Rhodes to Perdition is the 9th episode of thefifth season and the 96th overall.
On the Upper East Side, staying alive isn't as easy as it appears. And after last week's security breach leading to no new tips, it looks like I might be dancing by myself.
- Gossip Girl
Summary
Blair attempts to find out what caused Chuck to become a good man so that she can do the same with Louis. Nate becomes the editor chief of the Spectator and suspects that the story that Maureen is cheating on his cousin Tripp is actually a lie. Carol returns to New York to cover it up for Ivy, who's been blackmailed by Max.
Recap
Max, Charlie/Ivy's ex, is now schmoozing Serena. He's offering to bake a cake for the party – all while blackmailing Ivy/Charlie for supermoney.
Dan is still sad and alone. He stalks down someone who hates him online and it turns out to be someone at his publishing house, trying to drum up sales. Louis is allegedly away doing missionary work and not calling Blair. Wasn't he just away in Italy? Blair says the wedding is still on.
Nate is taking over the Spectator and says any scandal needs to be verified. And the first scandal that comes up has to do with this Congressional cousin, Tripp, the same one who was messing around with Serena a couple seasons ago. Turn's out Tripp's wife is allegedly sleeping around. Nate wants to break the story to show that the paper is fair, but why do we feel this is a setup?
Now Nate believes Tripp's wife is making it up for sympathy for her husband. He doesn't publish the story but some blah blah statement on how the paper WOULD if it were true.
Chuck is now doing yoga in a tie and button-down. Blair comes to him for suggestions on how to get Louis to change into a nice guy. Way to push your luck girlie! Blair goes with Chuck to therapy, where he tells her about leaving the engagement ring on Harry Winston's doorstep and that's how let her go. Blair believes that she brought out Chuck's dark side and now she's doing the same with Louis.
Studio 54! Winged hair! White suits!
Serena overhears Carol and Lily having a fight about Charlie/Ivy. She discovers that Charlie is also known as Ivy, and also knows that Max's ex was named Ivy. Uh-oh! Serena wants the truth! And then grandma falls on the floor! She tells everyone it's because she was dieting and felt faint. Ivy tells everyone that Max is blackmailing her for a tape. Max says she's really an actress who grew up in a trailer park and is scamming all of them. He's booted from the apartment.
Then the five of them have a little 70s party in the apartment and Rufus is left alone, dancing in the spotlight with his three-sentence limit.
Chuck tells Blair she's the light who lights up his life. That he only turned dark because he was sad without her love and oh lord this is so cheezy I can't take it and I love Chuck and Blair. He can't imagine the day he won't love Blair. Where is Debbie Boone?
Ivy, whose real, real name is Charlotte, tells fake mom that she wants to stay and be part of the Rhodes family. Carol says she'll keep that flier that tells the truth and make sure no one sees it. Sure. And Max says he's not leaving down until he gets what he deserves.
Starring
Main Cast
- Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen
- Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf
- Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey
- Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald
- Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass
- Kaylee DeFer as Charlie Rhodes/Ivy Dickens
- Kelly Rutherford as Lily van der Woodsen
- Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey
Recurring/Guest Cast
- Caroline Lagerfelt as CeCe Rhodes
- Zuzanna Szadkowski as Dorota Kishlovsky
- Aaron Tveit as Tripp van der Bilt
- James Naughton as William van der Bilt
Trivia
- When Dan is with Alessandra sending hate to himself, he says "I've been at this for a while", a clue that he is Gossip Girl, later revealed in the series finale.
- Real-life NY baker, Sylvia Weinstock, makes a short-lived appearance during Blair's cake-tasting. She can be seen saying, "I brought some more samples with me. I see the groom is here too", referring to Chuck.
Quotes
Gossip Girl: On the Upper East Side, staying alive isn't as easy as it appears. And after last week's security breach leading to no new tips, it looks like I might be dancing by myself.
Charlie: I've never seen so much lamé before. Grandma actually wore this?
