EveryGossip GirlThanksgiving Episode, Ranked from Worst to Best

Mar. 15, 2025

Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey on season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’.Photo:Giovanni Rufino/The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

Giovanni Rufino/The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

Gossip Girlis known for dishing out drama, especially during itsThanksgivingepisodes.

Who could forget that epic throwdown at the van der Woodsen’s house set toJason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” on season 3’s “The Treasure of Serena Madre”? Not episode co-writer Joshua Safran, that’s for sure.

“I love that it comes up every year,” Safran — who alsocreated Max’s 2021Gossip Girlreboot—told Bustlein 2022 of the now-iconic episode’s newfound virality on TikTok. “It’s a warm hug every time the memes come back around.”

Thankfully, with all the episodes available tostream on Max, revisiting your favorite moments is as easy as pie. If you want to relive all the drama, feast your eyes on the bestGossip GirlThanksgiving episodes ahead, ranked from worst to best.

05of 05

“Gaslit,” Season 4

Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey on season 4 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

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 (Penn Badgley) and Blair join forces to track down Juliet.

04of 05"The Magnificent Archibalds," Season 2Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen and Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey on season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CW/Courtesy Everett CollectionAs Blair gets her head around mom Eleanor’s (Margaret Colin) new boyfriend, Cyrus Rose (Wallace Shawn) — and the new family traditions that come with that relationship — Serena bites off more than she can chew when her new love interest 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.

04of 05

“The Magnificent Archibalds,” Season 2

Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen and Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey on season 2 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

As Blair gets her head around mom Eleanor’s (Margaret Colin) new boyfriend, Cyrus Rose (Wallace Shawn) — and the new family traditions that come with that relationship — Serena bites off more than she can chew when her new love interest 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.

03of 05"It’s Really Complicated," Season 6Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey on season 6 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CWOn the series’ final Thanksgiving episode, the entire gang comes together as Dan and Serena host their very first holiday dinner as a couple. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving dinner without some uninvited guests, including Serena’s ex, Lily and Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) and Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg). However, things really heat up whenthe final chapter in Dan’s book is released— and it’s a scathing piece about Serena.The episode includes all the fixings of a classicGossip GirlThanksgiving episode, from witty one-liners to an epic face-off that packs a punch (literally), putting it smack dab in the middle of our ranking.

03of 05

“It’s Really Complicated,” Season 6

Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey on season 6 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CW

The CW

On the series' final Thanksgiving episode, the entire gang comes together as Dan and Serena host their very first holiday dinner as a couple. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Thanksgiving dinner without some uninvited guests, including Serena’s ex, Lily and Bart Bass (Robert John Burke) and Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg). However, things really heat up whenthe final chapter in Dan’s book is released— and it’s a scathing piece about Serena.

The episode includes all the fixings of a classicGossip GirlThanksgiving episode, from witty one-liners to an epic face-off that packs a punch (literally), putting it smack dab in the middle of our ranking.

02of 05"Blair Waldorf Must Pie!," Season 1Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf on season 1 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CWAfter 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.The very first Thanksgiving episode sets the tone for the rest of the series — from the fashionable holiday outfits to dramatic moments — cementing it into many fan’s must-watch list for the holidays.

02of 05

“Blair Waldorf Must Pie!,” Season 1

Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf on season 1 of ‘Gossip Girl’.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.

The very first Thanksgiving episode sets the tone for the rest of the series — from the fashionable holiday outfits to dramatic moments — cementing it into many fan’s must-watch list for the holidays.

01of 05"The Treasure of Serena Madre," Season 3Aaron Tveit as William ‘Tripp’ van der Bilt III and Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen on season 3 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CWThe episode features a huge Thanksgiving feast at the ver 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 ofGossip GirlThanksgiving episodes. Not only does it serve up major drama, but just the opening bars of the song instantly make even the most casual fans recall the epic scene.

01of 05

“The Treasure of Serena Madre,” Season 3

Aaron Tveit as William ‘Tripp’ van der Bilt III and Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen on season 3 of ‘Gossip Girl’.The CW

The episode features a huge Thanksgiving feast at the ver 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 ofGossip GirlThanksgiving episodes. Not only does it serve up major drama, but just the opening bars of the song instantly make even the most casual fans recall the epic scene.

source: people.com