why do people love chuck bass so much

@ people who love Chuck Bass

*TW: rape, partner violence
I am a 100% Gossip Girl fan.  So much so that I finished the series in a span of 6 weeks last summer, and have now guiltily begun to rewatch it on Netflix  While watching it for the first time, I had talked to my friends (many of whom were also in love with this show), discussing our favorite/least favorite parts.  And, to my surprise, many of them worshipped Chuck Bass, the conniving, spoiled, entitled, partying obsessed son of a millionaire.  Even though I initially had not expected that, since I wasn't all too fond of him, I didn't really question it -- and, with my friends' opinions in mind, I started to like him myself.  But now, during my rewatch, I honestly don't know what I was thinking or why in the world people are so in love with him; for example, I was looking for laptop stickers last night on RedBubble, and searched "Gossip Girl."  To my disgust, the first few things that popped up were "I Love Chuck Bass" or "Waiting for My Chuck Bass!"  The fact that this character has such a massive following is a terrifying reflection of society's rape culture, and how widely accepted it is in some of its manifestations.

First of all, it appears the fanbase of GG has forgotten that in the pilot, Chuck attempted to rape Jenny Humphrey, playing on her naivety and innocence as a way to first get her drunk, then take her up to an empty rooftop where he planned to do the deed.  Jenny is clearly struggling and voicing her lack of consent throughout the scene, but Chuck isn't deterred whatsoever.  Thankfully, he's punched by Jenny's brother, but that is literally the only form of punishment he ever receives for this violent attempt of sexual assault!  And, post the beginning of episode two, this incident is never mentioned!! This could've been an inroad for the show to confront and deal with pressing issues such these, but instead, it is disregarded as if it never happened, as if it is normal/encouraged for a person (Jenny) to be "perfectly fine" after an assault and never discuss it with anyone, aside from a ten second conversation with her brother.  In fact, Chuck Bass's character is salvaged by the show painting it as "just part of his nature! classic Chuck!" and with Blair telling Jenny that similar incidents are part of the natural price to pay for being a member of the social elite.  UM NO, it is sexual assault and should in no way be justified or taken lightly.  But because the show does this, people erase this event from their perception of Chuck or are able to rationalize it, and continue to love him just the same.

Additionally, have we all forgotten when Chuck traded Blair, his girlfriend? When he essentially trafficked her, told his uncle she'd have sex with him in exchange for a hotel?  Yes, she eventually agrees, but that's because Chuck is the one in control of the power dynamics within their relationship. Blair makes it clear that she does not want to have sex with this man, but Chuck doesn't seem to care whatsoever, and places his material items first.  So, Blair, feeling as if she could not say no to the dominant Chuck, is coerced and pressured into reluctantly agreeing. But of course, Blair eventually forgives him, and this disgusting act fails to be a point of contention throughout their relationship. Similarly, there was that episode when Blair tells Chuck she is engaged to someone else.  Like a mature person in a healthy, safe, non-toxic relationship, Chuck throws her onto the couch, telling her she's his and that she can't be with anyone else, and proceeds to punch the window right next to her, sending shards of glass flying into her face.  And the entire time, it's obvious Blair is terrified -- you cannot say this isn't an example of partner violence.

But, that's exactly what the producers said, releasing a statement about how the scene was not intended to portray abuse -- they just have a "volatile relationship," and Blair  is "never scared of what Chuck might to do her."  OKAY first, volatile relationship?? That is a hilarious euphemism and I'd say the line between that and abusive has long been crossed once someone has to fear for their physical safety (although mental abuse is also a thing, and Chuck's dangerous possessiveness reflects that.) Second, even if somehow the producers think Blair didn't look afraid in that scene, it is still possible for people to trust/love their abusers, and this still doesn't excuse the violence of Chuck's actions and the unhealthy dynamic that exists there.  And of course, at the end of the series, the pair gets happily married, which serves as another way for viewers to rationalize the abusive behavior as non-impactful, irrelevant, or via saying "he's changed!!"

Overall, the public's immense love for Chuck Bass shows how incredibly normalized sexual assault and partner violence are in today's world.  It scares me how often the Chuck/Blair relationship is romanticized -- it has thousands of social media fanpages, and is constantly referred to as "goals"!! No, a toxic relationships really shouldn't be goals, and we shouldn't want our own Chuck Bass just because "OMG he's so passionate!!" Society, please do better.

xoxo, elyse