Thursday, May 5, 2011

Is Gossip Girl Glamorizing An Abusive Relationship?

Is Gossip Girl Glamorizing An Abusive Relationship?
Wow, we have to say, this is pretty disgusting - AND IRRESPONSIBLE - even for the world created in this show! If you've been following Gossip Girl for the past four seasons, then you're aware of the tumultuous, extremely unhealthy relationship that has developed between the characters of Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf - you know, [...]

Wow, we have to say, this is pretty disgusting - AND IRRESPONSIBLE - even for the world created in this show!

If you've been following Gossip Girl for the past four seasons, then you're aware of the tumultuous, extremely unhealthy relationship that has developed between the characters of Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf - you know, the constant scheming and manipulation in the name of 'undying love,' the fact that he pimped her out to his uncle - but on Monday night's episode, things went way too far.

Check out a clip of Chuck forcing himself on her, claiming her as his, and then punching his hand through window, which causes the shattered glass to cut her face (above)!

Now, we've all seen his character do pretty HOriffic, deplorable shiz before - assaulting Little J in the first episode, anyone? - and, to be fair, Blair is NOT innocent (although you can clearly see that she's genuine about making steps to mature), but what's most disturbing about all of this is that for some reason, the show's WRITERS seem to not only be rationalizing his behavior as "passion," but they support the two staying together!

In a post-episode follow-up interview, executive producer Josh Safran said:

"They have a volatile relationship, they always have, but I do not believe—or I should say we do not believe—that it is abuse when it's the two of them. Chuck does not try to hurt Blair. He punches the glass because he has rage, but he has never, and will never, hurt Blair. He knows it and she knows it, and I feel it's very important to know that she is not scared—if anything, she is scared for Chuck—and what he might do to himself, but she is never afraid of what he might do to her. Leighton and I were very clear about that."

Volatile relationship?

Is that right? Because we're pretty sure in that episode we saw Chuck not only assault and objectify her, but also use physical intimidation to frighten her, and prior to that scene, humiliate and publicly degrade her in front of a woman she was trying to impress by discussing their sexual history!

In our book, and according to most definitions, that's an abuser!

Let's take a look, shall we?

According to signs of an abusive relationship:

"Does your partner see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?"

Last season, he not only traded HER BODY to his uncle for a hotel, but then blamed her by saying it was her choice to go. Check.

"Does your partner act excessively jealous and possessive?"

"You'll never marry anyone else. You're mine! You're mine, Blair!" Enough said. Check.

"Your abuser may use a variety of intimidation tactics designed to scare you into submission. Such tactics include making threatening looks or gestures, smashing things in front of you, destroying property…"

The video above. Check.

And this is a character we're supposed to want to get the girl at the end?! Is this what the writers and crew want to showcase to their audience?

That it's okay to treat the supposed love of your life like this because you're going through 'issues?'

We understand that this is a fictional drama in an extremely heightened and unrealistic reality, and we're not against Chuck being a flawed character, but to promote his behavior as acceptable, or worse, put him back together with Blair is just WRONG. And as we said, it's irresponsible.

Even from a writing standpoint! If Blair is truly maturing and aware of how unhealthy her relationship with Chuck is, then her character would know better than to get back with him! Which we sincerely hope is the case.

We've seen enough of this controlling, all-consuming, unhealthy and borderline abusive bull shiz in Twilight and between Sammi and Ronnie on Jersey Shore, and we expected more from you, Gossip Girl!

Girls need to know that there is NOTHING romantic or reasonable about being treated like this by a man. It's wrong, plain and simple, and should not be tolerated.

What do U think?? Did Gossip Girl go too far??




Bar Refaeli
Malin Akerman
Mila Kunis

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