I agree about NS and their fathers. I think all of NJBC can and did understand each other better in that regard and for the things they live, do.
For NS too, imo would have been a better writing but as I said that would also have suggested that NS mattered
But when she was replaced at Ostroff Center Serena said she did go to the party to kiss only Dan, that's the only thing she remembers, she did not kiss anyone or do anything, she got played by Juliet and Jenny