Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
Serena van der Woodsen’s return to Manhattan reopens the secret that broke Blair Waldorf’s trust: Serena slept with Blair’s boyfriend, Nate Archibald, before leaving for boarding school. Serena tries to start over with Dan Humphrey, while Blair fights to reclaim her place at Constance and Jenny Humphrey learns how to use Blair’s circle before turning toward fashion. Nate’s family troubles and Chuck Bass’s schemes keep pulling the friends into one another’s private business.
The season’s final stretch brings Georgina Sparks back, posing as Sarah to befriend Dan while using Serena’s guilt over Pete Fairman’s overdose to threaten her new life. Serena finally tells Dan what happened, but Georgina has already damaged their relationship and exposed Eric’s sexuality. Blair helps Serena and the group drive Georgina out of New York, while Lily prepares to marry Bart Bass despite her unresolved feelings for Rufus. Rufus arrives at the wedding, and Chuck’s speech helps Chuck and Blair reconcile.
After the wedding, Chuck asks Blair to spend the summer with him in Tuscany, then panics when Bart frames their relationship as a reason for Chuck to grow up. He leaves Blair waiting and pursues another woman, so she travels without him. Serena leaves for the Hamptons with Nate, Dan returns to Brooklyn and reconciles with Vanessa, and Jenny steps away from Blair’s clique to accept a fashion internship with Eleanor Waldorf.