Gossip Girl (2007–2012): Season 4, Episode 12 - The Kids Are Not All Right - full transcript

Gossip Girl here,
your one and only source...

...into the scandalous lives
of Manhattan's elite.

Spoke with the parole board, gave my
address. That's where you'll be reporting.

- I can't tell you how much this means.
- Thanks to you, my brother is serving...

...a five-year sentence.
- I never accused Ben of any crime.

I saw the affidavit.

- I didn't sign anything.
- Then who did?

- Lily's selling Bass Industries.
- I won't let you do this, Lily.

Since my mom isn't gonna
help get Ben out of jail...

...I wanna find the judge
on the affidavit.

I would love to go, but this is something
you need to do on your own.



I'm gonna be very busy writing,
I'm seeing Nenette at the Film Forum.

I'm seeing Nenette at Film Forum.

Where has she been?

And who am I?

That's one secret I'll never tell.

You know you love me. XOXO...

...Gossip Girl.

It's a cold new year,
Upper East Siders.

Time to donate that fall wardrobe
to the help...

...and to present the world
with a better version of you...

...which could mean
facing your future...

...and forgetting past mistakes.

Or finally settling
on a brand new path.

But a new year
doesn't wipe away old problems.



Well, welcome back.
All this for two weeks?

I had no idea where my PI mission
was gonna take me. I had to be prepared.

For a night with Taylor Swift?

Aside from forging affidavits
that send innocent men to jail...

...Judge Stephens also enjoys
riding horses on his ranch in Virginia.

- Someone did her research.
- Apparently, not enough.

He wasn't there
and no one knew where he was.

I had to pull an Erin Brockovich and go
to the Litchfield County clerk's office...

...to try to get a copy of the case.
How's this for irony...?

Court records are public so you wore
a push-up bra for no reason?

No, the file was sealed
because the case involved a minor.

Take me away from my problems.
Tell me, what'd you do over the break?

Why? What did you hear?

I ate leftovers and supervised Dorota
taking down the tree...

...and I finally settled on
who I want to intern for this semester.

Indra Nooyi. Forbes' number six
most powerful woman in the world.

Wow, I'm impressed.

As she will be.
Once I figure out how to win her over...

...before the internship deadline
which, yes, is in three days.

Did you happen to see Dan
over the break?

Why would I?

What's going on with you two
anyway?

I don't know. I guess we'll find out
how we both feel at family brunch.

Well, here's my advice:

Have a little faith, and if that
doesn't work, a lot of mimosas.

- Hey, man, how was New Zealand?
- It was an extraordinary bust.

Jack was out of the country.

Sorry, man.
I knew you were counting on his help.

As fate would have it,
I might've found one last ally.

My father's old friend, Russell Thorpe,
is in town from Chicago.

He's hosting a party at Apella
this afternoon.

I'm on my way to his field office
to get a meeting.

- Oh, yeah!
- Fifteen, all.

I hear you kept yourself entertained
in my absence.

Nope, that's not me.

That's right, your father's out on parole.
How's it been?

Forty-fifteen.

He's earned the right
to blow off steam...

...but it's been nothing but spas
and restaurants and nightclubs.

Shouldn't he be concentrating
on his future?

Perhaps you should dock
his allowance.

Oh, yeah. Hey, Nate, need one more
for a foursome. You in, dude?

That's not what it sounded like,
but I should go. Good luck.

You too.

Boom goes the dynamite.

People still use mailboxes?

No, no, it's Vanessa's mail.
She's moving back into the dorms.

Welcome home.

So how was your break?
What did you do?

- Why, what'd you hear?
- Nothing...

...which, I'm afraid, is what I have
to report from my road trip.

I'm sorry. I know you were hoping
for some closure.

Well, my mom's deviousness
is the gift that keeps on giving.

So for now,
at least, the past still lingers.

Was brunch a special occasion, or?

I have an interview with Writers House.
It's a literary agency, for my internship.

That's the one good thing
about being a freshman...

...I don't have to think about that
this year.

That and a lot of other things,
it seems.

Dan, you knew my focus
was fixing things for Ben.

I didn't realize I had an ultimatum.

You know, let's go inside.
It's cold out.

Hey, I wanted to call,
but she wouldn't let me.

Are you telling me it's been a week
and you still can't get me...

