And Just Like That” Returns with a Promising New Chapter

Once dismissed and often criticized, the spin-off to Sex and the City appears to be finding its footing in its third season. The initial episodes suggest a promising shift toward more cohesive storytelling and character development, moving away from the scattered chaos of its early days.

The first season was, quite frankly, a disaster, with uneven writing and character arcs that felt disconnected. The second season showed signs of improvement, but the current season genuinely seems to be hitting its stride. The opening six episodes, if nothing else, hint at a series that’s finally embracing its core strengths.

Season 3 picks up directly where Season 2 left off. Carrie is trying to keep her spirits high amid a vague, long-distance romance with Aidan, while Seema struggles to maintain her own with Ravi. Miranda is venturing into the realm of lesbian dating, exploring new relationship territory. Meanwhile, Charlotte balances her resurgence in the art gallery scene with the demands of raising her two upper-middle-class children who can be, at times, quite the handful.

Lisa Todd Wexley, or LTW, radiates her usual glamour but is caught balancing work, family, and her husband’s needs with apparent ease. Anthony is happily in love with Giuseppe and making strides with a second Hot Fellas store, adding a touch of entrepreneurial zest to the mix.

Notably absent are Che and Nya. Their departure was briefly acknowledged, yet neither character’s absence is explicitly woven into the ongoing narrative. Che, despite being somewhat annoying, was close enough to be part of Carrie’s farewell party for her beloved apartment. Nya, who once housed Miranda during her post-divorce recovery, is now missing from the story altogether. While this narrows the narrative focus, it’s felt keenly perhaps a relief that the series didn’t try to shoehorn these characters out with contrived explanations like Stanford Blatch’s sudden monastic turn.

The hallmark of Sex and the City was its seamless episodes, each woven around a central theme or thread that tied individual storylines into a cohesive whole. While the earlier episodes of And Just Like That sometimes felt like characters flailing in different directions, this season’s episodes unfold more harmoniously, with multiple storylines progressing simultaneously.

For instance, the second episode features characters rendered powerless by their phones in distinct ways, highlighting modern-day dependence. The third episode tackles the universal challenge of balancing career ambitions with parenting and the sting of business betrayals. It also revives one of the series’ most charming tropes: a friend tagging along with Carrie on a book promotion trip, this time set in Virginia, adding a nostalgic nod to the original.

All signs point to a season that’s finally embracing the essence of what made the original series so beloved: interconnected characters with relatable struggles, woven into a cohesive narrative that invites viewers along for the ride.