And Just Like That Missed a Major Opportunity to Explore Sex in Later Life

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In the latest season of “And Just Like That,” Charlotte York-Goldenblatt, portrayed by Kristen Davis, questions her relationship with husband Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler) after his diagnosis with prostate cancer. The treatment for this disease could potentially lead to long-term issues such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. In the past, Charlotte prioritized regular sexual intimacy so much that she left her first husband, Trey, over his similar issues. It’s interesting to consider how her perspective on their relationship might have evolved in the 25 years since then, given their life together and family they’ve built.

The plotline suggested for Charlotte this season seemed authentic, but it would have necessitated the show to focus on character growth, consistent storytelling, and an appreciation for the lives of women going through menopause. Instead, as she expressed her struggle due to her husband’s cancer that she couldn’t openly discuss, the show chose to address less relatable issues such as Charlotte dealing with mysterious dizziness and a sudden, seemingly unnecessary home renovation.

The reluctance to delve deeply into mature themes has been a significant issue with “And Just Like That” since its debut on the revamped HBO Max at the end of 2021. The original show, which pioneered discussions about the sex lives of thirty-something women in the late ’90s, covered topics ranging from threesomes to anal to abortion. As the series and its two spin-off movies progressed, the focus shifted towards displaying wealth through Versace gowns, luxurious penthouses on Park Avenue, and first-class travel.

Fans of the show, who grew up with characters Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte, were eager to see how these women would handle sex in their later years. However, Kim Cattrall, who played Samantha Jones, the most sexually adventurous character, did not rejoin the cast for “And Just Like That,” though she made a brief appearance in the final episode of the previous season.

In my opinion, as a dedicated fan, the initial two seasons of this captivating series provided intriguing twists in the lives of these remarkable women. For instance, Charlotte’s unexpected menstruation challenged her long-held belief that she had entered menopause, while Lisa Todd-Wexley’s unforeseen pregnancy at 40 added a fresh dimension to her character. Miranda’s self-discovery as queer also paved the way for an exciting journey of sexual exploration. However, And Just Like That often fell short in fully exploring these compelling themes, with many crucial conversations seemingly occurring off-screen, such as Harry’s revelation in the penultimate episode about his persistent post-surgery impotence, which Charlotte seemed to dismiss too easily.

Many events unfold that happen to these women rather than allowing them to take control and shape their own narratives. We find ourselves learning more about Harry’s personal habits than Charlotte, who hasn’t had any significant developments since her return to work last season, a nod back to the original series. Lisa’s plot-convenient miscarriage overshadows a deeper exploration of the complexities of abortion for an older African American woman. The potential drama surrounding Lisa’s grief over losing her father and husband, along with the possibility of her turning to her attractive colleague, seems to have been overlooked. Miranda’s character is about to become a grandmother due to her son Brady’s pregnancy, a role she didn’t eagerly embrace when she was a mother. Strangely, much of this season revolves around Carrie’s former boyfriend Aidan and his teenage son Wyatt.

Let’s not delve too much into it, but Sarita Choudhury’s character, Seema, deserves more screen time. As Carrie’s captivating new friend, she challenged Carrie for judging her lifelong single status and often found herself the odd one out. Interestingly, she had never laughed during sex until her 55th year. However, instead of exploring these intriguing aspects further, her character was unfortunately limited to a mere two episodes focusing on deodorant, with no connection to menopause-related body odor changes!

In Samantha’s absence, it seems unlikely that “And Just Like That” would focus as heavily on sexual themes as the original series, given its title. It’s hard not to notice a hint of ageism from the production team, especially when considering shows like “Golden Girls,” “Grace and Frankie,” “Gloria Bell,” “Babygirl,” and Miranda July’s “All Fours” that have tackled these topics.

It’s not surprising, then, that we haven’t witnessed an estrogen patch or a bottle of lubricant in any of Harry and Charlotte’s numerous bedroom scenes, nor during Carrie and Duncan’s (Jonathan Cake) anticipated encounter. After all, even the former sex columnist Carrie found it uncomfortable to discuss masturbation on her podcast or with her late husband John “Big” Preston (Chris Noth) in the pilot of “And Just Like That.”

However, when the least well-received “Sex and the City 2” film is more open about menopause than a television series produced over a decade later, it’s clear there’s an issue at hand.

Regrettably, since it’s confirmed that its third season will be its finale, And Just Like That won’t have an opportunity to delve into unexplored aspects of television that could potentially be revolutionary.

Scarlett Harris is a critic of culture and the writer behind “A Diva Was a Female Version of a Wrestler: An Abbreviated Herstory of World Wrestling Entertainment.” You can find and keep up with her on Bluesky, or read her past work at her website and Substack, titled “The Scarlett Woman.

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2025-08-14 00:06