...five minutes alone with Indra?

She's only here for two days
before heading to Chennai.

- Her schedule's packed.
- I've always wanted to go to India.

Can you get me a seat on her plane?

- Get me her itinerary.
- It's being faxed over.

Make a decision, Laurel,
or I'll make the last one you'll hear.

- What are you girls doing?
- Solidifying the details of my internship.

Oh, honey, that reminds me.

I was thinking, why not work with me
at Waldorf Designs? You love fashion.

I also love a good pot-au-feu...

...but that doesn't mean
that I'm gonna build a career around it.

Fine.

Well, I have a monster of a day.

You know how many women would kill
to work with your mother?

Yes, and they're the Jenny Humphreys
of the world.

Indra's itinerary.

This isn't hers, it's my mother's.

And Indra's on it.

My mother is dressing her
for a party this afternoon.

Dorota.

Mr. Thorpe can't meet at noon...

...so you can push or he can cancel,
whichever you'd prefer.

Thought so.

If I could impose on you
to pop back to the office...

...and tell Mr. Thorpe,
Chuck Bass is here.

I'll take a coffee and today's Pravda
if it'll be a few minutes.

- I'm sorry, who are you?
- Chuck Bass.

I flew in from New Zealand,
got the invitation to Mr. Thorpe's party.

Thought I'd stop by early
to discuss business.

Would you mind telling me
what this is regarding?

I don't usually expose
my private matters to assistants.

"Assistant."

I prefer the term "secretary,"
don't you?

- Why not call things as you see them?
- Couldn't agree more.

So since I'm sure your boss will see me
if you tell him I'm here...

That won't be possible.

Let me save your job, sweetheart,
and tell you why it is possible.

I'm trying to block the potential sale of
Bass Industries, my dead father's legacy.

Since Mr. Thorpe and my father were
associates when they were starting out...

...I'm sure he'd like the opportunity
to help intervene.

I meant that won't be possible...

...because Mr. Thorpe
hasn't touched down from Chicago yet.

And I probably shouldn't tell you this,
but...

I'm listening.

In my position here,
I'm privy to certain information...

...and it appears
you may be out of the loop.

The potential sale of Bass Industries
is very real.

There's a deal on the table
and it's fast-tracked to close in 24 hours.

I'm guessing I'll be seeing you
at my boss' party later?

I'm sorry for ambushing you guys,
but we need to start talking again.

All of us.

Dan,
how's that internship search going?

That's right. Maybe I can help.

I can call one of my friends
at Cond? Nast.

Hmm, maybe you could forge
your signature on the cover letter.

Serena.

- Talking's going great.
- I wanna know how many times...

...you got your hair done this week
while an innocent man sat in prison.

I'm handling this in a way
that is best for this family.

And we're not gonna discuss it
anymore.

Okay.

I'm gonna make sure she's okay.

And I'm not hungry anymore,
so I'll see you at home.

She'll come around, just give her time.

- Thank you for trusting me.
- Mm.

I'm gonna go get our check and coats.

Judge Stephens, hi.

I hope you enjoyed your time
in the city...

...but you can return to the ranch now,
I'll take it from here.

Crazy question, but why isn't Ben
just going after Lily himself?

He knows she'll go to the cops
and tell them what Juliet did to me.

Oh, you mean kidnap and drug you.

Look, however wrong it was...

...enough harm has been done
to their family by ours.

It's a lot to take on by yourself,
that's all.

You know, I am tired...

...and this crusade has taken me away
from other things.

Well, you wanna go somewhere
and talk? Or not talk?

- Serena, a moment?
- Now is not a good time.

Unfortunately, time is why I'm here.
Unless we stop her...

...your mother is going
to sell Bass Industries in 24 hours.

I think I have a plan
that can get us both what we want.

Well, we've waited this long,
what's a few more hours?

Sure. My interview's at 2:30, so...

Okay, we'll meet at Waldorf's at 2
and then cab down there together.

Watch your back, Lily.
These kids are definitely not all right.

As I see it, we have two distinct goals.

I wanna block the sale
of Bass Industries...

...you wanna get old Ben out of jail.

Yet, a singular strategy
may satisfy us both.

- Which is?
- Blackmail.

I can't pressure her
unless I have evidence.

While you were brunching...

...I took the liberty
of checking the safe at the house.

