01x08 - Posts on a Scandal

[bunniefuu]

("PAIN" BY KING PRINCESS PLAYING)

GOSSIP GIRL: Rise and shine,
followers! Gossip Girl here.

Beginning another day
checking your balances

and holding your feet to the fire.

Who were you before you met me?

I bet you can't even remember.
And that's how it should be.

Because you don't exist without me.

I'm your mirror.

And a mirror can't reflect
what it doesn't see.

But maybe you're right to stay away.

Because something tells me

you're not going to like
what I might show you today.

(NOTIFICATIONS PING)

GOSSIP GIRL: Or maybe
you'll just continue to see

what you want to see.

Because no matter how
often I show you your truth,

you seem to still go
on believing the lie.

DAVIS CALLOWAY: I took
the liberty of adding

an extra sh*t for the
girl who was up all night.

I would ask why, but I know

the many answers to that question.

At least with Z, I know what I did.

But with Aki's dad's
warning about me, no idea.

Partying with Miley during
her questionable Bangerz phase.

I confused Jin and J-Hope at the AMAs.

I know there's no video of me saying,

"Don't you know who I am"
to security at the château.

- I checked.
- Maybe chamomile tea would be best?

It's like, what if it's
not something specific?

What if it's just about me in general?

Like a ten-page exposé about
how I'm a terrible person,

- and I don't even know it.
- That's not possible, sweetheart.

After what I did to my
sister with her boyfriend?

With your ex-boyfriend, which
makes it more complicated.

And you know it wasn't good,
which doesn't make you bad.

And knowing Roger's "newspapers,"

I'm sure it's just some
dated conservative hate piece

on the dangers of influencers
on today's young minds,

and nothing else.

I just don't wanna be the
next Lea Michele or Ellen,

blindsided by something
I don't even remember.

I can assure you they
weren't blindsided.

We know who we are inside.

There's nothing out there
that we don't already know,

because we don't treat people badly,

and we own up to our own mistakes.

Sorry if my paranoia kept you up.

I was up anyway, arranging
the set for tonight's concert.

Oh, you could do that in your sleep.

It's the th anniversary for the label.

You know, it's kind of a
big deal that they asked me,

especially considering that when I left,

it wasn't on the greatest of terms.

JULIEN CALLOWAY: You
couldn't say no to Pink.

DAVIS: Oh, by the way,
there will be passes

for you and the crew. And Lola's coming.

Do you mean your fiancée?
I should hope so. (SCOFFS)

I should have told you. I've
been worried it's too soon.

More like "about time."

Dad, you've been single
for most of my life.

I need to know that when I leave here

in a year and a half,
you're not gonna be alone.

- I've always put you first.
- JULIEN: I know.

And I love you for that, but
you deserve happiness too.

You're gonna do great, Dad.
You have nothing to worry about.

Neither do you.

(MUSIC FADES)

How about a small piece of good news?

Hmm, a portal opened up to another world

and sucked everyone I know
into it, leaving us here alone?

Even better.

Instead of having to scramble
for a new place to live,

what would you say if I told you
next month you'll be waking up

in a Greenwich Village brownstone?

(CHUCKLES) Dad, I'm
still relatively new here,

but I know even after COVID,
we can't afford the Village.

We don't have to.

A friend is letting us
sublet. Two bedrooms, too,

though we'll have to share a bath.

A friend? What friend do you know

that has an apartment in the Vill...

No. No, no, no, no, no,
no, no. No f*cking way.

- We don't use that word.
- Yeah, you're right, we don't.

Not about him. He's not our friend.

NICK LOTT: Davis is being generous,

and we could both stand
to be more open-minded.

Let's open our minds

to the psychological implications

that come with... with
accepting charity from two people

who've been nothing but awful to us.

They're trying to help
us. That's not awful.

- It's what family does.
- Family doesn't keep you

from seeing your dying
wife and unborn child, okay?

Family doesn't get you evicted
or... or steal your boyfriend.

If I could get past the terrible things

that Davis has done to me...

You didn't speak to each
other for years, okay?

So how about I reevaluate my
relationship with Julien when I'm ?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)

(STUDENTS CHATTERING)

Good morning, sunsh... Who is that for?

- Are you and Obie finally back...
- No.

Because everyone thinks
that I'm a bad person,

I am trying to make amends.

Maybe with, like, Diet
Prada, but with her?

Oh, my God, Julien. She
tried to delegitimize you.

She actively worked against you.

Only because I let her down.

Honey, you can't let down assistants.

They're already as low as they can go.

(SIGHS) Well, think of it as spin, then.

Because if something really bad
is about to come out about me,

I need to show everyone
just how good I can be.

So the best way to do that
is be a bigger person, right?

- Right?
- Okay. Oh, my God.

No thank you. I'm off salmon.

Luna says you have an apology prepared?

Not an apology, but an
explanation for my behavior.

MONET DE HAAN: This
isn't couple's counseling.

You're either sorry that
you gave up on yourself

by handing over all of your power

to Buffalo Exchange,

or you're ready to take
back what's rightfully yours

by twisting the Kn*fe that you
already plunged in her back,

ending her once and for all.

I miss you, bitch.

- Hmm. That's it?
- That's it.

MONET: I'll think about it.

(CHUCKLES) Find anything out?

Nothing. Your feed's so clean,

you make Greta Thunberg
look like Jeffrey Toobin.

Whatever is coming, it is just gossip.

Lies made up to sell to papers.

Aki should just ask his dad outright.

I feel weird about asking him

because things aren't
great with him and his dad.

Well, he'll do it for you,
JC. You just have to ask.

Second stop on the apology tour?

Looks like that performance
has been postponed indefinitely.

- Search my name on Reddit.
- Only if you promise

to wash my eyes out
with hand sani after.

- (KISSES)
- (KISSES) I love you.

