It has been nearly two decades since a mysterious, omniscient text message blast changed television forever. When Gossip Girl premiered in 2007, it wasn’t just a show; it was a cultural virus. And while you can stream the scandals of Serena, Blair, Chuck, and Nate in 4K today, there is a growing consensus among the show’s most loyal fans:
Higher resolutions (4K) often expose the seams of older television shows. You see the zits on Chuck Bass’s chin. You see the studio lights reflecting in the windows of the Constance Billard set. You notice that the "Paris" backdrop is obviously a green screen.
When you watch the 720p version, something magical happens. The slight softness of the image removes the digital "soap opera" effect that sometimes plagues modern upscales. The texture of Serena’s metallic headbands, the weave of Blair’s headbands, and the grain of the New York brickwork feel tangible. 720p preserves the imperfections of late-00s digital cinematography, which is actually perfect for a show about perfect people hiding ugly secrets. You might be asking, "Why go backwards?"
