SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of “In the City,” streaming on Peacock as of May 20.
Imagine the opening of “The Sopranos,” but instead of Tony, picture an anxious Italian woman leaving a tumultuous decade-long relationship. Add a more upbeat soundtrack, and you have the beginning of “In the City,” the eagerly awaited “Summer House” offshoot.
“In the City,” which debuted Tuesday night on Bravo following the Season 10 finale of “Summer House,” follows the lives of Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke, and Lindsay Hubbard. These three key figures from the Hamptons-based series are now navigating the less daunting streets of Manhattan. Amanda, 34, is separated from Kyle, 43, who is the founder of the financially struggling canned cocktail company “Loverboy.” Kyle, recently separated from Amanda, has taken up DJing in his 40s, partly out of spite and partly to support his failing business. Meanwhile, Lindsay is a former publicist and single mother to an adorably cute baby girl named Gemma, living in an impressive apartment that would make Nancy Meyers envious.
The cast also includes various other characters, such as Danielle Olivera, a former “Summer House” star and a founder and president of an unspecified company, along with her Irish boyfriend Eoin. Also featured are Andrea Denver, an Italian model who occasionally appeared on “Summer House,” and his wife Lexi; Lindsay’s friends Yvonne and Georgina; and Kenny Martin, a venture capitalist who quickly becomes the show’s antagonist, accompanied by his seemingly sweet girlfriend Whitney, a former “Bachelor” contestant advised to steer clear.
Aside from the expected drama involving Lindsay, who immediately clashes with Kenny, the pilot also features an incredibly awkward “anniversary” dinner between Amanda and Kyle. Kyle continues to evade accountability for his poor treatment of Amanda, even skipping therapy sessions. The key moment of the pilot, however, unfolds in the opening scene.
To provide some context, the 10th season of “Summer House” detailed the near-collapse of Amanda and Kyle’s four-year marriage. Amanda was disengaged, barely recognizing Kyle’s presence, while Kyle reacted with anger due to his inability to manage his emotions, even swearing at Amanda twice in front of their housemates. In January, Amanda and Kyle officially announced their separation. The “Summer House” Season 10 finale depicted their separation, with Amanda staying at a hotel for a few days. On March 31, two months after their separation was announced and amid ongoing online speculation, Amanda and Westling “West” Wilson, 31, a content creator and friend of Amanda and Kyle, revealed they were in a “sorta” relationship. The fact that West had previously dated Ciara Miller, one of Amanda’s close friends who still had feelings for him, added complexity to the situation.
After a montage of news reports about the separation and Amanda’s new relationship, “In the City” begins on April 9. This is nine days after Amanda and West’s relationship was announced, capturing the aftermath. Kyle is seen doing dishes when Amanda enters. He warmly greets her, expressing concern for her well-being, “Have you eaten? You’re looking skinny. I’m worried about you…,” to which Amanda replies, “I’m worried about me, too.”
Amanda has a history of depression, some of which was shown on “Summer House.” She has been portrayed as a backstabbing friend in this saga, dubbed “Scamanda” online. In my view, the criticism directed at Amanda has been excessive compared to the criticism faced by West. West provided emotional support to Amanda but appears to have taken advantage of her vulnerability after her challenging relationship. Amanda should have been more open with Ciara, who dated West previously, but likely saw West as a light-hearted post-breakup fling. This situation might be better termed “Westgate.”
Kyle and Amanda sit on the couch to discuss their separation. Kyle begins, “I know we’ve been able to somewhat keep in touch through all this, and like, I want to be there for you, but I also want to take an opportunity to, like, clear things up. Because I look back at the summer and it looked like you were done with me,” showing his frustration.
“That’s what’s so frustrating, is I gave our relationship everything I had because I wanted the relationship to work so badly,” Amanda responds, tearing up. “And the idea of not existing with you in my life was so impossible for me to wrap my head around, and it’s what made it so hard to call it quits, which is why it got so messy, because I was so afraid that once we ended things we would just be out of each other’s lives forever, and I couldn’t handle that.”
Kareem Black/Bravo
Kyle continues, “But I’m gonna be honest: I can pinpoint these instances during the summer and fall where I’m like, damn, she wasn’t just one foot out, she was fully out the door.”
“I was done to an extent. I was tired. I had nothing left in me to fight, but I was still trying to give it everything I had,” Amanda reiterates.
Then Kyle brings up the topic of Amanda and West. “Can you honestly say, though, that right through Thanksgiving, for that matter, even if it was an emotional affair with West…” he starts, but Amanda interrupts. “Nothing was happening! I was so committed to you throughout the whole thing, and all I wanted was to make it work, and for you to even question my faithfulness in any capacity just really hurts, because that’s not the type of person that I am! Like I would step out on you or cheat? I’ve been cheated on by you.” While it’s reasonable for Kyle to question the timeline, he also cheated on Amanda multiple times, so his position is weak.
“I had a one-night stand…” Kyle defends himself.
“Kyle, you made out with someone while we were married,” Amanda counters. “There’s a video.”
The mention of the video halts Kyle, and his reaction suggests guilt. He shifts from being defensive to expressing concern.
“I know you’re not a bad person,” he says. “I think you were reckless and thoughtless, if I’m being honest. But in all of this, I’m still trying to be a good friend to you. I mean, I worry about you. I worry about your mental health.”
“It’s not your responsibility, but I appreciate that,” Amanda replies. The story then flashes back seven months to September 2025, returning to the main narrative. Fans will have to wait for the three-part “Summer House” reunion, starting May 26, for more drama. The teaser promises to be captivating.
