I can’t say how much I enjoyed this episode. Normally Chuck is one of my least favorite characters but I absolutely loved him this week. He was devious and he was manipulative and I actually felt bad that it all backfired in his face; especially as I think he really loves Blair. Rufus is getting on my nerves. Last week he made a choice... it didn’t take long for him to change his mind. Ugh! Lily showed her sweet side and Jenny is losing points fast.
Surprise! Another party! It’s Debutante Ball season! Everyone is heading to the Debutante Ball rehearsal. Silly me, at first I thought they were heading to school. Blair admits to Serena that she’s glad that she’s going to the ball with Prince Theodore instead of Nate. Blair now sees Nate as self-involved (pot meet kettle!), brooding and tortured. She wants Romeo not Hamlet. Serena points out that Romeo died. I believe that Hamlet’s end wasn’t much better.
Elsewhere, Nate asks Chuck about Blair. Chuck looks annoyed. He asks if Nate is having second thoughts about his ex. Nate says that he’s noticed that she’s different – lighter, happier, less Blair. Chuck admits that Blair has a certain glow about her. [My signal went wonky here and I didn’t hear any more of their conversation]
Jenny asks Dan why he’s going to the ball if he feels it’s so out-of-touch and classist. Dan says that he and Serena aren’t going to the ball but he is planning on meeting Serena’s grandmother and making a good impression.
Blair says that with Nate she gets rosé in the back of a town car but with Prince Theodore she gets a security detail and a high speed chase. That’s romantic? Sounds like a nightmare to me. Blair says that the New York Times have chosen her for “A Night Out With…” and she’s going to give them the Debutante Ball night.
Nate admits to Chuck that he misses Blair. Chuck tries to convince Nate that he in fact does not miss Blair.
Blair asks if Serena’s mom is upset that Serena isn’t going to be presented at the ball. Serena answers that her mom doesn’t really have a leg to stand on since she found out that Lily had a thing with Rufus.
At the rehearsal, everyone looks real stuffy as they dance around. Lily meets Serena, Dan and Jenny. Serena explains that her grandmother was the chairperson for 15 years and now the committee has asked Lily to join. Lily says that for 10 years Serena couldn’t wait to go to the DB, but now she’s not going. Jenny looks wistfully at the dancing. Lily notices and suggests that Jenny volunteer. Jenny is thrilled.
CeCe makes an entrance. Lily icily says hi and walks away. Dan introduces himself. CeCe is quick to bring up Dan’s happiness at Serena deciding to forego the DB. Serena urges Dan to tell CeCe what he really thinks. Uh oh. Dan says that the DB seems antiquated to him; a remnant of a different age. CeCe counters that the Castilian teaches the good graces that woman should always have. Dan, feeling more at ease, says that Serena’s graces are spectacular.
CeCe leaves to talk to her daughter. She asks if it’s "Dan Humphrey". With a knowing smile, Lily answers yes.
Blair and Chuck are making out when a maid announces that Nate is there. Nate says that he can’t stop thinking about Blair. He’s wondering whether Blair will go with him to the ball instead of with the prince. Blair feels that after what he did on her birthday they should be moving on. Upstairs, Chuck smiles when he hears that.
Nate shows Blair a heart pendant that he found (emotional blackmail time). Blair says that she sewed her pin to his sweater so he’d always have her heart on his sleeve. Hold the presses! Nate smiled! Nate never smiles. He could have had a mouthful of braces and I’d have been none the wiser. Blair agrees to go to the ball with Nate but as friends. Chuck’s not happy.
Jenny tells her dad about the volunteer position she got at a charity. She quickly adds that she realizes it’s on the same night as her mom’s opening night but she can do both. Rufus says that family supports each other. Jenny should volunteer next year. Alison asks for what. Jenny says it doesn’t matter as Rufus already nixed the idea. Alison shows Jenny her thrift store purchases. Jenny snarkily replies that the kids she hangs with shop at Sax and Bengals. Er, why are the Humphreys sending their kids to a school for rich families? Can’t they see that it’s giving Jenny (and maybe Dan) a complex about who she is?
Lily reminds her mom how unhappy she was when she (Lily) didn’t go to be presented. She adds that CeCe probably came to convince Serena to go but Serena won’t change her mind. CeCe answers that it’s not the reason she came. She says that the doctors found something on her lungs and they are running tests. Lily is understandably shaken. CeCe says that all she wants is to see her granddaughter make her debut. Lily agrees. When Serena comes back with a photo album, Lily tells her that she is going to the DB.
