My Take on the 2021 Gossip Girl Reboot and Its Unsatisfying Rehash

Why Gossip Girl Reboots Disappoint Me

Let's get straight to the point: I absolutely do not enjoy the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot. Honestly, I think people should stop trying to reinvent iconic shows and movies, as it often results in a mess. You can't recreate the essence of the 2000s, and that's a fundamental issue with this remake.

I watched the first episode, and let me tell you, the characters are incredibly boring. They share absolutely nothing with the original protagonists, and I found myself without the motivation to continue. Maybe one day I'll revisit it, but not anytime soon.

The Potential and the Fizzle

The show had the potential to be something entertaining and dramatic. However, the writing, tone, and overall story felt off the mark. The character archetypes had potential, but there was no consistent focus on the narrative.

Initially, I was hopeful when I saw the younger characters on the steps. The fashion was decent, and the characters appeared snobby and messy. I assumed this would lead to an exciting exploration of their relationships and rivals. However, the show veered off course, delving into teachers, parents, and unnecessary side plots that offered no real payoff.

Messiness and Drama

The original Gossip Girl was known for its messiness, dramatic tension, and shocking reveals from the start. The pilot episode introduced multiple secrets and complex dynamics that were later exploited. Eric was suicidal, Serena and Nate had a secret hook-up, Serena vanished to boarding school due to alcohol issues, and Blair ascended to queen bee status while undercover. Gossip Girl was also a mysterious, all-knowing force that revealed everything. Kristen Bell’s voice in the original series was like a best friend whispering the town’s secrets to you, but in the reboot, it feels outdated.

Lack of Conflict and Drama

The reboot introduced a storyline that gets resolved in two or three episodes, a clear indication that it was designed to excite fans for a second season. However, the season finale did not offer any big revelations or shocking moments. Instead, it seemed to be a mere strategy to renew the show, which in my opinion, it did not deservedly earn.

Gossip Girl has lost its mystique because it's now a group of characters who are in over their heads. The on-and-off rivalry with Zoya and Julien is overshadowed by HBO’s portrayal of influencers as superficial manipulators. This portrayal feels more like a network’s attempt to undermine the impact of influencers in today’s society.

Character Focus and Potentials Unfulfilled

The reboot introduces a storyline but fails to develop it fully. Searching for a decent plot thread in this show is as futile as searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie. The characters have no clear conflicts, and the show misses the mark of being a teen drama. It’s unclear why the characters don’t recognize the messiness in their high school lives. The story could have been so much more engaging if the writers had taken inspiration from real-life experiences more closely.

Compromised Characters and Narratives

Monet and Luna, the characters with the most potential to be iconic, are side-lined. They play background roles while Julien, who is neither likeable nor entertaining, takes center stage. The narrative also fails to capitalize on their potential for an exciting storyline. The obsession of Monet and Luna with being Julien’s marketing and stylist doesn't make sense, and the dialogue feels unrealistic and unconvincing.

To illustrate what I mean, imagine a show with Monet as a catty business-savvy influencer, Luna as a celebrity influencer, and Audrey as a neurotic overachiever. Gossip Girl, the secret identity, could keep these girls on the edge, making them argue, backstab, and team up against each other. It would be a mess, but the kind of mess that would be thrilling to watch.

Even the main character, Obie, who could be toxic and indecisive, remains untouched. Instead of making the show better, the reboot strive for a chill demeanor that didn’t translate to any real drama or tension. Overall, the show felt like a hodgepodge of borrowed ideas and misfired execution. It's a disappointment because it had so much potential but failed to realize it.

Hopefully, the show can improve in season 2. For now, I remain disappointed. Until then, XOXO.