Gossip Girl was a popular teen drama that aired from 2007-2012 on the CW network. It followed the lives of privileged teenagers on the Upper East Side in New York City. The show revolved around the complicated friendship between Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, who were the queen bees at the elite Constance Billard School for Girls.
Introduction to Serena and Blair
Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf were best friends and ruled the school together as the “it girls” of the Upper East Side. However, they had a tumultuous and competitive relationship throughout the course of the show.
Serena van der Woodsen was the “it girl” who mysteriously disappeared to boarding school before returning to reign over the Upper East Side once again. She was beautiful, charming, and carefree. Serena came from an extremely wealthy family – her mother Lily was a famous socialite and her brother Eric was also a student at the elite St. Jude’s School for Boys.
In contrast, Blair Waldorf was the queen bee and daughter of a fashion designer. She was smart, scheming, and strived for perfection. Blair ran the Met Steps, a secret society at their school where girls competed for a top spot in the high school social hierarchy. She aimed to attend Yale University, prove herself worthy, and cement her status as Queen Bee forever.
Comparing Their Character Arcs
While Serena and Blair started out as best friends, their relationship was filled with jealousy and competition. A major source of drama was their competing affections for male characters Nate Archibald and Chuck Bass. Their romantic relationships and rivalries for both friends and boys provided much of the show’s plot and character development.
In terms of character growth, both Serena and Blair went through significant transformations, with Blair likely experiencing more internal change. Serena remained relatively constant – she was always full of light and life, even during her lowest moments battling depression and substance abuse. Her primary growth centered around pursuing her passion for writing and filmmaking.
Blair, on the other hand, experienced tremendous personal growth. She began as an elitist, scheming “mean girl” focused on social status and her image. But Blair eventually learned to accept herself, develop confidence outside of her Queen Bee persona, and show vulnerability in her relationships. While she retained her competitive and sharp edges, Blair grew to value real friendship over status and learned to open her heart to true love with Chuck Bass.
Key Moments in Serena’s Character Arc
- Leaving the UES to attend boarding school and deal with her depression
- Returning home and reconnecting with Dan Humphrey, her childhood best friend
- Pursuing a career in writing and film, leveraging her passion projects into paid work
- Making peace with her estranged father and coming to terms with his offenses
- Repairing her volatile relationship with Blair and putting their friendship first
Key Moments in Blair’s Character Arc
- Dealing with bulimia and eventually seeking therapy
- Losing her virginity to Chuck Bass instead of her long-term boyfriend Nate
- Getting rejected from Yale University, her dream school
- Finding empowerment and independence studying abroad in Paris
- Choosing to date Chuck despite his flaws and damaged background
Plot Focus and Main Conflicts
While Serena and Blair began as co-protagonists, Blair emerged as the primary focus later in the series. Many of the show’s central storylines and relationship dynamics revolved around Blair and her inner turmoil.
Much of the show highlighted Serena’s problems like her strained family dynamics, depression, and substance abuse issues. However, the show spent more time exploring Blair’s character flaws, motivations, and relationship conflicts. Blair experienced more growth over the course of the series, while Serena remained relatively unchanged.
Additionally, Blair often drove the plot and created conflict. Her scheming frequently pushed the storyline forward. Meanwhile, Serena was more passive – she made many poor decisions but was often the “victim” of circumstances outside her control. She lacked Blair’s agency and cunning that stirred up drama.
Serena’s Main Conflicts
- Struggling with depression and drug abuse
- Her absentee father reappearing in her life
- Her cold relationship with her mother Lily
- Her tumultuous romantic history with Dan and Nate
Blair’s Main Conflicts
- Her ongoing academic rivalry with girlfriend-turned-enemy Georgina
- Her dysfunctional relationship with bulimic mother Eleanor
- Her complex love-hate dynamic with Chuck Bass
- Coping with rejection from Yale and reinventing her future
Relationship to Other Characters
Serena and Blair also differed in their interpersonal relationships on the show. Blair had more complex connections to other characters while Serena had relatively simple ties.
As queen bee, Blair was at the center of the show’s drama. She shared fraught histories with characters like Chuck and Georgina, adding layers to their rivalries. Blair constantly competed with Serena for popularity and male affection, creating a love-hate bond.
Serena had more straightforward ties to her friends and family. She shared little backstory with former best friend Georgina. Her dynamic with Blair centered on winning over boys as one-time love interests, not friends. Serena was a satellite character – she orbited the main action surrounding Blair but lacked meaningful relationships herself to drive the plot.
| Character | Blair’s Relationship | Serena’s Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck Bass | On-again, off-again romance; complex love-hate | Former hook-up; friendly |
| Nate Archibald | Dated; longtime romantic interest | Former hook-up; childhood friends |
| Dan Humphrey | Academic rival turned scheme target | Main love interest |
This table summarizes Blair’s deeper connections compared to Serena’s more superficial bonds. Blair shared extensive, layered histories with characters that added dimension to their dynamics.
Popularity and centrality
By the end of the series, Blair was clearly the central character that drove the plot and drew audience investment. There are several indications that Blair emerged as the core protagonist of the show.
Fan Favorite
While Serena was presented as the initial “it girl” of the Upper East Side, Blair became the unequivocal fan favorite over time. Surveys, online polls, and discussions consistently show Blair as the most popular character.
Fans were drawn to Blair’s complexity – her intelligence, scheming nature, competitive drive, and vulnerability made her the most compelling character. Audiences loved watching her character arc and relationships evolve season after season.
Awards Recognition
Actress Leighton Meester received significant awards attention for her portrayal of Blair, indicating she was the show’s standout performance. Meester was nominated for multiple Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV Actress, winning in 2008 and 2011. She also received nominations at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival and People’s Choice Awards.
In comparison, Blake Lively’s Serena received less critical praise, with only a single Teen Choice nomination in 2008. The lack of awards recognition for Lively suggests Serena took a backseat as a lead character as the show progressed.
Plot Focus
By seasons 5 and 6, the show’s storylines revolved heavily around Blair and her relationships. Her tumultuous dynamic with Chuck Bass and their unfinished business was a primary focus. Blair’s career ambitions and growth into an independent woman in New York also became central plots.
Serena, on the other hand, floundered during the later seasons without driving storylines. Many fans thought Serena’s character became boring and lacked direction. She was often relegated to merely supporting the other characters’ development.
Conclusion
While Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf began Gossip Girl as equal leading ladies, Blair ultimately emerged as the main character. She was a true protagonist – complex, compelling, and evolving. Blair grew tremendously over the course of the show while remaining its magnetic center.
Serena served a important role early on but failed to undergo meaningful character development. Her relationships and conflicts lacked dimension compared to Blair’s multilayered history with other characters. By the final seasons, Blair was undeniably the heart of the show that fans tuned in to see each week.