Spotted: Gossip Girl Fails to Impress—Not so Classy Afterall

What do you call it when you are hooked to something in inexplicable ways, but when you try to give a reason to the addiction, a thick layer of mental fog engulfs you?

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That's how I felt when I binge-watched the popular teen drama, Gossip Girl. I might have related to it in a better way if I had watched it as a teen. The complexity, vulnerability, absurd emotions and decisions of that rebellious period of life can be better understood by the people who are presently in that phase.

I didn't realize the irrationalness in my personality when I was the one wearing Converse to everything, religiously following trends, and trying hard to fit in with the coolest group, even if that meant compromising my own personality. No, I wasn't Jenny Humphrey of my time. I could relate to Dan though in a way—trying to get recognized through academic achievements. Thankfully, my school wasn't Constance, where only the filthy rich survived, and unlike Dan, I didn't have to be mean to find my ground. I simply had to ace in academics.

I could write pages on why I couldn't relate to the show, but even if I did, still there were so many things that didn't sit well with me.

Four of the main characters in the show have been best friends since kindergarten. Yet, they betray each other on extreme levels whenever and whenever they see fit. It's hard to judge who's the good one; in one situation, if a friend acts like the meanest jerk, then in another, he/she becomes the most selfless. They are so unpredictable, you can never rely on any of them. They humiliate you, even ruin your life but what sickens me is that they always forgive each other. Forgiving is good, but some damages can't be undone, especially when done repeatedly. Yeah, I'm talking about the ridiculous friendship of Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. It's funny how they ruin each other's important days repeatedly just to prove a point and start over when there's no drama anymore. Perhaps it's an elite thing which a mediocre like me can't wrap my brain around.

Besides toxic friendships, another thing which sickens me is that this group of so-called best friends and almost all other characters can't keep their pants on. Almost everyone has slept with everyone at some point except Chuck and Serena. I almost laughed when this fact was explicitly mentioned in the last episodes as if it was an achievement. C'mon, have some decency and leave the exes of your best friends; if not them, then at least leave their current love interests alone.

There is not a single character in the show who's not a cheater or a liar. So much so, we have seasoned blackmailers like Blair who manipulate every damn situation and person. I abhorred her character from the start, but it became less appalling when others stole her light by being equally manipulative later on in the show. Rufus is decent of all, in my opinion, but his character lacked depth when he became the "trophy husband".

There's no moral compass for over-privileged students who spend more time scheming and partying than in studies because why would they when they could easily blackmail their way into any of the Ivies, even if they had potential which was channelled towards all the wrong things.

Let's talk about love interests...

Lily and Rufus—doomed from the beginning. I'm amazed they survived plenty of time together as a couple when both of them liked to live life according to their own hardcore rules and beliefs.

Serena and Dan—one word, "sick". They were all cute in the beginning but the moment they found out about sharing a half-sibling, they were not interesting anymore. Plus, Dan was right about Serena being shallow in his exposé. Her character was charming, but later, she kind of fulfilled the blond stereotype of the "dumb blonde" by never doing the right thing and having absurd reactions in critical situations. Dan wasn't the best but he deserved someone better than Serena or someone more like him, Vanessa perhaps.

Nate Archibald—the golden boy was another shallow character, not entirely honest but a better friend than most. He should have ended up with Serena making a golden couple—gorgeous but shallow. His love interests were mostly absurd and never serious enough. He would ignore all the red flags but then get offended like a child over a simple thing and would break up in a heartbeat.

Chuck and Blair— a swoon-worthy love affair which got boring when dragged. It was super annoying seeing their drama; Chuck is ready, but Blair isn't. Blair is ready, Chuck isn't. Chuck is ready, Blair isn't. Blair is ready, Chuck isn't. What the hell, it's now or never. I don't understand how external affairs can decide if two people can be together or not when nothing affect their relationship directly. It's better to fight your demons together.

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I don't know why I was hooked, maybe because of the few surprising elements like Gossip Girl's identity, Chuck's family secrets and I lowkey looked forward to the Lily's elegant fashion sense.

XOXO,
Disappointed Viewer.