Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
The Upper East Siders spend the summer in the Hamptons and return with their relationships unsettled: Serena and Nate pretend to be together to hide Nate’s affair with married Catherine Beaton, while Blair dates Lord Marcus and Chuck regrets abandoning her. Jenny, now working for Eleanor Waldorf, pushes beyond her old place in Blair’s orbit and begins building her own fashion line. Dan and Serena circle back toward each other, and Lily’s marriage to Bart leaves her close to Rufus but unwilling to act on it.
The news of Bart’s death in a car crash leaves Chuck grieving and vulnerable. Jack Bass arrives to take control of the family business, and Chuck has to fight him over the Bass empire while trying to claim his place in the company. Lily becomes Chuck’s legal guardian so he can inherit control of Bass Industries when he comes of age. Rufus and Lily rekindle their relationship, while their children uncover the old secret that they had a child together whom Lily gave up for adoption.
At graduation, Gossip Girl’s blasts expose the seniors’ secrets and provoke Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck to search for the blogger. Blair’s followers contest her hold over Constance, but she chooses Jenny as the next Queen Bee. Chuck returns from Europe with gifts for Blair and finally tells her he loves her, allowing them to begin a relationship. Georgina’s return hints at more trouble ahead, while Rufus proposes to Lily and she accepts.