Gossip Girl

School Lies

Season 1, Episode 12, Aired 1/2/08

Episode Summary

Impromptu party at the school swimming pool!!!
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''Serena, Blair, Nate, Chuck and the rest of their friends break into the school swimming pool for a night of fun, but when someone nearly dies, the school threatens to expel the person responsible for the break-in. Everyone agrees to keep silent, but this creates major problems between Serena and Dan, because Dan is not ready to take the fall for someone else and risk his future. While working on a documentary project about private schools, Vanessa accidentally captures Blair and Chuck discussing their affair. Meanwhile, Lily tries to tell Rufus how she really feels about him.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Kristen Bell

Gossip Girl (Voice) (Uncredited)
Kelly Rutherford

Lillian "Lily" van der Woodsen
Matthew Settle

Rufus Humphrey

Fan Episode Reviews (26)

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An illegal party at school results in a serious accident and threats from the new head mistress.

7.8

"Good"

By thefanof, Oct 09, 2011 Report Abuse

"Dating Serena van der Woodsen."
"Does it say that on my file?"

Besides the cheap thrill of having Leighton Meester and Blake Lively in bikinis in the opening scene, this was a well-written episode of Gossip Girl. All the actors played their parts and the story progressed fairly nicely. Vanessa should be given a bigger role in Season 2 as she seems to be the one "real" female character on the show, that is down to earth and not an exaggerated personality. The insufferable Eric was kept to a minimum and Chuck was somewhat funny in this installment. There were some boring parts but pretty much every scene with Blair in it is always exciting.

This is the kind of episode Gossip Girl needs to become a top show on TV.moreless

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112

7.7

"Good"

By Canogaparkcindy, Oct 09, 2011 Report Abuse

First, let me start with saying, this episode was wildly unpredictable. We were getting plot twists left and right. I loved how a lot of story lines tied in with Blair taking the key, and Nate taking the fall when really, Serena did it all along. The point of the episode was basically hinting some future problems Serena & Dan might have due to Serena's obvious advantages. We really got a sense of that by the end of the episode.

The kid hitting his head and falling in too the pool was unexpected and definitely intense. Another great tie in was Vanessa's film. Vanessa isn't my favorite character, but she's not awful. And her interactions with Blair as of late have been for the most part enjoyable. Nate & Blair get back together in this episode, so what, that's like the fifth time this season?

Anyways, right now I'm rooting for Chuck & Blair. The Rufus & Lilly story is just so heartbreaking, I really think Serena needs to put herself in her mother's position. I understand that there is a gross factor at Serena & Dan becoming step siblings, but it really stunk that Lilly had to end it with Rufus because of that. I love the idea of Chuck & Serena being step siblings though, that was hilarious. Overall, surprising enjoyable episode of Gossip Girl.moreless

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The whole Serena blocking her mother's happyness for a whim, was completely out of character, up to the point of ruining a so-far flawless series.

4.0

"Poor"

By luzneutra, Oct 09, 2011 Report Abuse

One of the reasons I like Gossip Girl is because the dialogues are so well written, and the characters behave like real (fictional) people.
You get to know them and you expect them to behave in certain manner, flirting, distrusting, enjoying, etc. The big problem comes in this chapter, and not because I was looking forward for a Lily / Rufus recouppling, but because it was obvious the writters found themselves out of obstacles and made up the most stupid possible one.
Come on: The whole Serena blocking her mother's happyness for a whim, was completely out of character, up to the point of ruining a so-far flawless series.
She's a new person with Dan (so she claims), she's generous, she's happy, etc. She has never (in the whole series) shown such flaw of character. Not even after sleeping with Nate, which being drunk she regreted the next day.
The whole problem here is, after she blocked her mom and even told her "she knew what to do", we are ZERO symphatetic to her woes among the Bass family. Lily, rushes into marriage as if she had no other choice (dumb dramatic choice again), and we are supposed to feel sorry for Serena when Chuck does his thing with her.
Even if they play Rufus as a renewed, closure full, ready to live again guy, the whole thing feels forced.
It even did since the beggining. The previous chapter left us in a cliffhanger (as cliffhanger's do in Gossip Girl) with Rufus dialing Lily, while Bass was proposing. Next thing, she flew to Africa or something?
Bad turn of events, if they start this path, they at leas will loose a viewer (soon).moreless

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Serena, Blair, Nate, Chuck and their class break into the school swimming pool for a night of fun, but when someone nearly dies, the school threatens to expel the person responsible for the break-in.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By othforeverlove, Aug 08, 2008 Report Abuse

