December 5 on CW
Serena has absolutely no intention of attending the upcoming Debutante Ball, until her grandmother, CeCe, announces that she won't take no for an answer. Unfortunately, Dan isn't exactly what CeCe had in mind in terms of a suitable escort for Serena.

The annual Cotillion Ball is about to take place. Blair is not going with Nate, but she finds herself being featured in The New York Times and is enjoying her secret affair with Chuck. Serena is not going, so her grandmother, CeCe, shows up to change her mind. Jenny volunteers for the ball and Lily takes her under her wing. But the night of The Cotillion is the night of Alison's first art opening, and Rufus and Alison say Jenny cannot attend the ball. Jenny decides to defy them both. Refreshed by Blair's newly buoyant attitude, Nate asks her to The Cotillion and she says yes, which makes Chuck jealous. CeCe tells Lily and Serena that she is sick and her last dying wish is to see Serena go to the ball, and she wants Serena to go with Carter Baizen. CeCe insults Dan and offers to pay Rufus off to convince Dan not to go with Serena. Dan learns of this and tells Serena that he does not think very highly of CeCe, which results in a huge fight between them. Serena decides to go to the ball with Carter. Chuck manipulates Nate into thinking Carter is having an affair with Blair, so Nate punches Carter at the ball.

The episode was directed by Patrick Norris and written by Joshua Safron.

Episode 11: Roman Holiday air date December 17 on CTV | December 19 on CW
Blair's father comes home for Christmas---and brings his boyfriend with him. Meanwhile, Serena and Dan plan holiday surprises for one another; Blair worries what information Chuck may share while vacationing with Nate; and Rufus and Alison's reconciliation hits a bump in the road.

When Blair's (Leighton Meester) father, Harold (guest star John Shea), comes home for the holidays with an unexpected guest -- his boyfriend, Roman (guest star William Abadie) -- Blair finds it difficult to hide her disappointment and hatches a plan to get rid of Roman for good.

Jenny (Taylor Momsen) and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) help Serena (Blake Lively) plan the best Christmas surprise ever for Dan (Penn Badgley), who may have a surprise of his own in mind for Serena. Chuck (Ed Westwick) texts Blair that Nate (Chace Crawford) has joined him in Monaco, worrying Blair that Chuck may disclose the details of their hook-up.

Rufus (Matthew Settle) refuses to remain the understanding husband any longer after Alison's (guest star Susan Misner) former lover calls the house. Kelly Rutherford also stars.

The episode was directed by Michael Fields and written by Jessica Queller.

Episode 12: School Lies air date January 2, 2008 on CTV | January 2, 2008 on CW
The gang breaks into the school swimming pool for an impromptu night of fun, but when a member of their group nearly drowns, the school threatens to expel the person responsible for the break-in.

IMPROMPTU PARTY AT THE SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL — Serena (Blake Lively), Blair (Leighton Meester), Nate (Chace Crawford), Chuck (Ed Westwick) and their entourage break into the school swimming pool for a night of fun, but when a member of their group nearly drowns, the school threatens to expel the person responsible for the break-in. Everyone agrees to keep a secret pact and say nothing, but it ultimately creates major tension between Serena and Dan (Penn Badgley), who isn’t sure he’s ready to take the fall for someone else and risk his future. Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) is working on a documentary project about private schools and accidentally captures Blair and Chuck discussing their affair. Lily (Kelly Rutherford) contemplates telling Rufus (Matthew Settle) how she really feels about him. Taylor Momsen also stars. The episode was directed by Tony Whamby and written by Lenn K. Rosenfeld

Episode 13: A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate air date January 8, 2008 on CTV | January 9, 2008 on CW

PREGNANCY REPORTED ON GOSSIP GIRL — Gossip Girl takes pleasure in reporting that Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) was spotted buying pregnancy tests. Of course, on the Upper East Side, the truth is often even juicier and more scandalous than the gossip, and this time is no exception. Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen, Ed Westwick, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star. The episode was directed by Norman Buckley and written by Felicia D. Henderson



Episode 14: The Blair Bitch Project air date April 21, 2008 on CW |

Having been recently dethroned as Queen Bee in the last episode by Gossip Girl, with an assist from scheming "little J" (Taylor Momsen), Blair (Leighton Meester) hesitantly returns to school with the support of her BFF, Serena (Blake Lively).

Meanwhile, Serena struggles to adjust to her new living arrangements with her future step-brother, Chuck (Ed Westwick), while receiving disturbing packages from an unknown sender. Jenny's drive to be popular hits an all-new time high when she does something illegal to fit in with her new Upper East Side friends. Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Kelly Rutherford and Matthew Settle also star.

The episode was directed by J. Miller Tobin and written by KJ Steinberg.



Episode 15: Desperately Seeking Serena air date April 28, 2008 on CW |

Serena's Upper East Side world is turned upside down when her former partner in all things bad, Georgina Sparks (guest star Trachtenberg), returns to Manhattan to stir up trouble and Serena's past. When Dan (Penn Badgley) notices that Serena seems preoccupied he jumps to the conclusion that it must have something to do with Serena's new roomie and soon-to-be step-brother, Chuck (Ed Westwick). Nate (Chace Crawford) finds romance with the last person he was expecting to connect with, Vanessa (Jessica Szohr). Jenny (Taylor Momsen) meets a new guy, Asher Hornsby (guest star Jesse Swenson), who just might be her ticket to permanent popularity. Finally, Blair (Leighton Meester) hatches a secret plan to sabotage her biggest rival, Nelly Yuki (guest star Yin Chang). Matthew Settle also stars. The episode was directed by Michael Fields and written by Felicia D. Henderson.



Episode 16: All About My Brother air date May 5, 2008 on CW |

Georgina informs Serena that she is prepared to reveal damaging information from Serena's past, but no one is prepared for what Georgina does next.

Blair and Jenny escalate their "popularity war" by spreading scandalous rumors about each other through Gossip Girl. Dan witnesses Jenny's new boyfriend, Asher, cheating on her, but Jenny refuses to listen to her brother's warning.

Rufus goes to Lily for advice on how to handle Jenny's recent out-of-character behavior. Jessica Szohr also stars.

The episode was directed by Janice Cooke and written by Pau



Episode 17: Woman on the Verge air date May 12, 2008 on CW |

As a result of Georgina revealing the true reason that Serena fled Manhattan for boarding school, Serena falls back into her old habits and Blair, Nate and Chuck must put their complicated feelings for each other aside to help their friend. Unfortunately, Serena is too ashamed to share the truth with Dan, leaving him only to assume the worse about his girlfriend.

Rufus is thrilled when his band is invited to perform at a Rolling Stone-sponsored concert, but Lily is the last person on earth he expects to see at the performance, especially since her wedding rehearsal dinner is the same night. Lisa Loeb and famous cake designer Sylvia Weinstock appear in the episode as themselves. Jessica Szohr also stars.

The episode was directed by Tony Wharmby and written by Joshua Safran.