Carrie & Aidan’s Messy Romance Explored After Season 3 Episode 2

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for And Just Like That season 3, episode 2.

In the third season of “And Just Like That,” Carrie and Aidan’s relationship is a perfect example of the phrase “complicated.” Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, the show’s writers and executive producers, delve into the intricacies of their tumultuous romance and other storylines in episode 2 titled “Rat Race.” By the end of season 2, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) had decided to temporarily step away from her relationship with Aidan (John Corbett), as he felt he needed to focus more on his children. However, it’s clear that their bond is hard to break in season 3, as they continue to cross paths.

Carrie and Aidan have a tricky time managing their relationship after an unexpected visit by him. Meanwhile, Miranda is pursuing a new romantic interest, while Charlotte and Lisa are attempting to charm a college admissions expert, portrayed by Kristen Schaal. Lastly, Seema is encouraged to consult with a matchmaker, as played by Cheri Oteri.”

Or more informally:
“Carrie and Aidan deal with the ups and downs of their relationship after an unexpected visit from him. Miranda’s chasing after a new flame, while Charlotte and Lisa try to win over a college admissions guru, Kristen Schaal. Seema gets advice from a matchmaker, Cheri Oteri.

Ebaster had a chat with Rottenberg and Zuritsky, both previously involved in creating ‘Sex and the City’, about various aspects of episode 2 that they jointly penned. They delve into the hurdles Carrie and Aidan encounter as a couple, Miranda’s struggles in finding love as a gay woman in her fifties, and why Charlotte is easier to write for in ‘And Just Like That’. Additionally, they discuss how the new characters integrate into the series.

Carrie & Aidan’s Relationship Has Its Problems, But It’s More Complicated Than A Thumbs-Down Emoji

“We Set Out To Kind Of Roll Up Our Sleeves And Say, ‘Let’s Get Real'”

In the second season, when Aidan re-entered Carrie’s life, she was as happy as she had been since before Big passed away at the beginning of “And Just Like That.” Zuritsky described their romantic reunion as a dreamy spectacle, using words like “rainbows, unicorns, and perfection on a stick,” except for the minor detail that he wouldn’t go up to her apartment. However, their romance seemed almost perfect until Aidan’s truck was wrecked by Wyatt, which caused a significant rupture in their relationship.

This year, we were quite intentional about our approach, choosing to put on our work aprons and honestly state, “let’s tackle things head-on.” Now, this translates to the here and now – the raw truth. We concluded the season with some very authentic outcomes. His child is currently facing a crisis, hit hard by reality.

They’re facing numerous hurdles as a couple, such as residing in separate states and Aidan having parental responsibilities that Carrie, who doesn’t have children, can’t fully understand. We wanted to explore the complexities of genuine love and everyday life with these obstacles.

Zuritsky posed a question that seems to be challenging Carrie throughout the season: “Is it possible for all parts to align? When can the larger components fit together if the smaller ones are still misaligned?”

In the episode titled “Rat Race,” we see two distinct portrayals of our protagonist. At the start, upon Carrie’s encounter with the Gen Z character Lisette (Katerina Tannenbaum) for drinks, she appears as a seasoned, fortunate woman who found her partner before apps. However, by the end of the episode, she finds herself in a state of frustration, exchanging text messages filled with emojis.

The situation isn’t perfect, and Aidan’s offhand thumbs-down emoji didn’t help when Carrie selected a table for them. However, the lasting appeal of the “Sex and the City” universe lies in its ability to portray the tangled, intricate web that is human romance. Even though Carrie’s garden may be barren at present, we eagerly anticipate watching her navigate through it.

Miranda Is Experiencing Her “Most Vulnerable Situation” As She Navigates Dating Women

The Episode Sees Her Experience Two Crushes With Varying Results

Among the original cast members, only Miranda remains unmarried within the series ‘And Just Like That’, and season 3 finds her seeking romantic connections. Although she was well-versed in the intricacies of courtship with men during her time on ‘Sex and the City’, dating women presents a fresh set of difficulties for her. According to Rottenberg, “The experience of dating… To witness Miranda, who we all perceive as this accomplished, intelligent, self-assured individual, in the most exposed position when you’re dating and putting yourself out there, is always intriguing.

