Gossip Girl returns January 24, or two weeks from this coming Monday. Below are the CW's photos from the first episode of the new year, "The Kids Are Not All Right."

There is blackmail. There is intrigue. There is a new woman in Chuck's life. Blair and Dan will become closer, as will Serena and Ben. It's going to be a wild rest of the season.

Click to enlarge the photos (the mysterious new figures are Tika Sumpter as Raina Thorpe and Michael Boatman as Russell Thorpe) here and tell us what you think ...

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.