Deb Brawl in a Blue Dress is the first episode of the second season, and the thirteenth episode overall. It serves as the season two premiere.
Summary[]
As the crew looks forward to a fresh start in the new year, a debutante ball threatens already fragile bonds.
Plot[]
Traveling in a motor train, Aki shared a look with Audrey over Max’s sleeping body while Julien texts Gossip Girl some new tips despite the lagger’s suspicions. In the other car is Monet and Luna, who sees the former scribbling a new scheme. In a bus, Kate reads new tips received as everyone arrives back home.
At a dress boutique, Camille de Haan inspects and critiques cotillion dresses while her daughter and Luna comment on Julien apparently giving up on their New Year’s plan, and hasn’t opened Instagram in a while. Zoya looks at Julien’s racks of clothes with disdain before racing to the bathroom, arguing with Julien about her already having taken a shower. Julien explains it’s part of her new skincare, but Zoya demands to shower first. Her father Nick intervenes. Reluctantly she lets Julien go to the bathroom, but kicks her identical pairs of shoes in frustration.
At the Menzies residence, Aki tried to get off from Max and Audrey’s bare bodies before his mother Jody knocks in the door. Aki and Audrey hide Max in the closet. At Zoya’s, she admonishes her father for still reading ‘’Gossip Girl’’ as Julian comes in wearing her sister’s clothes. The three share an awkward dinner, with Zoya explaining surprise at Julian wanting to attend college to get an MBA. Nick explains they texted about it and compliments Julien for staying off social media, while she discreetly texts ‘’Gossip Girl’’ that Zoya bought followers.
Kate arrives at school and meets up with Jordan and Wendy at the teacher’s lounge. She complains about the new expensive furniture, learning it was a gift from the de Haan family for the school cafeteria. However, Wendy also informs her the gift in new chairs were in exchange for Monet’s grade increasing from a C to a B-, to Kate’s shock. She is also the one who tells Jordan about ‘’Gossip Girl’’ being back, without them. Kate says she cut a deal with Julien who is already sending in tips, tough only some are true.
Audrey and Aki can’t believe Max had the time to organize Ali’s closet, after apparently having been in there for so long. Audrey receives a new GG blast, apparently one speculating Max’s new conquests. He sarcastically asks if he should post their anonymous nudes, suspecting his partners may not be comfortable with putting their relationship public. Audrey backtracks before making an excuse to go inside. Monet criticizes Julien’s overalls while Luna asks if she got the mood boards she sent. Julien announces she’s figuring out her future in terms of going to college, to the girls’ shock. Audrey pulls Julien away. Monet reminds Luna why she defected on Halloween and now she’s collateral, before walking away and texting a chat called “The Help” requesting a backup plan.
Julien asks Audrey if she’s wrong for letting fate decide her next moves, to which Audrey replies New Year’s is for people to try something new. She comments on her new queer relationship and how everyone thought would be her lying to center herself. Julien asks how it’s going, to which she ecstatically replies it’s like a constant endorphin rush and nothing can ruin her mood such as the sight of Zoya. She asks if there’s trouble in Buffalo, but Julien brushes it off. She asks Audrey when they can finally speak publicly but Audrey wants to keep low-pro. Another GG blast is sent out about Obie, one that Audrey dismisses. Julien, however, replies it’s true and notes she doesn’t care about their secrets being out out there so it won’t blow up in their faces. Audrey heavily disagrees, and coldly walks away. Julien texts ‘’Gossip Girl’’ about the relationship.
Kate, who isn’t far behind, receives the news with a grain of salt being seeing her homeroom items being moved. She finds herself introduced to Mike Shubin, the Russian Classics teacher who is moving back to his room after a two-year sabbatical. Monet laters embraces Mr. Shubin warmly and the two talk dinner with her mom. Kate angrily texts Julien through GG about the dirt on Camille, before being interrupted by Julien. She announces Kate as her college guidance counselor, and the two converse about extracurriculars while also texting about their deal.
