Although "Gossip Girl" has been off the air for nearly four years, many people, especially young adult women, are still just as enthralled with it as when it aired in 2007. While I'm sure that everyone who enjoys the show does so for various reasons, I have my own that are specific to me. At the time of writing this article, I have seen all six seasons twice through and I've started watching it again with a friend.
1. Blair Waldorf
I identify with Blair Waldorf on a spiritual level. I aspire to her level of wit and bite because I'm just as sarcastic and dry as she is. I also have the most genuine closet envy when it comes to Blair. She is the definition of style goals, at least in my opinion.
2. Friendships
While there are many great examples of friendship on "Gossip Girl," the tumultuous relationship between Blair and Serena is my personal favorite. Through all of the drama of high school and college they manage to remain best friends, and it's honestly inspiring to see such a good embodiment of female friendship on the screen even if both characters are a bit problematic in their ways of expressing it.
3. Relatable
Though some of the show's scenarios fail to be universal simply because they exist within the universe of the upper class in New York City, many of the themes still translate to the lives of regular, everyday people. Heartbreak, betrayal, and low self-esteem are all issues that everyone faces at some point in life.
4. Lessons
The various lessons that the characters learn throughout the series also translate extremely well to everyday life. Some of the scenarios are exaggerated beyond what would likely happen, but the characters are good representations of real, flawed people. The characters and the lessons they learn provide a different level of depth to the show as a whole.
5. One-Liners
The line in the above gif is just one example of the plethora of witty comments and one-liners littered throughout the six seasons of "Gossip Girl." The complexity and nuances of the humor make the show even more enjoyable for me personally as a viewer, and it's all part of why I continue to return to the show.
6. Relationship Goals
While I can acknowledge that some things about the relationship between Chuck and Blair are problematic, I still love the many layers expressed between them. They grow both as individuals and as a couple through their relationship, and I personally believe that they end up in a strong, healthy place by the end of the series. I also think that I can want some aspects of Chuck Bass in a significant other without wanting the problematic parts.
Overall, I would definitely name "Gossip Girl" one of my all-time favorite shows. I'm sure that I will continue to return to it for years to come, as I truly love it in all of its dramatic complexity. For anyone who has yet to watch the show, I would (obviously) strongly encourage you to do so immediately; I doubt you'll regret it!
