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. 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.

Chuck, Serena, Blair, Dan, Jenny and Eric find themselves faced with a crisis when a member of one of their families is hospitalized. Meanwhile, Nate attempts to help his parents, The Captain and Anne, put their complicated past behind them and reconcile.