As anyone who has spent quality time delving into a TV series knows, there are the characters who we love, and then there the are characters who we love to hate. The highly popular CW series "Gossip Girl" is certainly no exception. Below you will find what I consider the definitive ranking of the men of "Gossip Girl," based on their good deeds and shortcomings as characters. Fair warning though, this ranking will be chalk full of spoiler alerts so if you are currently watching Blair and Serena's misadventures on Netflix, exit out now or forever hold your peace!
The Love Interests
1. Chuck Bass
Almost no "Gossip Girl" phrase is as iconic as "I'm Chuck Bass." Chuck is perhaps one of the most fleshed out characters with both a penchant for unsavory situations and yet a heart of gold that develops and grows throughout the seasons. And who could fault him for his tireless and passionate love for Blair?
2. Nate Archibald
Nate Archibald simply does not have a mean bone in his body and always attempts to do the right thing, despite his family members knack for bending the rules. It's no wonder those blue eyes charmed tens of girls throughout the seasons.
3. Daniel Humphrey
Dan is a complicated character--he starts off a Brooklyn ingenue but develops an ego to match his rise to popularity. At times it is hard to like his petty and resentful nature, but he will always have flecks of the unassuming boy who followed Serena Van Der Woodsen around doe-eyed.
4. Eric Van Der Woodsen
Part-time little brother, part-time schemer, even when Eric falls prey to Little J's mind games, he will always be full-time good person,
5. Ben Donovan
Another character whose personality functioned as a double-edged sword. Ben was both friend and foe at one point or another but ultimately his truly good character prevailed and he exited the show positively.
6. Carter Baizen
Admittedly slimy at times, Carter showed a more mature side of himself when he agreed to pay penance for his scheme on his ex-fiance.
7. Tripp Van Der Bilt
He may be related to Nate, but Tripp lost pretty much all credibility when he left Serena for dead on the side of the road and then tried to injure Nate in an accident that cost Blair her baby. This is one politician who truly stopped at nothing to win his office.
8. Damien Dalgaard
Though he helped the clan when Serena almost overdosed on drugs that he sold, he lost his silver lining when he repeatedly tried to frame his missteps on others in an effort to escape his father's wrath.
9. Lord Marcus
A liar, a cheater, and all things that make relationships implode.
10. Louis Grimaldi
Sure. Louis' entrance onto "Gossip Girl" as the prince that Blair has always wanted is nice enough but when he tells Blair that their marriage is simply a business proposal, he goes from knight-in-shining-armor to the Dark Knight.
The Family Men
1. Harold Waldorf and Cyrus Rose
These two tie for number one, as their only concern throughout the show is being a good father to Blair.
2. Rufus Humphrey
Rufus is certainly not free from controversy, but tries so incredibly hard to be a good father and act as a moral compass to those around him.
3. Howard Archibald A.K.A, the captain
At first, the Captain acts like a coward and attempts to flee his jail time but later owns up to his mistakes and is a better person for it,
4. William Van Der Bilt
Sometimes shady, sometimes reliable grandfather. You never know with this guy.
5. Bart Bass and William Van Der Woodsen
Serena's dad and (one of) her stepdad(s) tie for sleaziest "Gossip Girl" family man with their consistent habit of betraying their loved ones in favor of whatever they want.
