1 Pilot

Summary

  • Serena returns to New York after going off to boarding school in Connecticut.
  • Eric tried to take his life but is in recovery.
  • Blair and Nate try to “do it”, break up, get back together, but still haven’t done it.
  • Saturday: Kiss on the Lips party
  • Chuck forces himself on Jenny, who Dan and Serena rush to rescue.
  • Dan and Serena’s first date

Story

At Grand Central Station, Serena’s train from Connecticut pulls in.

Hey Upper East-siders, Gossip Girl here. And I have the biggest news ever. One of my many sources, Melanie91, sends us this: Spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand, Serena van der Woodsen. Was it only a year ago our IT Girl mysteriously disappeared for boarding school? And just as suddenly, she’s back.

Rufus Humphrey is also at the station to pick up his two teenage kids Dan and Jenny from a weekend at their mom’s. Their mom is fine - “like, ‘Maybe I should ave never left Manhattan’ fine or ‘Taking a time out from my marriage is the best idea I ever had’ fine?” He doesn’t get a straight answer though. Dan stares at Serena who’s picked up by her chauffeur.

Spotted: Lonely Boy, can’t believe the love of his life has returned… if only she knew who she was.

At Blair’s house, her mom Eleanor is throwing a party. She receives updates from Gossip Girl on her cellphone along with all the teenagers in Manhattan.

But everyone knows Serena… and everyone is talking… Wonder what Blair Waldorf thinks. Sure they’re BFFs but we always thought Blair’s boyfriend Nate had a thing for Serena.

Blair pulls Nate away from his conversation with his dad and older friends about what college to attend. As they walk to B’s bedroom, they see Kati and Isabel sandwich Chuck on the couch. Chuck invites Nate for some “fresh air” (mimicking puffing on a stick) but Blair pulls him away. She pushes him onto her plush bed with satin sheets. She wants to “do this… ‘it’… now.” She kisses him urgently and pulls on his tie and coat.

Serena walks into the party while Blair and Nate exchange I love you’s. Blair’s mom interrupts their intimate session knocking on Blair’s door to tell her Serena’s back and at the party. Nate gets up from the bed to greet Serena while the guests are abuzz with gossip on why Serena went away. She sees Nate from across the room but Blair intercepts and hugs Serena. Serena doesn’t want to stay because she supposedly doesn’t feel well so she just tells Bair she’ll see her at school and leaves the party. Blair walks toward Kati and Isabel. “School… so I guess she’s back for good.” Kati and Isabel were surprised that she didn’t know.

Serena visits her brother Eric at the hospital after the party and stays overnight. Their mom, Lily van der Woodsen, comes in and offers to get Eric a croissant rather than have him go out with Serena for breakfast.
Serena confronts her mom outside about how she’s been keeping Eric’s stay at the hospital a secret. He’s away visiting his Carol in Miami rather than the truth that he tried to take his own life. Lily tells her that she doesn’t know what it’s been like in New York since she went away to boarding school.

In the Humphrey’s apartment in Brooklyn, Jenny is sealing envelopes for the invitations she made for the Kiss on the Lips party. Dan’s surprised that she’s going because they’re “outsiders”. Rufus is proud that his band’s playing on the series “Top 10 Forgotten Bands of the 90s”.Jenny mentions that their family could be on Gossip Girl, which Dan denies reading. But Jenny knows it’s on his laptop where he reads all about Serena.

At The Palace Hotel, Nate waits for Serena at the entrance. Serena wouldn’t talk to Nate and tells him he’s not why she came back.

Dan rushes through the street to catch the bus, which Chuck and Nate are also on. As Chuck and Nate get off the bus, Chuck asks Dan if he’s following them. Dan goes “No, I go to your school. Identical uniforms? That kind of a tip-off?” which

On the steps of the Met, Blair, Kati, and Isabel admire Jenny’s “so cute” handiwork for the Kiss on the Lips invitations. Blair approves “not bad work” and hands Jenny her invitation “as promised”.

Spotted on the steps of the Met: an S and B power struggle.

Serena walks up to them while spooning yogurt. She introduces herself to Jenny. She asks about the party to which she’s “kinda not invited.” Blair relishes her power as the 3 girls leave Serena alone on the steps. Serena asks Blair if she would meet with her at the Palace that night at 8pm. Blair fakes a smile and allots her a half-hour.

There’s nothing Gossip Girl likes more than a good catfight. And this could be a classic.

Rufus and Dan are posting Lincoln Hawk posters on the street when Jenny texts Dan for help with an “emergency” - which turns out to be a shopping dilemma at Bendel’s. Serena, who comes into the store with Eric, greets Jenny while Dan hides behind the clothes racks. Serena suggests that the red halter dress Jenny’s trying on would look better in black.

Chuck and Nate are walking at Central Park. Chuck chastises Nate for being philosophical and to just get on and “seal the deal” with Blair because he’s “entitled to tap that ass.”

At the Palace Hotel bar, Serena really tries to soften up Blair. Blair lets out her resentment about Serena’s not telling her about moving to boarding school in Connecticut and not being there for her during her parents’ divorce. Serena tells Blair that she misses her and swimming at B’s mom’s country house. Blair finally gives in and they hug goodbye. “I love you B.” “I love you too S.”

GG: “Spotted at the Palace Hotel. S and B having a heart-to-heart.”

Jenny’s home sewing her dress for the Kiss on the Lips party and drops hints for Dan to head to the Palace bar to see Serena. Chuck has the same thoughts and gets to Serena first. He bribes Serena with a grilled cheese with truffle sandwich at the hotel kitchen.

In Blair’s bedroom. Blair welcomes Nate in her white and pink teddy with black lace trimming and black stockings. Nate can’t bring himself to kiss Blair. He admits to her that about him and Serena. “But that was it? You guys kissed.” Nate wouldn’t confirm which was enough of an answer for Blair, which breaks her heart.

In the Palace Hotel kitchen, Chuck tries to kiss Serena. He blackmails her with his knowledge of Nate and Serena’s betrayal at the Shepherd wedding. He was actually there watching the two of them make out at the bar. Chuck forces himself on her so she kicks him in the balls and runs away - and bumps into Dan outside.

Nate and his dad are out for a morning jog after his fight with Blair. His dad’s trying to seal a deal with Blair’s mom so he pushes Nate to make up with Blair.

At the hotel, Dan finally talks to Serena when he tries to return her cellphone, which she dropped when she bumped into him the night before. Lily walks in with a dress for Serena to wear to the party that night. Dan saves her from Lily’s interrogation about her not going to the Kiss on the Lips party by fibbing that the two are going to the Lincoln Hawk concert.

Blair and Nate make up at a Japanese restaurant. Nate offers to forget Serena ever existed which Blair happily accepts.

Lily visits Rufus‘ art gallery. She confronts him as to whether Dan’s date with Serena to Lincoln Hawk is some ploy to get her back. They used to be together when Rufus was still in his band until she “switched up rock stars to billionaires.”

At the Kiss on the Lips party, Chuck zooms in on Jenny. He loves freshmen. He brings her up the stairs to “talk” but he starts to kiss her and offers a drink. She texts Dan to come get her.

Outside the concert, Dan introduces Serena to one of the band members, who is his dad, Rufus. Serena’s weirded out that he introduced her to his dad on the first date. Later, Dan and Serena crash the Kiss on the Lips party to save Jenny from Chuck on the rooftop.

Spotted: Serena making a heroic exit from B’s party.

Dan takes his sister home in a cab together with Serena. Serena stares out the window of the cab.