It wouldn't be a proper Upper East Side party without some major Gossip Girl drama, and for Eric's 18th birthday celebration there is plenty to go around. Blair decides to speed up the time table on her career path to becoming a powerful woman, but ultimately stretches herself too thin. Serena is forced to choose between her family and Ben. Chuck and Lily's relationship remains icy in the aftermath of Lily's betrayal.

As Lily awaits the consequences of her decision, William van der Woodsen, CeCe and Lily's sister, Carol, come into town to support her and be part of a Taschen photo shoot on "modern royalty" in which the Rhodes family is participating. Unbeknownst to Carol, who has always chosen to keep her daughter Charlie far away from the Upper East Side, Charlie has followed her to New York to meet Serena and the rest of the family. Blair has an epiphany about her future, and grapples with the knowledge of whom she's destined to be with.