In season 2, Miranda boldly expresses her feelings, as she finds herself drawn to a server who shares her fondness for the reality show Bi Bingo. This plotline bears a striking resemblance to Sex and the City, especially when Miranda gathers the nerve to invite the server out, only to be turned down. Although it’s heartening to see Miranda being brave, it’s disappointing that she didn’t succeed in her pursuit, and the emotion is heightened by an exceptional performance from Cynthia Nixon, as Rottenberg points out.

The situation appears to be more intriguing when BBC producer Joy (Dolly Wells) reappears in Miranda’s life, as there seems to be a mutual attraction between them. Rottenberg notes that the idea of her having feelings for someone on her intellectual level is intriguing because we haven’t seen her in a long-term relationship with such an equal before. Although a romantic encounter with the server would have been sensual, Joy appears to be the more captivating interest, as explained by Rottenberg. However, only the future will reveal whether anything meaningful develops from this connection.

The And Just Like That Writers Are “Brimming With Charlotte Stories”

Julie Rottenberg & Elisa Zuritsky Best Relate To Charlotte As Wives And Mothers Themselves

Although Charlotte is the one who has found her romantic fairy tale ending among the original cast, it might have been tempting for her character to take a backseat in “And Just Like That“. However, all of her storylines seem authentic and relatable, such as the distinctive quest for the ideal college advisor. As Rottenberg put it, “This is a unique form of madness we’re dealing with here. We’re not even exaggerating“, referring to the complex New York college application process. Zuritsky added, “It’s particularly intense in the private school world on the Upper East Side“.

Rottenberg admitted, “At one point, writing for Charlotte wasn’t as relatable for us, but of course we continued to write for her because she’s a fantastic character and Kristin Davis is an exceptional actress. Now, we find ourselves connecting deeply with her. Since both of us are married with children, her storylines have become the most effortless.

This is the reason why Charlotte’s storylines appear so authentic in the series. As Rottenberg put it, “We’re bursting with Charlotte stories.” Furthermore, he noted that both him and Zuritsky, despite having solid marriages, still have plenty of topics to argue about, laugh over, and get frustrated by.

In AJLT Season 3, Seema & Lisa Fit Right In With The Original Cast

“It’s A Joy To Discover Them”

Initially, it might have appeared that the group in the “Sex and the City” universe could only be the original four characters. However, by season 3, Seema and Lisa felt as if they belonged perfectly within the cast of “And Just Like That”. In the episode “Rat Race”, Lisa and Charlotte were entwined in the college admissions storyline, while Seema offered her perspective on Carrie’s emoji dilemma during lunch. As Rottenberg stated, “After watching enough episodes, you can see them sitting together at Hot Fellas“. “Now, I believe we’re truly comfortable here.

Seema and Lisa brought immense pleasure to the writers of “And Just Like That,” offering something fresh compared to revisiting original characters. Zuristky expressed, “It’s a delight to explore them… They seem like brand new friends you have a crush on, and you can’t wait to learn more about them.

As we peel back the layers, I find both of them truly awe-inspiring. They exude such beauty, sophistication, intelligence, and glamour, yet our role is to uncover their weaknesses. This journey is like making new friends and discovering life anew. And with each season, it’s been thrilling, it’s been exhilarating for us.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel like a schoolboy with a secret crush when discussing the themes of season 3, episode 2 of ‘And Just Like That’. If you’ve ever had that thrill when meeting a new friend and wanting to uncover every detail about them, that’s exactly how it feels for us writers working on this show. The actresses portraying our new characters have been nothing short of brilliant, making their roles crystal clear and engaging. It’s like blending the familiar with the new, adding an extra layer of excitement to the narrative we’re crafting together.

Watching Seema and Lisa interact with Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte is an absolute joy, and their individual storylines are equally captivating, especially Lisa’s work on her overlooked docuseries about Black women. The upcoming season 3 of And Just Like That looks set to deliver many intriguing turns for the new characters, and we’re eagerly awaiting its premiere.

Check out our other And Just Like That season 3 coverage:

And Just Like That Season 3 Episode 1 Ending Explained
And Just Like That Season 3 Episode 1 Review
Why Kim Cattrall’s Samantha Jones Isn’t Returning In And Just Like That Season 3
Why Sara Ramirez’s Che Diaz Isn’t Returning In And Just Like That Season 3

2025-06-06 05:22