Gossip Girl here, and she’s bringing in the latest news straight from the Upper East Side. Over six seasons, television would never be the same again, thanks to the ultra-fab and uber-rich of New York City. But daddy’s money has its consequences. A wad of Benjamins could easily buy fame and friends, but no amount of cash can save someone from the wrath of Gossip Girl.
Although the supposedly teen series may have earned its notoriety because of how it glamorizes underage drinking and excessive behavior, some episodes refreshingly stood out from the usual hedonistic escapades. Without further ado, here are the 10 best Gossip Girl episodes, ranked.
10
“Pilot”
Season 1, Episode 1 (2007)
The original Queen Bee, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively), finally returns to New York after mysteriously moving to Connecticut for boarding school. Her old circle is shocked at her abrupt appearance, but none more so than her “best friend” Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester). Blair feels threatened after discovering Serena once slept with her boyfriend, Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford). Outcasts Dan (Penn Badgley) and Jenny Humphrey (Taylor Momsen) try to find their place amongst the Upper East Side elite.
It can get tricky navigating the fluctuating social dynamics of the Upper East Side, but the show’s premiere episode lays down the groundwork well. Apart from setting the tone for Gossip Girl, the pilot episode does an exceptional job of establishing who the characters are and the relationships they share. It also strikes the right balance of drama, shock value, and nuance, preventing characters from being stuck in the wealthy-working-class binary, and showing that no matter how much wealth you accumulate, there will always be problems.
9
“The Wrong Goodbye”
Season 4, Episode 22 (2011)
As the aftermath of Blair’s accident slowly reveals itself, Chuck helps her through trauma. Whatever Blair wants, she gets. Serena admits her mistakes and reconciles with Blair, while Nate pursues a new media-driven path. Charlie’s secret identity is blown, causing a commotion among the family. As all of this is happening, Dan tries to figure out his true feelings for Blair.
It’s easy to use chaos as a shock value, but “The Wrong Goodbye” proves that emotional weight is just as powerful a tool. Chuck and Blair’s night spirals from danger to passion, only to end in sacrifice as Chuck lets her go. Meanwhile, Serena takes real ownership of her choices, while Dan’s secret manuscript threatens to uproot his place among the Upper East Side’s elite.
8
“Much ‘I Do’ About Nothing”
Season 1, Episode 18 (2008)
Georgina tries to ruin Serena by exposing her past, but Serena decides to tell Dan the truth about accidentally killing someone. Dan feels betrayed by the mess Serena puts him into and breaks things off with her. Blair finally reunites with Chuck, but he runs away in fear of commitment. Rufus confesses his feelings to Lily, but she chooses to go through with her wedding to Bart.
Before “Much ‘I Do’ About Nothing,” Georgina (played by Michelle Trachtenberg) has been latching onto Serena and the gang like a parasite, waiting for the right moment to suck them dry. Serena could barely do anything about it — after all, she was there when Georgina got someone killed. But for the first time, Blair and Dan team up to pull off a devilish revenge scheme. Surprising for Dan, but for Blair, it’s just another normal day.
7
“The Dark Night”
Season 2, Episode 3 (2008)
A citywide blackout puts a glamorous party on hold…
6
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On the anniversary of Bart’s death…
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Chuck tries to be his own man…
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“Last Tango…” is a never-ending chain reaction…
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With their togas on…
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“The End…” jumps between present-day suspicion…
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“New York…” doesn’t skimp on shocking chaos…
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