3.08 – The Grandfather: Part II

This recap is by www.teendramawhore.com

If last week’s episode was Halloween-themed, this one is all about Election Day. Nate’s cousin Tripp is running for Congress and Vanessa has been brought on to document not only the campaign but the day’s festivities. When Tripp rescues a drowning man, Vanessa catches it all on film. Tripp is hailed as a hero and V plans on giving over the footage to prove it–and, of course, boost her film cred. But upon watching the footage again, she notices that the guy didn’t drown. He very deliberately jumped into the water and pretended to. It was a set up, she realizes…but by who? Grandfather denies it and thinks, regardless, this is just what was needed to give him an election day boost.Tripp is mortified and vows to drop out of the race, until Nate steps in and takes responsibility for the hoax. Tripp ends up winning the election but Nate and Vanessa lose their friendship. Even worse: Tripp’s wife admits to Grandfather that SHE was actually the one who set the whole thing up.

Blair and Serena are still at odds after last week’s fiasco at Chuck’s club opening. They butt heads at Tripp’s celebratory party (conveniently held at Chuck’s hotel), sparring on everything from Serena’s fake relationship with Patrick to Blair’s desperate attempt to make a new friend (with a girl that happens to be a prostitute!). Blair explains that she finally has her own life now, thanks to her relationship with Chuck and her NYU world while Serena is pulling away from her family and friends. She effectively ends the friendship, while Serena doesn’t object. Chuck tries to talk to Serena, explaining that Serena should know Blair well enough by now to see that she just misses her and that, after 18 years, she may lose the friendship forever if she doesn’t do something. He doesn’t give the same speech to Blair, though. Just comforts her. Meanwhile, Serena gets fed up with Patrick and quits her job.

Olivia, who appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night show earlier in the week, desperately tries to stop Dan from watching the interview. When he does, he sees that Olivia told an embarrassing story about their first date, where Dan went to the bathroom and came out with his shirt inside out. Jimmy makes fun of them and Olivia feels guilty for telling the story in the first place. Dan is quick to forgive her, though, and he explains that, that night, he was sweating so much from nerves, that he had to keep drying his shirt int he bathroom. The two settle in to celebrate their 1-month anniversary.