Nate is at the tailor’s trying on his suit. He wonders where his date is. Blair comes in in a rush apologizing for being late. She gets a text message. It’s from Chuck; he wants to know if she’s with Nate. Nate blathers on about their date until he notices Blair’s preoccupation with her phone. He asks who is texting Blair so much. Blair lies that it’s Serena. She makes up an excuse to leave. Nate is intrigued by the change in Blair. He wonders what happened to Blair Waldorf. Blair replies that he’s not bad and she almost forgot how handsome he is. Obviously Nate likes girls who play hard to get.
Lily and Jenny are at a high priced shoe store. Lily asks if Alison minded that Jenny was helping her with the ball. Jenny lies that Alison was okay with it. Alison turns around just then and spots them. Lily tells her that it’s nice of her to let Jenny help with the ball. Jenny looks really uncomfortable.
Serena thanks Dan for coming to the ball rehearsal to meet her grandmother. Dan says that it’s fine that Serena is going to the ball as he’s got his mother’s art show the same night. They come in to a high society get together. CeCe introduces Serena’s escort, Carter (he's the jerk from "Bad News Blair").
At dinner, Blair asks if Carter is back. Dan is confused; he asks where Carter was. One of Blair’s lackey’s, er, friends replies that Carter disowned his parents and traveled the world. As the conversation shifts to Dubai and other topics, Dan looks uncomfortable. Poor Dan is out of his element.
Jenny tries on her dress and new shoes as Alison comes in. Jenny says that she kept the tags and she’ll return everything tomorrow. Alison says that she realizes that her coming back has been a little rocky. Jenny, who went to Hudson to bring her mom home, says that if Alison had stayed there, she (Jenny) would have been able to attend the ball. Alison angrily says that sheis back and she is still Jenny’s mother. She expects Jenny to attend the opening and then grounds Jenny for a week. Good for you, Alison.
Nate goes on about all the stuff he’s organizing to please Blair. Chuck replies that Blair’s just not into him. Nate wonders if Blair is seeing someone else. He asks Chuck to find out who Blair is seeing.
At the get together, CeCe approaches Dan, who’s watching the goings on from the sidelines, if he likes it here. Dan cracks a joke about water pressure. CeCe says that Dan will always feel the way he’s feeling right now. Dan looks confused. CeCe says that Dan will always use the dessert fork for the entre; always feel under dressed; always be unable to join in the conversation; and feel that people never see him or see him as Serena’s charity case. CeCe concludes that people like Serena never end up with “Dan Humpheys” and people like Dan end up as cocktail party anecdotes. She suggests that Dan give up and save himself the pain. During CeCe’s speech, Dan stands with his mouth agape unable to believe what she’s saying. When Serena shows up, Dan says that he’s just become Serena’s date to the ball. Yay, Dan! You show her. CeCe is pissed.
During the interview with the New York Times, Blair tells the reporter that she’s going with Nate Archibald. She says that given their history, Nate is the perfect gentleman and perfect date. Chuck introduces himself. He tells the reporter that he’s proud of Blair and her commitment to Nate although Nate ruined her 17th birthday party. Blair kicks Chuck to get him to stop talking. The reporter leaves.
Chuck wants Blair to admit that Nate bores her. Blair is angry that Chuck almost made a fool out of her in front of the New York Times. She adds that Chuck cannot be trusted. She tells Chuck that he should go because Carter is on his way over to pick up his jacket.
Celia (CeCe) walks into the gallery as Rufus is preparing for his wife’s grand opening. Celia snarks that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Rufus would like to say that it’s nice to see her but he remembers that she doesn’t like dishonesty. Ha! Celia doesn’t want Dan to take Serena to the ball. She says that Daniel is not the right escort for Serena; he’s only a temporary distraction.
Celia offers to purchase all of Alison’s paintings if Rufus convinces Dan not to take Serena to the ball. Celia warns Rufus to think things through because a family man is in a very different position than a young man. Ooh, it looks like Celia has tried to bribe Rufus in the past. Rufus answers that now, as then, he is not swayed by Celia’s money. He assures Celia than Dan can’t be bought either. Celia replies that Serena probably can be bought just like Lily can. Apparently, years ago Celia told Lily to choose between Rufus or her inheritance. Lily chose her inheritance. Ooh, touché, Celia.
Dan is getting ready for the ball when Rufus walks in behind him. Dan tries to explain the change in plans but Rufus cuts him off. Rufus says that he doesn’t mind that Dan is taking Serena to the ball. He helps Dan get ready. Dan wonders what’s going on. He says that his dad is acting weird. Rufus admits that Celia came to see him.
At the van der Woodsen home, Celia is not pleased with Serena’s mission statement. She tells Lily to fix it.
Jenny comes home just as her phone rings. Serena wants to know why Jenny’s not helping; she informs Jenny that Dan is coming to the ball. Jenny rushes out.