Monet, now in sunglasses, meets with Pippa and Bianca in a booth opposite from hers. Monet bemoans how “Facebook” GG has become, but still acknowledges the fact the Instagrammer has to publicly announce her usurping Julien’s place to her to be popular. She asks the girls if they’re still attending the debutante ball - they confirm. Monet reminds them of the important roles going forward and relishes that the crown Julien never respected will be hers.
Shan Barnes dismisses a boy who comes out to Zoya, who she shows off the ring she fished out the C but questions Zoya’s pizza earring. She complains of her home situation to her friend, who derives that her father favors Julien. Zoya is skeptical and asks Shan if she’s an only child, who isn’t but simply has only child energy. Zoya relents that she did campaign for Julien to stay with them but forgot how much space she takes up, literally. She says she bought the cheapest tickets to “Famous” to spend time with her father but Shan recommends confirming him on that.
Just then, GG sends out the latest blast to Luna’s irritation. The blogger makes a polygamous interlude in her past, which frightens off Audrey and Aki from meeting Max. Monet comes up to Julien and announces she was able to secure a last-minute spot for her at the debutant ball. Julien is far from interested and considers the practice outdated, but Monet says her mom is on the board and gave it a refresh. Julien is hesitant but Monet reminds her it’s her chance to look hot, support charity, and meet hot guys. She says Ms. Keller is underwhelmed by her extracurriculars, so she accepts. Monet leaves, but sends a message to GG to keep her eye out on a monster of a ball.
Wendy and Jordan marvel at Mike Shubin’s luxury gifts in the teacher’s lounge when Kate approaches them, informing of an impending situation at the debutante ball. Jordan thinks he mishears. Kate explains that she can’t rely on Julien’s false rumors and needs a way inside, like a livestream. She is offended that Jordan thinks it’s about Camille de Haan. Mike comes in and sees the trio in front of his gifts. Noticing his own invite to the ball, Kate offers herself as his plus one but Mike says he doesn’t date co-workers.
Zoya is shocked Julien is going to the deb ball but Julien explains the ball is focusing on women and diversity, and add Nick approves of the idea. She’s irked Julien approached her father to introduce her, declaring they have plans already. Julien says her father said she wouldn’t mind rescheduling. Zoya leaves with subtle disappointment. Max, meanwhile, is lured by Audrey to the back bookcases but confronts the pair. They insist they want to be low profile but Max accuses them of not wanting people to know about them. He decides they should go to dinner and then he’ll book them a hotel suite. The three seemingly agree, but Audrey and Aki confess they’re not ready to come out.
Monet reminds Julien the attire is white dresses only. Julien saw this McQueen and wonders if it could be deconstructed but Monet stresses as long as it’s white. She says she’ll need an escort, dubbed a “cavalier”, and that a fellow deb offered up her brother whose Julien’s height. Wendy overhears and texts Kate she found a backdoor to the ball. As Monet assures Julien she can practice waltzing at rehearsals, she texts “The Help” the plan is in motion.
Zoya finds Shan and informs her of her dad bailing to help present Julien at the ball. Shan recommends she find a way to re-convince Julien. Zoya says she invited her to rehearsals. Shan says that while Julien dresses up, she can find a way to dress the whole thing down.
When rehearsals end, Julien is complimented by the committee on her work and she herself exchanges her thanks. Zoya’s iffy on what the deb ball stands for, and the two are approached by Monet and two other girls who explain who their cavaliers are. Monet remarks that Julien fits right in, and the four leave her to text GG that Monet ate her twin in the womb. Kate texts make what Camille did. In front of Nick’s front door, Kate explains she was visiting a friend around and wanted to drop off some college papers for Julien as she is her counselor. Kate apologizes for any stress she caused, before going on that Julien is a smart girl and that deb ball will look good on her resume. Reminding Nick of the time he saved her from the parents at the fundraiser last semester, she offers to go with him.