Hi, baby. (SMOOCHES)

- Where's mine?
- You've had enough.

Oh, that's why you left
me on read this weekend.

You've had your fill of being filled.

I wasn't talking about
you, although I wish I was.

I don't think school is the
best place for this conversation.

No need to continue.

I'm all good, mes amis.

You know, I'm glad
that I could have been

the antibiotic that you needed
to get you guys healthier again.

And we thank you for
that. I do not remember

the last time I've felt so calm,
and... and collected, and chill.

AKI MENZIES: It's true.

But now, I'm ready to get
back to seriousness, so...

Same. All that solo time
has allowed me to, uh,

conserve my resources in anticipation

for a rendezvous with a ballerina.

- (CHUCKLES)
- Ooh.

I'll, uh, I'll take a
vid for the next time

- you guys hit a bumpy patch.
- (SIGHS) No need for that.

- I think we're good.
- (LAUGHS)

And now, if only you and
Obie could get back good

- with each other.
- (GROANS)

I wouldn't hold your breath.
And I bet he isn't either.

He's always been this way, our Otto.

Ever since he was a young boy, well,

he cared more about
the world than himself.

Sometimes to his, or its, detriment.

ALISYN CAMEROTA: "Detriment"
is a bit of an understatement

regarding the uprising
that was instigated

by your son outside of
the Navy Yard development.

Everything is a learning curve
these days, for all of us.

We spoke after the incident,
and Otto now understands

that there's a time
and place to speak up...

and a time and place

- to wait your turn.
- Yeah.

He had very legitimate
concerns about our project.

He just voiced them
in the wrong direction.

So, have those concerns
been addressed, Otto?

- Um, well, the...
- Yes.

After he brought it to our attention

that we inadvertently
displaced a group of people

experiencing homelessness,

we found a way to proceed
with the development,

and a new and improved shelter.

There's a reason that his father and I

call him the family conscience.

Um, I would like to, you
know, personally apologize

to the city of New
York for any destruction

that my actions may have caused.

That's certainly not how I was raised.

Uh, and so I will,
you know, from now on,

go forward with... with that in mind.

Okay. Well, we will
see what happens next.

Thank you, Helena and Otto,
for speaking with us today.

- Thank you.
- Thank you, Alisyn.

CREW MEMBER: And we're clear.

(EXHALES)

Articulate and remorseful.

Now, do it again tonight at
our dinner with Roger and Aki,

and we can put this whole thing to bed.

Aki's gonna be there? I...
We're, like, weird right now, Mom.

Well, then apologize to
him before you get there.

Apologize for what? I didn't... I...

I did nothing.

Why do I doubt that?

Look, I heard about you and Zoya.

- It's for the best.
- Hmm.

Grill at : ?

Wear the Kiton I got you in Milano.

Brings out your eyes.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)

WENDY: I mean, I thought I
would sleep, but it was at : ,

- and then I was, like, "What?"
- Sorry. What?

I said, I couldn't sleep
last night. I was so excited.

Today is the day, right?

Early Hanukkah presents.

Are Tamagotchis back?

State-of-the-art security
to ensure no more coups.

When you go to sign in to Insta,

you'll need the code from these fobs.

It changes every five minutes.

Can't I just use the authenticator?

Stronger security to not
have it all on your phone.

Have you written the
post yet? Can I see it?

- No. I'm not posting that.
- Are you crazy?

That tip is Anonymous-grade sh*t.

That will level us up from
blind item to Ronan Farrow,

minus the plastic surgery,
which I'm still considering.

That tip was stream of consciousness

from a drunk and sad woman.

There's zero verification to back it up.

No corroborating tips, no legal filings.

I... it could literally just be...

Gossip? It's in the name, sweetie.

You know what isn't? Libel. Defamation.

Or other ways this could go wrong.

And that's just on us.
I mean, can you imagine

what this would do to Julien?

How is something as inflammatory as this

in service of our mission statement?

You mean the one that says

to hold people accountable
for their actions?

Which no one can do if you
don't get this out there.

- Even if it's true...
- It's true.

... it's way too complicated
and incendiary for a blind item.

Should we ask our partners in crime
and punishment what they think?

We brought those
teachers on as an alibi,

- not a board of directors.
- WENDY: I knew you'd say that.

- That's why I already told them.
- You did what?

Which I agree was a really bad idea,

but we did bring them on for a reason.

Maybe they'll agree with
you, and then Wendy...

and I will never bring it up again.

Fine. I'll hear them out.

But at the end of the day,
it's still my decision.

I got the tip. I choose
what we do with it.

(SIGHS)

(STUDENTS CHATTERING)

I just wanted to ask...

I'm losing it, Ak. Every
time someone looks at me,

I feel like they know that
I've done something horrible.

I mean, didn't you?

You're Team Z?

- Twist.
- No. I'm Team No Team.

I just think this whole thing
was an easily avoidable mess.

It was. And I'm sorry.

(CLICKS TONGUE) You wanna
know what my dad meant?

When there's a target on your back,
it's hard to forget that it's there.

I haven't slept.
It's... it's hard for me

- to focus on anything, and...
- (SIGHS)

My advice? If you
resolve things with Zoya,

maybe you won't even remember

whatever my dad was talking
about in the first place,

which... (SCOFFS) ...
was probably nothing.

They're agents of
chaos. None of it's real.

But he is in town right now.

Thank you. And if I
can return the favor,

you and I both know that Obie
is not good with conflict.

You're his best friend. He needs you.

Well, maybe I don't need him right now.

(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)

(STUDENTS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

(BALLET MUSIC PLAYING)

You're late. Now I'm
gonna have one less orgasm.

It's only : . You
don't go on until : .

Do not tell me that's a dozen.

Even numbered flowers are for funerals.