Did you know she has a safety-deposit
box at the Dorset Bank on Madison?

No.

I know you've spent your entire life
not wanting to become your mother...

...but desperate times...

- You getting soft, kid?
- I'm getting bursitis. That was mile nine.

- We should head back.
- I feel like I'm 20 again.

I am 20,
I feel like I'm gonna puke up a lung.

- Don't you have things to do?
- Like what?

Something on your mind?

Just making sure you're concentrating
on the future.

Your terms of parole are specific.
A job, for one.

I know what the terms are...

...which was why my PO already has an
interview set up for me this afternoon.

Really? Why didn't you tell me?
That's fantastic.

I thought it'd be a nice surprise.

After I get this job, what do you say
I take you out to celebrate?

I told Chuck
I'm going to this Thorpe party.

- Russell Thorpe?
- Yeah.

But a celebratory dinner
sounds like a good afterparty.

Maybe you could pick up the check.

The pay grade I'm at,
I hope you don't mind a halal cart.

You look beat.
Listen, uh, I'll see you later, all right?

Yeah, sure.

Excuse me. Excuse me, excuse me.
I was wondering...

- Elevator's coming up.
- Okay. Thank God, showtime.

What are you doing here?

Hello to you too.

I told you that it was just one movie
on one lonely holiday break, that's it.

I'm here to see Serena.

Oh. Well, she's not here to see you.

- Shocker.
- Where is she?

She's off scheming with Chuck.
Disguises are involved. It can't end well.

I'll wait. I'm sure she'll be back.
She knows I have an interview to get to.

You do know "powerful woman"
is not actually a career, right?

And neither is
Serena van der Woodsen...

...but 10 bucks says that you'll miss
your interview waiting for her, yet again.

Ten bucks, whatever scheme
you're cooking up blows up in your face.

- Loitering lounge is upstairs.
- Already there, sister.

No, Laurel,
the schedule was not sent over.

I can't have the office falling apart now
I am in over my head with fittings.

What?

I'm sorry about what I said earlier,
it was the stress talking.

I thought about it and I really would love
to intern with you.

Really? Well, that is just great, dear.

And since you seem
to have your hands full...

...I thought
maybe I could accompany you...

...on your fittings
for the Midwestern Mogul party.

Well, perhaps it might be more efficient
for you to have your own assignment...

...rather than accompanying me.

- Even better. Why not...?
- Patti Blagojevich.

I'm going to assume that
that noise was a sneeze...

...and that you meant to say,
"Indra Nooyi."

Ha-ha-ha. Indra? Don't be silly.

She is a huge new client
and you are just an intern.

But you can deliver this to Patti...

...and you can style her.
God knows she needs it.

- But...
- Darling, I am thrilled.

Tell Indra's people...

...that her Eleanor Waldorf fitting
has been moved up a half hour.

Relax, you're a spitting image.

Remind me to kill you later for that.

The teller we need to talk to
is named Julie.

- She's new. I'd remember her.
- And who do we say you are, my son?

Is it weird hearing you say that
turns me on?

This better be worth the therapy.
Let's get this over with.

Yeah, hi, this is Dan Humphrey.

I am caught in some brutal traffic.
Can I reschedule?

No, I didn't realize
he was deciding today...

...or I wouldn't have put myself
in this position.

Okay. Thank you.

Will Lonely Boy
ever learn that S can't tell time...

...especially when she's wasting
someone else's?

All I have in my pile are divorce papers,
jewelry...

...and nudes of my mother
in her groupie days.

Swap piles?

I knew there'd be nothing.

What did you expect to find in here,
anyway?

A gun, the smoking kind.

Oh, my God.
You found a copy of the affidavit.

Any expert would be able
to prove that this is not mine.

Not that we'll ever need to call one.
The threat alone is enough.

Looks like Serena may
have found Ben's "get out of jail free" card.

- We have her.
- Wanna make the call or should I?

No. Later. In person.

I like the way you think, Mom.

Charles.

I assume you weren't upstairs
playing Rufus' guitars.

If you didn't want me in the family safe,
you should've changed the combination.

Well, I'm just curious,
what were you hoping to find?

A way to stop you from disposing
of the last remaining bit of my father.

Is that what you think?

Why else would you be selling
Bass Industries?

Because it's in trouble, Charles.

