Is it really Thanksgiving if there isn’t backstabbing, a secret love affair, drugs, and endless accounts of drama?
5. It’s Really Complicated (Season 6, Episode 8)
I was never a Derena fan, so when Dan and Serena threw a joint Thanksgiving party, it was only rubbing salt in the wound. With Blair and Chuck’s relationship at a standstill, served with a side of classic Bart Bass aggression, this episode is a let down at its very core. The one saving grace is the Dan Humphrey showdown, when Nate gave Dan a very well deserved black eye.
4. The Magnificent Archibalds (Season 2, Episode 11)
Nate gets his time to shine when the conflict of his dad as a Bernie Madoff type character blows up in his face. Always eager to do the right thing, he convinces his dad to turn himself in for the good of his family. Next, in an unlikely twist of fate, we find Blair and Jenny sharing a heart to heart. The most memorable part of this episode, though, is Vanessa stealing a letter Nate sent to Jenny. At Thanksgiving, betrayal is a dish best served cold.
3. The Treasure of Serena Madre (Season 3, Episode 11)
Though I’m not a fan of Tripp Vanderbilt and his love affair with Serena, I will admit it did make for good TV. Moreover, the multifaceted plot with many characters’ independent issues ups the drama level. Between Lilly’s secret, Jenny and Eric’s feud, and Serena’s Nate-Tripp love triangle, there is enough drama to go around the whole Thanksgiving table.
2. Gaslit (Season 4, Episode 10)
Though this episode was not very Thanksgiving-oriented, the drama-filled sequence of Serena’s drugging, self-doubt, and familial conflict thereafter makes for a thrilling episode. With appearances from the unlikely band of enemies—Juliet, Vanessa, and Jenny—coupled with backstabbing, lying, and a trip to rehab, the intensity level of this episode is through the roof. Ending it with a bang is the cliffhanger to begin a complete Blair Waldorf takedown.
1. Blair Waldorf Must Pie (Season 1, Episode 9)
And, finally, the best of all—the original. There is nothing really like the OG. This episode sets the stage for all future GG Thanksgivings. From the flashbacks, to awkward Rufus and Lilly sexual tension (not to mention the added weirdness of Allison coming back), to Nate’s family drama, this episode is one for the books. Let’s not forget Blair’s emotional meltdown, resorting to her past bad habits of bulimia. It is nice to see Blair as the human she is for once, and not the perfect Queen B she makes herself out to be. The only thing that would have made this episode better would be an appearance from the infamous Chuck Bass.
All gifs courtesy of giphy.com.