Ep 17. Empire Of The Son

Blair is thrilled to be taking on her mother's duties as CEO of Waldorf Designs, but her happiness is short-lived when Louis makes unexpected plans for their future. In order to avoid dealing with the situation, Blair chooses to focus on a fashion show for the Empire Hotel that is set to feature the work of star designer Tim Gunn. However, tensions between Blair and Dan threaten to ruin everything.

Meanwhile, Serena is planning a surprise party for Lily's birthday, but her efforts are complicated by the arrival of Lily's younger sister Carol, who has a complicated history with the family. Nate is also struggling with familial issues as he tries to mend fences with his estranged father, but finds that his dad's new girlfriend poses a major obstacle.

As the fashion show approaches, Blair's stress levels rise, and when Tim Gunn cancels at the last minute, she is forced to find a replacement. With the help of Dorota, she manages to secure Lady Gaga as a surprise guest designer, but things go awry when Dan realizes that his own work has been co-opted for the show without his consent. Blair and Dan's ongoing feud comes to a head as they confront each other about their betrayals.

Elsewhere, Louis reveals a shocking secret to Blair, and she is forced to make a difficult decision about their future together. Nate finally has a heart-to-heart with his father, and Lily's party takes an unexpected turn when a masked figure crashes the celebration.

"Empire of the Son" is a tense and dramatic episode of Gossip Girl that sees all of the major characters grappling with major personal and professional challenges. As always, the writing is sharp and witty, and the cast delivers top-notch performances that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Fans of the show won't want to miss this exciting installment.