Season 1, Episode 1—They wore their headbands like tiaras, flaunted designer bags in 10th grade, and elevated their private school uniforms with shoes, jackets, and jewelry from Bergdorf Goodman. And, of course, Blair Waldorf reigned supreme as their queen.
On the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the prep school elite of Manhattan's Upper East Side were congregated, admiring the exclusive party invitations that junior member Jenny Humphrey had just delivered. As they exchanged excited whispers and stifled giggles, Serena van der Woodsen, recently returned to New York, made her grand entrance.
In true “You can’t sit with us” fashion, Blair, ever the reigning diva, regarded Serena with a cold, assessing glance. “There’s no need for you to RSVP,” Blair declared with a smirk, making it clear that Serena’s presence was neither wanted nor needed.
Season 1, Episode 13—It’s astonishing how quickly one can fall out of favor, especially with Blair Waldorf, who declared that Jenny's hazing “will end when I say it ends.” With a haughty wave of her hand, Blair instructed Jenny to sit several steps below her on the Met steps. Jenny, with a self-assurance that defied expectations, stood up and walked away just as Serena van der Woodsen made her entrance.
Serena, ever the enigmatic bohemian, cut straight to the chase. “I’m not pregnant,” she announced to a group that seemed barely interested. She then asked to speak to Blair privately. It quickly became apparent that the real drama was not Serena’s news, but rather Blair’s hidden concern. Blair’s anxious demeanor hinted that it was she who needed a pregnancy test to confirm whether her recent escapades with Chuck Bass might result in a little Bass of their own.
“Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” Blair demanded, her voice sharp with disbelief as her entourage gave her the boot from the Met steps. News of the pregnancy scare had spread like wildfire across St. Jude’s and Constance Billard, sparking a dramatic showdown between Nate and Chuck in the school's entry garden.
The once-reigning Queen Bee was now facing a fresh wave of rebellion. The girls rallied around Jenny, making it clear that Blair’s authority was a thing of the past. No longer able to dictate who could sit where or with whom, Blair was forced to watch as Jenny, with newfound confidence, joined the new in-crowd on the steps.
Blair, seething with frustration, hurled one last empty threat in Jenny’s direction. But the Brooklyn girl, undeterred, took her place among the group, cementing her status as a member of the new social elite.
Season 1, Episode 14—“These are my steps, and I’m not relinquishing them without a fight,” Blair declared with fierce determination upon her return to school, her frustration palpable as she discovered Jenny Humphrey had risen to A-list status.
Over coffee, Serena advised Blair to take a more strategic approach, suggesting that kindness might win her more allies. Reluctantly, Blair agreed to join a dinner invitation extended by the new clique, despite their apparent intention to use the event as a platform for her public humiliation.
It soon became clear that their plan to undermine Blair was misguided. The headbanded queen wasn’t about to be outmaneuvered so easily. With her signature blend of poise and cunning, Blair prepared to turn the tables, proving once again that she wasn’t ready to cede her throne without a battle.
Season 1, Episode 16—The fierce rivalry between the Queen Bee and Little J has shifted from the iconic Met steps to the digital realm, where Gossip Girl fuels the flames with a flurry of rumors.
Jenny, now dating affluent Park Avenue scion Asher, stages an extravagant party that Blair is conspicuously excluded from. Meanwhile, Dan begins to suspect that Asher might be seeing someone else on the side and turns to Blair and Serena for advice on how to break the news to his sister.
“All that matters to Jenny right now are guys, girlfriends, and Gossip Girl,” Blair explains with a dismissive wave. Serena chimes in, “If it’s not coming from one of those sources, she won’t even listen.”
Together, they navigate the tangled web of social intrigue, trying to get through to Jenny amid the chaos of high society's drama.
Season 3, Episode 2—No longer clad in their prep school uniforms, Blair and Serena find themselves on the steps of the Met in what can only be described as "regular clothes"—though for them, that means exclusively designer duds.
It’s a poignant reunion as they take a final, wistful look at the place that once symbolized their reign. Blair has traded her Upper East Side life for the downtown vibe of NYU, while Serena is navigating the city with Carter Baizen and working as a publicist, having chosen not to attend Brown—a decision she’s yet to break to Lily, and for good reason.
As they sit on the iconic steps, The Met stands as a bittersweet reminder of their past—a place that once defined their high school world, now a nostalgic echo of the days they've moved beyond.
Season 3, Episode 7—Jenny has stepped into Blair’s former role as Queen Bee, and it’s almost hard to believe how quickly she’s transformed into an even more ruthless leader.
Her old friend Eric can hardly reconcile this new, power-hungry Jenny with the girl who once commuted from Brooklyn, crafted her own clothes, and brought homemade lunches from her rocker dad. To teach her a lesson, the boys daringly take their seats above Jenny on the Met steps—a direct violation of the unwritten seating hierarchy.
In a dramatic display of authority, Jenny must confront Eric, choosing status over friendship in order to maintain her grip on power in front of her entourage. The Upper East Side’s brutal social rules are on full display as personal bonds are sacrificed for the sake of dominance.
Season 5, Episode 19—Despite her brief marriage to a prince, Blair never truly felt like a princess. Enter Dan, who is determined to remedy that.
He dresses Blair in a charming pink tulle gown paired with a beige beaded jacket, then takes her to the place where she once felt most regal: the Met steps. There, he surprises her with a cubic zirconia tiara that sparkles like real diamonds when worn by Blair.
Whether Dan orchestrated the presence of an enthusiastic crowd or they simply happened to be there is left ambiguous. Regardless, the adoring fans' cheers and requests for photos create a magical moment, lifting Blair’s spirits and reminding her of her past allure and worth. The scene is a heartfelt gesture, aimed at rekindling her sense of self-worth and glamour.
Season 6, Episode 6—"The Met steps. Where else would you go to clear your mind?" Nelly responds with a hint of sarcasm when Blair asks how she knew where to find her.
Nelly, Blair's high school rival, has transformed into a fashion journalist, a career path that has led her to cross paths with Blair once again. Blair’s mother has insisted on making amends for past slights, but the rekindled tensions between the two women reveal just how deep their old rivalry runs.
Their encounter quickly devolves into a clash reminiscent of their high school days, marked by lingering animosities. After another reprimand from her mother for her "mean girl" behavior, Blair steps down as president of Waldorf Designs, a move that clearly delights Nelly.
This heated confrontation on the Met steps serves as a catalyst for Blair. Fueled by the clash, she decides to channel her frustration into creativity, resolving to start her own fashion line—a bold new chapter inspired by their dramatic face-off.
Season 6, Episode 10—The group hurries up the Met steps, puzzled by the sudden summons to the museum. As they gather, Blair reveals the unexpected surprise: she’s getting married to Chuck.
However, their joy is quickly overshadowed by a looming crisis. The police are on Chuck’s trail, suspecting him of murdering his father, and a Gossip Girl tip has led the NYPD to the museum, closing in on their location.
In a whirlwind of urgency, the couple and their guests make a swift escape to Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain. Amidst the chaos, they exchange their vows just in time, narrowly evading the approaching officers. The ceremony unfolds as a dramatic, impromptu celebration of their love against the backdrop of a city that never stops.
