Is Serena Van Der Woodsen the Original Pick Me Girl? (deep dive)

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Support my work on patreon so I can keep making these vids alongside my studies! ❤️ patreon.com/SerenaSkybourne?Link& Here's some things coming soon on this channel! - Chuck and Blair - Sex and the City -Anyone But You -Ella Enchanted -Snow White 2025

[@SamMitchell-ix1qt]

@SerenaSkybourne can you please do a video on the down fall on Georgina sparks

[@SerenaSkybourne]

@@SamMitchell-ix1qtyes!

[@jalenedwards7202]

Can you do a character ranking of the gossip girl characters and like a drep dive into the six seasons of the show and Like who do you think gossip girl should have been

[@iphisnextdoor]

I think blair was always conscious of the fact that, while she was beautiful, it was always visible that she was trying, that people could see she put effort into it, and so she was excruciatingly aware of the way that serena was effortlessly magnetic, that she was beautiful without having to do much. serena would necessarily be kryptonite for someone like blair, serena didn’t even have to do anything to trigger blair’s insecurities. serena’s effortlessness highlighted how hard blair was always trying; just being around her was salt in the wound for blair’s insecurities. and honestly, it’s not really fair, but it is just one of those childhood friendships where one friend is always secretly competing with the other; without massive character-growth, they could never have a healthy relationship

[@MADEbySOUL]

S1 EP 4 Where Eleanor replaced Blair with Serena at the the photoshoot perfectly showed how Blair felt. Eleanor was a huge factor in Blair’s ED. She talked about thinness and complimented Serena often. I applaud Leighton Meester is that performance! It truly showed her range and depth. She played that role with such color! I kick myself to this day how I didn’t guess how perfect Blair and Dan were. How they just were. .

[@SerenaSkybourne]

This theory makes a lot of sense actually because she felt that she was always putting in too much effort and is a self acknowledged control freak. Also yes her mum was always comparing her to Serena which messed her up I'm sure

[@Marie.Munroe]

@@MADEbySOUL love the response and the dan acknowledgement

[@psychedelicgigi]

this is perfectly put

[@Mazz83225]

Yay! Thank you for referring to me and my "thesis" XD. It was my pleasure to be a part of one of your videos!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

😍😍

[@victoriathompson3194]

I’m only on season 3 rn and this makes so much sense with Serena because she’s not doing much (just got to where she defers Brown for a year) and Blair isn’t always successful but she’s always trying! That, at its core, makes Blair more appealing, but I also agree that Serena shouldn’t have to water down her shine for anybody too!

[@kiaraosorio1903]

It feels like it is widely thought of in the gossip girl fandom that Blair is the good one and the victim and Serena essentially the devil when in reality there are shades to both of them. I really liked Serena in season 1 but seeing where they went with her was quite disappointing. Anyways I’m glad someone finally made a nuanced video about Serena so thank you because she was actually one my favorite characters and it feels like everyone pigeon holds her into being one thing (unfairly so).

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I know characters can be flawed and don’t have to be relatable, but it was a struggle to sympathize with her and that was due to her writing. She never developed. I don’t think she is the devil, but just difficult to like and relate to. That being said, while I love her, the writers backtracked her too which is a shame. Any development they tried to give Blair gradually back to square 1, especially in season 6. But I felt they gave her more for the audience to latch onto which makes her more lovable in the fandom.

[@katybee3891]

We don’t think Serena is evil, she is just blowing around like a leaf in the wind. Blair is more compelling because she always works towards her goals and she always finds ways to manipulate her circumstances. It’s interesting to see her succeed and it’s interesting to see her fail. I’d rather be friends with Serena but as a character I love Blair.

[@tia_queen23]

Serena did become a mean girl by the end of season 5. But still, Blair should not have dated Serena's long term ex, and the person who was the love of Serena's life. And yes, I know, Serena did the same/or even worse thing to Blair, but here is the thing: Either Blair shouldn't have forgiven her for it, or if he forgave her she shouldn't use that as an excuse to justify her essentially breaking the girl code as well.

