How Did ‘And Just Like That’ Become So Divisive?

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Perusing TikTok the other day, I stumbled upon a harsh critique of the latest episode from And Just Like That.

Sabrina Bendory’s video garnered over half a million views as she critiqued unusual character decisions in HBO’s Sex and the City reboot, particularly Cynthia Nixon’s portrayal of Miranda that seemed reminiscent of Benjamin Button, aging her back to a 5-year-old in season three, episode seven. Excitedly, she exclaims “Balloons!” as she prepares for Charlotte’s birthday party and notes they are pink.

Bendory asked: “Who is this person?”

For some time now, I’ve been a resident of this nook on TikTok. Observing audiences grapple with understanding this sequel has become quite entertaining for me. It’s not surprising that people seek solace in discussing their frustrations with fellow enthusiasts. What amused me, though, was a comment left on Bendory’s post from another viewer of AJLT: “I’m hoping at the end we will discover it’s a massive AI-generated experiment,” they wrote. “And everyone will exclaim, ‘Ah, so that’s why! AI is terrible. You’re vindicated.’

This user is among thousands who self-proclaim themselves as enthusiastic yet critical fans, or “hate-watchers,” of AJLT. In essence, we’re in a complex, love-hate relationship with the series. For instance, LTW’s (played by Nicole Ari Parker) father appears to have died twice, as clarified by HBO here, and an entire episode revolved around Charlotte’s dog, Richard Burton, being written off. However, as some critics put it, when iconic female characters on television seem to devolve into caricatures, it seems unfair not to acknowledge initially what keeps us all coming back for more.

Expressing that “Sex and the City” was beyond its time is an understatement. These women were pioneers in exploring themes of sex, love, and relationships at the dawn of the new millennium. Sarah Jessica Parker captivated us as the shoe-loving sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw. Cynthia Nixon portrayed the cynical yet straightforward lawyer Miranda Hobbes. Kristin Davis initially played the glamorous art curator Charlotte York, eventually transforming into the beloved Park Avenue princess. Lastly, Kim Cattrall brought a touch of mischief as the sex-positive publicist Samantha Jones.

As a devoted gamer of TV shows, I can’t help but reminisce about the groundbreaking series that swept me off my feet and left an indelible mark on pop culture – Sex and the City. This show catapulted New York into a new era, an era we still admire today for its raw honesty and fearless approach to topics like relationships, intimacy, marriage, divorce, infidelity, and more – yes, even the tough ones like STIs, abortion, and unconventional relationships. Based on Candace Bushnell’s 1996 novel, creators Darren Star and writer Michael Patrick King struck TV gold with these dynamic characters who felt so real, so tangible, that I could almost touch their cigarette-laced air or taste the sweetness of their Cosmos.

The popularity of the show mirrored its wealth of creativity. It garnered seven Emmys and eight Golden Globes, propelling Parker, Nixon, Stewart, and Cattrall into television fame, and according to Nielsen, had over 10 million U.S. viewers by its season six finale in 2004, making “Sex and the City” HBO’s second most-watched show at that time (trailing behind “The Sopranos”). Last year, Netflix provided a significant service to the public by adding it to their U.S. platform for a new generation of sexually curious Gen Z viewers to enjoy.

Although it’s not perfect, Sex and the City isn’t without its flaws. Some plotlines have become outdated over time, such as Carrie’s bi-phobic response to Sean (Eddie Cahill from Friends) which was awkward and odd given her profession as a sex columnist; or Samantha’s relationship with record producer Chivon Williams (Asio Highsmith) in season three, where she attempted to bring up the topic of “reverse racism” — not a great moment. These instances may have caused some modern viewers to turn away.

In a sense, that portrayal of Manhattan was comprehensive and immersive. The universe constructed around these women seemed authentic: the social gatherings they graced, the past lovers they encountered, the anecdotes they shared. I found myself drawn in, accepting their narratives wholeheartedly. When the “Sex and the City” films were released, I chose to overlook their flaws (there were many). The characters, their dialogues, their individual traits and idiosyncrasies remained the familiar faces from our formative years.

People are deeply upset by the events in “And Just Like That“, because these characters used to feel like friends, offering comfort during a world that can be just as frightening (if you can imagine) as the one focused on dating men. To see the writers deviate so significantly from the stories that prepared us for adult life can seem like a betrayal of sorts.

Right from the beginning, it seemed like we couldn’t keep Samantha in the group, due to Cattrall and Parker’s apparent unresolvable disagreement. Yet, didn’t we still have a chance for the remaining three characters?

From day one, it looked like we wouldn’t be able to include Samantha because of the big argument between Cattrall and Parker. But wasn’t there hope left for the other three characters?

