PSA: I'm watching Gossip Girl for the first time
Yes, for the very first time.
Every time I’ve told someone this over the past few weeks, their minds are blown. I decided that during the time people were tuning in (circa 2012/2013-ish), I was watching The Office, Parks and Recreation, and other sit-coms that didn’t have anything to do with extremely rich baby adults, acting like baby adults, all over Manhattan (and Brooklyn if you’re a Humphrey).
Shows like Gossip Girl can be daunting to start, even more so at this age. There are a million episodes, multiple seasons, so many characters to keep up with, and a multitude of plotlines to follow. With a content plate as full as mine, ranging from Real Housewives of assorted cities to also keeping up with Netflix reality shows, YouTube vlogs of influencers I still love, and the endless TikTok scroll, I didn’t think I would have the time.
I should’ve known that I was wrong from this initial feeling, considering I’ve been wrong about it many times. The list of shows I previously thought I was too busy for includes—but are not limited to—Succession, Veep, the Real Housewives of New York City, the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Vanderpump Rules, and so on. What else do all of those have in common? They are the best shows I’ve ever seen.
I can’t exactly pinpoint what drove me to click Season 1, Episode 1 of Gossip Girl, I think it was a combination of being home for Thanksgiving, being reunited with the television in my childhood room, and having a few days of solitude without being tied down to any other programming. It was the perfect storm that led me to the Upper East Side, circa 2007.
On paper, Gossip Girl is the perfect show for Olivia Hawkins. It takes place in New York City, where I currently live, there is an insane—now archival—designer wardrobe, the people are extremely attractive, there is nothing but drama and scandal, the characters have nothing but money, and the twists and turns are enough to leave me verbally reacting during my solo viewing experiences. If anything involves love triangles, affairs, Lady Dior bags, and white-collar crime, it’s going to have me hooked.
As I currently make my way through the end of Season 2 into the beginning of Season 3, I’ve found myself forming strong opinions on the cast and their characters. Yes, I know who Gossip Girl is, but that isn’t the point of the show. I’m pretty sure the writers decided to pin it on Dan at the eleventh hour, because so far, it doesn’t matter who Gossip Girl is. What matters is quite literally everything else.
Here are my favorite parts of the show thus far:
Chuck and Blair:
So far, what’s really roped me in is the will they-won’t they of Chuck and Blair (I know how that ends too, but it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it for now), how Chuck would do anything for Blair and hates the rest of the world, and how throughout every high and low, they’re able to be there for each other. From the death of his father to her getting rejected from the school of her dreams, they are the definition of end game. I truly thought it would be painful for me to watch the slow burn of them that has been two seasons, but I’ve been obsessed with every second.
Eric van der Woodsen
Serena having a gay brother was also a great way to rope me in with viewership. I love his relationship with Chuck, and I love how good of a sister Serena is to him, even when she’s being slightly insufferable. He comes along at the perfect times to give a grounding remark to the weird, incestual crowd that is the van der Woodsen/Humphrey family , and he does a great job keeping Jenny in check, which is no easy feat.
Cameos (like this one from Tinsley Mortimer)
As you all know by now, I’m a real housewives fanatic. So, a cameo from prime-time Tinsley Mortimer was an absolute delight upon starting Season 2. There have been a lot of great cameos so far, including Cyndi Lauper at Blair’s birthday party for Dorota (special mention for Dorota), Ivanka and Jared Kushner, and Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin.
It’s been really fun to see all of the places I recognize as well since living here. Nate and Chuck playing basketball at the court next to my local Whole Foods that my roommates and I have dubbed “Cement Park”, Chuck Bass opening a burlesque club inside of The Box nightclub on Chrystie Street, Nate teaching Blair how to use the subway outside of what’s now the Kith Store on Lafayette and Bleecker. It’s also been fun to identify what Blair and Serena are wearing, whether it’s a slouchy designer hobo I’ve saved on TheRealReal, or a tragic logo scarf with a loose tie over a plain long sleeve shirt.
Not to be dramatic, but this show has already changed my life. As I have many seasons to go, I’m excited, no longer intimidated or overwhelmed by how much is left. Now if you’ll excuse me, as Serena would say—I have to go.
Xoxo.