Movies

Commentary: ‘And Just Like That…’ seems determined to insult women over 50. And under 50

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I hadn’t imagined that my disdain for the Max sequel to HBO’s “Sex and the City” could grow any more intensely, but lo and behold, here comes Season 3.

In the same fashion as others who’ve discussed “And Just Like That…”, I too have playfully incorporated the title into my writing with an intent that might seem overtly casual and witty.

Which honestly could also be the title of the series.

We’ve reached the middle point of what many hope is the last season (third one), and I find myself losing my voice from all the yelling due to our cherished characters acting like they’d swapped places with teenagers in some sort of “Freaky Friday” scenario.

Which is actually an insult to most 13-year-olds.

In this recent episode, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) extended her puzzling spell of homelessness by feigning surprise that Seema (Sarita Choudhury), having provided a perfect home for her, expected more than the asking price. Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) coped with her father’s passing by complaining about the elaborate funeral arranged by his friend Lucille (Jenifer Lewis), despite its unique touches such as a performance by … Jenifer Lewis herself. Meanwhile, Charlotte (Kristin Davis) persisted in acting as if it were completely normal for her husband Harry (Evan Handler) to hide from everyone, including their children, the fact that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, an event they might have handled better than Charlotte.

In stark contrast, nothing else came close to the intensity of the most recent chapter in the heart-wrenching drama known as Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Aidan’s (John Corbett) second chance at love. This relationship has been hanging in the balance since Season 2, when it was disclosed that Aidan’s son Wyatt (Logan Souza), aged 15, faces challenges, including a recent ADHD diagnosis. Subsequent events have led to an impulsive decision by Aidan, stating that he and Carrie must postpone their relationship until Wyatt turns 21, as this is often seen as the age when parental obligations officially cease.

It’s no surprise that the plan failed, and in this particular instance, Aidan rejoices over Wyatt going to a week-long wilderness camp (really?) by appearing at Carrie’s apartment instead. He then demonstrates his old habits by hurling a pebble at her window, shattering it just as he used to back when she didn’t own a million-dollar apartment with windows that dated back to the 19th century – windows that, according to Carrie, outlived the Mexican War, the Civil War, and the ’63 Draft Riots (FYI, New York was not involved in the Mexican War).

Following extraordinary efforts to switch out the glass, Aidan admits that he and his ex-partner Kathy (Rosemarie DeWitt) had to coerce Wyatt onto the aircraft, an incident so distressing that they ended up consoling one another through intimacy. The specifics of how they managed to be at the gate without tickets remains unexplained.

Television

In the “February 14” episode, we get a glimpse of Aidan Shaw, who shares a significant romantic past with Carrie Bradshaw.

In a fleeting instant, I anticipated Carrie pronouncing the end of an incredibly unhealthy relationship, which is quite a statement given the universe we live in. Surprisingly, she expressed understanding instead.

It seems that love, according to this context, might be interpreted as disregarding all the indications that divine wisdom could devise. Not only did Aidan engage in intimate relations with his former partner, but he also put an underage, ADHD-afflicted, unmedicated and unsupervised boy on a flight destined for the Grand Tetons. Whether the unfortunate teenager safely reached the camp or is currently experiencing a meltdown at the Jackson Hole airport remains unspecified in the narrative.

However, Carrie’s romantic narrative often portrays Wyatt’s medical situation and his father’s reluctance to acknowledge its truth as merely a practical hurdle in their love story. This interpretation seems implausible if Carrie were still in her 30s, and it is entirely inconceivable for someone of her age.

I hold no ill will towards anyone eager to revive a groundbreaking show, and two years ago, the idea of watching these iconic characters in their mid-to-late 50s resonated with me, given our shared mature audience. However, if Michael Patrick King, the creator of “And Just Like That…”, had allowed them to truly grow – not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically – it would have made the show even more compelling. The actors, including Parker, Nixon, Davis, and Kim Cattrall (who was glimpsed briefly at the end of Season 2), are still fit and beautiful and clearly older, but their characters seem to have remained stagnant.

In an authentic and relatable manner, ‘And Just Like That…’ has spent two and a half seasons developing these characters as if they could be real individuals, even within the ‘Sex and the City’ universe. Compared to the gritty depiction of New York in the opening credits where Carrie gets splashed by a bus, the version presented in ‘And Just Like That…’ seems more like a caricature (the city is portrayed as less vibrant and realistic).

Television

The team behind the TV series “And Just Like That” is examining Season 2, discussing if it’s better than before, and contemplating what lies ahead for Carrie’s character as she transitions into a quirky cat owner.

In a refreshing twist, the show appears committed to demonstrating that age is merely a figure on a calendar by having its characters, such as myself alongside Choudhury and Parker, portray the notion that fifty feels more like an energetic thirty.

As a movie buff putting it in my own words, I can’t help but notice that Miranda seems to be navigating her newly acknowledged queerness, which is understandable. However, given her impressive background – a Harvard-educated lawyer, a survivor of divorce, and a parent to a teenage son – I would expect her to have a stronger sense of self-assurance when it comes to love, real estate, and even basic etiquette like not eating the last yogurt after just moving in with Carrie!

From a young age, Charlotte embodied the unique charm of Disney princesses with her sparkling eyes and unwavering belief in nature’s healing power, especially small animals and flowers. However, at the age of 55, her overly anxious response to her husband’s prostate cancer diagnosis (a condition that was detected early and treatable) seems counterproductive. Furthermore, her assertive parenting style and manner of discussing her pet don’t sit well with many.

Regarding Carrie, it’s understandable to be a perpetual romantic who loves all things delicate and high fashion even in your thirties, but considering she’s approaching sixty now, I was curious if her agreement, without question, to Aidan’s far-fetched five-year plan might suggest that she had lost touch with reality.

Observing her wander aimlessly in her vast, lavish yet vacant apartment, adorned in a sheer dress laden with roses or strolling through Central Park with an oversized hat resembling a hot-air balloon, further fueled my concerns. Donning the style of Marie Antoinette for a lunch at Tiffany’s doesn’t represent trendy fashion — it screams for attention.

It’s clear she requires assistance. The encounter with Aidan appears too perfect, and unfortunately, it seems to be living up to this expectation. Even a 30-something Carrie would have understood that being involved with a father means dealing with his kids. However, the idea of keeping her apart from Wyatt isn’t just unrealistic – it’s offensive.

It seems she has no encounter, acquaintance, or even knowledge about children dealing with ADHD or post-divorce trauma. Or perhaps she’s so sensitive that interacting with a teenager struggling with anger management proves too much for her, given that New York is known for being the birthplace of many such challenges.

To be straightforward, Aidan’s actions are significantly more troubling compared to Wyatt’s, the flag being so large and conspicuously red that Carrie could potentially fashion an elegant dress from its material.

Instead of portraying a mature, wealthy widow’s demeanor and challenging Aidan about his behavior, it seems like she’s choosing to behave differently.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that “And Just Like That…” appears to strive for the portrayal of a mid-life reboot, much like it aims to depict women in their fifties as dynamic, complex, and lively just as their younger counterparts. However, despite these noble intentions, the series unfortunately falls short in realizing them. The very title – “And Just Like That…” – seems to hint at a deliberate attempt to discard any traits that once made these characters captivating and relatable.

Similar to the freedom to purchase a home, speak a sensitive term like “cancer,” or extricate oneself from an harmful romance before it causes harm directly.

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2025-07-04 05:31

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