Request for discretion, Carrie - kindly avoid further phone calls - Urge Carrie to carry out her task with accuracy, yet kindly request her to refrain from making further phone calls
In the world of television, few shows have left an indelible mark like "Sex and the City". The groundbreaking series, which ran for six seasons and two movie sequels, introduced audiences to the life and love of Carrie Bradshaw, a character who set the professional pulse according to Sarah Jessica Parker.
Fast forward to 2021, and the much-anticipated revival series, "And Just Like That", made its debut. However, it failed to capture the magic of the original, leaving critics and viewers disappointed.
The revival series was widely criticized for failing to live up to the original "Sex and the City". Critics noted that the show neither captured the humor and style that defined "Sex and the City" nor effectively portrayed the lives of women in their 50s, struggling awkwardly between nostalgia for the past and contemporary issues without a clear, convincing purpose or identity.
Specifically regarding the portrayal of the 50+ generation, the series was seen as confusing and frightened by the modern world, missing the essence of why audiences resonated with the original group of friends who were funny, loving, and flawed but deeply bonded. Instead, the new series featured characters whom viewers found hateful, unrelatable, or underused, with attempts to address previous criticisms about diversity coming off as clumsy and tone-deaf.
The mix of wit, style, and heart that made "Sex and the City" a pop culture sensation was lost in "And Just Like That". Carrie Bradshaw's friends have been reduced to clichéd sidekicks struggling with minimal life challenges, and the series served up a thin plot that betrayed the heroines.
Despite the disappointing reception, Sarah Jessica Parker, the lead actress and co-producer, announced the end of the series. The television network, HBO, also confirmed the end of "And Just Like That".
Rumors suggest that Sarah Jessica Parker is trying to continue the series with new producers, but it sounds like another attempt to keep the series franchise on life support. However, it remains to be seen if the magic of "Sex and the City" can be recaptured, or if the series will remain a shadow of its former self.
It's important to remember that Carrie Bradshaw was a fictional character who existed on the TV screen. Yet, for many women across different generations, she was a significant figure. The original series was once considered provocative, sexy, and culturally groundbreaking, but "And Just Like That" failed to explore themes of the 50+ generation.
Critics found the original series too white, politically incorrect, and not representative enough of real New York, with forced woke storylines being a solution. However, the revival series did not find the themes of the 55-year-old women in a privileged but also exciting scene interesting enough to make a compelling show.
In the end, "And Just Like That" will be remembered as a disappointing revival of a beloved series. The series ran for 27 years, but its final chapter was a far cry from its illustrious beginning. In 2025, Carrie Bradshaw was portrayed as a wealthy widow living alone in a house that's much too big, a stark contrast to the vibrant, independent woman we knew from the original series.
References: [1] The New Yorker. (2021, December 13). And Just Like That... Is a Disappointing Revival of Sex and the City. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/and-just-like-that-is-a-disappointing-revival-of-sex-and-the-city [2] Vox. (2021, December 9). Sex and the City reboot 'And Just Like That' is a disappointment. https://www.vox.com/culture/21766772/sex-and-the-city-and-just-like-that-review
Movies-and-TV audiences have been left disheartened by the 'And Just Like That' revival of 'Sex and the City', with critics noting its failure to capture the original series' humor, style, and portrayal of women in their 50s. The mix of wit, style, and heart that made 'Sex and the City' a pop culture sensation was lost in 'And Just Like That', leaving the series a far cry from its illustrious beginning.
