Petty in Pink delves into the deteriorating friendship between Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) and Vanessa Abrams (Jessica Szohr), amends and reflections that Lily Humphrey (Kelly Rutherford) slowly absorbs as her house arrest soon makes her realize, Charlie Rhodes' (Kaylee DeFer) integration into the world of the Upper East Side, the continued dilemma that Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) faces as he continues to hold on to the burdening secret of his legacy as well as the impact it might cause to Raina Thorpe (Tika Sumpter), and the fairytale romance between Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Louis Grimaldi (Hugo Becker).
The opening montage shows Blair Waldorf preparing for her date with Louis, having received the heel that she gave him as a parting gift from Paris.
Lily van der Woodsen (Kelly Rutherford) finds herself under house arrest in her apartment, spending time through online shopping and preparing the Pink Party, a cancer awareness charity event.
Insisting that she couldn't have mistaken Dan for someone else, Serena praises her work but Charlie excuses herself, saying that she'll be staying to scout out New York University.
At a diner, Nate, Chuck and Raina confront a waitress who fits her mother's description but finds a case of mistaken identity.
The closing montage shows Blair convincing Louis that she loves him and make their relationship public, Dan shutting out Vanessa and severing ties with her while letting Charlie stay for a drink, Serena calling Louis' driver, and Chuck watching the security tapes that recorded the night of Avery Thorpe's disappearance.
[2] New York Magazine praised the Roger Vivier heel that Blair wore from the Paris story arc, calling it a "recap-worthy memory.
"[2] InStyle reported news of the clothing for the cast to wear for a cancer awareness-month themed episode that would host a pink party for the set.
[4] Leighton Meester would make another memorable outfit for InStyle wearing a pink dress designed by Oscar de la Renta and a Swarovski necklace.
[5] An Oscar de la Renta-designed gown had previously been used for the season's second episode, Double Identity that Meester had worn for the Paris story arc.
[7] During the opening montage, Leighton Meester wore a Dior printed dress paired with Badgley Mischka shoes.
Further praise went to Ed Westwick, whose performance as Chuck Bass was compared to a Howard Hughes routine but one that "continues to sell [it] so well".