On the first anniversary of Bart Bass' death, Chuck wrestles with the dilemma of following his conscience, or that of his father. Serena runs away with Trip where they hide out at his cottage on Long Island. During Trip and Serena's drive back to New York, an argument between them brings a terrible tragedy when Serena is seriously injured in a car accident and Trip flees from the scene. Back in New York, Dan and Vanessa attempt to navigate their newly complicated friendship when Dan seeks a new potential relationship with one of Vanessa's friends. Elsewhere, Eric and Kira make work his plan to dethrone Jenny. Also, the relationship between Lily and Rufus deteriorates even more when he discovers the letter from Serena's father.