Gossip Girl

Seventeen Candles

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired 11/14/07

Episode Summary

It's Blair's 17th Birthday Party!
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''Blair is feeling heartbroken and guilty by the current state of her relationship with Nate and her recent indiscretion. But she manages to put on a happy face for her 17th birthday party and attempts to hide her feelings from her friends. Hoping that Serena and Vanessa can bond, Dan takes Vanessa to Blair's birthday party, but this ends up making Serena more uncomfortable. Jenny brings her mother home as a surprise, but Rufus isn't ready to forgive and forget. Finally, Nate's parents ask him to make a huge sacrifice to save his father's business as he faces charges of embezzlement and fraud.moreless

7.9

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Cast & Crew

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Kristen Bell

Gossip Girl (Voice) (Uncredited)
Matthew Settle

Rufus Humphrey
Penn Badgley

Dan Humphrey

Fan Episode Reviews (29)

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108

7.0

"Good"

By Canogaparkcindy, Mar 18, 2011 Report Abuse

Chuck & Blair's chemistry really is incredible, and you can really tell in this installment of Gossip Girl. I was surprised upon watching the last episode, and I'm glad the writers aren't treating this as just some random hook up. Chuck actually likes Blair, very interesting. The wager at the very end was dark but intense, and in the end, it didn't seem like Blair was "forced" to sleep with Chuck, the necklace was another great tie in. I'm really loving this couple right now.

Nate's actually becoming a three dimensional character? What? Okay, that's a little too harsh, but as late as the eighth episode, I began to sympathize for Nate's character. His interactions with Jenny were good, but I hope they don't actually get together, because that definitely would be ridiculous. I think Jenny should have her crush, but I think that's where things should end for these two if the writers decided to continue with their friendship.

The Dan/Serena/Vanessa scenes were definitely entertaining but it all just seemed too familiar with the past 2 episodes, Vanessa likes Dan, Dan likes Serena, blah blah blah. I would like to add that the Guitar Hero scene was pretty great, and it was just good fun, definitely a nice break from the drama. Overall, good episode, nice cliffhanger.moreless

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A whole new side to Chuck!

9.0

"Superb"

By lioncore, Aug 01, 2010 Report Abuse

This was a whole new side to Chuck. I loved it. I didn't like him much as an aspiring rapist in the first two episodes. I'm glad they decided to change him, in a way. So... After a night together in his...limo, Blair seeks forgiveness from God and Chuck seeks a repetition of what happened between them. This reveals something new in the Bass-tard. He buys her the present she wanted, knowing Nate won't bother to. He admits he...likes her with a "define like". And when Nate doesn't show up and wins their bet, he says he's sorry. How can Blair not give in to that?moreless

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Awesome.

9.5

"Superb"

By Sarah_LOST, Mar 12, 2009 Report Abuse

Well I told you I was back into this show. Thank god for that, another awesome episode from Gossip Girl. I just really, really, really, enjoy this show. But as I was saying a awesome episode, I loved the storyline to everything really. I love the whole Dan, Serena and Venessa, awesome story line. In this episode I started to like Nate more, I didn't really think his storyline could go anywhere else other than Blair but I was wrong, I really like where he is heading. Well another awesome episode from Gossip Girl, lets hope there is more like this one because it was awesome.moreless

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Happy Birthday, Queen B!

10

"Perfect"

By celine09, Jun 18, 2008 Report Abuse

The confession scene was marvelous. Though I can't understand why Blair's still madly in love with Nate even though she already had sex with Chuck. This ep was great because it had Chuck and Blair in it! :D Chuck was really sweet, buying her the necklace and all, while she thought it was Nate who bought the necklace. I loved all of the CB scenes. Especially the "butterflies have got to be murdered" and I use that line quite often now. Nate was such an a** but it was okay, because if he came to the party, CB would never have happened and they'd still be stuck in their loveless romance. Poor B, getting that picture of Nate and Jenny. But she sure ended her birthday with a blast!moreless

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4 1
It's Blair's birthday

9.6

"Superb"

By addict666, Jun 13, 2008 Report Abuse

The first scene in this episode where Blair goes to the priest to confess is classic and I love her little black veil that she has on to dramatize the moment. I also really like the song that plays when she flashes back to the last night with Chuck. Then he just happens to be outside as she leaves the church, it's great. I cannot stand Vanessa's character especially in this episode, I hate her line about them all knowing how to swim, they are making her so pretentious it is annoying. Jenny and Nate were really cute in this episode together as they went through their respective family drama. The best part of this episode was Chuck and Blair who really cute together and when he admits that he likes her and then tells her that it wasn't that great anyways, it shows a whole different side to him. Then when he gives her the necklace it is a really sweet moment and then the narration over the scene when Serena walks in is really great.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Blair had 8 candles on her birthday cake, even though it was her 17th birthday. However this was the 8th episode of Gossip Girl. Edit
- We meet Dan and Jenny's mother, Alison, for the first time in this episode. Edit
- The scene of Serena playing "Guitar Hero" was written because of Blake Lively's real skills to play the game. Edit
Notes
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- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Rozchod (Breakup) Edit
- Although she is credited, Kelly Rutherford (Lilly) does not appear in this episode. Edit
- This is the first episode we see Dan and Jenny's mother, Alison Humphrey (Susan Misner). Edit
Quotes
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- Alison: (about her leaving) I asked if you were okay with me going away and I'd hoped that if there was a problem you would say something. Dan: Like what? Your daughter's a freshman at a school populated by mean girls and date rapists, I think she needs her mom? Or maybe my father is madly in love with you and will probably never get over this. (pause) Why should I have to tell you this? Edit
- Alison: Hey, can we talk? Dan: Well that depends, are-are you back for good? Alison: I don't really know, your father and I haven't really had a chance to talk, so. Dan: Well do you want to come back? Edit
- Blair: (On the phone) Hi, this is Blair Waldorf, I was wondering if any of the pieces I put on hold today were picked up. (other line responds) The diamond necklace. Okay, thank you. (looking up at the ceiling)Thank you, thank you! Edit
Allusions
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- Vanessa: Hey, I am a golden god. I am a golden god is a quote from the successful film Almost Famous, about a rock band. Edit
- "You went down like Britney at the VMAS". This refers to Britney Spears and her comeback performance at the Video Music Awards (VMAS), which did not go exactly as planned. Edit
- At Blair's birthday, they play Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero is a very popular video game series. Edit