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There’s nothing like dishing up some pumpkin pie with a side of drama, which is just what Gossip Girl did for Thanksgiving.
The drama ran for six seasons on The CW, from 2007 to 2012, and its Thanksgiving episodes were must-see TV. In fact, the season 3 episode “The Treasure of Serena Madre” — featuring a chaotic dinner devolving to Jason Derulo’s 2009 song “Whatcha Say” — has gone down in pop culture history.
Decades later, Gossip Girl co-creator Stephanie Savage has continued to look back on the episode fondly.
“It was [a relief] that it seemed like other people also enjoyed it and got the tone of it,” she told Bustle in 2022. “When all of these TikToks showed up, that was really incredible and really kind of moving.”
The Thanksgiving fashion is equally iconic, with Blair Waldorf’s (Leighton Meester) white Marc by Marc Jacobs dress becoming a sartorial master class all its own.
Gossip Girl is available to stream on Max. We’ve ranked all five Thanksgiving episodes from worst to best just in time for a holiday watch. Don’t worry — this list is nothing like Jenny’s bland sweet potatoes.
Season 4: “Gaslit”
The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection
After getting drugged by Juliet (Katie Cassidy) at the Saints and Sinners ball, Serena (Blake Lively) wakes up in Queens, N.Y., with no idea what’s happened to her. She makes a distressing 911 call and is admitted to the hospital for an overdose.
Assuming Serena is up to her old habits, Lily (Kelly Rutherford) decides to admit her daughter to rehab. In fact, Dan (Penn Badgley) is the sole believer in the story that Serena was drugged.
The news shakes Serena’s family and friends, and Jenny (Taylor Momsen) and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) grapple with their guilt over having teamed up with Juliet to bring Serena down.
Though there are plenty of helpings of lies and betrayal, the episode is a bit of a slow burn, with the action picking up in the following installment when Dan and Blair join forces to track down Juliet.
Season 2: “The Magnificent Archibalds”
The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection
As Blair tries to grapple with the existence of mom Eleanor’s (Margaret Colin) new boyfriend, Cyrus (Wallace Shawn) — and the new family traditions that come with that relationship — Serena finds herself overwhelmed after her new love interest, Cyrus’ son Aaron (John Patrick Amedori), finds out about her wild past.
Meanwhile, the Archibald family gets a huge shock when Nate’s (Chace Crawford) dad, Howard (Sam Robards), comes out of hiding.
Though there are plenty of sweet family moments for the Waldorf and Archibalds, the drama served is pretty dry compared to other episodes.
Season 6: “It’s Really Complicated”
The CW
On the show’s last Thanksgiving episode, the entire gang comes together as Dan and Serena host their first holiday dinner as a couple.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving dinner without some uninvited guests, including Lily and Bart (Robert John Burke), Serena’s ex-boyfriend Steven (Barry Watson) and Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg).
Things really heat up, though, when the final chapter of Dan’s book is released — and it’s a scathing piece about Serena.
The episode includes all the fixings of a classic Gossip Girl Thanksgiving episode, from witty one-liners to an epic face-off that packs a punch (literally), putting it smack dab in the middle of the list.
Season 1: “Blair Waldorf Must Pie!”
The CW
After Dan and Jenny’s mother, Alison (Susan Misner), returns from Hudson, the Humphrey family tries to put the past behind them and have a cordial holiday together.
However, those plans are quickly derailed when Serena and her family show up to dinner, and Rufus (Matthew Settle) and Lily’s past relationship is revealed. Elsewhere, Blair deals with her own family drama once she learns her mother uninvited her father from Thanksgiving dinner, and she has a relapse in her bulimia recovery.
From the stylish holiday outfits to dramatic moments, Gossip Girl’s first Thanksgiving episode sets the tone for the rest of the series, cementing it on many fans’ must-watch list for the holidays. Its title is also a top-notch pun.
Season 3: “The Treasure of Serena Madre”
The CW
This iconic episode features a huge Thanksgiving feast at the van der Woodsen home, where almost everyone has something to hide.
For starters, Serena and Tripp (Aaron Tveit) not-so-subtly hide their affair in front of Tripp’s wife, Maureen (Holley Fain). Meanwhile, Dan struggles with his feelings for Vanessa, and Jenny learns Eric’s (Connor Paolo) true colors.
The dinner reaches a climax when everyone’s secrets are put out in the open at the dining table, all while Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” plays in the background.
“The Treasure of Serena Madre” is truly the crème de la crème of Gossip Girl Thanksgiving episodes. Episode co-writer Joshua Safran, who also created Max’s 2021 Gossip Girl reboot, cited the precise plotting as a big reason why it’s so beloved, telling Bustle, “It’s this thing where every piece connects.”
“I love that it comes up every year,” Safran said. “It’s a warm hug every time the memes come back around.”