[@MADEbySOUL]

Personally, it was sad how they wrote everyone in the end, it is like they reverted back to season 1.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I agree that Serena shouldn't have dated Nate and Blair shouldn't have dated Dan, it makes it too weird

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I am a Dair fan, but why I felt Dan was a different situation was because this was a gradual development. They started out as rivals, but slowly became friends and saw they had a lot in common. She finally Dan for he was (before they made Dan psychopathic in season 6. Why? They didn’t need to). And can see where her romantic feelings for him came from. She wasn’t just trying to be petty with Serena and take revenge on her. She just happened to develop genuine feelings for him. While what Serena did with Nate in season 1 was deplorable, it was also questionable considering how much she drinks to drown out her problems and it was weird that they made this an encounter that felt she had control over it. No not calling Nate a rapist. It was just unusual. And I felt that about Dan and Blair’s elevator scene as well even though the show made it just “drunken sex” between the two of them, but that is another conversation. But I don’t think Serena felt guilt for it whereas Blair did which feels like the biggest difference.

[@Marie.Munroe]

@@gabrielleduplessis7388 another things to defend Dair together and individually- they both needed each other. STAY WITH ME NOW. They both had their firsts with experienced others (so let's take into the soul ties aspect as well cause no one seems to acknowledge this at all), they're quite intellectual and somewhat in their own heads of their philosophies. Their previous relationships were cute and developmental but just like La La Land, it could have ended up two ways- they would have been endgame as their relationship would've actually grown into something if not for the writers trying their hardest to show why they couldn't be together and if they had to take this route, they could've dated total strangers or never shown us who they end up with romantically leave it for interpretation

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

@ i love this idea. One idea I had based off season 6 (because I hated everything else about that season) was when Dan was in Italy with Georgina. I wanted Blair to finally see that her friends are not up to the high standards she put them in and wrote the second book with Dan. And while she gets ideas for the new clothing line for her mom, she also helps Dan find things to take people down with, but makes sure both don’t take things too far. It could make the situation more nuanced without taking away every ounce (even if tiny) of development they have given them. I even wanted Blair to fake marry Chuck as a plan concocted by her and Dan to get him arrested. That would be awesome. But love your idea too.

[@eszterbalogh5252]

She is full of past tarumas (including assault, grooming) and she needed therapy. Dan literally trapped in yet another relationship

[@OzmaOfOzz]

Omg you look so beautiful! That blue really brings out your eyes and hair! ❤ BRB now I'll watch the video

[@SerenaSkybourne]

thankyou so much

[@caiterate]

im sorry but you dont tell you friend “im sorry youre so insecure” that is awful. if you see a friend feeling that way be kind. “you dont see what i see” “i want you to shine as bright as you think i am” “you dont see how wonderful you are” i know people are gonna say its not your job to uplift others, and sure. but you would to a friend?? also both of them were painfully insecure they just expressed it differently

[@L-gu6zy]

Agree. I feel like Serena doesn't want to uplift her friend, because she resents when Blair outshines her later.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I agree they were both insecure, but in the early seasons Blair seemed very jealous and she would make Serena feel bad for doing a fashion show for example, projecting her own insecurities which wasn't Serena's fault. I think in this context when Blair was being rude to her, Serena's response made sense

[@leena_asim]

@@SerenaSkybourne Blair was also upset she didn’t do the fashion show because she didn’t participate in their tradition and was spending more time with poppy.

[@balmainbarbie_8730]

i'm sorry what?Serena was right tho??Blair sabotaged her mothers fashion show all bc she didn't like the fact that her mom asked serena to sit front row with a celeb friend(that would be a huge benefit publicity wise)Blair IS insecure and extremely intimidated by Serena in this moment(and several others)and constantly expects her to lower herself so she doesn't feel like sh*t.Serena is far from perfect and Blair isn't ALL bad but i'm so tired of Blair sympathisers infantilising her and excusing all of her awful actions when blair is objectively wrong in this situation😭😭😭😭

[@balmainbarbie_8730]

and real quick why is Serena OBLIGATED to make Blair feel good ab herself with kind words after Blair literally did something so extremely diabolical??😭Blair NEVER bites her tongue when it came to telling Serena everything she thinks is wrong with her but Serena has to be the sweetest peach in the land??y'all are ridiculous

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Which character analysis do you want next- Chuck or Blair? 🤔

[@otashu26]

Definitely Chuck because man what a character he is.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Definitely chuck

[@jclyntoledo]

Blair

[@elmirasmiscellaneous1129]

Blair

[@marisacampbell527]

Blair

[@jclyntoledo]

I thought the original pick me was that random lady from Gray's Anatomy who did the whole speech 😂😂

[@angelaholmes8888]

You mean meredith grey

[@tia_queen23]

She was, but other than that scene I don't remember Mer being a pick me. She had that strong friendship, more often than not choosing Cristina over Derek.

