Ep 5. The Serena Also Rises

In Gossip Girl season 2 episode 5 entitled "The Serena Also Rises", the spotlight is firmly on Serena Van Der Woodsen (Blake Lively). After returning from boarding school, Serena tries to tamp down her wild ways and live life as a regular Upper East Side teen. But her quest for normalcy is quickly derailed as she finds herself once again embroiled in a web of drama, scandal, and secrets.

At the opening of the episode, Serena is feeling on top of the world as she scores a coveted internship at the prestigious fashion house Eleanor Waldorf Designs. Despite the fact that her boss, Rufus' ex-wife Lily, is peeved at how easily her daughter has landed such a plum opportunity, Serena is determined to work hard and prove she has what it takes to succeed in the fashion industry.

But Serena's good fortune only lasts so long as she discovers that Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), her arch-nemesis and former best friend, is also interning at Eleanor Waldorf Designs. The two girls are forced to work together, which creates a powder keg of tension as they snipe at each other and vie for Eleanor's approval. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Eleanor is preparing for Fashion's Night Out, a major event where her designs will be showcased, and both girls are desperate to make a good impression.

Meanwhile, back in their posh Upper East Side world, Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) is struggling to come to terms with his feelings for Serena. Despite her wild ways and their checkered past, Dan is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. His jealousy of her internship with Eleanor Waldorf Designs only makes matters worse, as he feels like he is losing her to the fashion world.

In another part of town, Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) is dealing with a crisis of his own as he discovers that his beloved hotel, the Empire, is on the brink of financial ruin. Things go from bad to worse when his father Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) returns to town, determined to swoop in and save the day. Chuck is reluctant to let his domineering father take over, but he realizes he may not have a choice if he wants to save the hotel and his reputation.

As the episode progresses, the tension between Serena and Blair reaches a boiling point as they clash over Eleanor's designs and who is better suited to represent the company at Fashion's Night Out. The situation reaches a breaking point when Serena accuses Blair of trying to sabotage her chances by stealing her designs. But when Eleanor discovers that the two girls are at odds, she comes up with a bold solution to make them work together – by designing a dress that incorporates both of their visions.

The episode concludes with Fashion's Night Out in full swing, as Eleanor's designs are front and center. Thanks to Eleanor's intervention, Serena and Blair have overcome their differences and are working together to make sure the dress is a success. Dan and Chuck are also in attendance, though they are mostly sidelines to the main action. As the event wraps up, Serena reflects on all the drama that has unfolded in her life and wonders if she will ever be able to stay out of the spotlight for long.

Overall, "The Serena Also Rises" is a tense and dramatic episode that showcases the complexity of the relationships between the show's main characters. It also highlights the cutthroat nature of the fashion industry and the lengths that people will go to get ahead. Fans of the show will be on the edge of their seats as they watch Serena navigate her internship, her complicated relationship with Dan, and her ongoing feud with Blair.