"Woman on the Verge" Recap, Episode 1.17

Tonight, the plot gets a little thicker as Serena has to come clean with Blair… What exactly is Serena’s dirty little secret?

Georgina calls Serena – several times – and is annoyed that she is not returning her calls. Georgina stops by to see Serena and runs into Dan – “Sarah” of course, pretends that she just happened to be visiting a friend. Dan answers a call from Serena’s phone – it’s the bartender at a club who reveals that Dan was the top name on Serena’s speed dial, she left her phone at the club. He also reveals that she skipped out on her tab and left with three boys.

(Hey wait, what happened to Blair? Last we saw, she was having a talk with Blair about “that night”.)

Rufus is playing a concert later in the evening – his band is “one of the top forgotten bands of the 90s.” Dan confides in Rufus that he’s having problems with Serena and Rufus advises him not to be so judgmental. He goes to meet her and can’t find her – he finds out that she didn’t come home last night.

Nate comes by the cafe to see Vanessa. She wants to go out “on a real date” and they make a date to meet at Rufus’ concert.

Blair summons Chuck and Nate to her home – where she is not. She arrives in a panic with a drunk and disheveled Serena in the elevator. Blair, Nate and Chuck help her get sobered up.

Ahh, now we know. Blair says that Serena disappeared from the apartment when she went upstairs. It took her all night to find her.

Lily is interviewed by Rolling Stone for her photographs of the band. She is clearly uncomfortable when the reporter begins to ask her questions about Rufus, their relationships and the photographs. Dan stops by to see Serena and Lily tells him that Chuck just left for Blair’s apartment. He goes to Blair’s apartment and Blair tells Dan that Serena doesn’t want to see him. He doesn’t believe Blair and asks to see Serena. She comes down to see him and they have a fight – she tells him that she cheated on him (only she didn’t). He says that he’s done and walks away. “Sarah” calls Dan just after – she offers to meet in the park and talk.

Dorota (Blair’s maid) phones Lily and tells her that Lily should be worried about Serena, that Serena is like she was before she went away. Lily goes snooping to find out what Serena is up to… And finds the sex tape. She watches some but not all of it.

The group of four (B, S, Chuck and Nate) discuss what Serena’s next move should be. They swear to her that they won’t judge and she tells them that it can’t leave the room.

Serena recaps the night of the Shepard wedding – after when she had sex with Nate. She left to meet Georgina. Georgina secretly taped the events of that evening… Serena is drunk and Georgina tells their friend, Pete, that Serena would be better in a bit. They break out the drugs and Pete starts to OD. Serena tries to call 9-1-1 but Georgina talked her out of it (twice) because of all of the drugs in the room. Georgina convinces her to leave while Pete has seizures. They split up and leave the hotel, only Serena doesn’t leave. She stays across the street to see that Pete is okay. He’s not okay, he’s dead.

Serena explains that she left town that night, taking a train north and convincing her mom that she should go to boarding school. Blair says that she now understands why she did not say goodbye.

Blair accompanies Serena to her mother’s rehearsal dinner. Lily confronts her at the party and tells her that she knows what happened and that she is sending her to reformatory school. Blair then goes to tell Lily that she doesn’t know the whole story… Lily leaves to find Serena to talk.

Lisa Loeb is playing at Rufus’ gig. Dan takes “Sarah” to the concert. While they’re there, someone recognizes her as Georgina but Georgina tells Dan that the girl is mistaken. Shortly thereafter, Nate – en route to the concert via subway – phones Vanessa. Vanessa tells Nate that “Sarah” is at the concert with Dan. Nate tells Vanessa that “Sarah” is not her real name and that Vanessa shouldn’t trust anything that she says – and that he can’t say anymore just yet. Nate then phones Blair to tell her that Georgina is at the concert. Blair decides to go to Queens (icky, she says) to teach Georgina a lesson – and who does she bring along? Chuck. Reunited at last! Er, sort of.

Lily takes Serena to Pete’s parents’ house. (Um, editor’s note: does anyone else find this to be incredibly odd?)

Pete’s parents explain that he was an addict and that no one could have saved him. Lily and Serena kiss and make up after Lily says that she believes that Serena is a really good person.

Vanessa approaches Georgina and lets her know that she knows there is a problem. Vanessa asks her to explain and she walks away. Vanessa warns Dan away from her. Georgina makes up a lie to cover – she claims that she was being stalked by a crazed ex-boyfriend and that’s why she changed her name. She also makes a move on Dan… (Editor’s note: AAAAAAAAAH!) They go outside.

Rufus’ band takes the stage. Blair, Chuck, Nate, Serena – and Lily – all arrive at the concert. Rufus plays while singing to Lily. She chooses not to call Bart but instead to stay. She later pretends to want him to leave but kisses Rufus instead (Editor’s note: AAAAAAAAAAH again!)

Georgina calls Serena and tells her that she is going to sleep with Dan, saying “all bets are off.” She kisses Dan – and he kisses her back.

Next week… The Finale!