From his limo, Chuck takes pics of Carter going to pick up his jacket from Blair’s.
Dan shows up early for the ball. When he tells Serena that her grandmother tried to buy Rufus off so Dan wouldn’t go to the ball with Serena. Serena does not believe him. Dan adds that Celia is the most manipulative person he’s ever met. Serena looks hurt. She suggests that they not go together to the ball. When Dan leaves, Celia suggests that Serena calls Carter.
Chuck shows Nate the pics of Carter going to Blair’s. He tells Nate that Carter has everyone fooled – he’s dating Blair. Chuck adds that Blair believes that Carter is reformed but really Carter is after Blair to get back at Nate. Nate is angry. Chuck eggs Nate on to get back at Carter for what he’s done. Just then Carter walks past them. Nate is so gullible and Chuck is so manipulative.
At the ball, Jenny asks Serena the pronunciation of something in her (Serena’s) mission statement. Serena realizes that that’s not the mission statement she wrote. Carter alters the mission statement and gives it back to Jenny.
As they line up for the presentations, Nate wonders what Carter is doing. Chuck replies that Carter is using Serena as his cover. As Nate passes Carter, Carter apologizes for the past. Nate doesn’t accept Carter’s apology. Nate says that he’s onto Carter. Carter is confused.
Each girl in turn is presented. When it’s Serena’s turn, the announcer is taken aback by Serena’s Carter-modified mission statement. Serena and Carter are amused. Celia is stoic.
At the gallery, Dan tells his dad that CeCe won. Alison wonders where Jenny is.
During the ball, the dancers switch partners and Blair is partnered with Carter. Chuck eggs Nate into going after Carter. Nate leaves his partner and punches Carter. In the fracas, Blair’s dress is torn. Jenny is on her way to her mom’s “thing” when Serena and Blair ask her to help with Blair’s torn dress. Blair bribes Jenny into staying by offering her friendship if Jenny fixes her dress. Jenny thinks for a second – her mom or Blair – and chooses to stay. There’s someone who has their priorities straight /sarcasm. Too bad Celia couldn’t bribe Jenny instead of Rufus – Jenny’s a pushover for money and status.
Serena confronts her mom about the altered mission statement. Lily says that at a society ball you have to present yourself well. Serena asks what the point of presenting a lie is. She reminds Lily that she did this for Lily and Celia and with the understanding that she could be herself. Serena adds that Lily worries about what people think of her (Lily) when they see Serena. She asks how she’s supposed to accept herself if her mom won’t accept her. In the background, Celia walks out. Serena vows to accept her kids no matter what. Good for you, Serena – although I think your speech should have aimed at Celia.
At the gallery, Dan agrees to meet with someone.
Serena holds a cold drink to Carter’s face. She apologizes for Nate’s behavior. They talk about the past and Carter says that he was surprised that Celia called him last week. Uh oh. Serena realizes that she wasn’t planning on going to the ball the week before. Carter clarifies that CeCe thought Serena would change her mind.
Outside the gallery, Dan meets Lily. This is the sweetest scene of the episode. Contrast Lily’s treatment of Dan with CeCe’s. She says that when she was younger she would have been lucky to find a guy like Dan. She did (Rufus!) but she let him go. Lily says that she likes who Serena has become since she started dating Dan. Aw. She says that Dan belongs with Serena and asks him to call her Lily.
At the ball, a smug Chuck dances with Blair. Blair knows Chuck really well. She realizes from Chuck look that Chuck orchestrated the entire night. She accuses him of ruining her Castilian for his own enjoyment. Blair tells Chuck that whatever they had is over. She leaves.
Serena confronts her grandmother. She tells Celia that she defended her with Dan and wonders whether Celia is even ill. Celia admits that she’s not ill but adds that Serena doesn’t understand so much. Serena says that things are different now. Celia agrees as she looks past Serena to Dan. Dan and Serena dance.
Chuck looks around for Blair. He finds her in Nate’s arms. He looks devastated. He genuinely loves Blair. It’s funny because Blair is so much a female version of Chuck. They really belong together.
Jenny walks into the gallery after the opening. She apologizes to her mom. Alison accepts her apology but asks Jenny if she likes the person she is becoming. Very true although I wonder if Jenny understands what her mom meant.
Rufus calls Lily’s cell. Lily reminds him that they should talk. Rufus mentions Celia’s bribe that resulted in their (Rufus/Lily) breakup. Lily admits that Celia made her an offer that she couldn’t refuse. Rufus wonders what could have been. He says that he never should have let Lily go.
Ending montage: Serena and Dan dance. Celia takes some medicine. Chuck prepares to go to the airport. Blair and Nate make love. The music during the montage is perfect.
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