Max, Audrey and Aki arrive at the establishment, the former skeptical of the reputation due to the elderly patrons around them. Audrey assures him and the three sit at their table (Audrey requesting a round instead of square one). She suddenly notices a classmate named Harris watching them and gets up under the guise of getting bread. She makes small talk with him, who asks if ‘’Gossip Girl’’ was right about the three. She dismisses his questions and says they should hang out more. Max, once she’s back, is elated they’re on their first date and holds his significant others’ hands. Audrey is aware Harris is watching them and begins to fake a scene. Max is concerned, as Audrey attempts to get him to take a picture of her and Aki. It culminates to her forcing Aki to kiss Max and throwing water as she throws accusations. They leave as Harris continues to record.
Julien is complimented by one of the violinists when she thanks him for staying late. Monet receives a FaceTime from Pippa and Bianca, who say Julien won’t know what hit her. Zoya motions for Julien to come, who listens as a girl named Shelby sadly reveals the committee isn’t allowing her girlfriend to escort her. She takes her girlfriend’s call as Zoya reiterates the ridiculousness of hiding who you are and criticizes the “progressiveness” of a committee that still chooses who let in through the door. Julien calms her by saying it’s not their fight and she shouldn’t take this as one of her causes. She tells her sister this is the first time she felt pulled in a direction.
Max rubs his eyes and voices his displeasure that Aki and Audrey want to hide who they are. He proposes a solution - the three attend the deb ball tomorrow night and on the dance floor come out in front of New York society. Aki and Audrey are left stunned. Elsewhere, a bewildered Zoya tells Shan its worst than they thought and Julien especially doesn’t care. She has jsut the plan but Shan wonders if her determination stems from not being her father’s favorite. Zoya stresses its not and tells her to come along.
Cast[]
Starring[]
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
Soundtrack[]
Memorable Quotes[]
Gossip Girl: Happy New Year, followers. Been a minute, and I know you've missed me. Because it must have been pretty dark and lonely out there without me around. Lucky for you, I'm the light at the end of your tunnel. Here to illuminate what you've been up to while you thought no one was watching. And to those of you who may doubt the credibility of what I might say, remember, I can only be as honest as you are. But admit it, it's the fiction that keeps the facts interesting, anyway. So try to ignore me if you dare. Pretty soon...I'll have everyone talking. And you'll be back here to make sure they're not talking about you.
Gossip Girl: Welcome back, my pretties. What better way to ring in this new year than to announce just who got Max Wolfe's ball to drop first in '22? Noah Beck at Hype House? Olivia Rodrigo backstage at the Bowl? Or perhaps it was a holy trinity?
Gossip Girl: Spotted. Lone Wolfe no more. Just three little piggies in one blanket. Threesomes are so last year. Now, it's all about the full-time trio. Close Friends status awarded to anyone who can get cold, preferably hard, proof.
Gossip Girl: It's debutante season for our lovely ladies, and while we're excited for all the coming-outs, we all know it's really about who comes out on top. What better way to celebrate burgeoning womanhood than with those who raised us? Around those we are just getting to know. But with every tradition is an opportunity to disrupt. So girls, I'd keep my eyes out tonight. The stairs are steep, and any humiliation is a long way to fall.
Gossip Girl: Here's the thing about the unknown. At some point, you will come out the other side. But that doesn't mean you'll like what you find there. Which is why it often feels better to lie than to tell the truth. Keep the known unknown. Us in the dark, you in the light. Until the light slowly starts to burn. After a while, you have to choose. Confess, or go down in flames. When you're ready to talk, I'll be here waiting. You can tell me anything. Just let me hold this magnifying glass a little bit closer. I think I see some smoke. That which burns the brightest, burns the fastest. Great knowing you. XOXO, Gossip Girl.
Trivia[]
- Grace Duah (Shan Barnes) and Megan Ferguson (Wendy) are now part of the main cast.
Cultural References[]
Locations[]
Food and Drink[]
Gallery[]
Photos[]
