{"id":32048,"date":"2021-08-12T21:55:21","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T21:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=32048"},"modified":"2021-08-12T21:55:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-12T21:55:21","slug":"gossip-girl-midseason-finale-recap-questions","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/gossip-girl-midseason-finale-recap-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Gossip Girl\u2019: 5 Lingering Questions After the Midseason Finale"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
The cast of Gossip Girl<\/i> (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, it\u2019s been a scintillating summer for the privileged<\/a> kids of Gossip Girl<\/em><\/a>. Sex and scandal abound on HBO Max\u2019s reboot of the controversial teen drama, and the midseason finale was no exception. There was that awkward \u201cfamily\u201d dinner party — and the much, much <\/em>sexier one that followed. Plus, a protest! And a pair of potential love triangles really heated up!<\/p>\n

The second part of Season 1 won\u2019t stream until November, when the show returns with six more episodes. Until then, we\u2019re left with a few lingering questions\u2026<\/p>\n

Should we even be rooting for Zoya and Obie, really?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like the original Gossip Girl<\/em>, 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\u2019re in for with Zoya (Whitney Peak), Julien (Jordan Alexander) and Obie (Eli Brown). But after the events of \u201cParentsite,\u201d should we even really be rooting for Zoya and Obie? The whole episode was constructed to highlight the differences between Obie\u2019s privileged sphere and Zoya\u2019s more modest background. Obie seems to have embraced the progressive values Zoya admires in the end, but the fact remains that she doesn\u2019t seem to understand how to function in his world, among his people — and she doesn\u2019t want to. It\u2019s also worth considering their age difference. What Zoya\u2019s 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\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Thomas
Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind and Evan Mock (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s next for Audrey, Max and Aki? <\/strong><\/p>\n

After dancing around their mutual attraction for the past five episodes, this trio finally hooked up! Finally! Good for them! But\u2026what about the morning after? How\u2019s this all going to shake out? Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind<\/a>) finally seems to have embraced the possibilities of having a bisexual boyfriend, while Aki (Evan Mock<\/a>) is finally allowing himself to explore his attraction to men. But how is this going to affect their friendship with Max (Thomas Doherty<\/a>)? 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?<\/p>\n

\"Jason
Jason Gotay (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What the hell are we going to do about Rafa?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s despicable behavior as well. So, what\u2019s 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<\/a>) and co. team up with Julien and her crew to take him down before the end of the season?<\/p>\n

\"Jordan
Jordan Alexander (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why does Aki\u2019s dad want him to stay away from Julien? <\/strong><\/p>\n

In a move straight out of Succession<\/em>, the show brought in Malcolm-effing-McDowell to guest as Aki\u2019s 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\u2019 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\u2019s going to have to suffer the wrath of Luna (Zi\u00f3n Moreno) when she finds out Julien tanked any chance of partnering with a major brand by appearing at a protest, but that can\u2019t be what Aki\u2019s dad meant. Unless we\u2019re missing something, it\u2019s safe to expect a major bombshell when the show returns in November.<\/p>\n

\"Savannah
Savannah Lee Smith (Photo: Karolina Wojtasik\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How long until Monet is back in the inner circle? <\/strong><\/p>\n

If there is<\/em> 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\u2019ve missed her vicious snark — and she\u2019s only been AWOL for one episode! Here\u2019s hoping she\u2019ll make a speedy return once she smells blood in the water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29097,"featured_media":32049,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[38,16],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018Gossip Girl\u2019: 5 Lingering Questions After the Midseason Finale - Grazia USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s been a scintillating summer for the privileged kids of Gossip Girl. The second part of Season 1 won\u2019t stream until November, when the show returns with six more episodes. 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