‘Gossip Girl’ RECAP: ‘The Ex Files’ (Season 2 Episode 4)

It’s full on war for our favorite Manhattanites and no one is safe.

Plot Line One: The Inevitable Serena- Dan confrontation.

The first day of school brings mixed emotions for everyone, after the way things ended over the summer. Serena begs her mom to stay home; and Dan’s dad tells him to put his sarcastic deflections on the back burner and be honest.

The school day begins with Blair interviewing potential new posse clients. She is unimpressed with the menial selection. Meanwhile, across campus Chuck is reviewing the files for potential dates candidates. Chuck cordially tries to get Blair to swap files for information, but she kindly reminds him that she doesn’t need any dates this year; she has the Lord.

While Serena attempts to avoid Dan, he is found making nice with the new girl in school, Amanda. Blair advises Serena that she needs to find another boyfriend and quickly, because the one who dates first wins. Serena isn’t exactly sold on the idea, but doesn’t say anything otherwise.

Blair and her posse befriend Amanda – by threatening her- and invite her to lunch. Once they explain “The Rules” (which include no dating ex boyfriends) they assume that Dan will remain alone and Serena will have an opportunity to make a comeback. Besides, “Boyfriends are so less reliable then girlfriends.”

Amanda, who decides that she will not be bullied, convinces Dan to show up at a popular nightclub with her. When the two are caught together, Dan is considered insensitive because he is sporting his date in front of Serena’s friends. Still Serena, tries to be the bigger person and invites the two out to get to know Amanda. Fortunately, Blair’s minions have brought back up for Serena, a hottie from another school. Serena spends the night flirting in front of Dan, while Dan and Amanda flaunt their common interests in poetry. Obviously, both Serena and Dan are jealous of the others’ counterpart, and when Dan confronts Serena about the new guy, things escalate. Serena, “You need to leave”, Dan, “Are you threatening me?”, Serena “Consider it a suggestion.”

In the background, Chuck explains to the minions that it isn’t Dan they should be after, it is Amanda. He suggests a stunt that will burn off the back of her hair, a stunt they gladly accept. Amanda is mortified when the solution is supposedly-accidentally spilled on her and she runs crying from the club. Serena witnesses the event and is quick to apologize to Dan. Fuming, Dan wants nothing to do with Serena or her empty excuses anymore. And it is at that moment, we discover that war has been waged.

Plot Line 2: The Awkward Confrontation between Vanessa and Nate.

Nate is frantically trying to meet up with Vanessa to figure out what is going on with her. She denies that anything is wrong. When he asks if they can still be friends she proclaims “Well we were never really friends to begin with.”

Catherine pays Vanessa a visit, with a large check in tow, as a thank you to turning Nate down. Irate at the offer, Vanessa makes a trip over to the Duchess’ home and imagine her horror when she finds the Lord Marcus and Catherine together in the thrones of passion. Good thing, Vanessa has her cell phone ready to snap some pictures as evidence…good thing neither one of them see her standing in the door way….

With advice from Dan, Vanessa takes the pictures to Blair for help with a plan. Distraught, Blair explains that she will take care of it. Since, revenge is Blair’s middle name it is no surprise that she is able to work out a deal with the Duchess and Lord Marcus. She would keep her silence for a full payoff of Nate’s Dad’s restitution. However, Vanessa was unaware of the plan and very untrusting of Blair decides she will take the news directly to the Duke. Everything that Blair has set up for Nate is quickly taken down, because of Vanessa.

Mini Side Story: Lily is back from her honeymoon and desperately alone. Her husband has stayed to work in Beijing and her children are living their own lives, and she is sitting at home. She finds herself drawn back to her ex, Rufus. Hey Lily, you made your choice! He has moved on!

The Conclusion: Serena shows up at school the next day ready to take down anyone in her path. In a twisted ending we find out that Chuck has arranged the entire puppet show with Amanda so he can watch the takedown of Blair Waldorf. His main mission was to dethrone Blair as the queen, and the only one more powerful then Blair is her best friend Serena. Serena comes back with a vengeance; we see a total takeover as Blair is quietly taken down. A shift in power leaves, Lonely Boy Dan, alone in the courtyard.

This was my favorite episode by far, such a power pack of drama, what did you think?