[@xosrakateox]

"that random lady" literally the title character 😭🤣

[@ASB963]

The same episode later ( i think) she tells her friend how stupid she was for saying that speech.

[@ilisafonua2798]

Meredith Grey? Yes, absolutely, she is 😂

[@maheennaseem9677]

Ok so next please look into Blair relationships.... because as a teen I loved chuck and blair but as an adult Dan and Blair were perfect!! They were enemies to lovers... they were rom-com coded..., and they developed into better people for each other... with Dan, Blair began to respect the people of Brookyln, and Dan began to see a ew side of the Upper East Siders... they were perfect fro each other because they grew and developed together!!! Chuck and Blair fans often say dan and blair came out of no where but... there were moments right from the beginning ..the photoshoot episode, when Dan chose to stay with Blair instead of going after Serena... that was the moment their slow burn started... and by slow, I mean slooooowwwwww buuurrrrrn! So slow and so subtle that chuck and blair fans were blindsided in season 5.... but it was always there.... and I truly believe that the only reason dan and blair didn't end up together was the demographic/ main audience of Gossip Girl wasn't mature enough to understand the beauty that is dan and blair!! They were everything! @SerenaSkybourne

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I think it's so interesting how a massive chunk of the fan base really ships Blair and Dan. I'm so excited to cover these two, I think I will do a Blair video where I cover her development and all her relationships

[@kassykreutzer6972]

I was waiting for this video

[@nataldu]

you are looking beautifully. I like the hair and the eyeliner

[@SerenaSkybourne]

ty 😁😁

[@tia_queen23]

I wish we saw Jenny and Nate together in the time jump.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

Me too. I feel once they matured, they would come back together in a slow burn friends to lovers way and they can become a power couple. Considering what Jenny feels about the city and how it ruined her, I wonder if Nate would move for her and they succeed in their future endeavors while supporting together. I feel they would be a healthy couple in the end.

[@jasper3033]

Your deep dive vids are the best!!!

[@loveart429]

I always wait for your next deep dive 😊

[@Missmagazinebura]

Where does Serena go when she says I have to go and in season 6 it took three months to look for Serena ? Why so long ? Why did they wait to look for her ?

[@iris-xo]

The love I have for both Serena and Blair is insane. Like I had a massive gossip girl phase and clearly took the characters and their development, etc. way more serious than the writers lol... but Serena, Blair, and Jenny made the show for me and I could go on and on about them as characters and the layers of them. The writers failed Serena the most though and it forever confuses me...I've done a lot of reading about it and everything and part of me thinks it was the dynamic between Blake and the producers/writers possibly, that resulted in the way they treated Serena in later seasons. I also feel the writers may have let fan opinions cloud their judgment and affect the writing. This is something that happens wayyy too often in tv series especially the teen dramas. Anyways, Serena Van Der Woodsen had soo much potential as a character and so many paths of where they could've taken her and let her explore. Once they graduated high school, the beginning of season 3 of Serena having a wild summer and being on every magazine cover, paparazzi following her felt like an exciting shift for the character that's meant to be the IT girl. Now, that she's not held down by school, we could witness sides of fame and the access it can bring, but it eventually fades away and they basically forget how famous Serena is at times. We get references of her attending the Met Gala, but it's like she's always treated as doing nothing and begging for jobs of being an assistant or interning, when I feel like she should have people reaching out wanting to work with her?? I just think they should've explored Serena going into the fashion industry as a model, acting, collaborating with brands, etc. and how the gossip and everything affects her public image and jobs. We get Hillary Duff's character in season 3 too, who's meant to be a big celebrity in their world. We should've gotten more celebrities who Serena is mingling with. I guess the real issue is the writers didn't know if they wanted to keep the series/characters more grounded or push the story to a bigger level of fame.. so it's like they went back and forth with that in the series. I just wanted more consistency from the story and Serena as a character. I could go on and on but this is tooo long lol