Throughout three successive seasons, viewers have found themselves needing to reconsider their previous understanding and affection for Sex and the City, as Miranda has evolved into a quirky, annoying character who unexpectedly shies away from confrontation, a stark contrast to her bold past self who frequently challenged Carrie about her subservience to Big in the original series. The endearing cynicism that once captivated us seems to have morphed into what appears to be Nixon’s optimism seeping into Miranda as these two longtime companions, bonded for nearly three decades, transform into one entity.

Although Charlotte has made efforts to rekindle her passion for art and life beyond being an Upper East Side mother, her character seems to have lost its complexity now. Instead of her previous roles, she is often seen taking care of children Lily and Rock, walking the dog, and cooking. A heartfelt scene in the series occurs when Harry (Evan Handler) confesses that it was wrong for Charlotte not to be able to share his prostate cancer diagnosis with her friends. Lastly, Davis gets an opportunity to demonstrate her acting prowess with more substantial roles, a skill she was previously known for.

Moreover, there’s Carrie, who exhibits intensified aspects of her earlier character traits from Sex and the City: she’s reserved, secretive, and somewhat arrogant. Her current residence in a luxurious Gramercy Park brownstone stands in stark contrast to her past life, where she lived in a familiar apartment, often getting wet from passing buses and desperately searching for a lost cigarette down the drain. However, it’s important to note that Carrie is no longer the same character as portrayed in the series – the writers intended this adaptation to showcase 50-something New Yorkers who have gained wisdom over the years. Yet, it seems everyone, including Carrie, has become a bit more polished and refined.

Among the most exciting moments of the current season is the heated exchange between Carrie and Miranda in their kitchen following Charlotte’s party. I don’t mind them exchanging barbs, as it’s a dynamic they’ve often displayed in the early 2000s (like when Miranda famously said, “Oh, what are you gonna do Miranda? You gonna cut me out of your life like you did to Steve>”). However, the strange vibe surrounding their recent disagreement, particularly when Miranda questions Carrie’s flirtation with her neighbor-writer Duncan (Jonathan Cake), is disconcerting. Instead of probing deeper to comprehend why Carrie seems evasive, Miranda reacts impulsively and retreats. Social media users have noticed this too: “Old Miranda would’ve held her ground,” one user commented, “and asked why she was waiting five years for a man when there’s a good one right beneath her.

A different user stated, “If Miranda’s character were authentic to its past, she would have openly expressed her feelings about Aidan to Carrie.” Beneath this comment, another said, “This series is terrible, but I can’t stop watching it.” Many more comments followed, with numerous people criticizing Carrie for being impolite, a poor host, and claiming that the writers had ruined her character. Miranda also received harsh criticism from TikTok users, who argued that she was a victim of character assassination and was subjected to weekly humiliation routines.

Many people who are discussing the show “And Just Like That” online continue to watch it, despite some negative feedback. For instance, a commenter named Mary Ann on TikTok wrote that the show is the worst ever created and described it as terrible beyond words. However, she expressed her hope that the show won’t be cancelled, stating that she would be heartbroken if it were to end.

Regarding the query about the phenomenon of hate-watching, I stumbled upon a Reddit user who expressed it rather aptly: “I can’t help but keep watching. A small part of me is still clinging onto a glimmer of hope that we might return to the ‘SATC’ I once adored.

It’s a testament to the strength of the bond created by Sex and the City that we’re willing to stick with And Just Like That, years after the original series ended. The world feels much the same: Patricia Field’s fashion influence lingers behind every extravagant outfit choice, and Carrie’s heels still echo rhythmically on the pavement. There’s comfort in these characters, even as we venture deeper into strange territory with each new episode.

It seems that new cast members, Nicole Ari Parker as Lisa Todd Wexley and Sarita Choudhury as Seema, are impressive additions to the show. However, their storylines could be more fully developed, and some decisions they make might seem random. Unfortunately, a group of fans have yet to warm up to them due to the absence of Cattrall in the series.

Indeed, it’s accurate: we lack Samantha, and with her departure, our Manhattan quartet – which effortlessly handled diverse storylines from distinct viewpoints such as realism, romance, wild parties, and a blend of all three – lost a crucial piece. This gap is painfully evident in the revival series.

Despite the mixed reactions, viewers of “And Just Like That” remain optimistic. They dream that Samantha might return to New York since she’s still in contact with Carrie; that Carrie will revive her column and move past this awkward portrayal of Aidan (played by John Corbett), yearning for another shot at city singlehood; that Miranda will regain her assertiveness and acknowledge the pain she caused her ex-husband Steve (David Eigenberg); and that Charlotte will find depth beyond her semi-traditional lifestyle, perhaps expressing emotions other than joyful amazement.

Are we puzzled? Indeed. Are we exhausted? Extremely so. Will we be watching the next episode on Thursday? Absolutely, without a doubt.

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2025-07-23 19:25