Lily: Yes. And looked fabulous riding in on an elephant in it. Which is why the Studio 54 anniversary party is in her honor. And Bianca Jagger's, but we won't mention that to her when she arrives.
Cece Rhodes: Bianca was a striver. She could never outshine me no matter how little she wore.
Max: Why would you trust an anonymous baker when you have a master chef in your midst? You could be my sous for the afternoon.
Serena: Could we cover ourselves in flour and lick spoons and do other cute things?
Max: That's a prerequisite.
Rufus: That's it. I stayed quiet while you crashed bridal showers and skipped out of book tours. I was hoping with enough time and support you'd realize that even though your book didn't do as well as you'd hoped, you still had your whole future ahead of you. Being a shut-in is not bouncing back.
Dan: I was defending my honor.
Rufus: It's time to leave Inside behind. And go outside.
Gossip Girl: Looks like I'm not the only one everyone despises. Lonely Boy's fans are slowing dwindling. But his haters are going forth and multiplying.
Blair: Why should I thank someone for a blender? Do I look like the kind of girl who makes margaritas?
Dorota: Oh, margaritas sound delicious. But six months away at least.
Blair: I still love Louis. I just want to marry the sweet Prince who returned my Vivier slipper and made me believe in fairytales, not one of the Brothers Grimm.
Dorota: Even Prince Charming can fall off horse.
Blair: I need this time to figure out what went wrong with Louis and right it.
Dorota: Maybe he Freaky Friday with Mr. Chuck. They struck by lightning at the same time or pee in the same fountain.
Blair: That's incredibly unsanitary.
Carol: Hi. We have a problem.
Charlie: Well add this one to the list. Max is dating Serena. If you don't want me to leave or get caught we have to pay him off immediately.
Carol: Except we don't have the money. I just came from the bank. Turns out my mother's added a security measure to the account—probably to punish me. Any withdrawal over fifty thousand dollars requires her signature.
Gossip Girl: Looks like I'm not the only one doing the hustle.
Blair: Namaste. I'm sorry to interrupt you getting into someone's yoga pants.
Blair: Your transformation really is astounding. Case to share how you gave up your bad Bass ways. How you went from Charlie Sheen to Charlie Brown? Bar to mitzvah?
Chuck: There really is no answer to that question. It's an evolution.
Blair: Hm.
Chuck: What's really going on Blair?
Blair: Okay, if you must know I'm trying to pinpoint the source of your light so I can pull Louis out of the darkness. You changed, so can he. {she sits} I have all day.
Gossip Girl: If you ever find yourself sick with Saturday Night Fever, the last thing you want is someone to turn up the heat.
Nate: Listen, I'm sorry I had to be the one to tell you.
Tripp: Yeah, I doubt that. I'm sorry you're enjoying every second of this.
Nate: I know our history isn't exactly pristine, Tripp, but we're still family.
Doctor: And what is it you're searching for, Blair? Blair: Nice try on the bait-and-switch, but I was a teenage bulimic and my father came out when I was fifteen. This isn't my first analysis.
Doctor: Are you saying that you want your fiancé to be more like Chuck?
Blair: No! More like the man Chuck's become. Like Louis used to be when Chuck was like Louis is now.
Doctor: If you don't mind my saying so, you seem confused.
Chuck: But I did let go of you, Blair.
Blair: Then prove it by telling me how!
Chuck: I can't. But if you don't believe me, call on Harry Winston. The night of the Spectator launch, I left the engagement ring I bought you on the doorstep. And walked away.
Gossip Girl: Chaka Khan might have been every woman, but it looks like Charlie Rhodes is about to have trouble being two.
Alessandra: If it makes you feel better, there's a Twitter called HumphreyLove too.
Dan: That's me.
Alessandra: Sorry. I should have recognized your scalpel-sharp deprecation.
Dan: I have over a thousand followers.
Alessandra: Let's hope they bought books.
William van der Bilt: I understand you're upset by Maureen's manipulations, but Tripp was completely in the dark about her antics with that river rescue. I'm sure this is the same now. This isn't a story, it's a family squabble. That could cost your cousin his career.