- What are you talking about?
- You read the papers. Real estate, hotels.

Even in Manhattan,
no one's impervious.

Why wouldn't you tell me?

Because I thought we could ride it out,
refinance or something.

I was hoping I could turn it around
and wouldn't have to tell you.

Then you disappeared, and by the time
you got back, it was an inevitability.

You expect me just to accept this?
Go on with my day?

If I sell now, I can control
how we sell it and to whom.

A private buyer's
made a very generous offer.

The company will stay intact,
and so will your father's name.

The money from the sale
will give you a chance to build a future...

...and who knows,
maybe even buy it back some day.

If this deal gets messed up...

Bass Industries will go
to the highest bidder...

...someone who will fire the employees,
cheapen the brand.

Exactly. This buyer's committed...

...to maintaining the company's
integrity, your father's integrity.

And I know he'd want you
to be a part of the next phase.

Is it Russell Thorpe?

You don't have to say, I know it's him.

The important thing is...

...that you believe me when I tell you
I don't want your father's legacy to die.

I'm trying to save what's left of it.
In 24 hours you'll see.

And hopefully,
Serena will see some things too.

Yes, Penelope, you will stand in the cold
and hail me a cab.

Call me when it's curbside.

And show some leg if you have to.
I'm already late for Indra.

- Is Dan still here?
- No, he left 20 minutes ago.

- Where were you?
- I feel terrible about standing him up...

...but we found a copy of the affidavit.
B, I think I can get Ben out of prison.

You didn't know him. He was
a good man before all this happened.

They're all good men
before something happens to them, S.

Some of them stay good,
no matter how they're treated.

I thought you hated Dan.

I do. So very much.

But whatever it is you see in him,
he seems to see in you as well.

I know you wanna focus on Ben...

...but maybe you're avoiding your future,
not fixing your past.

- I thought we were gonna meet later.
- We'll have to pause that.

I think Lily is trying to do the right thing
by the company...

...and by your inmate too.

She says she'll prove it in 24 hours.

Of course she did.

Well, there's something
I have to do anyway...

...so one more day.

Who is this Russell Thorpe exactly?
His name sounds familiar.

Oh, um, he and Bart started out
in real estate about the same time.

He ended up settling in Chicago.

Comes into town once a year,
throws a garish party...

...so we all know he still exists.

- I wish we didn't have to go, but...
- But nothing.

According to this invitation,
it's gonna be a wingding.

Why aren't you dressed?

Uh, shirt, pants. Yeah, I'm dressed.

Look, I know you disapprove of me,
but can't you please do so in a tuxedo?

The sale of Bass Industries
is in a delicate stage...

...and it's vital that we at least present
a unified family front.

Fine. Then it's just us.

Hello?

May I speak to Mrs. Humphrey, please?

This is the concierge at the Palace.

She just left. Can I take a message?

It seems that the guest Mrs. Humphrey
was hosting, John Stephens...

...left a pair of cufflinks in his room
when he checked out this morning.

Uh, I'm sorry,
you mean Judge John Stephens?

Dorota, have you seen the dress
marked for Indra Nooyi?

And what is Patti Blagojevich's dress
still doing here?

Uh-oh.

Where is Blair?

- No one is answering in her room.
- Thus the reason I need your services.

- Let's see that master key card.
- It's against hotel policy...

Listen, Harvey?

Ms. Nooyi was expecting me.
Silence on the other side of the door...

...could mean one of two things:
She neglected her appointment...

...which a woman of her professionalism
is not wont to do...

...or she's lying there, having choked
on one of her own snack chips...

...while you're standing here
quibbling about policy.

As I thought.

Spotted:
B using old tricks to get to one Nooyi.

Ms. Nooyi? Indra?

Assistants? Anyone?

But it seems that
someone got an SOS to the CEO.

Sorry, B, that internship has sailed.

Hey.

Nice tie. You changed it.

I'm really sorry.
I swear I thought I would make it in time.

Did you miss your interview?

Yeah, but it was my fault
for thinking you'd show up.

I really can't get into this,
I'm on my way out.

Where you going?

James Franco's giving a reading
of some of his short stories...

...and the Writers House agent
is gonna be there.

So I'm gonna go and try to woo him.
The agent, not James Franco.

Well, why don't I go with you
as your date...

