There’s something distinctly surreal about watching the kids of Bravo alums party-hop through New York City like it’s a rebooted Gossip Girl with deeper pockets and more unresolved generational trauma. But Episode 2 of Next Gen NYC proves this isn’t just a nepotism playground — it’s Bravo’s next big social experiment.
We’re only two episodes in, and alliances are forming, trust is breaking, and Charlie is somehow still talking about Chloe. Let’s get into what actually went down — and what didn’t — in Brooklyn.
The Pool Party Where Everything Boiled Over
The pool party at Brooks’ family’s Hamptons home should’ve been chill. Instead, it was Bravo chaos with a millennial twist: organic fruit platters, designer bikinis, and a conversation about hygiene that escalated into a full-blown war.
Georgia’s whole “I don’t wash my hands” bit from Episode 1 continues to haunt her. Even though she backtracks, saying she was “obviously joking,” Riley isn’t buying it — and Georgia knows it. You can see her spiral as she tells Dylan and Shai she wants to tell Riley to “f*** off,” only to get gently shut down by Charlie of all people. Yes, Charlie played peacemaker. What a timeline.
Charlie Still Can’t Shut Up About Chloe
This man is allergic to accountability. After supposedly mending things with Brooks, Charlie immediately turns around and jokes (again) about Chloe, Brooks’ sister — the same woman he crossed a boundary with last week. At this point, it feels less like a mistake and more like a weird obsession.
When confronted, he deflects, shifts blame, or just tries to start drama elsewhere. It’s classic reality TV behavior, but it’s exhausting — especially for viewers who’ve seen this archetype play out a dozen times before.
Ariana and Riley’s Reunion Is the Heartbeat of the Episode
Amid all the mess, one storyline stands out for actually having some emotional weight: Ariana reaching out to Riley after years of silence due to their moms’ (Kim Zolciak and Kandi Burruss) fallout. When Riley shows up, she’s reserved — but warm. Their reconnection is quietly moving, especially when Riley reveals that Kandi encouraged her to make peace.
Ariana seems genuinely relieved. It’s a brief but beautiful moment — two women breaking a cycle their mothers couldn’t.
Brooks Tries (Again) to Be the Glue
Brooks is trying his best to be the peacekeeper, but you can tell it’s wearing on him. When Charlie starts chaos again during a group outing, Brooks looks visibly drained. Gia Giudice (daughter of RHONJ icon Teresa) steps in to help keep the energy up, but it’s clear that being the “glue” is a thankless job.
Later, Brooks gets vulnerable about the online discourse surrounding his sexuality. Gia listens without judgment. It’s a moment that feels outside the performance — one of the few instances where the kids of Bravo seem painfully aware of what it means to grow up under public scrutiny.
Ava and Charlie? Let’s Not.
Emira tries to play matchmaker, insisting Ava and Charlie have “chemistry.” Ava shuts it down quickly and directly: “I’m just not attracted to Charlie like that.” She’s not being shady — just honest. “I need someone who’s motivated,” she adds, gently roasting Charlie’s work ethic (or lack thereof).
This leads to one of the episode’s quieter but sharper subplots: the question of how these cast members actually live. Dylan jokes about Charlie’s reliance on maids and his crypto-trading “business,” but it’s not lost on anyone that generational wealth is the real main character here.
Hudson vs. Charlie: Corduroy Chaos
Tensions reach their peak when Charlie — cornered and desperate — tries to pick a fight with Hudson. It’s a complete meltdown, punctuated by Hudson’s iconic line: “You wanna act some type of way in your corduroy pants?” Game over.
No one engages. Charlie storms off. Brooks sighs. The group sighs. America sighs. Charlie is giving “villain without the charisma,” and it’s becoming less entertaining and more uncomfortable.
Trust Fund Turmoil and Germ Trauma
Next Gen NYC is still finding its rhythm, but Episode 2 gives us a glimpse of what it could be: not just a spinoff, but a reexamination of what happens when legacy, privilege, and public life collide. Between Zack and Jasmine skating through Manhattan, Ariana and Riley rebuilding, and Charlie spiraling into irrelevance, the show is finally gaining emotional stakes.
Let’s hope it keeps pushing past the surface — because this cast has more to say than just “I didn’t mean it like that.”
