Ranking “Gossip Girl” Thanksgiving Episodes

Thanksgiving is a favorite time of the year for honorary Upper East Siders. It's a time of giving, gratitude and obviously “Gossip Girl.” Where would we be without “Gossip Girl” Thanksgiving episodes? Thankfully, that question never has to be answered. Here is a ranking of the best “Gossip Girl” Thanksgiving episodes. 

5. Season 4, Episode 10: “Gaslit”

Starting from the bottom, this is arguably “Gossip Girl” at its worst. Blair and Chuck are on the outs, Serena is beefing with the world and Dan keeps being a creep. However, there’s nothing that a good Thanksgiving dinner can’t fix!

4. Season 6, Episode 8: “It’s Really Complicated”

The final season of “Gossip Girl” brings us one of the most eventful Thanksgiving episodes yet. As viewers are gearing up for the reveal of Gossip Girl herself, clues begin to arise as major events unfold. Bart Bass has risen from the dead, causing turmoil in the lives of the Upper East Siders as they are left to make life-changing decisions. The group turns on Dan, who is exposed for writing about their lives. 

3. Season 2, Episode 11: “The Magnificent Archibalds”

After numerous tumultuous exits from Jenny Humphrey, she is finally back in Brooklyn where she belongs. While she’s gone, Dan tries getting his hands dirty to write an exposé based on a night out with Chuck Bass but ends up embarrassed — as usual. Blair schemes to sabotage her mother’s new boyfriend Cyrus’ first Thanksgiving with the family, and Serena endeavors on a rendezvous with Cyrus’ son Aaron, who is arguably Serena’s worst boyfriend. Nate's dad continues to disappoint and tries to escape to another country amidst his legal battles. 


2. Season 1, Episode 9: “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!”

The flashback scene of Dan and Serena’s first meet-cute is enough for this to be considered one of the most iconic “Gossip Girl” Thanksgiving episodes. Dan and Jenny’s mom pops out of nowhere, and Lily’s presence at dinner uncovers old wounds that were once thought to be healed. This episode is comforting because in the end, everyone ends up where they belong: with family. The van der Woodsen’s diner Thanksgiving dinners will always warm our hearts. 

1. Season 3, Episode 11: “The Treasure of Serena Madre”

This is the episode of all Thanksgiving episodes. The dinner scene guided by the masterpiece that is Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” deserves an Emmy. Dan and Hilary Duff’s character Olivia break up because, for some odd reason, he finds himself infatuated with Vanessa, who makes a dramatically memorable exit from the Thanksgiving dinner. Serena tries to pull an Olivia Pope with Trip Vanderbilt but gets caught in the act at the dinner table when Nate exposes the pair out of jealousy. Chuck gets mad at Nate, and Lily gets mad at Serena. Blair thinks her mom is pregnant but couldn’t be more wrong. This is the essence of “Gossip Girl;” it’s organized chaos.


As the season of gratitude begins, be thankful that your life will never be as chaotic and messy as that of the characters in “Gossip Girl.” 

LifestyleTaylor Scott