New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but The Real Housewives of New York City sent audiences nationwide—well, at least, me—into a deep slumber with its initial reboot season, a tepid outing that raised the question: Was a total reboot the right idea? That’s still unclear. A world where Luann de Lesseps’ chaotic cabaret is relegated to the sidelines as Bethenny Frankel spirals into a TikTok-infused insanity is one in which we’re all worse off. What is clear, though, is the Season 15 premiere (technically Season 2) of new RHONY is easily the show’s best episode yet, smartly veering from a vapid aspirational angle to focus on what fans crave most: drama.

The turbulent premiere finally proves the reboot ladies are up to fight about more than just cheese. Coming off a whimpering, weepy reunion , the premiere offers viewers a lovely game of telephone. Did Sai say she hates Jenna? Did Erin imply Brynn is a high-end escort and call Jenna poor? Does Jenna have bad B.

O.? It just depends which messenger you trust most—if you trust any. Real Housewives works best when pathological liars and delusional divas work together to create a cacophony of chaos, after all.

The waters are finally muddied now that this cast has spent enough time together to gel on camera. It could be proof that the RHONY reboot can survive on its own, even if this cast would benefit from a weekend of torture at Dorinda Medley’s Berkshires home. Racquel Chevremont, Jessel Taank, and Brynn .