...and then after you impress the hell out
of the agent, we can have that talk?

You did come to Brooklyn to apologize,
and you are dressed for a party, so...

Hold on.

- Hey, Eric, what's up?
- Know that judge you were looking for?

Mom was hiding him at the Palace
while you were gone.

Guess when he checked out.

This morning, after brunch?

Hey, shall we?

Let me call you back.

Yeah, I just need to make
a quick detour first.

Looks like Serena's
ablaze on a path to punishment.

Suit up, Lily.
Your baby's out for blood.

Why don't you get us some drinks,
I'll be just a minute.

Hey, what are you doing here?
I thought you went to Brooklyn.

- I did. Have you seen Chuck?
- No. Have you seen Indra Nooyi?

No. But I do see your mother and she
doesn't seem too happy to see you.

Gotta go. Bye.

What are you doing,
here with your family?

- Serena. You?
- I got a call this afternoon.

I'm looking for my dad
who skipped a job interview...

...he was required to go to
by his parole officer.

Oh, and what did he skip it to do?

- Eat a Chicago Superdawg?
- Psh.

Mr. Bass.

- Looking dapper.
- Thank you.

Raina.

Someone wanted to say hello.

Mr. Thorpe, it's a pleasure
to finally meet you, sir.

Call me Russell.
I see you've met my daughter.

- Raina Thorpe.
- Mm-hm.

Wharton grad,
Thorpe Enterprises' vice president...

...and a most trusted advisor
to her proud and aging papa.

You said you were his assistant.

You said that.
I said, I prefer the term "secretary."

Which I do,
for those whom it actually refers to.

Raina never lies. It's her best quality.

I highly doubt that.

Actually, ahem, I know it's premature,
Russell, but I came here to shake the hand...

...of the man who's buying
Bass Industries.

- What's that?
- I understand your need for discretion.

While I wasn't happy
the company was being sold...

...I was heartened to learn it would be
my father's old friend at the helm.

Son, I'm not the buyer.

And I was good friends with your father,
until he kicked me out...

...of every deal he could
and pushed me out of New York.

If I'd known in time
that his company was for sale...

...I would have bought it cheap,
dismantled it for parts...

...and hosted a fire sale.

Dan.

- This party doesn't seem like your speed.
- Are you kidding?

There are actually beers behind the bar
I can pronounce.

- I'm here with Serena.
- Oh, she didn't tell me she was coming.

She wasn't,
but Eric called her and here we are.

Hi, Mom. I'm so sorry I'm late,
but I couldn't find my cufflinks...

...so I just borrowed the ones
that Judge Stephens left at the Palace.

- Uh, what's going on?
- Dan, when you see Serena...

...please tell her to stop whatever it is
she's planning on doing...

...before she destroys our family.

I can't believe your nerve.
What were you planning to do?

Lobby Ms. Nooyi for a job
in the changing room?

No, I was going to wait until after.

Meetings in underwear
tend not to be taken seriously.

You would jeopardize my business...

...to pursue a career you thought of five
minutes ago based on some power list?

I'm sorry I lied to you, but your dress
was going to look stunning on her...

...no matter who zipped it up
in the back.

I have to take my future
into my own hands.

Otherwise...

Otherwise, what?

You'll be forced to follow
in my footsteps?

No, that's fine, dear.

Now that I realize
your childish games...

...are actually who you are
and not a phase...

...I wouldn't want someone like you
wanting to be like me.

And you are fired.

There you are. What's wrong?

Let's say my patience is as strained
as your mother's credibility.

- What did she do?
- She misled me. The question is why.

You know why,
to serve her own best interests, always.

I found out that
she paid off the judge twice.

Once, years ago,
to notarize my signature...

...and recently, to disappear
so I couldn't hold him accountable.

You have the affidavit?

- Let's go find my mom.
- Wait, I've got a better idea.

We need to fire a warning shot. That
guy is a journalist for The Post.

Give it to him,
tell him to ask questions...

...start with your mother.
That way she'll know we're serious.

- What are we doing?
- One more minute.

- No, no more minutes.
- I'll head off Lily.

Look, she can't keep getting away
with this. It's not fair.

Fair? My agency meeting was important
today. It was my last shot.

I know, but you'll get another chance.

No, I won't. Normal people don't get
an endless number of chances...

...no matter the situation.
That's just you.

