The cast of <i>Gossip Girl</i>
The cast of Gossip Girl (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)

Well, it’s been a scintillating summer for the privileged kids of Gossip Girl. Sex and scandal abound on HBO Max’s reboot of the controversial teen drama, and the midseason finale was no exception. There was that awkward “family” dinner party — and the much, much sexier one that followed. Plus, a protest! And a pair of potential love triangles really heated up!

The second part of Season 1 won’t stream until November, when the show returns with six more episodes. Until then, we’re left with a few lingering questions…

Should we even be rooting for Zoya and Obie, really?

Like the original Gossip Girl, this new version has set up a central love triangle that will probably cycle through various configurations as long as the show lasts. Remember how often Serena and Blair and Nate and co. paired up and broke up and re-paired again in that seemingly endless square dance? It looks like that might be what we’re in for with Zoya (Whitney Peak), Julien (Jordan Alexander) and Obie (Eli Brown). But after the events of “Parentsite,” should we even really be rooting for Zoya and Obie? The whole episode was constructed to highlight the differences between Obie’s privileged sphere and Zoya’s more modest background. Obie seems to have embraced the progressive values Zoya admires in the end, but the fact remains that she doesn’t seem to understand how to function in his world, among his people — and she doesn’t want to. It’s also worth considering their age difference. What Zoya’s purity of conviction is undercut by her youthful lack of finesse. Might Obie not be better off with someone who shares his values, but also understands how to advance them within his social circle? Some like, say, Julien, with whom he shares a smooch at the end of the episode…

Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind and Evan Mock
Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind and Evan Mock (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)

What’s next for Audrey, Max and Aki?

After dancing around their mutual attraction for the past five episodes, this trio finally hooked up! Finally! Good for them! But…what about the morning after? How’s this all going to shake out? Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind) finally seems to have embraced the possibilities of having a bisexual boyfriend, while Aki (Evan Mock) is finally allowing himself to explore his attraction to men. But how is this going to affect their friendship with Max (Thomas Doherty)? Will they all just be able to be cool about it? Or might someone catch feelings? Is another love triangle brewing? Or possibly a throuple? Can Audrey and Aki tame Max, or will he break one or both of their hearts?

Jason Gotay
Jason Gotay (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)

What the hell are we going to do about Rafa?

So, on the one hand, we should all be super relieved that the Max-Rafa (Jason Gotay) storyline has developed. It is categorically not ok for high school teachers to have sex with their students, so turning Rafa into a villain was obviously the right move. Also, now the season has a Big Bad! After Max sent incriminating video of the two of them to Gossip Girl, the teachers behind the account are now aware of Rafa’s despicable behavior as well. So, what’s the next move? Rafa has already proved himself to be manipulative and amoral. What further damage can do to both teachers and students? Could Kate (Tavi Gevinson) and co. team up with Julien and her crew to take him down before the end of the season?

Jordan Alexander
Jordan Alexander (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)

Why does Aki’s dad want him to stay away from Julien?

In a move straight out of Succession, the show brought in Malcolm-effing-McDowell to guest as Aki’s Rupert Murdoch-esque father. In the course of one episode he managed to sow discord between Obie and Zoya, out his own son on live TV, and drop a mysterious bomb on his way out the door. While Aki was getting busy with Audrey and Max, ol’ daddio left him a voicemail warning him to stay away from Julien, just for a little while. What could this mean? What kind of trouble is brewing for our Jules? Sure, she’s going to have to suffer the wrath of Luna (Zión Moreno) when she finds out Julien tanked any chance of partnering with a major brand by appearing at a protest, but that can’t be what Aki’s dad meant. Unless we’re missing something, it’s safe to expect a major bombshell when the show returns in November.

Savannah Lee Smith
Savannah Lee Smith (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik/HBO Max)

How long until Monet is back in the inner circle?

If there is a major, end-run scandal brewing in the second half of the season, who could possibly help Julien through it? If only we knew of a ruthless public relations strategist who also happens to be a teenager and goes to Constance Billard. Oh, wait, we do: Monet (Savannah Lee Smith). God, how we’ve missed her vicious snark — and she’s only been AWOL for one episode! Here’s hoping she’ll make a speedy return once she smells blood in the water.