(The CW) NEW YORK - Every week, New York City Socialistas, Kelly Will and Gregory Littley, will recap the latest 'Gossip Girl' episode, and give the insiders' view into what it's really like to be fashionable and fabulous in the city that never sleeps."

Summer is (sadly) officially over and the school year is already a day old.

Serena's mother gets back from her honeymoon with new husband Bart Bass (Chuck's Dad). Over a short breakfast before school, Eric and Serena catch up with their newlywed Mom. Chuck breaks up the reunion warmth by interrupting with "Dan and Serena Broke up"...making Mommy realize she's missed way too much over the honeymoon. Chuck and Eric depart for there first day of class in a limo with a chilled bottle of champagne in the back. Just like every other high school junior in America....

Dan and Jenny have some hesitation about returning to school. Both have uncomfortable situations to face. Dan hasn't seen Serena since the blackout (aka demise of "Danrena") and Jenny hasn't spoken to her harsh clique since last spring. Tough times are ahead for the socially-inept siblings.

Blair is busy before the first bell rings, picking which 'project' to take on. Last year she made the mistake of taking an ill-advised chance on Jenny Humphrey and trying her best to break the young Brooklynite into Blair's inner circle. This year's critical for Blair, she has to prove her social status. Blair's off-the-shoulder cape comes complete with lace and conjures up the image of a southern grandmother, not an Upper East Side teen. Why is she dressing like a marm?

Serena starts making her way through the halls with caution- so much so that she stops dead in her tracks at the site of 'ex' Dan Humphrey seated alone and reading. Lacking the courage to pass, Serena turns around and seeks out Blair. The two cruise through the halls as Blair lays down Serena's plan of action. Blair warns "Whoever dates first, Wins". Cut to both girls spying Dan chatting up....new girl, Amanda Lasher. Ouch, S.

Dan goes against the girl-Mafia's rules and asks Amanda out to STK...because every teen is flocking to the adult skewing steak house two years after its opened??? The tip is sent in, Gossip Girl blogs it and Serena reads the post the next morning.

Meanwhile Vanessa is getting deeper and deeper involved in Catherine (the cougar) and Nate's messy affair. While returning a bribe that Catherine dropped off at Vanessa's gallery to the Duke and Duchess home , Vanessa stumbles upon Catherine and Marcus (Catherine's stepson, yuck) in full-on foreplay mode. Vanessa is shocked, but not enough to stop her from snapping a camera phone picture. Armed with this most disturbing knowledge, Vanessa contacts the only person she knows who can turn this revelation into pure blackmail...namely Blair Waldorf. Blair instructs Vanessa to keep quiet about it and tell no one what she saw.

Entering "truce" territory, Dan and Serena decide to pair up and take out (again to STK) Amanda in an ill-fated attempt to debunk the tipsters who have Gossip Girl on speed dial. Of course the night ends up with Serena and Dan exchanging heated words and Amanda running out crying. Serena downs more than her weight in alcohol (without being carded) and instructs her posse of followers to run every bit of planned sabotage through her first. Serena has taken a turn for the 'darker', finally.

Vanessa becomes impatient waiting for Blair to exact revenge on the Lord and the Duchess. She takes it upon herself to tell the Duke that she discovered his wife making out with his stepson....Bye bye, Duchess! Both Marcus and Catherine are sent back to England, and Nate's financial future is back on shaky ground.

Blair is furious that Vanessa disobeyed her wishes, running the risk of outing Mr. Archibald's location. Vanessa's impatience could jeopardize Nate's entire family.

Cold shoulders are all the rage when it comes to Dan. Serena's reclaiming her position of queen bee at school, sending everyone to scatter and abide by her dictatorship...meaning exes are now enemies. Dan is left alone, friendless and confused. Serena's social takeover is crushing to Dan and crippling to Blair. Ms. Waldorf has been officially dethroned.

Our favorite quote?
"You're a born queen...this is your year to rule" -Chuck to Serena

Until next time, gossipers... (The CW).