- Okay.
- (FLOWER THUDS SOFTLY)

VALERIA: It's too late.

You already cursed my performance.

If I break a leg today,
I'll have you k*lled.

MAX WOLFE: (GASPS) Really?

Do you, uh, need some help?

- Hmm?
- Hmm. Yeah.

(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MAX MOANS)

- Perhaps you cursed your own.
- Huh? What?

(GROANS) Hold on.

Maybe it's just the Adderall.

Allow me to work it out of my system.

(GRUNTS, BREATHES HEAVILY)

(MOANS)

I totally understand
your hesitation, Kate.

First and foremost, we're nurturers.

And what this type of scandal can do

to the still-developing psyches
of these kids concerns me.

- So I hold off?
- Hold off?

Isn't this why you started this?

So these monsters could
get what was coming to them?

Why protect them now?

JORDAN GLASSBERG: No, no, Kate,
you're sending that to everyone.

Oh, I see how it is.

People disagree with you, so
you don't wanna talk anymore.

You're not the activist you claim to be.

- Just another politician.
- (LAPTOP PINGS)

I agree.

What do you agree with, Scott?
You literally just showed up.

SCOTT KOVACS: Hey, calm down.

Or whatever version of that
I'm allowed to say these days.

The fear amongst us is that
you're no longer impartial.

"The fear amongst us"?

Wh... Have you been meeting without me?

I think what Wendy's trying to say...

- Have you been meeting without me?
- Of course not.

But you did get close with Zoya Lott,

and I see the same pattern
beginning with Julien.

Just because I care about what a
young woman might go through if...

SHARON: See, that's the problem.

You can't project human
emotions onto wild beasts.

That's how they k*ll you.

Instead of talking about what
could go wrong if you post,

think about what could
go wrong if you don't.

If it's true.

Why would she say it if it weren't?

Why do we only post what you see fit?

We have to go after them
at every opportunity.

If we don't if reinforces
they can get away

- with anything.
- I agree.

WENDY: I know you have a good heart,

but it's time for the hard truth.

This thing is bigger than you now.

Why are you here? You aren't even...

I say we post the damn thing.

Shall we take a vote?

We don't vote.

We do now. So what should it be?

Whether to post the tip,

or deciding if Kate stays or goes?

Let's start with one, and
then mull over the other.

- That seems fair.
- Democracy at work.

- I'll go.
- Yes, please.

- Just...
- ZOYA LOTT: No.

- Just let me...
- No.

- There's nothing you can say.
- There's gotta be something.

That's what you people think.
Always under the assumption

there's a way out of your problems.

But you're not buying
your way out of this one.

- What are you talking about?
- Come on. Your dad's apartment?

What?

Whatever. If you're
not gonna leave, I will.

I know I f*cked up.

I'm not trying to get my
way out of it. I just...

I wanna make it right somehow.

No, what you want is for
me to let you off the hook.

You and Obie are perfect
for each other in that way.

You both wanna be told
you're not as bad as you feel.

So here's an idea.

After school today, go home,

put on your best , -dollar poorcore,

sit on your , -dollar mattress

in your -million dollar apartment,

and rest with the knowledge
that you're the problem.

You're broken, Julien.

Just like your dad. Just
like everyone around you.

You're right.

Obie knew it. You know it.

Even Aki's dad knows it.

You know what else we know?

You deserve whatever you've got coming.

- (ZOYA GASPS)
- Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

No, you're not.

Yo, Aki, can we talk for a sec, bro?

How will you know what to
say without Mommy around?

Come on. That's not fair, all right?

I did not want to do
that interview. I had to.

Oh. And you and Julien,
you had to do that too?

That's what you're upset about?

I thought it was the... the gay thing.

- The gay thing?
- The bi thing, man. I'm sorry.

Look, you know what I meant, all right?

No, I don't. And I don't
think you do either.

I don't have a problem
with your sexuality.

What I do have a problem with
is you thinking that I do.

So my perception has to
line up with your reality?

What are you talking about?

AKI: It must be nice to expect everyone

to see the world the way you see it.

My world is not your world.

My experience is not your experience.

And I wish you understood that,

because then maybe you could
see how your actions hurt people.

Zoya, me, Julien.

Maybe in your world you
can explain that away,

but in mine, we're
not friends right now.

'Cause you don't see me.
You only see yourself.

(CELL PHONE CHIMES)

GOSSIP GIRL: Good morning,
followers. Trigger warning.

This post will not be pretty.

While I usually like to have fun,

this is no time for frivolity.

(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)

GOSSIP GIRL: And while this
is as of yet unsubstantiated,

I cannot turn a blind
eye to this blind item.

- Jules.
- (PHONE RINGING)

AUDREY HOPE: I saw. Meet me out front.

Jules! Where is she going?

GOSSIP GIRL: It appears a certain father

to one of Constance's
most influential students

is being accused of
something very serious.

(PHONE VIBRATES)

GOSSIP GIRL: We've always
known this dad as dry,

but he might have some
bottles hidden in his closet.

- You're distracted.
- MAX: Huh?

Is it someone else? Invite them.

GOSSIP GIRL: One of them
allegedly used to ease a woman

into a level of consent

she had no intention of providing.

Being that I'm breaking this news,

I can't share anything further

so as to not risk my credibility.

All I know is there's a woman out there

whose story should be heard.

If she chooses to talk,
we all must listen.

AKI: This must be what
my dad was talking about.

You need to find out what he knows, now.

(SIGHS)

Dad? Dad!

Dad.

AUDREY: Maybe try calling him again?

I've been calling him.

It's going straight to
voicemail, which is full.

- What?
- (BREATHING HEAVILY)

I'll give you two some space.

Are you okay? (SIGHS)

I can't fathom what you must
be going through right now.

Dad.

If I were you, I wouldn't
wanna look at me, or talk to me,

- or be in the same room as me.
- Dad.