Nate: I'll do the right thing, don't worry.
Chuck: Doctor Krueger thought you were upset I returned the ring.
Blair: He has too many PhDs. They cancel each other out and make him a moron.
Chuck: I returned it because you asked me to let you go. I wanted to move on to give you a happy life you deserve.
Blair: All this time I've blamed you. For pulling me into the dark. But I was wrong. It was me who brought out your dark side. And now that I'm with Louis I've done the same to him.
Lily: Rufus and I have a small gift for you.
Rufus: Opening night, I tracked it down for you.
Cece: How surprisingly thoughtful. If I had any memory of that night I'm sure it would be fond.
Carol: You're a better actress than I thought. You got more out of her in three minutes than I have in forty-five years.
Charlie: I was just kind to her. You should try it.
Serena: I see you two have found each other. No need for introductions, right Max. And Ivy.
Charlie: Serena, this isn't what it looks like.
Serena: Oh, so you two didn't used to date?
Charlie: We did.
Serena: And you didn't pretend like you've never met?
Max: We did.
Serena: And you didn't try to convince me not to see him again because he may still be hung up on his ex, Ivy?
Gossip Girl: Just when things are about to hit the fan, they hit the ground instead. With a thud.
Charlie: I know what's wrong.
Cece: Yeah, you keep this apartment excessively warm.
Charlie: Just tell them, Grandma. She's been dieting to fit into her jumpsuit. A few martinis and glasses of champagne on an empty stomach and anyone would pass out.
Nate: I told you I'd do the right thing. I'm sorry if we have different versions of what that is.
William van der Bilt: I'm not here to reprimand you. You remind me of myself when I was my age.
Nate: Wait, you're not angry that I alluded to Maureen?
William van der Bilt: You're your own man, Nathaniel. I always loved you, but now I respect you too.
Chuck: You never pulled me to the dark side, Blair.
Blair: I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, but I have my answer.
Chuck: You're the lightest thing that ever came into my life.
Chuck: I only want you to be happy, I'm just sorry it couldn't be with me.
Cece: Enough! This is my granddaughter Charlie Rhodes. I was there the day she was born, she is my family. I don't need any proof. I know it in my bones.
Serena: You should go before we call the police.
Max: Just remember, I warned all of you.
Gossip Girl: Sister Sledge sang "We are family" but she had nothing on the Rhodes girls.
Cece: Thank you for your discretion earlier.
Charlie: No problem. But you know if you're really sick, I think you should tell the family. They might care more than you think.
Cece: Perhaps. But I appreciate you protecting my secret. We all have them. It's a Rhodes family tradition.
Nate: You still love her, huh?
Chuck: I can't imagine the day I won't.
Gossip Girl: Long after the clubs have closed, disco inferno rages on. For some, it's burning desire that keeps them awake at night.
Dorota: Miss Blair, if you finally find key to bring Mr. Louis back to the castle why you not look like perky self?
Gossip Girl: For others it's the flame of uncertainty that plague them.
Carol: Looks like we're finally in the clear. You can leave anytime you want.
Charlie: Would it be okay with you if I stay?
Carol: You have enough money. You could set yourself up anywhere in the world.
Charlie: It's not about the money for me. In fact, you can have all of it.
Carol: Then what do you want?
Charlie: Family.
Carol: If they ever found out the truth about the real Charlotte Rhodes, they would never forgive me. This way we both get to keep our family.
Charlie: What do you want?
Max: My life back. The move to Los Angeles, the job I gave up at Boulud, the two years I spent believing you and loving you when all you did was lie and cheat so you could have some fancy life that isn't yours. You better watch your back. Because I am not leaving town until I get what I deserve.
Charlie: Good luck with that. No one can touch me anymore. I'm a Rhodes now.
Gossip Girl: If you're going to play with matches make sure you don't leave them around to spark the flame anew. Disco isn't actually dead. And neither am I. XOXO —Gossip Girl