Who broke into the pool at Constance Billard? That's what they're all trying to figure out. This episode was by far my favorite one this season. The whole finding out about who broke in was a really good storyline. I thought it was Chuck who broke into the pool but then we found out it was Serena. She admitted to it. Nate saw the key in Blair's bedroom and thought it was her. So he went to the headmistress and told her it was him. He got suspended for it. I felt bad for Lily in this episode. Chuck was pretty funny to Serena with his whole brother/sister act.moreless

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Sex, Drugs & Videotape

9.6

"Superb"

By foreverromey, Jun 15, 2008 Report Abuse

When first aired back in January, the makers of "Gossip Girl" guaranteed that this was one of the best two episodes that you didn't want to miss. And they were right. This episode took place with the kids from the Upper East Side breaking into their school's pool and having a lavish party filled with booze and drugs. But when a fellow student almost drowns, the students are forced to ban together and swear to secrecy in order to not face expulsion. I can watch this episode over and over again. And the other subplot of the episode was the Chuck/Blair/Nate triangle. It continued to get more and more complicated especially since Vanessa (another favorite character of mine from the book) captured the confession on tape. This episode was excellent.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- There are TWO songs played during the episode that are played by Filthy Youth (Come Flash All You Ladies and Orange). Ed Westwick who plays Chuck Bass in the series is a member (lead singer) of the band. Edit
Notes
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- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Někdo musí z kola ven (Someone Has to Go out of the Circle) Edit
- The character of Miss Queller shares a name with one of the producers, Jessica Queller. Edit
- Original International Air Dates: India: January 25, 2008 on Zee Cafe Australia: March 4, 2008 on FOX8 Norway: March 12, 2008 on TVNorge Latin America: March 27, 2008 on Warner Channel Philippines: May 20, 2008 on ETC Sweden: June 10, 2008 on Kanal 5 The Netherlands: July 22, 2008 on Net 5 Turkey: December 2, 2008 on CNBC-E Greece: December 6, 2008 on Star Slovakia: January 4, 2009 on Markiza Denmark: January 26, 2008 on Kanal 4 Hungary: March 15, 2009 on Cool TV Germany: July 4, 2009 on ProSieben Czech Republic: December 5, 2009 on Prima Edit
Quotes
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- Lily: Rufus, what are you doing here? Rufus: I'm not leaving you a message from the courtyard this time. Lily: Well, I can see that but five minutes ago my kids would have to... Rufus: Why did you really come to see me yesterday? Lily: I told you out of respect for... Rufus: Respect or regret? You wanted me to give you a reason not to spend the rest of your life with Bart Bass. Lily: Rufus... Rufus: I'm still in love with you. Lily: So what exactly are you offering, Rufus? Some retrospective of the way we were over a decade ago? We are not twenty and on the road. Rufus: Thank god we're not! Because your mother made this decision for you back then, remember? Lily: Yes. Rufus: Look, I don't know exactly what it would mean for us to be together... but can you look at me and tell me you're not the least bit curious. You're at the same crossroads you were years ago. Claim you life this time. Live it the way you want to live it. (Rufus kisses Lily and then leaves) Edit
- Blair: You're probably wondering why I asked you here. Nate: After our last conversation, yeah. Blair: Do you think it's possible for two people who have been through as much as we have to really...forgive and forget? Nate: If we really want to, I think we can. Blair: A lot of mistakes have been made. Nate: If you're ready to forgive me...then nothing can tear us apart. I promise. Blair: What you said before... (Blair walks toward Nate) Blair: I love you too...always have, always will. (They kiss) Edit
- Blair: Nate! (Nate looks at Blair) Blair: Are you okay? Nate: It'll be fine, it's uh, my parents have so much other stuff going on right now...they'll get over it. Either way it was worth it. Blair: Worth it? Nate: Yes! Blair I know how much your future means to you. And you've worked so hard for Yale and everything... Blair: What are you talking about? (confused Nate: You don't have to lie. I saw the key in your bedroom. Blair: That key isn't mine. I was just hiding it for someone else! Wait, that's why you were suspended? You told the headmistress it was yours because you thought it was mine? That's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. Nate: I love you. (Nate leans in to kiss her) Blair: Please. You and I just can't happen right now. Nate: Why not? Blair: I don't wanna be with you. Edit
Allusions
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- Blair: Michael Moore over there is obviously just using this film to get close to Dan. Michael Moore is a producer of several high-grossing and controversial documentaries. Edit
- Episode Title: School Lies This is a reference to the 1992 movie School Ties starring Brendan Fraiser, Chris O'Donnell, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Edit