(S02E09) “There Might be Blood”

When I was in elementary school my mom wouldn’t let me watch Saved by the Bell. I’m pretty sure that reruns of 90210 were off the table too. Regardless of how much of a fuss I put up about the importance of watching this show that “everyone” else was watching, mom held firm until I reached an older age. Her reason being? Basically that the show depicted an unrealistic view of what relationships were really about. First Zach’s all over Kelly, and then suddenly he’s all over six other girls before going back to Kelly. If this was what teenagers of the time were doing, mom wanted no part of it. Makes me wonder how mom would feel about Gossip Girl.

Surely today’s elementary and middle school lunch tables are being surrounded by little girls envious of the lives Lil J, Blair and Serena are living. They’re probably also pining over the beautiful boys with names like Dan, Nate and bad boy Chuck. But do they get how distorted this show really is? How damaging it could be if watched by a young impressionable mind still seeking out the truth in life?

Now I know, times have changed. Babies are having babies, teenagers are drinking like the best of any college crew and I’m also sure that blackmail is being flung around like gossip in crowded school hallways. The truth is though, this isn’t something to praise by featuring in our home screens each week as a drama to be watched and enjoyed. These type of plot lines should be seriously examined and used as an example of what not to do these days.

So yea, in tonight’s episode things were kept interesting. Jenny moved away from a very good family life to pursue her dreams (at the age of 15 mind you), Serena had daggers thrown at her but didn’t seem to mind as long as Blair made it through another day with the perception of perfection, and Dan sacrificed Chuck – a living, breathing, feeling individual – in order to make his own dreams come true. And sure, maybe some weak attempt at proving a point that sex should be performed with a individual that you love, not just out of sport, could be perceived amidst the Blair and Emma drama. A noble point, if you can find it among all the other smut.

The problem is, if you want to see anything of value in the twisted dramatic plot lines of Gossip Girl you’d really have to search. And who wants to put that much time into a half an hour show? As for me, I’ll continue watching it with a mature perspective and appreciation for nice clothing. Why will you be tuning in?

XOXO~Dena