Next Gen NYC Recap: Father Knows Best

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It seems that I didn’t fully expect how deeply involved every contestant’s parents would become in this program. Now, I find myself pondering if they’re being paid or if they’re doing it out of goodwill. At first, I had concerns that their frequent appearances might hinder the show’s independence and self-sufficiency. However, I recalled that they were making appearances on their children’s shows in a similar manner as their parents did when they were kids. This appears to be an age-old family custom reaching back to Mama Joyce and Nonno. Given the rich history of this tradition, it feels presumptuous for me to question it, especially since these parents are providing some of the show’s most memorable moments.

To illustrate, consider Seth Marks, who’s as comfortable in front of cameras as a fish in water and joins Brooks for a day at the golf range (if RHOSLC has shown us anything, it’s that the Marks family treats their zip code as a mere suggestion – they are global citizens). So he’s currently in New York, spending time with his son. This is where we learn that Brooks has a boyfriend named Kade, who, much like Seth, leads a lifestyle that spans across different locations. As hinted in the previews, Seth inquires about his son’s intimate life, which Brooks understandably finds awkward, although he does acknowledge it’s a topic they discuss with his mother – a level of intimacy Seth aspires to share. “I want to be a mom,” he says – and to Bravo viewers, that’s exactly what he is.

Stepping back into familiar territory, I find myself reminiscing in the very kitchen where I once spent countless hours – the expansive island belonging to none other than Teresa Giudice. The memories here are as vivid as ever. Gia, in her usual fashion, is coordinating a pool party in good old Jersey, inviting her city friends for a taste of small-town life. However, the meticulous planning and even Gia’s misconceptions about state taxes take a backseat to Teresa’s electrifying recount of her recent buttock laser treatment. This is indeed television at its most captivating!

In a similar vein, when Charlie dines with his artistic mother and her long-haired British companion named Ivor, I’m immediately captivated by these fresh characters entering the storyline. Previously, we’ve encountered Charlie’s aloof, detached father, but this side of the family provides additional insights into why Charlie is who he is. He shares that he resided with his mother until age 10, at which point she felt unable to cope, so his father gained custody. He mentions that unlike his father, she doesn’t push the kids away; instead, she’s just more occupied. After a brief detour discussing her past relationships with Jean-Michel Basquiat, his mother shows him childhood drawings depicting his father being shot and stabbed in the head. “That’s hilarious as hell,” he chuckles before mentioning his affinity for Succession. This complex family dynamic is a lot to process, but I hope one day it leads to a successful career as a family psychologist for someone.

At Brooks’ place, Shai drops by to help him figure out how to operate his recently acquired sewing machine. It’s interesting because Shai is an assistant for talent agents, while Brooks is a fashion designer. However, it turns out that Shai shares a passion for sewing in his leisure time (a condition some Bravo viewers refer to as Craig Conover Syndrome). In fact, he has crafted himself a pair of pants from his curtains, much like a DIY-oriented Maria Von Trapp.

Later on, they summarize for us what happened the previous evening – an art event where Georgia consumed and enjoyed seven glasses of red wine, and fortunately, peace was established between Charlie and Ariana. However, it seems that this show is predictable in one aspect: Charlie doesn’t manage to stay out of trouble for long. And by the end of the night, he had a fresh conflict with Riley after abandoning her for some unknown women.

Before moving on to the next conflict, there’s still unresolved business regarding the disrespectful remarks he made following his date with Chloe. Although Brooks claimed he could handle it, Seth unexpectedly decided to meet privately with Charlie (a person he seems not to know previously) to discuss this matter. However, let’s be clear: This isn’t about reprimanding him for disrespecting his daughter; rather, it’s about bonding with him since Seth is concerned that Charlie lacks a male role model in his life. Frankly, this situation is quite peculiar, and we can only hope it was orchestrated by the production team. It’s an unusual level of family intervention for just one date, as Charlie himself pointed out.

Seth’s quirky demeanor undoubtedly helps ease some of his discomfort, but the question remains: what’s the purpose of our gathering? It’s quite enjoyable when they begin to chat casually, and Charlie shares details about his roommate Dylan, who he believes is either bisexual or pansexual – a topic that really intrigues Seth. Frankly, it might be time for Seth to become a permanent cast member.

Instead of going to Gia’s pool party via Port Authority, the cast prefers to travel in a Sprinter van, which could be considered more like a party bus due to its size. Everyone climbs aboard to cross the border, with Ariana carrying her laundry for the convenience of the Giudices’ washer and dryer. On this journey, Riley and Charlie have a disagreement about his recent behavior with other girls, escalating into a heated argument.

In a brief recollection, it’s shown that when Riley approached the girl Charlie was speaking with, she seemed not to notice or acknowledge Riley, failing to ask for his name as well. Later on, this behavior was pointed out by Charlie. According to Charlie’s account, Riley appeared upset in response, adopting a particular demeanor during their interaction, complete with a finger-wag and neck roll. This minor incident, although subtle, wasn’t missed by Riley who started crying afterwards.

In simpler terms, the character (Riley) expresses her discomfort when people perceive her as intimidating or trying to scare white girls, which she experiences regularly. She points out that despite being friendly to everyone, this stereotype often follows her, especially in conversations with white women. Ava supports Riley during their conversation. This is a sensitive topic that Riley handles gracefully, and while it’s early in the show, I hope it helps her fellow cast members understand the racial implications better and improve her experience on the show. However, it seems Charlie doesn’t fully grasp the issue yet, as he apologizes but the conversation continues to be a challenge for him.

Upon their arrival in New Jersey, Gia exclaims, “Here’s a bartender, there will be homemade mozzarella, and the psychic is ready.” It’s evident that this woman, who grew up close to a Real Housewife, knows how to host an impressive gathering. This isn’t just any party; it’s a cast party, and that’s exactly what this event promises to be. However, the scale of elegance is intentionally designed to entice people into crossing the Hudson (the river, not Ariana’s boyfriend). She even arranges a call with Teresa to join the celebrations, who seems mysteriously worried that they might not cook the pizza they plan on making.

In the midst of a lively gathering, while Ariana is preoccupied with laundry, Riley contacts her mother for words of encouragement following an incident on the bus. Subsequently, she chats with Charlie once more, who expresses remorse and claims he truly comprehends the situation. However, as soon as their talk ends, he confides in Georgia that his apology was insincere and merely to placate her. This information enrages Georgia’s roommate Cooper (possibly a factory worker), who informs Ava. Fuming, Ava shares this with Riley, leading them to confront Charlie about his deceit. Oddly enough, he fails to grasp the issue at hand and instead decides to leave, even escaping through a doggy gate when the psychic, who feels drawn to him and wants to assist, can’t prevent him from doing so.

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2025-06-18 06:54