Must Watch: Gossip Girl
The show Gossip Girl has maintained enduring popularity among young adults ever since its debut on the small screen almost ten years ago. Taking place on the Upper East Side, it showcases the stories of students at an elite preparatory school, most of whom come from very affluent families. The students on the show live a very different life from that of normal teens of their age: drinking martinis, cutting class, smoking pot and frequent shopping sprees. Most of all, they gossip. The television series depicts the impact of social media on one’s reputation as a high school student.
The show starts off with several main characters. Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass and Nate Archibald live on the Upper East side with vast amounts of money and power. These four youngsters rule their society through cell phones and limousines, but at what cost?
Serena Van Der Woodsen, played by Blake Lively, is the daughter of William and Lily Van Der Woodsen. Her mother has been divorced and remarried numerous times, which drove Serena to a lifestyle of drugs and partying. After one unfortunate incident, she leaves for boarding school, only to return home because of her brother’s suicide attempt. Blair Waldorf, played by Leighton Meester, has a reputation for being the “Queen Bee.” Like Serena, she only lives with her mom due to her parents’ divorce. Blair tries to work her way up the social ladder through her bossy attitude and brutal honesty. Chuck Bass, played by Ed Westwick, grew up in the spotlight as the only son of a self-made billionaire and uses that money to party and manipulate others. Nate Archibald, played by Chace Crawford, was born to Howard and Anne Archibald. Howard, a successful businessman, pushes Nate to go to Dartmouth, even though Nate has plans elsewhere. Later on, Nate learns that his father always maintains a calm demeanor because he is taking drugs. These kinds of problems lead the main characters to make risky decisions.
Gossip Girl also includes interesting secondary characters, like Dan Humphrey and his sister, Jenny. They are primarily looked after by their single father, Rufus, who has his own share of mixed experiences with the upper class. Together, they reside in Brooklyn and commute to school daily using public transportation, unlike their richer peers. The contrast of the characters’ economic classes makes the show all too real. It underscores the barriers middle-class students face, and their immense struggle to fit in. Simultaneously, Dan serves as an underdog, who inspires the viewer with his academic success and hard work. His romantic encounters with Serena spice up the show, which effectively uses the one cliche that never goes out of style: that love can overlook anything and beat nearly impossible obstacles.
As if the characters’ lives were not already dramatic enough, the show centers around Gossip Girl and their blog. Gossip Girl is an anonymous presence throughout most of the show, but their blogging is far from irrelevant. A single story from Gossip Girl can ruin a character’s life and reputation. The show depicts how privacy and secrets are impossible to maintain with today’s technological advancements. The blog helps exploit the “elite” of the Upper East Side, exposing their darkest secrets. Gossip Girl adds tension to the show. Nothing happens without Gossip Girl knowing about it.
Overall, Gossip Girl is an ideal show for high schoolers to binge-watch. The added mystery of trying to uncover Gossip Girl’s identity drives the show. Viewers not only gain insight into life as a student at a prestigious institution, but they also get to witness the dark side of the social media age.