If you've watched Gossip Girl, there's a solid chance that Nate Archibald is the name of one of your favorite television men. While so many people say Blair was the best, Serena was the best, Chuck, etc. I believe that Nate was hands down the best character the show had. He stood out for so many different reasons, whether we as viewers noticed at the time or not.
1. He was extremely dependable
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He was always there for Chuck and even covered for his Blair by lying and saying he took the key to the pool in season 1. Unlike so many of the characters living on the Upper East Side, Nate was one of the few that was always there for his friends in any given situation.
2. He proved chivalry was not dead
Whether it was in his graciousness of not pressuring Blair to losing her virginity or to coming to Serena or Jenny's rescue many times, Nate was always there like a knight in shining armor.
3. While he made mistakes he always showed remorse and that he truly had a conscience
Though his record was not squeaky clean, Nate always acknowledged what he was doing was wrong and would actually feel guilty because of it - unlike many of his friends.
4. He wanted to make a name for himself, not just carry on his family name
Nate was constantly trying to run from the shadow cast over him by his infamous family name. He wanted to go to school where he wanted to go - not where his family had a legacy. Nate wanted to create a newspaper on his own merit, not because his grandfather could buy him one if he wished.
5. He wasn't afraid to stand up to his family when he knew they were wrong
Nate's family was a hundred times more problematic than he ever was and, though it was a sticky situation, in the end he would always stand up against what was wrong - whether what was wrong was related to him or not.
6. He was really, really hot
Try to argue with me on this. You can't.
7. He showed that nice guys don't have to finish last
While Chuck and Dan made it to the top by looking out for themselves and having a colder demeanor, Nate took the higher road.
8. He could rock a suit like no one else
Again, you can't argue this.
9. By the end of the series he wasn't paired off with someone random, but instead made success on his own
While Serena had Dan and Chuck had Blair, Nate had a private jet and political future.
10. Last but not least: He never, ever, EVER sent a single post into Gossip Girl
I think this speaks the highest of Nathaniel Archibald. While the entire show ran on the sole fact that the characters were sending in intimate details and gossip to an anonymous blogger, Nate never gave in to the pressure of shit talking or gossip circulating. Not only was he not the secret identity of Gossip Girl, but he never even helped her broadcast any gossip.