I wanted to tell you.
I knew this was coming.

I just couldn't find the right time.

Dad.

- Is it true?
- No. Of course not.

But does that matter? My
lawyers and I, we were gonna

get out in front of
this thing, but that...

school blog of yours, they
didn't give us any warning.

You know, that woman

who's saying these things
about me, I barely know her.

I've never been alone
with her in my life.

- Why didn't you tell me?
- I felt like...

by talking about it,

I would validate her claim somehow.

- But you do know her.
- Yeah, she's a manager.

The first time I met her,

she was Riley's assistant a decade ago.

The last time we spoke, it was a dispute

over some contract renegotiation. I won.

So... it's retaliation?

Over money?

Maybe.

f*ck. f*ck! This is going to destroy me.

I can't dispute it.

(CHUCKLES) It would look defensive.

And I wouldn't believe me anyway,

not after the life I've lived.

(SIGHS) But none of that matters.

All that matters is
that you know the truth.

I swear to you...

on everything I love on my
life, on my work, on you,

I did not sleep with

or in any way take
advantage of that woman.

If you don't believe me, no one will.

Of course I believe you.

I hate that anyone
would even suggest it.

I know you could never do
something like that. I...

I know.

Hey, we just have to hope

that this thing sorts itself out,

and we can all find
some kind of peace again.

Because while there
isn't an ounce of truth

to Lauren's claim...

she's clearly hurting.

It's because of something
I must have done.

It's okay, Dad.

I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.

(SIGHS)

He's a monster, and I want
nothing to do with him ever again.

I understand why you feel that way,

but you don't know
anything for sure right now.

I know that I believe women.
And right now, I'm horrified

my own father doesn't.

(SCOFFS) Of course, I believe women.

But I dedicated my entire
life to the principle

that people are innocent
until proven guilty.

Right now, there's zero
facts to base this on.

It's an anonymous tip on
an anonymous Instagram.

Okay. So... what?

I wait to reserve my
judgment until his trial,

where he gets off because
he has money and fame

and a sh*t ton of NDAs?

The system you've dedicated your life to

isn't exactly foolproof.

Okay.

But you know what's worse?
Taking gossip as fact.

- (ZOYA SCOFFS)
- For all we know,

someone could be trying
to smear Davis's name.

Smear his name?

Do you know how many
sexual as*ault cases

that are reported turn out to be false?

Between two and six
percent. I looked it up, Dad.

Between two and six percent.
Why are you defending him?

Is it about the apartment? Are
you afraid to lose free rent?

No, of course it isn't about that.

Then I'm not stepping foot
in there, and neither are you.

For all we know, that's
where it went down.

Well, now you're just being ridiculous.

- What if the rumor was about me?
- It wouldn't be.

But what if it was?

Would you give me a
chance to defend myself?

I wouldn't have to because you wouldn't

- do anything like that.
- NICK: Don't you think

that's exactly how Julien
feels about her dad?

Call her. Tell her you're there for her.

- Hear her out.
- But, Dad...

Now.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC PLAYING)

VALERIA: So?

I could not keep my eyes off of you.

Lie. I could see the glow of your phone

the entire performance.

I admit I was a skosh distracted.

So you're leaving?

I heard the news after
I... I had already invested

in some performance-enhancing dr*gs.

(GASPS)

And I thought my solo
in La Bayadère was hard.

Wanna go back to your dressing room?

Not necessary.

(PERSON COUGHING)

How's she doing?

You shouldn't be here right now.
She's in enough pain as it is.

- Look, I just thought that...
- AUDREY: That seeing the man

who caused irreparable damage

to one of the only familial
relationships that she has

would somehow help her right now?

That's not fair, Audrey, all right?
That's not fair, and you know it.

- And this isn't about you.
- It never is.

If I lie for her, it
blows up in my face.

If I show up for her,
it blows up in my face.

What am I supposed to be
doing that I'm not doing?

You're always doing what
you're supposed to be doing.

As your friend, I'll say you should try

doing what you want for once.

What do you think I'm
doing here, Audrey?

You're here to make
yourself feel better.

Goodbye.

NEWS REPORTER: A woman
identified as Lauren Thompson

has come forward, lamenting
that an Instagram account

calling itself Gossip Girl outed her

before her lawyers had a chance
to take her accusations public.

Now, Thompson alleges
that in October of ,

while working with a
purportedly sober Calloway,

he got her drunk in order to
coerce her into sexual relations

she would not have
otherwise consented to.

Okay.

Look, I used to do this with my mom

when one of her collections would drop,
and the comments opened up.

A no phone, no TV,

and... and no internet policy all day.

I want you to turn off the
notifications on your phone.

Even the Google Alerts. Because listen.

JC, you think you wanna know
what these people have to say,

but you never really do.

- Have you heard from Aki?
- Mm-hmm.

He just got to his dad's office.

He's gonna find out everything
that you need to know.

Everybody thinks I'm paranoid.

Terrified of losing one ounce of power.

Well, occasionally...

I wonder if they're right.

And then my son...

shares a private voicemail
with a room full of strangers.

I was just trying to
protect my friend...

Well, I'm just trying to protect you.

That's all I've ever done, Aki.

I had no idea what
you were talking about

was so monumental.

ROGER MENZIES: That's
because you don't trust me.

And after your recent behavior,

I tell you, I don't trust you either.

We need to work on that.

Yeah. We need to work
on a lot of things.

Are you referring to my news conference

- about your sexual preference?
- It's not a preference, Dad.

Aki.

Our relationship is very
important to me, Aki.

So is Julien's relationship
with her father.

I need to know what you
know so I can help her.

She doesn't know what to believe.

I've had a team of people
working on that story, for months.

They believed that there
was something in it.