[@loveart429]

EVERYTHING to love about this upload

[@jalenedwards7202]

Also, you could make the argument. The way that Serena IS the way that she is because of her parents because, like her father abandoned her, and she needs like someone to feel the void and like she clings on to them to dear life. Because when someone you know compliment her or appreciates her. She like takes it so literally. It means a lot to her And Also, her mom is really problematic. Because she like Julie Cooper. Before her like just shame Serena with her drug problem instead of like talking about it, and like trying to get her the help like a therapist and like Always worrying about her own image instead of worried about serenas well being

[@thaboiinblue]

When you started talking about her relationship with learning and feeling intellectually stifled and/or inferior, and then Julien… it suddenly occurred to me (I’m pausing as I write the notes. I have NO idea if you’re going to say this later in the video, lol): A big part of why Serena was so adamant on being with Dan wasn’t just because he was “moral” and “upstanding”… it was because he was INTELLECTUAL. If someone like HIM could love her and see her… maybe that made her feel worthy in other ways some of us (myself included) never really thought about. And if we’re being honest… her friendship with Blair could be similar. I’m sure SHE knows on some level that she and Blair don’t work as friends, but being a girl THAT smart’s best friend??? It has to help her sense of security that people so intelligent would want her company, even seek it out and relish it. (Btw, I never thought Serena wasn’t intelligent, I just think that she was never driven to learn or apply herself in any meaningful way growing up. Due to her beauty and status, everyone likely expected she would just marry someone with ambition and that would be that. No one ever seemed to ask or wonder what SHE wanted to do with her life for herself. She was the beauty queen and it girl, and no one expected or wanted her to be intellectual or to have any sort of goals outside of being beautiful and in the spotlight).

[@xionxiv9293]

6:38 ...reminds me of these odd German (family) influencers... "What I love most about my wife, is how she is ashamed (/embarrassed... although ashamed is the more accurate translation...)" ...and yes... they are regularly critiqued only... still have a huge fan base and still act weird...

[@miguelsantos-cd9tu]

Serena Skybourne, after learning that movie you most want see in 2025 is Jurassic World Rebirth. I would love to see a video where you talk about your thoughts on Jurassic Park movies.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

love this idea

[@ronniesan9805]

Yes!!!

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Hey Serena (the creator, not the character here, lol), just want to say thank you so much for listening and reassessing the last video. It means a lot. I think the best people out there are the ones who evolve their content and grow and are open to different perspectives. I saw what you did and resubbed, and am excited to see what great work you have for us in future. ❤ Oh and PS, Ophie Dokie is covering what's going on with the actress extensively and it's really good legally informed coverage (I'm a lawyer and grumble at some channels that don't get the law right)

[@flawedsanity]

Are you talking about her it ends with us video? I never got to watch it before it was taken down. Do you mind if I ask what she said in/why it was taken down?

[@thaboiinblue]

The show definitely should have also explored Serena’s complicated relationship with love due to her mother’s constant marriages and divorces. She mentioned it once, I believe, in season one, but we definitely could have delved deeper into it and used it to flesh out her character better. And ABSOLUTELY, Serena, the girl on the show had NOTHING she aspired to. No particular ambition outside of pursuing a relationship. Even the acting felt thrown in because WHEN did she indicate she wanted to do that??? The more obvious route would have been modeling, because at least we SAW her doing it and enjoying it! But the show never prioritized her dreams for herself instead of in relation to a man and being with one.

[@ianejesus7011]

Your looks always eat, but today you served 💅✨

[@SerenaSkybourne]

@@ianejesus7011 omg thankyou maybe I should do this makeup more often 🥰

[@loveart429]

Totally served!

[@Shaylovespopeye]

Also you forgot how wrong it is Blair dates Dan that really hurt Serena that’s so sad I felt so bad because she really loves Dan Blair never should’ve done that I love Dan and Serena forever

[@fotini6100]

If you can possibly, deep dive on the O.C!

