Now that MTV has treated us to the first two episodes of The City – Whitney Port’s spinoff from The Hills – it’s apparent that this series has enough punch to usher us through the remainder of a Speidi-deprived winter.

Leaving luxe LA behind for gnarly NYC was a choice move for Whitney, and judging by the season-opener, we’re all in for a plot-filled treat.

As I viewed Whitney uneasily field co-worker Olivia’s persistent prying at her dinner party, I felt a tinge of relief. You see, for years, I’ve appreciated how adept The Hills producers are at conveying the dialogue subtexts between its stars – when the camera lingers on cast members as they stare through silence, we’re able to revel in the kind of conversation-less awkwardness that’s familiar to us all.

Lauren Conrad won’t be present to steer the drama ship this time, but Whitney’s pensive gazes will create enough tension to make The City appointment television!

• Whitney Port Leaves “The Hills” For Her Own Spinoff
• ‘Ugly Betty’ Summons The Spirit Of ‘The Hills’
• “The Hills” Season 4 Finale: Spencer Pratt Redeems Himself?
• MTV Movie Awards Moments With Fonzworth Bentley & Brent Bolthouse
• Kicking It With ‘Bromance’ Co-Star Sleazy-T