Warning: This post contains spoilers for And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 1
And Just Like That…Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte are back for season 3 of the HBO dramedy, which is still not as funny as the originalSex and the Citybut it’s actually trying. I’ve been hard on the show in the past; it’s a continuation of a story that had lots of potential but was somehow squandered by nonsensical stories and a general lack of curiosity and depth in exploring relationships in one’s 50s.
So it’s refreshing to say thatAnd Just Like Thathas gotten better in season 3. It’s a bit funnier — in a way that isn’t tryingsohard to be — and it’s leaning into its frivolity without attempting to pretend it’s anything else. The season opener gives each of its leading ladies a storyline and, while some are obviously better than others, we’re at least at a point where it’s not a chore to sit through an episode (though I still think the 45-minute episode runtimes are too long).
Will Carrie & Aidan Really Wait 5 Years?
I Think Not
Following theAnd Just Like Thatseason 2 ending, Aidan (John Corbett) had decided to move back to Virginia to be with his son and Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) had agreed to give him some time before resuming their relationship — five years, to be exact. It’s a ridiculous ask for anyone, but Carrie is determined to make it work. Even phone sex interruptions and faking an orgasm won’t stop Carrie from trying.
It’s admirable, really, but I spent most of the time watching the episode just waiting for Aidan to return to New York. He didn’t, but it feels like only a matter of time before he does and realizes that putting your relationship on hold for five years isn’t fair to anyone. Carrie’s friends silently agree, but it’s Anthony (Mario Cantone) who speaks up about it, annoying Carrie, who’s had trouble in the past accepting criticisms about her relationships from friends, in the process.
When he apologizes later, he worries out loud that Carrie would have cut him out. Carrie says she wouldn’t have and, in a self-aware moment for the show, Anthony responds with, “Wouldn’t you?” I would’ve been more shocked if the moment hadn’t been so funny, the line delivered perfectly by Cantone. It’s an interesting statement, too, considering friendship breakups are a real thing and I wish the episode had delved into it further instead of glossing over it but it was still nice that it was addressed.
While the episode itself isn’t terrible, it still feels off without Carrie’s voiceovers, which tend to bring together the themes of the episode.
Elsewhere in the episode, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) hooks up with a nun, Mary (Rosie O’Donnell), who reveals she was a virgin before sleeping with our favorite lawyer. Mary, who’s in town for work and excited to do all the things a first-time NYC tourist would do (like visit Times Square and seeWickedon Broadway), also can’t take the hint that her hook-up was a one-night stand situation. Miranda’s endless irritation about it is fun, and the story ends perfectly with O’Donnell’s Mary quoting the lyrics toWicked’s “For Good.”
Charlotte’s Story In And Just Like That’s Season 3 Premiere Is A Miss
Seema & Lisa Get Somewhat Intriguing Stories
Seema (Sarita Choudhury) is still dating Ravi (Armin Amiri) at the start of the episode, but it quickly goes sour; Ravi is hyper-focused on his job and Seema is tired of waiting around for his attention. It’s understandable. At the same time,And Just Like Thatdidn’t give this relationship enough time to breathe before letting things dissipate. I’m not sure we’ll see Ravi again, but I hope something interesting is in store for Seema this season.
Beyond Seema’s story,And Just Like Thatsets up what could be a very interesting arc for Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker), who wants to highlight unsung Black women in history for PBS, only to be told the producers wanted her to also spotlight Michelle Obama. I’ll be intrigued by how she deals with that — and whether she’ll ultimately fight it, succumb to the not-so-suggestion, or if the series will drop it completely at some point.
Where the episode truly falters is with Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and the whole dog debacle, as she fights with a woman who’s convinced Charlotte’s dog, Mr. Burton, attacked her dog in the park. Now, I’m not expecting the show to have any contrived drama between Charlotte and Harry (Evan Handler), but is there nothing in their relationship that needs attention? Everything is ok with their kids? I need a bit more than the nonsensical story Charlotte got here.
While the episode itself isn’t terrible, it still feels off without Carrie’s voiceovers, which tend to bring together the themes of the episode. This is where the series still struggles, as each story is generally disparate from the other, perhaps except for Carrie and Seema, whose stories were about attention from a relationship — or, in Miranda’s case, havingtoomuch attention. In that sense, I’ll always miss the original show, but I’m not as frustrated withAnd Just Like That, either, which is something.
And Just Like Thatseason 3 airs weekly each Thursday on HBO Max.
