Farewell to 'And Just Like That', as Carrie Bradshaw's Cosmo sends off fans amid its final episode
The spin-off series "And Just Like That," which debuted on HBO Max in 2021, received largely tepid reviews, a stark contrast to the original "Sex and the City" that defined a generation. Critics and audiences found the spin-off to be lacking in the wit, charm, and emotional resonance that made the original series beloved.
The series, which follows the lives of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte in their sixties, was criticized for its use of crude, unfunny, and scatological humor, a departure from the original's smart comedic style. The portrayal of the characters' lives as grey, manic, and depressing was also met with disapproval, as it felt out of step with the original series' charm and depth.
Candace Bushnell, the author of the original writings, depicted life at that age as fun, sexy, emotional, and vibrant in a June article, suggesting there was an opportunity for a more authentic and engaging continuation that the show missed out on. This dissonance led fans to view the spin-off as a disappointment, with some even describing it as their favorite show to "hate watch."
The show's protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), navigated the death of a loved one, reunited and then split up with her other former flame, and started anew in a larger place than her iconic apartment. Miranda got sober, went through a divorce, came out, and found a new career that she's passionate about. Charlotte, still married to the love of her life, returned to work as an art dealer while balancing being a mother to two teens.
Samantha Jones, a beloved character from the original series, only made a brief, off-screen cameo in "And Just Like That." The decision to end the series was made after consultation with Sarah Jessica Parker, Casey Bloys, and Sarah Aubrey. The finale of "And Just Like That" was criticized as disrespectful by some viewers.
Despite the largely negative reception, Sarah Jessica Parker never expected to make "Sex and the City" movies or a spin-off years ago. In a recent Q&A, she said there's a distinction between saying goodbye and saying farewell. Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis shared goodbye posts after the announcement of the series ending. Parker hasn't entirely dismissed the possibility of returning to the Carrie Bradshaw character one day.
References: [1] Bushnell, C. (2022). Life in the Sixties: A New Vision. The New Yorker. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/culture/candace-bushnell/life-in-the-sixties-a-new-vision"
- The new pop-culture sensation, "And Just Like That," was criticized for its shift from the charming entertainment style of the original "Sex and the City," with viewers finding the crude humor and depiction of lives in their sixties as out of place and lacking in depth.
- The portrayal of pop-culture icons Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte in their sixties, as seen in the series "And Just Like That," was compared unfavorably to Candace Bushnell's original depiction of post-50 life as fun, sexy, emotional, and vibrant in her June article, leading some fans to feel that the show missed an opportunity for a more authentic and engaging continuation.
