Zelda Barnz offers some thoughts and closure on the now-canceled teen dramedyincluding her take on that Chester cliffhanger.
On Sept. 14, HBO Max announced it wouldnot be moving forwardwith a second season ofGenera+ion.
I think its purpose was simply to exist, as something intimate and honest for queer people.
Zelda Barnz is the co-creator and co-showrunner of ‘Generation’ on HBO Max.Courtesy Zelda Barnz
I’m proud of the first season.
I’m proud of our cast and crew.
Of course, ending a season so abruptly leaves quite a few loose ends and unanswered questions.
John Ross Bowie, J. August Richards, and Sam Trammell as Patrick, Joe, and Mark on HBO Max’s ‘Generation.'.HBO Max
These are some of the questions I get most frequently.
Was Mark Patrick and Joe’s third?
Would Delilah, Naomi, and Arianna have been okay?
Nathanya Alexander, Chloe East, and Lukita Maxwell play Arianna, Naomi, and Delilah on the HBO Max series ‘Generation.'.HBO Max
Would Riley have gone to Reno with her dad?
Maybe Ana (Nava Mau) would’ve adopted her.
And Riley and Greta’s relationship?
Chase Sui Wonders and Haley Sanchez play Riley and Greta on the HBO Max series ‘Generation.'.HBO Max
I’ll also admit I’m sad we couldn’t give Riley her happy ending.
And then there is the unresolved mystery…
Who did Chester see on the rooftop?
There was also a lot of speculation from fans.
Justice Smith as Chester in the season finale of ‘Generation’ on HBO Max.Warrick Page/HBO Max
Some thought it should be Riley, some thought Nathan (Uly Schlesinger) after their tumultuous finale arc.
Justice once said it could be Chester’s missing father.
A fan once asked me if it was the ghost of Chester’s mother.
An excerpt of the script from the season finale of ‘Generation’ on HBO Max.Courtesy of Zelda Barnz
Personally, I always thought it should be J (Sydney Mae Diaz).
Partially for logistical reasons, because no other character had actually been to that spot before.
But also because, in my opinion, no other character was quite as intuitive.
The cast of HBO Max’s ‘Generation’ in the penultimate episode of the series.Warrick Page/HBO Max
I think J showing up would’ve been really cool.
I’m not going to argue academic-essay style why J makes the most sense to me.
Instead, I want to say something about this scene.
I’m very proud to end this show with a moment of joy.
Unexplained joy, maybe, but does joy ever require justification?
I don’t think it does.
I don’t think it should.
Someone shows up for this unapologetically queer boy in a moment of vulnerability.
And we know he’s not alone on that rooftop.
So really, there is no mystery.
It’s whoever Chester needed most in that moment.
There is closure in knowing that person found their way to him, whoever they may be.
They’re finding their way.
