Conclusion of Television Chronicles: Bid Adieu to the Glamorous 'Sex and the City' Universe - Decline of Traditional Television: A Shift in Entertainment Landscape
In a recent turn of events, the final season of the HBO series "And Just Like That..." has been met with critical disapproval, particularly in regards to its writing, acting, and lack of connection to the original spirit of "Sex and the City." The Independent described the finale as a "total disaster," highlighting the show's failure to capture the humor, style, and interpersonal drama that made the original series a beloved cult phenomenon [1].
The third season culminated in a widely panned two-part finale that attempted to wrap up the story, but the reception remained negative, with viewers and critics alike feeling the show never found a compelling narrative or fully developed its characters in their 60s [1][4].
The showrunner, Michael Patrick King, and lead actress Sarah Jessica Parker have confirmed that the series is concluding after season 3 with a two-part finale, ending the current storyline [2]. While the "And Just Like That..." series itself is ending, there are no detailed announced plans for future "Sex and the City" franchise entries beyond this conclusion at this time.
The original "Sex and the City," which aired in the USA in 1998, was based on the books of sex columnist Candace Bushnell and became a global sensation around the turn of the millennium. The series, which followed the lives of four main characters: Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones, was award-winning and left an indelible mark on popular culture [3].
As the friends navigate the "even more complex reality" after 50 in "And Just Like That...," the final episode of the series will be released on Thursday, 14.8., in the USA and on Friday, 15.8., in Germany. The end of "And Just Like That..." is being seen as the end of an era on television, with the magazine "Cosmopolitan" echoing this sentiment [5].
Despite the mixed reviews and declining viewership of the third season, many fans still watched the series as a "hate-watch" [6]. The departure of Cattrall (Kim Cattrall) from the cast of "And Just Like That..." also caused a stir among fans [7].
Kristin Davis, who played Charlotte York, expressed her sadness over the end of the series, while Sarah Jessica Parker, who portrayed Carrie Bradshaw, stated that she loved the character the most [8][9]. The Guardian commented that it's time for a sigh of relief, as the chapter of "And Just Like That..." comes to a close [10].
In summary, the final season of "And Just Like That..." has been critically panned, with the showrunner and lead cast confirming the series is concluding after season 3 with a two-part finale. While there are no detailed announced plans for future "Sex and the City" franchise entries beyond this conclusion, the original series remains a beloved cult phenomenon that left an indelible mark on popular culture."
I'm not going to be able to watch "And Just Like That..." again, it's disappointing that the final season, with its critical disapproval and lack of connection to the original spirit of "Sex and the City," is not a movie or TV show I'm looking forward to revisiting within the realm of entertainment. Despite the anticipated end, the original "Sex and the City" continues to be a beloved cult phenomenon.
