The Mystery Behind Bart Bass's Dual Demise in Gossip Girl Seasons

Gossip Girl made the decision to have Chuck's father, Bart Bass, fake his own death in the show's second season, only to later bring him back and kill him off again in season 6. The series, which aired from 2007 to 2012, was like a luxurious American soap opera for teenagers, filled with intense relationships, overly dramatic storylines, and unexpected deaths and family members. The wealthy group of teenagers living in New York City's Upper East Side also found themselves tangled in their parents' drama and relationships almost as much as their own.

The Reason Gossip Girl Killed Off Bart Bass

Bart Bass was unexpectedly killed in the second season of Gossip Girl. He was married to Lily Van der Woodsen, Serena's mother, and had hired a private investigator to look into her past. In the episode "It's a Wonderful Lie," Bart is shown to have died in a car accident along with the private investigator. This led viewers to believe that Bart was gone for three seasons. However, in the fifth season, Bart returns and reveals that he faked his death to protect his family. While Bart's death initially evoked strong emotions from fans, his return was not well-received by many.

The Series Didn't Need Chuck's Father

Chuck and Blair at Bart's funeral in Gossip Girl - The Series Didn't Need Chuck's Father - The Reason Gossip Girl Killed Off Bart Bass

The writers of Gossip Girl decided to kill off Bart in season 2 in order to advance various plot points. Bart's death helped in resolving the relationship between Lily and Rufus, showcase Chuck's irresponsible handling of wealth, and add another obstacle for Chuck and Blair to overcome. Despite his initial role in bringing the Basses and Van der Woodsens together, Bart's character did not contribute much to the storyline, making his death a catalyst for dramatic developments in the rest of the second season.

Chuck's father was not a crucial character in Gossip Girl, as he never played a significant parental role in Chuck's life. Chuck, who often behaved like a 30-year-old in high school, did not rely on his father for guidance. Bart's marriage to Lily was destined to fail, as she had doubts about marrying him and was planning to leave him for Rufus. Therefore, Bart's departure from the show through his death only served to create more dramatic tension.

Gossip Girl Made The Bart Bass Death Worse By Bringing Him Back

The episode "O Brother, Where Bart Though?" focuses on the aftermath of Bart Bass's death and is considered one of the show's best. Chuck struggles with conflicting emotions at his father's funeral, torn between mourning his loss and grappling with his father's abusive behavior towards him. This episode showcases one of the most compelling moments in Chuck and Blair's relationship, with standout performances from Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick as Chuck navigates his emotional turmoil.

Fans Did Not Like The Return Of Bart Bass

Bart Bass looking serious on Gossip Girl - Fans Did Not Like The Return Of Bart Bass - Gossip Girl Made The Bart Bass Death Worse By Bringing Him Back

In a surprising turn of events, Bart makes a dramatic return at the end of season 5 of Gossip Girl to pose a new threat to Chuck. His sudden and unexplained death is revealed to have been a clever ruse, as he explains to Chuck and the gang that he actually survived the car crash and orchestrated his own death. Bart paid off the hospital to declare him deceased in order to protect Chuck and Lily from his ruthless real estate competitors, who would stop at nothing to eliminate their rivals. Chuck takes matters into his own hands by having the perpetrators, including Andrew the P.I., arrested so that Bart can emerge from hiding, unaware that his father is now set to become one of Gossip Girl's most formidable villains.

Bart's first death in Gossip Girl wasn't as dramatic as expected, but it gave Ed Westwick a chance to showcase his acting skills. In a surprising twist, the show crafted a second death for Bart, this time involving his own son Chuck. Bart's return meant Chuck could finally have a father figure again, but things took a dark turn when Bart betrayed him and kicked Chuck out of the company he had been running for years.

This sudden transformation of Bart into a villain in the series was heavily criticized by fans. Both of Bart's deaths are often voted as the worst storylines in Gossip Girl on Ranker, even years after the show ended. The connection between the two deaths and the drastic change in Bart's character left a bitter taste in the mouths of viewers.

Bart Bass' Death Isn't The Only Gossip Girl Plot Hole

In the final confrontation between Bart and Chuck in Gossip Girl season 6, a physical argument breaks out on a roof where Bart accidentally falls off the building. As he hangs onto a ledge, he begs Chuck and Blair to save him, but they let him fall to his death, ending his reign over the company and their lives. It also ended Bart's time on the show, but it came right before the series finale, not allowing the audience to have another decent chapter of the series without the threat of Bart breathing down the necks of the characters.

Gossip Girl Often Ignored Continuity For The Sake Of New Storylines

Dan sitting at his laptop in Gossip Girl - Gossip Girl Often Ignored Continuity For The Sake Of New Storylines - Bart Bass' Death Isn't The Only Gossip Girl Plot Hole

Gossip Girl was known for focusing on dramatic relationships to drive its storylines, resulting in numerous plot holes throughout the series. One example was Bart mysteriously coming back to life without any logical explanation, which was just one of the many inconsistencies in the show.

Viewers often found themselves pondering bigger questions, such as the disappearance of Rufus and Lily’s son after their wedding. Another mystery was Chuck’s mother, who was mentioned in the pilot, then said to have died in childbirth, only for Chuck to later believe he had found her, only for it to be a deception. Gossip Girl frequently sacrificed continuity in favor of creating intense drama by revising story points.

The biggest plot hole in Gossip Girl was when Dan Humphrey was revealed as the person behind the Gossip Girl blog in the series finale. This reveal caused a major problem for many fans. Dan being Gossip Girl meant that he purposely damaged his own relationships with Serena and Blair, put his sister in jeopardy, and secretly followed everyone he befriended in high school. It was even more puzzling to see him react to Gossip Girl blog posts as if he was learning about them for the first time, despite being the one writing them.

Throughout the run of Gossip Girl, it was evident that the writers changed their minds about various storylines, such as bringing Bart Bass back or making Dan the infamous Gossip Girl. While this may have led to some plot holes for eagle-eyed viewers, the series succeeded in crafting compelling and emotional storylines that captivated audiences and kept them hooked until the very end.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the controversial decision to kill off and later resurrect Bart Bass in "Gossip Girl." While the initial death in season 2 served as a catalyst for character development, the character's return in season 5 was met with criticism. The sudden transformation into a villain and the lack of logical explanation for his survival left a sour taste with fans.

Despite the plot holes and inconsistencies that plagued "Gossip Girl," the article acknowledges the show's success in delivering compelling storylines. The writers' willingness to sacrifice continuity for the sake of drama created intense and emotional plotlines that captivated audiences. However, the article suggests that the series would have benefited from more careful planning and consistency to avoid inconsistencies that detracted from the overall narrative.