- Believed?
- The woman's account

of her night with Davis
couldn't be verified,

so we decided not to run it.

I didn't think there
was any truth to it.

- That's it?
- AKI: Apparently,

no one could place
the woman with your dad

- the night in question.
- (JULIEN SIGHS)

AKI: Someone's just after your dad.

(LIGHTHEARTED MUSIC PLAYING)

AKI: Are you okay?

I'm great. Thanks, Ak.

(DIAL TONE BEEPING)

I love your boyfriend.

Come here.

I know. I love him, too.

Thank you.

I don't know what I would
have done without you here.

Maybe you, uh, would have
stress ordered Shake Shack

under your doorman's name
then paid for his silence

- in fries?
- (GASPS) I told you that in confidence!

I know. And I never told a soul.

A best friend's work is never done.

So does that mean you'll
still be my plus one tonight?

Oh, is your dad still going to that?

He better. If he doesn't
go, it'll look like

the story's true, and if I don't go,

it'll look like I
believe it, and I don't.

Yeah, of course. Of course.

I'm gonna be there.

I'm leaving. Um, I'm keeping my phone on

so if you wanna call
me or text me, okay?

- JULIEN: Bye.
- Bye.

(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

- Hey.
- ZOYA: I'm still mad.

But since I'm the bigger person,

I wanted to make sure you're okay.

More than. My dad didn't do it.

I just talked to Aki, and
his dad said that NetCorp

couldn't verify her story.

- Wow.
- JULIEN: It's awful, right?

But, you know, jealous
people will make up anything

to try to take down someone successful.

- I can't believe it.
- JULIEN: I can.

This type of thing happens all the time.

You just never think
it's gonna happen to you.

No, I just can't believe
you're letting him off the hook.

He's my dad. I know
him better than anyone.

ZOYA: What about all
the times he lied to you?

His second apartment,
his secret girlfriend,

the... the stuff in the
hospital when I was born.

Yeah, just like your perfect life
in Buffalo with your close friends?

ZOYA: Oh, my God, that is so like you.

Deflecting instead of actually

considering the reality
of the situation.

Like father like daughter, huh?

So much for being the bigger person.

I'm happy to settle with
being the better one instead.

- (DIAL TONE BEEPING)
- (SIGHS)

(KNOCKS ON DOOR)

I tried, okay?

But there's no way we're
moving into that ap...

Ms. Keller, what are you doing here?

Um, your dad thought you
might wanna talk to someone

who wasn't him, if you have a minute.

Can we get out of here? (CHUCKLES)

Julien won't even consider
there's more to the story.

She just believes her dad, like that.

And I don't even trust
the guy. And I never have,

but the more I've learned,
the more I feel that way.

Honestly, do you think I'm overreacting?

I try my best not to police
other people's reactions.

I mean, if it's how you
feel, it's how you feel.

It's all so complicated.

But why is it so easy
for the rest of the world

to look the other way?
Have you been online?

They're already calling
the accusations baseless,

and it's only been a few hours.

Look, that kind of response
is exactly what validates

other victims' fear that
they won't be believed

if they come forward.

Perpetuating silence
only leads to more abuse.

Wh... what makes you
so sure he's guilty?

It's Gossip Girl.

I mean, even though I hate to admit it,

when has she ever been wrong?

And you heard at Thanksgiving
what he did to my dad

on the day that I was born.

And did you know he
has a second apartment?

That's how Julien find
out he was dating someone.

He's had it for years,
a secret apartment.

What are you doing?

I just realized Gossip Girl
might like to know that.

Um...

As your teacher and your friend,

I believe you should sit this one out,

for your own good.

If there's more to the
story, we'll hear about it.

What if this is the more to the story?

Don't I have some kind of moral
obligation to tell someone?

- She's your sister.
- Well, he's not my father.

- What am I doing here?
- I am in crisis.

We all are. The accusation's insane.

What? Oh. Oh, no, no.

Not about Julien, no.

Although terrible, at
least that was proven false.

This is true. I couldn't do it.

Do what?

Oh, my God. I came across town for this.

Take a pill, or just close
your eyes like the rest of us.

I did. It didn't work.

I just kept going, and
going, and nothing happened.

For me. She had a f*cking
great time, obviously.

But I mean, f*cking... useless

Like a... like a jade roller or CBD.

- What's wrong with me, Luna?
- You tell me.

This problem seems psychological.

Oh, no, no, no. I do not
do psychological, okay?

Which is probably why
you have this problem.

Listen, I... I've not banked
enough hours with a shrink

to get to the root, okay?

You know me well. You be my therapist.

I hate when it's this easy.

The sex isn't working because just sex

isn't what you're looking for anymore.

You've been f*cking your
best friends for weeks...

messy... and now you expect to return

to meaningless trysts with
psycho Slavs after that?

You added emotion to sex.

And once you get a taste of that,

nothing else tastes as good.

So, what, I can't have
casual sex anymore?

Of course you can, and you will.

But right now, your mind wants in

on what your body's doing.

Take the Slav out.

See if you can find some
emotional connection with her.

I bet if you do, you'll
be as good as new.

- Better, I imagine.
- Okay. Yeah.

- Okay.
- Do it.

The group is meeting
at the Emerson at : .

- Meet me there?
- They're meeting? Why?

To celebrate! Have you not seen it?

GG is trending. The New York Times, CNN,

even NetCorp is sourcing
us in their coverage.

And have you seen our
follower count? (LAUGHS)

Just wait until you post Zoya's tip.

Have you seen it yet?

Uh, I haven't looked in a bit.

She sent it a half hour ago.

Davis has a secret apartment.

She told me. Nick
asked me to talk to her.

So you told her to send
it? Or you told her not to?

This is all getting out of hand.

I... I'm just trying to protect her.

JORDAN: Well, you can't now.

She sent it. You have to use it.

