Episode 'Gossip Girl' Season 4, Episode 18 - 'The Kids Stay in the Picture' Recap

It’s been a while since we left the Upper East Side, so allow me to refresh your memory.

Lily Humphrey awaits her fate while a judge decides her punishment for forgery and obstruction of justice in the case of Ben Donovan. Blair and Dan took their friendship to the next level with a kiss and now we get to sit back and watch this one unfold. Raina Thorpe played bed swap and is now shacking up with Nate – in Chuck’s apartment – which is fine because we know Chuck still loves Blair.

Fast forward to tonight’s episode; it’s a brisk morning in Manhattan and the drama is in full swing.

As we rejoin the cast of "Gossip Girl" the scene is a media frenzy. The paparazzi are ravenously waiting to find out if Serena’s mother will move from her penthouse to the big house.

Might I mention how much I loved seeing Lily's mug shot splashed as a TMZ exclusive?

We find Miss Blair holed up in her bedroom with loyal Dorota by her side. She is hiding from the world and probably from a man; we're just not sure who. Cut to Dan checking his phone, only to see an empty inbox aka no love texts from B.

After an awkward yet convenient run-in with Chuck, Raina finds her way to Nate’s arms only to accept a call from her father that could “change everything.”

So glad the Baldwin brother is back. He’s so nice to look at - and has Lily’s mother gotten younger? Grandmother might have gotten some work done.

Over at the loft, prepare yourself - Dan is about to drop the so-unexpected-you-kinda-expected-it news on Eric. He laid a wet one on Blair Waldorf. Dan who are you kidding with the whole “I don’t like her, of course not, not at all, I’m just curious…and she does smell nice.” Eric’s so right, you are “ass-backwards crushing on Blair Waldorf.”

Enter Aunt Carol, Lily’s cynical, sassy sister. She really knows just where to jab that knife and twist it a few times but we soon find out she was bribed to come support Lily by scheming Grandma. Cousin Charlie blows into town just in time to get to know her long lost cousin Serena.

The rest of the episode goes something like this: Chuck will stop at nothing to get his girl, even if it means conjuring up another ruthless scheme. Blair admits that she had a life-changing kiss, but we come to find out the kiss only made her realize her full potential to be with Chuck rather than being an epiphany about Dan Humphrey being “the one.”

Let me guess…by the time Chuck finds out B wants him rather than Dan, he will have already sabotaged everything. Oh Chuck, I do wish he would grow up and stop being so predictable. It’s like an emotional rollercoaster with these two. For a split second I thought there was just maybe a glimmer, a splinter, a sliver of hope, and it’s gone just as soon.

With the evening gowns, photo shoots, shopping sprees and deep thoughts, you might have forgotten there was a felony trial pending. We end without any closure on the Lily jailbird front. All in a day in the life of the Van Der Woodsens.

I'm glad Vanessa got back just in time to spill the Dan/Blair smooch deets to S, and it looks like cousin Charlie is here to stay. Anyone for a family photo?

The preview for next week shows the return of none other than Prince Louis, another twist in the Blair fairytale love saga. How much more complex can it get?