Whatever it is you're planning to do...

...is it worth it? Or are you gonna
walk out the door with me right now?

I'm sorry.

It seems like love
can't compete with the allure of war.

Find your seats, honored guests.
Justice is served.

What's in the envelope
you just gave the Post reporter?

Bet it's a copy of the affidavit.

You can have Judge Stephens
release Ben.

And cancel the sale of Bass Industries.

If not, I'll tell the truth,
and the Post will have a cover story.

Excuse me, is this what I think it is?

- There's an explanation.
- No need. I get it.

I know how bad the job market is
these days.

Can you please tell this Dan Humphrey
that while I'm very flattered...

...I don't have the power to hire anyone.
Print's a dying medium.

He switched the envelopes.

- Hmm.
- That's my boy.

I need a drink.

My son was actually looking
for an internship, not a job.

- What the hell were you trying to do?
- Get Ben out of prison, Mom.

- What, by putting me in?
- I wasn't gonna press charges.

Well, it wouldn't be your choice,
it would be the district attorney's.

The information about Ben
and the affidavit can never get out, ever.

Now, can you just trust me
when I say I'm handling it?

I still have friends in this town, some
are at this party. Why are you so upset?

Because you skipped your job interview
today, Dad.

Lucky for you, I covered.

I told your PO
you twisted your ankle on our jog...

...got him to reschedule it
for tomorrow.

Nate, I went to the damn interview,
okay?

I walked into that waiting room
in my suit and tie...

...and I realized
I was there to beg for a janitor's job.

Along with
half a dozen other ex-cons...

...who probably don't have
a high school education.

- Do you know how that makes me feel?
- Not good, I'm guessing.

I'm here to reignite
old business connections.

To remind people that before everything
that went down, I was good at what I did.

I'm gonna make you proud of me,
I promise.

That's what you said
right before you got caught.

I thought I saw you storm out
10 minutes ago.

Well, on top of everything else,
they can't find my coat.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out
your scheme blew up in your face.

You owe me 10.

Serena disappointed you twice today,
so you owe me 20. Coat checker.

What's wrong?
It's not the coat checker.

I'm sorry, are we friends?

Of course not. Ahem.

Oh, excellent. Thank you.

I had a horrible fight with my mother.

I tried to be Indra Nooyi...

...and while I admit that choice
may have been a bit random...

...the other choice was to be my mother,
and I didn't want that.

Why not?

You care about fashion more than
most people care about, well, anything.

You used to send girls home crying from
Constance for wearing tights as pants.

Well, somebody had to.
It was for the greater good.

Like my suggestion that you take off that
tie and shove it in your pocket right now.

You're an evil dictator of taste, Blair.

Why deny that just because
it's what your mother does?

And by the way,
this tie was my grandfather's.

If only he'd been buried in it.

I didn't lie to you, Charles.

Are you familiar
with the sin of omission?

You seemed calmed
by the idea of Thorpe as a buyer.

I needed to keep things smooth
for another 24 hours...

...so that this deal would close without
incident, but it looks like I've failed.

The buyer just called.

Somehow he heard about the scene
that just transpired...

...the little war
between me and my children...

...and he's backing out.

Over a family squabble?

All he had to do was hear
that you and I were in a standoff.

He's concerned
there would be problems between us...

...at every step of the acquisition.

So my father's life's work
is heading for the auction block?

Pray it goes to someone
who doesn't chop it up.

Thank you all for coming...

...and a special thanks
to the folks who came in from Chicago...

...where we've enjoyed a great run.

But a wise man once told me...

..."if you stay in one place long enough,
you'll never go anywhere"...

...which is why my daughter and I
are very pleased to announce...

...that Thorpe Enterprises is packing up
and moving east to New York City.

I was planning to get settled
before I dove into business...

...but I'm a restless man.

So I've decided to set my sights high
on a company that has...

...just this minute,
come back up on the block...

...my dear departed friend's
Bass Industries.

Looks like Page Six
of this party will read:

"The world according to Thorpe."

So cheers, to new friends
and inevitable enemies.

Forget your
usual suspects, Upper East Siders...

- I look forward to facing you all.
- Hear, hear.

...there's a new family in town.

Come to twist the knife further?

You were right.

I used you and I shouldn't have,
I'm sorry.

Don't be.

