Thanksgiving on the Upper East Side. Thanksgiving in the Waldorf household finds Blair upset that her mom’s new boyfriend Cyrus, has decided to ruin all her favorite traditions. Lily finds herself trying to broker a peace treaty between Rufus and Jenny who is prepared to cut off all communication with her father if she doesn’t get her way. Serena isn’t quite ready to come clean with Aaron about her complicated past, but Dan ends up accidentally revealing a few tidbits of his own. Blair and Chuck come to their friend’s aid when Nate is once again forced to confront his father’s abandonment, as he finally returns from abroad. Vanessa becomes depressed upon hearing that Nate is leaving New York with his father, but she doesn’t hear that from Nate himself. Finally, Eric discovers a secret that Bart has been keeping from Lily.

For the annual Snowflake Ball, Blair and Chuck make a bet that they can find the ideal dates for each other. Aaron’s ex-girlfriend, Lexi (guest star Natalie Knepp), expresses an interest in Dan which creates conflicted feelings for Serena. Nate, Jenny and Vanessa get into a tangled situation that puts their friendships and hearts on the line. But all problems are put on hold when it is discovered that a loved one’s life is in danger.

A sudden tragedy strikes the lives of every teen and parent on the Upper East Side.

In the reading of Bart’s will, Chuck, Bart’s brother, Jack and Lily learn that Chuck is now the CEO of Bass Industries. Chuck agrees that Jack became his guardian.

Rufus and Lily’s relationship is strained as Rufus searches for details about the child he never knew he had. Noticing the strange way his father has been acting lately, Dan does some investigating and uncovers Rufus and Lily’s secret, and he has to decide now what to do and who to tell the shocking revelation.

Who will get in the Ivy League institution of their choice? The students find out who is worthy of an early admission to Yale. Serena connects with a new Shakespeare teacher, who has no clue about what is going to happen when she gives Blair the first B grade in her life. Chuck pairs up with an unlikely ally in his battle over Bass Industries. Nate and Vanessa have a romantic night at the opera.

Blair comes up with a devious plan to take down her new teacher, Rachel. Chuck has no recollection of what happened to him when he wakes up in a hotel. Nate and Vanessa try to help Chuck fill in the missing pieces of his night. Meanwhile Dan and Serena try to keep their relantionship together as Rufus and Lily grow even closer.