[@loveart429]

Serena, hitting the mark yet again. Loving this

[@M-WG]

The season one finale 2:09 was so good that Joel McHale reacted with enthusiastic positivity to the scene on The Soup. Considering that show and the time period in general being so steeped in sarcasm and irony, earnest praise was a rare feat for any show not on HBO. Shame to see how GG declined in quality over time.

[@Shaylovespopeye]

Serena I Love You we forgot something her name is Serena van Der Woods in Humphrey

[@jalenedwards7202]

I do feel like Serena and Blair also Have a toxic friendship because like Both were wanting what the other had and like constantly Sabotaging each other. Plus you know I think they're both insecure about each other like Blair always feeling like in Serena's shadow and Serena Kind of wanting what blair had with her minions and like manipulation tactics. Also You are right with Serena Trying to like make herself like you know down to Blair's levels so that they could co-exist.

[@anthoula1208]

Honestly...the revenge corn she did...made me completely lose respect for her.. You CANNOT defend her on this no matter what age she was. End of story. She could go to JAIL if the show wasn't glossing over it.. 😗

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I agree it was disgusting

[@brittsilva]

The more i hear you talking about her…i feel like she had BPD….i dont know. Maybe im reaching.

[@kassykreutzer6972]

They don't have a real friendship as in Blair and Serena tbh

[@yelyzavetatsiapa3946]

I do also think that She has this pattern with man from her mom her mom has this dozens of partners and all of her relationships are not healthy as well. She just doesn’t want to bond with her mom but doing the same thing that Lily did in her younger age, as we can see Lily does mature at the end but still all her relationships are controversial. As much as Blair has her complications with her parents we did get to see that she had that love and validation from her dad her mom at some point and we can feel that she was loved in her childhood. With the Serena I did get this feeling that her mom was interested in man more then in her kids. And also she seems like she doesn’t know what to do with her power she is like I know I’m beautiful and rich she literally can do anything she wants and almost in every episode she is like I gotta get it together I need to find my way my life is so complicated…oh wait isn’t that handsome guy just gave me that smile and mysterious look….oh yes it’s him forget this shit that I talked about who needs a way if you can just follow the man’s lead

[@yelyzavetatsiapa3946]

It’s like all that this girl does it’s just walking Manhattan streets and bumps into other people. She doesn’t seem to enjoy this events which I can understand that but it looks like she attended them just cause she did not have anything else to do. I don’t think she knows what she even likes I can name every character in this show and tell you what they like but Serena . In reality I was thinking what she potentially could do and I came up with a show like a Bachelorette with a woman version or a modeling she seems to quite like it and she is good at it idk it seems like the creators of the move thought that it’s too easy and simple of a twist or they didn’t care her to have her own way at all all that matters in her life is her man

[@kimberleysnagg4215]

S1 was the only good season of GG. So good the rest of the seasons coasted off of that high. Fight me.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

You're right.

[@thaboiinblue]

I personally think that it is impossible for ANYONE in the show to truly love or trust Dan given what we now know about him. Only someone like Juliet, or early season Georgina (before they turned her into an utter joke) could get behind him because they hated Serena and/or the others. That being said… I DO agree that Nate and Jenny made the most sense and were probably the best pairing next to pre-finale Dan and Vanessa (the show really did her dirty, that was his OTP in the books, and the books ARE bad, lmao, but they treated Vanessa and Jenny WAY better than the show did). Nate was ALSO Serena’s best option (but she wasn’t his) because pre-finale Dan put her on a pedestal and expected way too much from her, causing him to easily become disappointed and disillusioned the moment she fell short. Nate knew Serena. He grew up with her just like Blair and Chuck and their community. He knew who she was and loved her, and was always willing to be with her and loved her for who SHE was, rather than the idea of her, unlike Dan. Dan (and Jenny, for that matter) was seduced by the glamour of the Upper East Side and the elite, no matter how much he pretended he wasn’t. Honestly, while the execution was horrendous, him being Gossip Girl made sense in the sense that: 1) why did “Gossip Girl” care about or talk about this random boy and his little sister when the premise of the blog was to talk about the elite and their shenanigans? Dan used Gossip Girl as his in. Literally. 2) Going back to Dan pretending to be so above it all and morally superior to the others… Gossip Girl almost ALWAYS judged everyone for their shortcomings and flaws, and even before we knew Dan was GG, he would talk shit… YET ALWAYS BE THERE. Like… you’re so much better than them… why do you keep hanging around them? Why do you keep dating Serena and Blair when you could have just been with Vanessa all along? That’s of course assuming their lifestyle was ACTUALLY an issue. The worst part about it all is that not only did Dan miraculously, unrealistically, and unDESERVEDLY get forgiven unceremoniously… but THAT judgey little bastard who said and posted some of the most VILE things about his “friends” and the so-called woman he “loved”… apparently went away and he managed to MARRY INTO OLD MONEY. He is set for life as long as Serena will stay with him… But people get divorced all the time 💅🏾