I don't have to do anything.

JORDAN: What reason would GG have

not to share something that big?

If you don't, Zoya could start wondering

why her nice English
teacher and Gossip Girl

share the same opinion.

(SIGHS) Kate, this is a real story.

This isn't teen STIs
and "who wore it better."

And by not posting,

you're potentially obstructing justice.

Do the right thing.

GOSSIP GIRL: Followers, it's been a day.

- But it's not over, is it?
- (CELL PHONE VIBRATES)

GOSSIP GIRL: You can't make
a bonfire from just one match.

You need plenty of lighter
fluid to get it really going.

Turns out, for the last
decade, our doting dad

has maintained a charming
two-bedroom in the West Village,

secret to even his nearest and dearest.

- A smart investment, or his pied-à-terre?
- (CELL PHONE CHIMES)

GOSSIP GIRL: Contrary to
what you may have heard,

this story is anything but over.

Dad?

Dad.

This is not good. Not good at all.

- No sh*t, PJ.
- It's time, D.

No. I'm not doing it.

- Doing what?
- Go after Lauren's credibility.

She clearly wants to hurt you.

Why won't you hurt her in return?

Because that is not
the type of person I am.

You talked with Aki, right?

Did he say why NetCorp
Media stopped pursuing this?

PJ: We've been trying
to find out all day.

They know something that we don't know.

Now, if that's why
they dropped the story,

- it can only help us.
- I'll find out.

But, Dad, get dressed.

If I've learned anything,
it's that no matter

what you're going through,
you still show up, okay?

CROWD: (CHANTING) Cancel Calloway!

Cancel Calloway! Cancel Calloway!

(DANCE MUSIC PLAYING)

Cancel Calloway! Cancel Calloway!

Cancel Calloway!

Cancel Calloway! Cancel Calloway!

- This is not good.
- Not good at all.

Can you believe this?

Hey, it's okay. It's okay, okay?

Listen, um, I have seen more
people in a dressing room

than I see right now.
Don't worry about it.

Gossip Girl doesn't have
the reach we thought she did.

- Clearly.
- Yeah.

Let's do a story while we're here,
and show her she doesn't matter.

- Yes.
- Let's do it.

- Don't look at them.
- Let's do that.

We're all good. Deep breaths.
Smile, babe. Smile, babe.

- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
- AUDREY: Let's go inside.

Cancel Calloway! Cancel Calloway!

Julie. Julie. (SIGHS)

Oh my God, what you
must be going through.

Come here, girl.

(SIGHS DEEPLY) I've been
putting on a face all day,

but a part of me just wants to go home

and cry under my weighted blanket.

But we both know that this
is just jealousy, right?

Comments I get from randos whenever
I post a pic of your dad and me.

There is a certain type of
woman who just can't take

how hot and famous he is, you know?

Well, I know you know, because
you're hot and famous too.

(CHUCKLES)

- Where's your ring?
- Oh, no. Don't worry.

- I'm not leaving your dad.
- It looks like it.

The other night, when he finally told me

this was all coming out, he
tried to break up with me.

And he didn't want me, you know,

to be dragged down by all of this.

He said he couldn't do it
in good conscience unless,

you know, we walked the engagement back.

He wanted me to know that marrying me

wasn't about publicity
or covering something up.

He wants to wait to propose
until this is all over.

I have never been so sure
about anyone in my life.

("ITGEHANE" BY PEGGY GOU PLAYS)

This is why I never go
anywhere general admission.

I hope she chokes on her well drink.

I can't believe you brought me here.

I should go outside
and join the protesters.

What you sent out into the world

was no one's business but our own.

You're going to
apologize to both of them.

Fine.

- (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
- (CUTLERY CLINKING)

My mother is from Minsk.
Uh, the capital of Belarus.

But my father is Russian.
Well, he's actually Crimean,

but he would never tell you that.

He wouldn't tell you anything.
He doesn't like the Jews.

Uh, well, he probably wouldn't
like that I'm q*eer either.

Well, his sister, my aunt,
is a lesbian w*r photographer,

and he's very proud of
her. It's just the Jews.

(QUIETLY) Just the Jews. Okay.

I'm surprised you asked
me to dinner and a concert.

I didn't think we did things like that.

Well, contrary to what you may think,

I... I wanna get to know you more.

Do you want to hear my saddest story?

- Mm-hmm. Sure.
- Are you sure?

Yeah. I just said "sure."

It involves my dog,
jet glue, and Ira Glass.

Great. Cool.

(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)

I always loved this space.

You know, they used
to have a Picasso here.

Huge thing. Tapestry.

It was on that wall over
there for nearly years.

(GRUNTS)

I ate here a lot in those years.

Marveling how its
mastery remained unchanged

by the passage of time.

Not unchanged.

Unchallenged.

Then one day... new
owners. (IMITATES g*nsh*t)

Gone.

A Picasso, tossed out
like it was nothing.

I need a favor. Um, more information.

ROGER: You know why I'm
telling you this story?

Because when they came to get rid of it,

they asked me if I wanted to buy it.

And, of course, they
knew how fond I was of it.

But I knew...

I instantly knew...

that if that Picasso was for sale...

then it had no value.

If it could be anyone's,

it was worthless.

I gave you information.

Important information. What do you do?

You give it to your friend
to make her feel better.

She deserved to know.

ROGER: Her father's got his own lawyers.

Lawyers who've been
pestering my people all day

trying to reveal their sources.

When you give up information,

you alert people... to
know that you are for sale.

Are you for sale?

No.

You let your friends manipulate you,

use you to better themselves.
That makes you weak.

I love that you're good.
I love that you're kind.

I don't even mind you're gay.

But please don't be
weak. That's unforgivable.

Oh, Helena, Otto. (CHUCKLES)
How lovely of you to join us.

