Blair is head over heels in love with her new boyfriend even though he treats her like dirt, worrying her friends, especially Jo, who makes quite the effort to snap her out of it.
This episode contains examples of:
- Downer Ending: Narrowly averted at the last minute. Chad calls in the end, and Blair picks up the phone from Jo ready to accept, but then after a pause, doesn't say anything and hangs up, leaving the dirtbag behind for good.
- Extreme Doormat: Blair lets Chad walk all over her, from his snide comments about what clothes she should wear, or telling her what hairstyles to have, to making excuses for him when he rudely abandons her for another girl while on their date.
- Jerkass: Chad is absolutely appalling, the way he talks to Blair makes it seem as though he views her as an object and not a person.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Blair is fanatically devoted to Chad, more so than any other guy she's dated, to the point of actually saying (right after he snubbed her during their date) that if he doesn't call her, she'll just die. Her friends are horrified that the once proud Blair is practically begging a guy who doesn't deserve her for his love. Thankfully Jo is able to get her back to her senses.
- The Perfectionist: A deconstruction. The real reason why Blair is so obsessed with Chad is because he is the first guy she ever met that didn't think that she was perfect and criticized her. This results in Blair doing everything she can to earn his approval in spite of the fact that she doesn't need it.
- Staging an Intervention: When Blair hears that Chad is half-heartedly offering her an invite to a ski trip, the girls and Mrs. Garrett strongly object and tell her not to take it, telling her that no matter what she says or feels, Chad is not right for her, and that she needs to let him go.
- We Need a Distraction: Blair's friends offer to do everything to take her mind off Chad's invitation, Jo even lets Blair paint makeup all over her face.
- What Does She See in Him?: The girls and Mrs. Garrett are stupefied as to why Blair is so attracted to Chad in spite of the fact that he is a complete asshole.