[@courtneylvg]

Completely off topic, but I LOVE your hair in this video! From an ex-hairdresser :)

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Omg that means so much thankyou; being a hairdresser must be such a cool job ❤️

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I do agree Serena was the most developed in season 1. But she did get annoying as the show went on. I hated when she did not take accountability for her actions and blames the people around her for her problems. She doesn’t work for what she wants and it makes sense considering Lily makes it that way and get angry when she had to bail Serena out all of the time. Well, Lily let her take responsibility instead of bailing her out. While many people cheat on this show, I do hate this about Serena because it is just added to the list. I think they should have executed William being the reason why she seeks validation from men. Blair can be horrible to Serena, but at least sometimes, I can see why Blair resents her. The episode with the photoshoot shows that. While it was Blair’s mom that set this up with Serena, but Blair’s issue is that Serena just steps in, becomes fabulous, and doesn’t work for it. And even when she doesn’t try, Serena just one ups her and takes over any important event in their life, at least at first. And while I understand why Serena took “revenge” at Blair’s college event, it is just one more thing she takes from Blair and why Blair does a counterattack. It is petty as hell for both of them, but can understand Blair’s resentment. I also don’t like she doesn’t earn her success, but has it handed to her which makes people resent her. And when it becomes hard (which a side character brought up), she gives up and doesn’t want to put the work in. It is irritating. And lastly, her temporary side gig as GG. She keeps talking about bringing her down and making sure GG doesn’t ruin people further, but still decides to be as bad or worse than the original GG. It is hypocritical. While the show tries to sympathize Serena, it is hard to when she never changes. Sorry for the long rant.

[@BellesView]

Serena didn’t do anything at the photo shoot. I wish we could’ve seen Serena work more. She was so focused and sober and in a great space mentally during her time in LA as a production assistant.

[@emilyau8023]

Honestly, seeing Blake Lively disgusts me from everything going on.

[@sidadamala7586]

I don't know happened or didn't happen but i know that we hate a different woman every few months.

[@kassykreutzer6972]

Hiii❤❤❤

[@jalenedwards7202]

I also think it was bad writing on the writers Because like it's giving Marissa from the oc like after season one, they didn't know what to do with her character and like. She got more defined by her relationships and her as a person and a character. Serena As well, like after season one, it's like they just stop developing Her as a character and she gets more defined by her relationships and not as a person. Plus like Marissa before her she always needs saving and never gets to stand up for herself. I also do agree with the education parts. Like when she wants to go to college, you're like okay, maybe just could be a new leaf, but then the writers go back to Serena, go into college. Then she falls for a guy and then that's like her only concern like not even her studies or her classes like and even 1. She's like. Why should I even go to college like Serena? You were talking about like going to find yourself. Now you're doing want to go like. What's the point

[@LydiaIsSweet]

how exactly is Serena a pick me? when did she invalidate other women to appear better to men? I feel like few people even understand what this is anymore. if anything, Blair was constantly bashing other women to uplift herself - her best friend, her "minions" so on and so forth... let's not peddle lies.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

both of them are pick mes, Serena has also shown moments of being threatened by other women and trying to derail them to make herself feel better, like her with Lola

[@yelhsanosnhoj6602]

Blair was the pick me not Serena. Just because Blake is unfavorable in the media doesn’t mean we get to distort Serena’s character in the show.

[@lovilife]

Watching this video after the Blake Lively It Ends With Us Drama recap 😬