Gossip Girl is a show full of scandals, twists, and toxic behaviour but that’s also what makes it fun to watch! Here, we rank the moral compasses of the main characters:
12. Rufus Humphrey
Rufus is the face of moral standards. He doesn’t reject high society per se, but will not compromise his values. Maybe due to his age, but he once he knows he’s been disrespected (*cough* Ivy *cough*), there is no turning back. He will take action to ensure that the pendulum swings back the good side. We admire that about Rufus. Only -1 in points for cheating with Lily but what can we expect, this IS Gossip Girl after all.
11. Eric Van Der Woodsen
Eric may have had internal struggles but he’s definitely the least problematic character and a good supporting system for those around that are struggling which would’ve been really shocking if he created Gossip Girl like the writers originally planned. We wish Eric was OUR little brother.
10. Nate Archibald
Nate is the wholesome hunk that all the girls at Constance fall for. What’s not to love – he’s genuine and sweet but sometimes just a bit naive – often finding out he’s been manipulated a little too late. Nate did cheat in multiple relationships though but for someone who is surrounded by toxic behaviour, this trust fund baby is an angel in comparison. He also developed a backbone over time by cutting off ties with family and friends once he recognizes they crossed a line. Maybe in time, his BS meter will be at Rufus’s level. We believe in this future mayor of New York!
9. Vanessa Abrams
At first, the gorgeous and smart friend of Dan’s from Brooklyn was an appealing character for advocating standing your moral high ground but as the show went on, Vanessa became disliked by pretty much everyone. Not only did she come off stuck up, but became a catty and targeted girls whom she became jealous of. Her character had potential but we were ultimately not impressed.
8. Jenny Humphrey
Jenny started out being the innocent freshman at Constance who just wanted to fit in but unfortunately, fell victim to the scheming ways of the Upper East Side and started playing the same games as the ones who hurt her. Jenny also has a dark side, being too ambitious in following her dreams as a fashion designer that she is willing to burn any bridges that stood in the way. Without the guidance of her family, the Brooklyn native amounted to act illogically like sleeping with Chuck. Despite all the mess, we know Jenny has a good heart and just needs to break away from the toxicity of the rich.
7. Serena Van Der Woodsen
Serena may seem problematic at first glance having slept with her best friend’s boyfriend and known for being a party girl but she is genuinely nice which makes her so likeable. As things come easily for her due to her natural charisma, the “it girl” never really has to scheme. But when the blonde beauty doesn’t get what she wants, Serena can become the MOST toxic as we see in season 5 where she publishes Blair’s diary on Gossip Girl just to ruin her reputation or broadcasts her sex tape with Dan to break him and Blair up.
6. Lily Van Der Woodsen Bass
Lily, being the motherly figure who wants the best for her kids but her understanding of what is “best” is usually tied what is “rich.” She has shown kindness over the years like helping Chuck get his empire back but also done unforgivable things like putting an innocent man in jail just so her daughter can attend private school.
5. Blair Waldorf
The Queen B likely traumatized the girls at Constance – whether it be dictating their fashion choices, getting a teacher fired, or manipulating classmates to score worse on the SAT. As we see more of what’s behind the popular girl facade, we learn that Blair is merely just a control freak motivated by a need to succeed. She is downright vicious at times and always scheming to put herself at the top but has a soft spot for the people she loves and will fearlessly defend her tribe.
4. Chuck Bass
Chuck is a complicated character. He starts out the show being a womanizer, wasting money on strippers at clubs. It wasn’t until Blair came into his life that he softens up but even then, the Bass Industries heir made terrible decisions over and over again due to his need for greed and power – with the worse being trading Blair for a hotel. Chuck at the end of the day gets revenge on whoever is in his way of his business but he is fair. He will never owe anyone anything and for the people he loves, the CEO would go miles.
3. Georgina Sparks
Georgina is painted as wicked in the show which she downright is most of the time. One of the sketchiest things she’s done is pretending that Dan fathered her baby. Most of her plot lines revolve around her wanting to take someone else down which is malicious but it’s usually just motivated by boredom more than anything else.
2. Dan Humphrey
Dan is supposedly a character with strong morals – encouraging those around them to do the right thing while showing prejudice against those who deviate from them. The Brooklyn native would score very high on the list if it wasn’t for the fact that he IS Gossip Girl. This means he lied to all his friends and family for years, posting their dirty secrets and encouraged scandals. – all this just to fit in with the wealthy kids he so heavily judged. Chuck, Blair, Serena, and Nate may not always do the right thing, but they have an excuse. Their actions can be attributed to being privileged, therefore taking short cuts their whole lives. But Dan clearly knows right from wrong and chose to do worse than all the people he judged because he turned his back against those who trusted him.
1. Bart Bass
Bart at first just seems cold but towards the end, we learn that he is straight up evil. The billionaire shows no remorse for anyone who gets in his way and even tried to kill his own son by making it look like an “accident.” Bart’s death signifies that the wealthy may get away with many things, but they cannot escape karma.
Do you agree with our list?
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