- Hello, Mr. Menzies.
- ROGER: Oh, yeah. Nice.

- OBIE BERGMANN: Nice to see you.
- ROGER: Oh.

Hey, what's going on?

Wendy told us

that you didn't want to post Zoya's tip.

- Is that true?
- Of course it's true.

So? This is my project.
I invited you all in.

- It's all our project.
- KATE KELLER: No.

I'm the one who thinks
about it day and night.

I'm the one who gets the tips

and decides what's
right from what's rumor.

Only because you don't
include us in the process.

None of you cared about
any of this until yesterday.

You didn't have anything
good till yesterday.

So, um...

uh... you all want to be
more a part of the process.

Uh. Yeah, we can, um, we can meet,

uh, discuss the tips before I post them.

- Come up with a plan together.
- That's not the issue here.

You've stopped living
your mission statement.

You care too much about these kids.

You're no longer correcting the problem.

- You're a part of it.
- Sharon...

Where's Jordan? When
he gets here, he'll...

Okay. She's not here. I told you.

Maybe she's backstage.

("APRICOTS" BY BICEP PLAYING)

- Go.
- Dad, I just don't understand

how you can still defend
these horrible people.

Horrible people? The only
horrible person here is you.

Publicly defaming someone
you barely even know

because you're mad your
boyfriend's still in love with me.

This has nothing to do with Obie.

It has everything to do with Obie.

I may have gone about
this the wrong way.

I can admit that.

I shouldn't have sent
that tip in to Gossip Girl.

But the thing is, even though
you did something terrible to me,

you were right to.

Obie doesn't love me. He
and I shouldn't be together.

Who knows how much
longer I would have gone

without realizing that? I
could have made a huge mistake

I would have regretted my entire life.

So, while what you did to
me really f*cking hurt...

it opened my eyes before
it was too late, okay?

And that's all that I'm
trying to do for you.

- We need to go already.
- I know him better than you.

How are you so sure he's such a monster?

What he did to Mom, to my dad, to us,

keeping us apart for
years, that's still inside him.

He got sober, Z.

He wasn't acting
entirely clear back then.

- How do you know?
- Let's go get a drink.

- Come on.
- My dad's set's about to start.

Come on. Let's go see it.

All these white men
have the same haircut.

We're definitely still in Williamsburg.

- Yeah.
- And they only have IPAs?

(SCOFFS) I told you nobody's
gonna have good coke here.

- Zoya's here?
- She's so cute.

I would like to
culturally appropriate her.

- (SIGHS)
- Listen, I'm gonna pee,

unless you want me to save it for later.

No.

- Okay.
- Thank you, though.

You just missed the telenovela.

- Having a good night, I see?
- Good night? Uh, well...

she told me so much about her life

that it's taken years off of mine.

I had no choice but to take
her to the restaurant bathroom

just to shut her up.
It didn't work... again.

Have you thought about how maybe

it isn't that you can't f*ck her,

it's that you no longer want to?

That is definitely true now, yeah.

It's possible you may have feelings

for someone else.

Or should I say, "someones."

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

So, Otto, I hear you have something

you wanna tell me. Shall
we dispense with it?

No.

- (IN GERMAN) What?
- I said, "No."

- Otto?
- OBIE: Mother.

Apologize to Roger.
That's why you're here.

No. (CHUCKLES)

- You said you'd apologize.
- I didn't actually say that.

HELENA BERGMANN: Are
you really doing this?

How does saying no feel?

Uh, it feels pretty
f*cking good honestly.

Think I'm gonna try it out.

- Hey, that's enough of that.
- No.

(SNORTS)

You both are behaving like children.

You owe Roger an apology.

- For what, exactly?
- Yeah. What did he do?

He caused a scene in public,

which impacted your father
in a negative manner.

Nothing impacts my father
in a negative manner.

Yeah, you know, and I...
Look. I mean, I have...

done bad things.
Recently, too, you know?

But... standing up for
what I believe in...

is not one of them.

I mean, cheating on my...

you know, on my girlfriend,
that probably was.

And, uh...

you know, failing to see that
I hurt my best friend was.

And I'm not telling
you how I really feel

about all of this, that
certainly is. Um... (SIGHS)

I mean, do you even like
this restaurant, Aki?

- (LAUGHING) No.
- Cool, 'cause I don't either.

I mean, I think we should leave and, uh,

get some pizza,
actually. (CLEARS THROAT)

Both of you, sit down this instant.

I'm tired of being your conscience.

Mom, just grow your own.

Being there for your friends isn't weak.

Not being there for them is.

I'm gonna order a black car
to, uh, Obie's. On you, okay?

Wait, what? He gets to keep his?

Of course.

OBIE: Huh.

- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (DANCE MUSIC PLAYING)

There's something I need you to know, Z.

What you said back there
about Davis keeping you

and your sister apart
of your whole lives...

that wasn't him.

That was me.

When you were five,
he wrote me a letter...

about how sorry he had
been for what he had done

the day you were born.

How sorry he was for everything.

He said that he knew that
I could never forgive him.

And that he could never forgive himself

if he stood in the way
of you and your sister

being apart your whole lives.

And you know what I did?

I threw it away.

Never responded.

So he started calling.
And I didn't answer.

But he kept trying.

I'm the one who didn't change, Z.

Not him. And I'm sorry
you have to see that now.

Z, I need you. Can we put
our sh*t aside for a second?

- Can I borrow her for a minute?
- Where are we going?

- You're on their side?
- JORDAN: It's not about sides.

You can't be part of them.

They're trying to stage a coup
because they're lonely and...

They're right. You're too close, Kate.

That's not true.

You're so close, you can't
even see how true it is.

This thing, this experiment,

at first, I thought it was crazy.

I figured it would last a
week. Maybe two, until you saw

there was no way to
change things, but...

you did change things.

