Image Source: Jioforme, Gossip Girl Wiki - Fandom
Gossip Girl Reboot is an American teen drama series developed by Joshua Safran for HBO Max and is the sequel to The CW’s famous and very popular show "Gossip Girl," which was based on the novel series by author Cecily von Ziegesar. The original series’ co-creators, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, along with Joshua Safran, are surviving as the executive producers of the show. Actress Kristen Bell has reprised her role as the iconic voice of Gossip Girl, who serves as the narrator of the series.
The cast of "Gossip Girl Reboot" includes Jordan Alexander, Whitney Peak, Tavi Gevinson, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, and Savannah Lee Smith. The show was renewed for the second season in September 2021 and season 1 is now streaming on HBO Max.
One of the concepts that have attracted the audience and critics towards the show is the approach and portrayal of polyamorous relationships. In actuality, polyamory is the practice of ethical non-monogamy and can involve having an open relationship and dating others, or might involve being a part of a triad or larger group relationship. It is not just any kind of open relationship, and by definition, it requires all parties to be in the know.
The diverse cast of 'Gossip Girl Reboot'. Image Source: Daily Research Plot
One such relationship on the show is between Audrey (Emily Alyn Lind), Aki (Evan Mock), and Max (Thomas Doherty), and it has managed to attract a major audience as it is written down and performed beautifully. Till now, a polyamory relationship has been showcased on-screen in a very limited way, much like an experiment between couples. People with weak communication skills lie to each other or betray one another, according to the polyamory relationships showcased on-screen thus far. The Drag Therapist mentioned that it takes a lot of hard work to unlearn the monogamy culture and get the hang of being vulnerable about one’s insecurity and jealousy, but at the same time, it feels very rewarding too.
But the relationship between Audrey, Max, and Aki is portrayed very differently from the ones we’ve seen till now. We are introduced to Audrey and Aki as a longtime couple who have tried everything possible to make their relationship work sexually, but they are simply bored with each other when it comes to sex. And at the same time, we encounter Aki, trying to understand his sexuality and conclude that he is bisexual. Max Wolfe, on the other hand, is described or portrayed as a pansexual alpha male who is experienced and confident in himself but is unwilling to commit to a serious relationship for fear of being hurt. Max is compared to the original cast's Chuck Bass, portrayed by handsome hunk Ed Westwick, and he surely gets some of his traits from him (Jawline though), but unlike Chuck, Max is more accepting when it comes to his feelings and emotions.
Audrey and Aki in 'Gossip Girl Reboot'. Image Source: The Sun
Max’s instant connection with both Aki and Audrey is seen, and he understands it, as they head towards the polyamory pathway. The way their relationships progress, starting from being confused with feelings to experimenting and accepting them, says a lot. The fact that the relationship between the three is not portrayed as three young kids trying out a polyamory relationship because they are curious but because that’s how they want it speaks volumes, especially in today’s time when such things are related to relationships and sex are considered taboo. The couple, who already had issues with their sexual life, try to see other people, but nothing works for them, and eventually go to see a couple’s counselor. After that, they realize that they both connect with Max, and he is what they want. Max also realizes that he has experienced a deeper connection with Audrey and Aki, and he no longer wants to seek other sexual relationships that have no deeper meaning to him.
One thing that needs to be noted here is the fact that the audience needs to see that when individuals opt for polyamory, it does not mean that they are unsatisfied with their partner, as this relationship requires more communication, transparency, and emotional awareness. The Drag Therapist explains, "It also doesn't mean you have to accept the bare minimum or accept relationships that aren't fulfilling just because you can date other people. It's not all about sex. It requires reflection about what your intentions are and why you're pursuing a different kind of relationship structure. "
Actor Thomas Doherty, who plays Max Wolfe, spoke to Variety about playing a pansexual alpha male and said, "I have always seen sexuality as a spectrum. But playing Max, a pansexual character, was incredibly liberating. It was very educational, and it definitely made me challenge my own preconceived notions, my indoctrination, of ‘this is who you love, this is what you do, everything else is wrong. I think it is very limiting, and I think as I get older and experience life a little more, you constantly evolve, and you’re constantly growing. I feel like labels limit you. They’re almost walls to your growth. "
A still from Gossip Girl Reboot Episode 3. Image Source: Alexus Renee
Leanne Yau, who is an advocate for non-monogamy relationships, also expressed her gratitude towards the showrunner for featuring a relationship with two bisexual/pansexual men, given that most polyamorous representation tends to involve two bisexual or curious women—and caters to a cisest male gaze. She said, "Even in a throuple, the relationship between the queer women is constantly sexualized, minimized, and generally portrayed as a titillating bonus to the two "real" and "straight" relationships. My one gripe is that it still upholds the misconception that all polyamory is triads and throuples, when in reality, such configurations are much rarer in the polyamorous community than people think. However, I do think it is a step in the right direction. I would love to see more representation in the future that shows a wider variety of polyamorous relationships. Give us polyamorous people of color, queer and trans polycules, solo polyamorous relationship anarchists, and mono-poly relationships. "
Another polyamorous woman, Gabrielle Alexa Noel, said, "I think the three of them fit well. And I think Max brought up some valid concerns about couple privilege for someone coming into a pre-existing relationship. The agreement they make sets it up, so there’s still room for a couple of privileges to exist; Max just has an emergency hatch. However, their conversation around scheduling gives me hope that they can make this work".
In the words of Leanne Yau, the relationship portrayed by the three extremely convincing and talented actors showcases that love triangles do not always have to be love triangles. Sometimes, no one needs to lose or get heartbroken. People's connections are sometimes profound emotional relationships rather than just sexual ones. In conclusion, polyamory relationships acknowledge a truth that many of us experience daily: it is very feasible to love numerous people at the same time without jeopardizing any of your existing relationships.
