Overview of Next Gen NYC S2E013 Part One: Brooksie Torture House
Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam recap the first part of the Next Gen NYC reunion, focusing on the cast’s shifting alliances, relationship updates, and the season’s biggest unresolved conflicts. The hosts spend a lot of time on Brooks’ late-season attempt to become more confrontational, Charlie’s continued chaos, Ariana’s claims of being manipulated, and the surprisingly effective reunion setup and staging. They also note how quickly the cast seems to react to fan opinion, which makes the reunion feel both messy and very “Bravo-aware.”
Reunion Setup and Overall Impressions
What worked
- The hosts loved the reunion set, especially the giant cushioned couch/bench setup.
- They felt it fit the show’s vibe better than the usual scattered sofa arrangement.
- They also enjoyed how the reunion instantly made clear how large the cast actually is.
Cast energy
- The cast came in sounding nervous, image-conscious, and very aware of how they’ll look to viewers.
- Ben and Ronnie point out that this group feels especially shaped by online reaction and audience feedback.
Biggest Drama and Cast Arguments
Brooks vs. Charlie
- Brooks arrives determined to be more aggressive than usual after being criticized for not doing enough this season.
- The hosts think his effort to “come in guns blazing” mostly fizzles.
- The reunion revisits Brooks and Charlie’s feud, including:
- Charlie’s harsh comments about Brooks’ dad.
- Brooks insisting Charlie crossed a line.
- Charlie arguing Brooks wasn’t as direct or innocent as he claims.
- The hosts lean toward Charlie being entertaining, even when he’s terrible, while also noting Brooks’ complaints are not totally convincing.
The “crypto torture house” issue
- Charlie’s rumored involvement in a crypto-related torture house becomes a recurring joke and major point of suspicion.
- Charlie refuses to say much, which only makes him look more evasive.
- The hosts keep emphasizing how wild it is that this topic is being treated as just another reunion sidebar instead of a massive scandal.
Ariana, Liam, and manipulation
- Ariana says she feels manipulated and regrets how things played out, especially regarding Liam.
- Ben and Ronnie are skeptical of her framing, suggesting she’s shifting blame in a way that feels convenient.
- The reunion teases unresolved tension around Ariana’s relationship status and what really happened off-camera.
Relationship Updates
Ariana and Hudson
- Andy asks about Ariana and Hudson’s relationship status.
- Ariana says they’re taking things day by day and that she is currently single.
- Hudson is expected to appear later in the reunion, setting up a future perspective on the breakup.
Georgia and Prez
- Georgia says she and Prez are not together for now.
- They’ve discussed freezing sperm/eggs, which the hosts turn into one of the episode’s bigger jokes.
- Georgia also admits the situation is complicated and tied up in timing and relationship issues.
Ava and Hook
- Ava confirms that things with Hook ended badly and implies he cheated.
- She says the girls supported her during that period.
- The hosts note how Ava still tends to answer in a polished, influencer-like way even when discussing drama.
Riley’s relationship
- Riley describes her relationship as the first healthy one she’s had.
- Ben and Ronnie joke that her partner barely speaks, which fits the show’s understated style.
Brooks and Cade
- Brooks says he and Cade are planning to get an apartment together in New York.
- The hosts read this as another sign that Brooks is being repositioned away from the center of the show.
Other Notable Reunion Moments
Shai’s fashion and persona
- Shai’s collar/untucked styling becomes an unexpectedly funny visual moment.
- He insists it’s intentional, while Andy and the hosts treat it like either a trend or an accident.
- The hosts compare his style to “effortless confusion” and call out how it matches his personality.
Rowan’s introduction to the reunion
- Rowan gets attention for being witty, self-aware, and tied to a famous family.
- She leans into the fact that she’s expected to uphold her mother Brooke Shields’ legacy.
- Ben and Ronnie think her vibe is funny and polished, and they point out that her sister may have been the more explosive reality-TV candidate.
Charlie’s charm vs. character
- Several cast members admit Charlie is funny and charismatic.
- The hosts repeatedly note the disconnect between Charlie being entertaining and being objectively awful.
- He’s framed as someone who can always “swing back” no matter what is thrown at him.
Themes and Takeaways
The cast is extremely audience-aware
- Several people seem to adjust their opinions based on how viewers reacted online.
- Ben and Ronnie say this is very typical of reunions, but this group is especially transparent about it.
Fame is part of the whole joke
- The hosts keep poking fun at how seriously the cast takes itself.
- The reunion plays like a group of young people who believe they’re already major stars, even when the drama is still very messy and small-scale.
Charlie remains the episode’s wild card
- Even though he’s controversial, Charlie is still one of the most watchable people in the cast.
- The hosts seem to think the show needs his chaos, even if he’s involved in terrible behavior.
Bottom Line
This reunion opener is mostly about repositioning the cast after the season: who is broken up, who is pretending to be above the drama, and who is still very much in the middle of it. Brooks tries to become more confrontational, Ariana shifts into self-protective mode, Charlie stays infuriatingly funny, and the “crypto torture house” thread keeps the whole thing bizarrely high-stakes. Ben and Ronnie clearly enjoyed the episode’s absurdity, especially the set design, the fashion weirdness, and the cast’s over-serious attitude toward their own fame.