I've watched you struggling
to find your path...

...and I guess I just hoped
that you would want to follow mine.

But like any self-respecting daughter
of an egocentric mother...

...would be repelled by the thought
of being anything like her.

That is not true.

Mother,
you are brilliant and resilient...

...and a businesswoman and an artist.

I'd be crazy not to want to be like you.

Really?

But you are not a designer,
you are a, um...

A dictator of taste.

Exactly. I love that.

- Who said that?
- A friend of mine.

Well, if only there was a person
who did that for a living...

...someone for you to aspire to.

There is.

Editrix of a high-fashion magazine.

So we'll strategize in the morning?

I realized I didn't really need
to be in possession of this.

Thank you, I guess.

I would say I'm sorry about today...

...but in my head,
that just sounds inadequate.

You don't need to apologize.

It's not your fault I drop everything
to make myself available.

I don't mean to take you for granted.

It's just,
if we're being completely honest...

We are.

I think that maybe sometimes
I test you.

You know, I keep thinking that if things
get too hard, you'll give up on me.

But you never do.

And I never will.

If you really need me ever, I am there.

But there's a reason you didn't insist
I come with you over break.

And why you didn't try
to make me stay?

So where does that leave us?

With one last shot.

If we ever do jump in again,
that'll be it.

We either sink or swim.
We won't get another chance.

Now, when that time comes,
we'd better make damn sure we're ready.

Yeah. We should.

- Nate, I can't talk right now.
- Yes, you can.

Your parole officer just called me
because he didn't know where you were.

You don't get a job,
they're gonna send you back.

Kid, I'm in an interview right now.

Yeah, at this time of night?
Sure, Dad, whatever you say.

Sorry about that. Just my son.
Anyway, you were saying?

Well, I've been gone for a while
and we've been hard-pressed...

...to find just the right financial guy
to introduce us to NYC.

I know you've still got a lot of friends,
family connections.

What do you think?

In the new year, we resolve
to do things we've only dreamed of doing...

...and not to do other things
ever again.

I hope your visits don't become a habit.

I don't think you'll be seeing me
for a while.

- Heading home to Brooklyn?
- No.

Actually, I was gonna catch
Monsieur Hulot's Holiday...

...at the Walter Reade.
Try to cheer myself up.

Oh. Well, I do enjoy myself some Tati.

Though, if you're trying to improve
your mood...

...my coming with you
would defeat that purpose.

It is pretty funny. Even you
couldn't kill that much comedy.

I still require you
to sit two seats away.

Works for me,
keeps your paws off my popcorn.

Wait here while I change.

We may surprise
ourselves as we face the future...

...or be surprised
when cleaning up the past.

Hi, I'm here to see Ben Donovan.

I know it's late,
but I really need to talk to him.

Sorry, you just missed him.
Mr. Donovan was released.

What? How?

His parole was moved up
by a Judge Stephens.

When did this happen?

Says here the paper was filed
a couple days ago.

Just went through this evening.

So Russell Thorpe seems nice.

Oh, my God. It's not just his disloyalty
or deviousness, it's his pomposity.

And the fact that you slept with him?

- How did you know...?
- I remembered where I knew the name.

It's from the time
when we exchanged our lists.

Well, that was a long time ago,
and it was fleeting.

Just when you thought you'd escaped
another major scandal today.

Dishonesty may help
some make a few good amends...

...while others are left to wonder
if they can handle the truth.

What are you doing here?

Riverpark's one of the only bars I like
in New York.

And I came to offer you an apology.

Today at the office,
the identity game...

...I'm usually more straightforward
than that...

...which leads me to my next point.

Edge of my seat.

My father reported your family's fight
to the buyer during the party.

Scared him off
so he could go after it himself.

While I'm impressed with your honesty,
I can't say I like the information.

Or your relationship to it.

It's just business.

Right now I'm trying to focus
on whatever pleasure I can.

If you can separate the two, so can I.

My car is just outside.
I'll wait five minutes before taking off.

If I go home alone,
I'll never bring it up again.

And whether you kick
things off by sleeping with the enemy...

...or trying your best
to remake a former friend...

Serena.

You're still here.

Just waiting for the bus.

What are you even doing here?

Are you free for coffee?

I'm free for anything.

one thing's for sure:

Anything is possible.

XOXO, Gossip Girl.