Ep 8. Seventeen Candles

Blair Waldorf, the queen bee of the Upper East Side, is turning 17 and throwing a birthday party at her family's mansion. As expected, everyone who's anyone is invited, including Serena van der Woodsen, Nate Archibald, Chuck Bass, and Dan Humphrey.

The episode kicks off with Blair waking up on her birthday to find out that her mother won't be attending her party due to her hectic schedule. Blair's upset but doesn't let it get in the way of her plans. Meanwhile, Serena is hesitant to attend the party because of her complicated past with Blair.

Dan, on the other hand, is determined to win Serena back and uses Blair's party as an opportunity to do so. Dan arrives at the party with his father, Rufus, who unbeknownst to Dan, has a romantic past with Blair's mother.

As the party progresses, tensions rise between Serena and Blair as they exchange subtle barbs at one another. Nate, who's been dating Blair but has feelings for Serena, becomes increasingly conflicted about his feelings.

Chuck, who is known for his womanizing ways, sets his sights on a vulnerable Jenny Humphrey, Dan's younger sister, and the two share a kiss.

As the night goes on, secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. Blair confronts Nate about his feelings for Serena and ends up losing him. Serena drunkenly confesses to Dan that she still has feelings for him, but he rebuffs her advances, telling her he's moved on with someone else.

The episode ends with Blair realizing that her perfect life and relationships aren't as solid as she thought and Nate realizing that his feelings for Serena aren't going away any time soon.

Overall, Seventeen Candles is a dramatic and intense episode that sets the stage for even more complex relationships and plotlines to come.