Rafa was wrong. The
kids have gotten better.

More polite, more
aware, more afraid of us.

But when you start pulling punches

and editing the truth

and trying to solve it personally,

you ruin the integrity of the idea.

You insert yourself in the narrative

instead of what you're supposed to do,

observe and report and
leave the rest to them.

You're right.

Um... okay. Uh, from now on,

I will just post everything
and stay out of it.

I'm afraid that won't be enough for us.

We'll, uh, take it from here.

Consider it a leave of absence.

I'm sorry, Kate, but
I'm gonna need your fob.

All right, yes, it made
me feel a little weird

- when you told me.
- Thank you.

I don't know... what it was, man.

You know, I think I
started to wonder, like...

what it all meant,

all the times we hung
out, just the two of us,

and, you know, stayed
at each other's houses,

slept in the same beds
when we were on vacation.

You wondered if I ever
had a thing for you?

I did. Yeah, I did. And it's stupid.

I know. (LAUGHS) And I'm... I'm sorry.

It is stupid. And no
offense, but I never did.

You ne...

I'm... I'm, like... I'm hurt.

- (CHUCKLES)
- Is that weird?

(BOTH LAUGH)

- I miss you.
- (SIGHS DEEPLY)

I miss you too, man.

- God, our parents.
- The look on your mother's face.

No, the look on your dad's face, bro.

I cannot believe that he
let you touch his phone.

I was trying so hard not to shake

- when I was going through his emails.
- Yeah?

Part of me wanted to go send
it straight to Gossip Girl.

Did you find what Jules needed?

I don't know. I just
forwarded everything

that said "Calloway" and "source."

But I didn't get to read much of it.

Well, maybe our parents need
a Gossip Girl of their own.

Isn't that my dad's papers?

I mean, not that it
matters, but look at Tr*mp.

He got away with everything that he did.

Except for his tax returns.
That's the only thing

- that seems to have rattled him.
- (PHONE VIBRATES)

It's Audrey.

I'm gonna tell her to come
over to your place, okay?

Yeah.

If I knew what you're looking for,

- I could help you.
- I don't know if it's here,

or if it'll even tell me anything,

or if I'm just being crazy.

Julien, what did... what did
Roger's email say exactly?

The one Aki sent.

That Lauren, the woman
accusing my dad...

was with her friends
that night at dinner,

and her friends confirmed

they dropped her off at home alone.

Okay, so then she couldn't
have been with your dad.

Or she met up with him after?

Yeah. But they also
got her phone records,

which show that...

there were multiple
calls to the same number.

All under a minute, so no answer.

- Whose number was it?
- Riley, her boss at the time.

Riley, like, Riley-Riley?

Yeah. My dad was producing for her.

Okay, so then she
called her boss a bunch.

(SIGHS)

There were two other calls on the log

to a different number. Also no answer.

To my dad's Blackberry.

It's what he was using at the time.

Still not following.

I hope I'm wrong,
but... I have a feeling

that Riley was the one
with my dad that night.

And for some reason, Lauren's lying.

(PHONE TRILLS)

- (AUDREY SIGHS)
- I'm gonna get a beer.

No. f*ck the booze.
Where are the benzos, Aki?

Uh, Helena's bathroom upstairs.

- AUDREY: Hi.
- Hi.

Oh, my God. How was, uh, dinner?

(SCOFFS) Eventful.

How was the concert?

Julien disappeared, so we did too.

I don't know where she went.

I've been calling her all
night, but she's not answering.

Are you okay? You rolling?

(CHUCKLES) No. No, I, uh... I'm happy.

Max Wolfe's clothes
are on, and he's happy?

- What has the world come to?
- (LAUGHS)

Yeah. Was the ballerina that good?

Um... where's Obie?

Uh, I don't know. Somewhere in here.

("BETS OFF" BY ALEXMAAX PLAYING)

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

♪ You bet and lost ♪

♪ Behind your silhouette ♪

♪ I can find the wall ♪

♪ You play unaffected ♪

- (SIGHS)
- ♪ But by hand you sweat ♪

♪ Dripping from your hold ♪

♪ Some blindness in me ♪

Jules? What are you still doing up?

Don't speak.

Because when you do, I get confused,

and for the first time all day,

I feel like I have things
straight in my head.

November th, , :
a.m., Riley texts you,

"What happened last night?"

What is this about?

JULIEN: : a.m, you text
back, "What do you mean?"

: a.m., she texts back,
"I don't remember anything."

You text back, "Are you
serious? We had fun."

She texts back, "Why don't I remember?"

It's not what you think.

I know that reading it that way

could make you think
something crazy, but we...

we spent the night together.

That's it.

She drank too much. You know her.

She always drank too much, remember?

- But you didn't.
- Of course not.

You don't see anything wrong about that?

Riley isn't accusing me of
anything. Her manager is.

This is just something you've
got inside of your head.

- Are you gaslighting me?
- No! I... I am your father.

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

DAVIS: I...

♪ Calling all bets off ♪

I couldn't... I couldn't do that to you.

♪ Calling all bets off ♪

Maybe Lauren said what she
said because Riley's afraid to.

♪ Calling all bets off ♪

Sometimes when you care about someone...

you can do something bad
in order to help them see the truth.

I know I have.

I didn't do anything wrong, I swear.

I didn't know she was
so drunk. I thought...

I thought she liked me.

September th, Jade, "Can we talk?

I don't remember what
happened last night."

August th, Priya,
"Did we sleep together?"

July th, Maddie, "What
was in those drinks?

I can't remember anything."

No, Jules, let's get out of here.

Please.

Please.

(DOOR OPENS)

(MUSIC CONTINUES)

I'm right here, okay?
I'm not going anywhere.

(SOBS)

It's okay.

(SOBS)

(MUSIC CONCLUDES)

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)