Xoxo, Gossip Girl

Though I have already seen every episode of Gossip Girl, I am currently re-watching the sixth and final season.  Though it may be considered a "teen drama" it is a story I will always hold close to my heart.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it takes place in New York City on the Upper East Side and all the characters are very much city people.  I am a city girl, so it may resignate with me.  I also have gathered lots of important lessons from the somewhat unrealistic plot line.  I have a composed a list of characters and their traits before I dive into this in depth conversation (I have a passion for Gossip Girl, what can I say?):

Main Characters:

Gossip Girl: The faceless person who runs the website.  The website chronicles all the Upper East Siders and releases all their secrets.  People on the streets simply text or send in tips to Gossip Girl and it is then published on the site.

Serena van der Woodsen: Golden Girl.  One of the most popular girls on the Upper East Side.  She lacks a prominent father figure, so she is always dating and often gets herself into trouble.

Blair Waldorf: Queen B.  Literally, she is the queen of the Upper East Side, and Serena's best friend.  Blair is very ambitious and aspires to be like Audrey Hepburn and other classic icons.

Chuck Bass: Also known as Charles, Chuck is the antihero for the first couple seasons.  He drinks a lot and has many family problems.  He has no mother, but his father owns the Bass Empire (hotels).  Chuck is Blair's love interest for the majority of the show.

Nate Archibald: Good old Nathaniel.  He is Chuck's best friend, and dated both Serena and Blair.  His family is a prominent one of the Upper East Side (especially in politics) and while Nate occasionally gets into trouble, he could be considered a Golden Boy.

Dan Humphrey: The outsider from Brooklyn.  He struggles to fit in, but falls madly in love with Serena and is forced to fit in.  He has a brief relationship with Blair.  Dan is also a writer.

Minor Characters:

Lily van der Woodsen:  Or Humphrey.  Or Bass.  It is hard to tell.  She is Serena's mother and while she is rich and well known, she has been married one too many times.

Dorota: She is the Waldorf's maid and is always assisting Blair in all things.

Jenny Humphrey: Poor Little J.  Dan's younger sister. She tries to fit in with Blair but ultimately fails.  She even has a brief relationship with Nate.  Jenny then finds a love for fashion designing and moves to London in the middle of the series.

Rufus Humphrey: Dan and Jenny's father.  He was apart of a rock band in nineties.  Rufus falls for Lily and they are married for a little bit.

Georgina Sparks: An old "friend" of Serena's.  Hated by many but becomes likable by the end of the series.  She is often stirring up trouble, but also assists the main characters.  Georgina briefly dates Dan.

Eric van der Woodsen: Only on for a few seasons.  Serena's younger brother and Lily's son.  He comes out at the end of the first season and becomes good friends with Jenny.

Vanessa Abrams: One of Dan's best childhood friends.  She dates Dan and even Nate.  She is also an outsider and decides she does not like or belong on the Upper East Side.

Bart Bass: Chuck's billionaire of a father.  Has a poor relationship with his son and is very mysterious. Bart marries Lily after her divorce from Rufus.

Jack Bass: Bart's younger brother and Chuck's "Uncle Jack."  He has a thing for Blair, which upsets Chuck greatly, but he also becomes more likable as the seasons go by.

Eleanor Waldorf: Blair's successful, fashion designer mother.  She created Waldorf Designs, but is often away in Paris.

Cyrus Rose: Eleanor's new husband and Blair's step father.  He is a kind man that treats Blair as if she is his own daughter.

Ivy Dickens: Ultimate antagonist.  Is paid to pretend to be Lola Rhodes, Serena's cousin.  Ivy always causes problems for the Upper East Siders.

There are many other smaller characters, but I did not include them in the list because they only appear in a few episodes.

Blair Waldorf.  She is always dressed impeccably.  I envy her wardrobe like no other. 
A true queen that is able to rule with Chuck.











Serena van der Woodsen.
The blonde socialite.  Almost
always smiling (except when
her life is in shambles, so often).

                   

       Chuck Bass.  The billionaire, rule setter of
  the UES, and most importantly, Blair's other half.                                                

   Nate Archibald.  The golden boy from
what seems like a golden (in reality 
dysfunctional) family.  A loyal friend.

         Dan Humphrey.  The outsider
from Brooklyn turned successful 
writer and close friend to the other
four.

Lily van der Woodsen

Dorota

     

                                                                      

Rufus Humphrey

Eric van der Woodsen

Vanessa Abrams

               

Bart Bass

Jack Bass

Eleanor Waldorf

Ivy Dickens

Cyrus Rose

Jenny Humphrey  

  

       

Georgina Sparks

Gossip Girl plagues all the characters in the show by reporting rumors (and sometimes harsh truths) about them for all of the Upper East Side to read.  She (or he, who's to know?) watches the socialites every moves and records all their most recents scandals.  Yet, Gossip Girl also aids the characters at some points, since she knows everything about everyone.

Out of every couple on Gossip Girl,  one always triumphs the other and for me that couple would have to be Chuck and Blair.   There  romance is so true and powerful and overall very passionate.  What makes it most amazing is the fact that Blair is a girl who always appears strong and in control   and Chuck seems to be the unemotional, all powerful man.  Yet when they are together, Blair is weak and even Chuck is vulnerable.  It is such a powerful love story even that has touched the 
heart of every fan.  After looking at some of Chair's (their couple name) finest moments, I dare you to say that they are not  perfect together.

Their reaction when you say that they aren't the world's
cutest fictional couple to walk the earth.

 Also, I must admit the strong friendships in the show are something to look up to.  Yes, there may be a little too many fights, but what can you expect amongst the glitz and wealth of the UES?  Sometimes their friendships and relationships may seem to complicated and hard to follow, but overall you can admire this group of friends that has stuck together for years and years and even out of high school.  At the end of it all, the characters have one another's backs.

So yes, I agree Gossip Girl may just be another television show, but it has taught me a lot.  When you look past all the unrealistic drama that occurs, the show does have value to it. 
I learned the value of a strong family bond and how grateful I am to have a good family.  I also saw how not having a family to rely on can truly damage a person.
I learned that friendship is sacred, and that no matter what, it is important to stand by your true friends.  It is also easy to tell who your real friends are, if you pay close attention.
I also learned quite a lot about fashion ;)
But, most importantly, I learned something about myself.  Even when times are tough and the world may seem to be letting you down, you have to stay strong.  You have to believe in yourself.

I know this was a completely random post, but I enjoyed putting it together.  Overall, the show had some powerful messages I gathered.  
I decided to come up with this post because I am watching the show again and got inspired.  It will always be one of my favorite shows.  Maybe I will come up with one for Glee (even though the cast is ridiculously huge!) because it is another one of my all time favorite shows.  It also has many important life lessons, because it deals with real high school and adult world problems (aside from randomly bursting into song multiple times throughout the day).  So, that's all.  Until next time xxx.  (Or should I say, xoxo, Gossip Girl).