Blair's father, Harold, comes home for the holidays with an unexpected guest. Blair cannot hide her disappointment and makes a plan to get rid of Roman forever. Jenny and Vanessa help Serena get the best Christmas present ever for Dan, who has a surprise of his own for Serena. Rufus refuses to remain the understanding husband any longer after Alison's former lover sends a letter to the house.

The students are stressed out as they find out who was accepted and who didn't make the cut for early admission to Yale. Meanwhile, Serena bonds with Rachel, her Shakespeare teacher, who is unaware of what Blair has in store for her following receiving her first B; Chuck finds an unlikely ally in his feud with Jack; and Nate and Vanessa have a romantic evening together.