Quoted from the man himself, "3 words, 8 letters, say it and I'm yours." You've won our hearts, Chuck Bass, paisley pajamas and all.
Unrealistic expectations? Check. A fictional love you'll always have a slight attachment too? Oh yes.
In your Netflix experience, you may or may not have come across a quaint sitcom called Gossip Girl. Based in the Upper East Side, the show follows 4 young adults as they experience life, love, and growing up as heirs to young money and blossoming socialites. For any fans who've gawked, screamed, cried, or admired (or all of the above) in response to one of its six deliciously scandalous seasons, it's just about impossible to not have some sort of emotional attachment to one particular character: Chuck Bass.
Chuck Bass, the man who easily set unrealistic but nevertheless emotionally satisfying standards for relationships. The mysterious son of hotel tycoon Bart Bass; known for his consistent business attire (but those suits, UNF) and soap opera-style voice, this iconic character has easily won the hearts of girls across the country. But what makes him so great? And why does the line "But I'm Chuck Bass" have such a nice ring to it?
Let's first address his choice of pajamas. If there's one person who can make paisley nightwear sexy, it's him. Add along a glass of scotch and a witty one-liner about A. some sort of ordeal involving traveling or money, B. recent drama on the Upper East Side, or C. his relentless love for Blair Waldorf, and you've essentially got an order of Chuck Bass with a side of your own unhealthy obsession. Sure, he's easy on the eyes when he's sporting the designer suit and coordinating tie, but it truly takes an act of skill (and a bit of fan girling) to make a navy robe and silk button-up appealing. I mean, add an old pipe and 60 years of age onto the guy and you've basically got your grandfather. But then again, he is the one and only Chuck Bass, and if anyone can do it, he can.
Which brings me to the next pro, his suits. And suspenders. And sleek hair. And that charming persona in general. Half the time you want him to end up happily in love with Blair while the other half you're secretly planning your own wedding with him. Season one offers a more, let's say juvenile portrayal of him, during his pre-debonnaire transition. Before he traded in basketball shorts for neck ties, Chuck was the troublemaker of Constance Prep School, with schemes always up his sleeve. Two years later, he's moved from having a pool party in the school natatorium to disappearing off to Europe for the summer. If that doesn't say dark-badboy-aka-let-me-love-you, I don't know what does.
As mysterious and honestly broken as his character may be, one of the more heartwarming aspects of the show involves his relentless love for fellow Upper East Sider, Blair Waldorf. A fashion queen with wit and connivery to match his own, Blair proves to be the perfect complement for Chuck's stubborn character. Where she rocks the designer headband and perfectly styled hair, he sports the suit while they both whip up a scheme to essentially stir things up with generally good intentions. She portrays patience (as much as any girl our age can) while they both seem lost of who they are individually and what they want to be together. It's an emotional roller coaster, but a worthwhile one in the end.
And the peonies on the Empire State. Ladies, if a man literally waits for you at the top of the Empire State Building with a bouquet of your favorite flowers, you wed that. No question. Like, marry that with the cliche, overdone and probably overlyexpensive Pinterest weddings, because he is a keeper (and husband material at that). One of the most memorable episodes of the entire show involves Chuck dramatically, but nevertheless patiently, waiting for the love of his life to meet him at the top of the building to greet her with her favorite flowers. If there's one reason to watch Gossip Girl, it's for the love of Chuck and Blair. Even if at least 17 million other girls secretly hope he'll marry them instead.
Lastly, who else has a dog named Monkey? Throughout his scheming, lying, debauchery, you name it, he finds a soft spot by adopting a dog and growing closer with him throughout the show. The two together make for a easily prescribed overdose of cuteness.
You keep doin' you, boo.
