And Just Like That Season 3 Breaks a 2-Year Trend

Following four long years, the anticipated series “And Just Like That…” has finally managed to break free from one of its most disheartening trends in the revival of “Sex and the City.” Launched in 2021 on HBO Max, the show welcomed Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw, alongside Miranda Hobbes (played by Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis), back into their glamorous yet chaotic lives in New York City. The series reintroduced many beloved characters from the original “Sex and the City,” whose storylines had seemingly run out after six seasons of television and two movies, with a third movie never materializing.

As a dedicated fan who’s been longing for Carrie’s return since the original Sex and the City, I must admit that And Just Like That… in 2021 felt like a bit of a miss. It seemed to grapple with finding its footing, falling short of the expectations we had after nearly three decades. However, it looks like the third season has managed to break free from a frustrating pattern with its recent premiere.

And Just Like That Season 3 Is The Revival’s First Season Without A Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Score

And Just Like That Season 3 Is So-Far Certified Fresh

For the first time in two seasons, the third installment of And Just Like That… has received critical praise, setting a new standard for the show on Rotten Tomatoes with a 78% score, marking a substantial improvement over the revival’s initial seasons. Max premiered season 3 of And Just Like That… on May 29 following a nearly two-year break, and it seems that the anticipation was justified based on the positive reception.

Although a 78% rating might not seem exceptionally high, Rotten Tomatoes classifies shows with a score of 75% or higher as “Certified Fresh,” meaning they are generally considered good TV. Contrarily, And Just Like That… season 1 received a dismal 48% rating on the review site, but the second season demonstrated some improvements by addressing issues from the first season, resulting in a 63% approval rating, which at least pleased the majority with its improved performance.

Why The Reviews For And Just Like That Season 3 Are So Much Better Than Previous Outings

Something About And Just Like That Season 3 Clicks

In the opinions of both critics and viewers, the debut episode of season 3 for the series And Just Like That… appears to have found its balance, striking a consistent tone that seamlessly adapts the original themes from Sex and the City for today’s world. Although Sex and the City was known for being progressive, the HBO show, despite being made nearly three decades ago, did not quite stand the test of time. The first season of And Just Like That… veered too far with characters like Che Diaz (played by Sara Ramirez), who were intended to be relatable but instead sparked controversy.

And Just Like That… season Rotten Tomatoes score
And Just Like That… season 1 48%
And Just Like That… season 2 63%
And Just Like That… season 3 78%

Although “And Just Like That…” may not quite match the creative brilliance of the original “Sex and the City,” critics have praised its third season for embracing its entertaining and breezy vibe. Moreover, it seems that the revival has successfully found a way to contemporize “Sex and the City” without producing as much cringe-worthy content while maintaining the same progressive ideals. Essentially, “And Just Like That…” has finally figured out how to depict the same characters in the same city 30 years later, considering modern technologies such as cell phones, social media, and dating apps.

And Just Like That Keeps Getting Better With Each Season

And Just Like That Season 3 Is The Best Yet

In the premiere of season 3 of “And Just Like That…”, the show appears to be on an upward trajectory, which bodes well if they can sustain this progress. While “And Just Like That…” didn’t exactly start off strong, it seems to be growing and evolving with time, fine-tuning its style and message. Characters have come and gone in season 3 of “And Just Like That…”, but some remain as constants. Although it would have been ideal for the show to find its footing earlier, at least it’s moving in the right direction now.

Despite the third season of “And Just Like That…” receiving a 78% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes, there’s certainly scope for further enhancement. Given the fame of “Sex and the City,” the characters in “And Just Like That…” have a loyal fan base who eagerly follow their ups and downs. Viewers have stayed with the series even during its challenging periods, hoping for change and persevering through episodes where it was lacking. As the show continues to run, there are signs that improvements may be on the horizon if “Sex and the City’s” revival manages to flourish as it ages. If this is the case, we could see more innovative storylines in the future.

And Just Like That Season 3’s Reviews Are Better Than Half Of Sex And The City’s Original Seasons

And Just Like That Outranks Sex And The City (But Is It Really Better?)

It’s important to acknowledge that while And Just Like That… hasn’t necessarily exceeded what made Sex and the City exceptional, it’s notable that the third season of the former has a higher rating on Rotten Tomatoes compared to most seasons of the latter. In fact, the premiere episode of And Just Like That… season 3 outperformed the first four seasons (1, 2, 3, and 5) of Sex and the City in terms of rating on this review site. The inaugural season of Sex and the City only managed a 46% score, falling short of winning over a majority of its audience, and coming close to matching the low score of the first season of And Just Like That….

Sex and the City season Rotten Tomatoes score
Sex and the City season 1 46%
Sex and the City season 2 60%
Sex and the City season 3 67%
Sex and the City season 4 86%
Sex and the City season 5 73%
Sex and the City season 6 90%

As per Rotten Tomatoes, the final installment of Sex and the City seems to have aged well, much like its predecessor. This suggests that the revival, “And Just Like That”, is following a similar pattern, potentially improving over time critically. For instance, while Season 2 of Sex and the City scored a 60%, Season 3 improved slightly to a 67%. These scores are quite close to those of “And Just Like That” Season 2. However, Seasons 4 and 6 of Sex and the City surpassed the third season of “And Just Like That” on Rotten Tomatoes, with Season 5 scoring a 73%, just missing out on being Certified Fresh. Surprisingly, the highest-rated season of Sex and the City is its sixth season.

Instead, I belong to the group who considers the first season of “Sex and the City” as one of its finest phases. Each episode is characterized by robust, entertaining themes that make every viewing special. The early seasons of “Sex and the City” also depict Carrie, who is not tied down by long-term relationships, exploring dating which leads to open discussions on communication, expectations, and sexuality. It’s worth noting that I acknowledge that “And Just Like That…” has been improving in its third season. Its approach to handling love and sex candidly yet enjoyably, following the original style of “Sex and the City,” makes it engaging.

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2025-06-06 12:38