And Just Like That: 10 Questions We Have After The Finale
And Just Like That wrapped its chaotic and divisive first season with a surprisingly solid episode that manages to recapture some of the magic that made Sex and the City such a phenomenon. Carrie Bradshaw finally gets closure after Big's death, beginning a new chapter in her life with a newfound will to live and even love.
The show intentionally leaves several questions unanswered, setting up the plot lines for a season two that, while unconfirmed, seems like a real possibility. Even fans who have been on the fence about the show would undoubtedly return to get some answers to these lingering questions.
Ironically, the most likable characters in And Just Like That are the new ones. Nya, Seema, and Lisa provided some much-needed fresh blood into the show and became crucial for the revival's success. Nya's difficulties with conceiving and Seema's search for love were particularly entertaining, and fans want to see more of them in any future season.
Neither character is a regular on the show, so their return is uncertain; however, the show would be wrong not to have the trio back. Nya, Seema, and Lisa could even become series regulars, adding more diversity into the otherwise homogenous cast. As for Che, they might not be the show's most beloved addition, but their storyline with Miranda is far too prominent for them not to return.
And Just Like That featured the return of a few familiar faces. In the first episodes, Bitsy von Muffling popped by, and Big's ex-wife, Natasha, played a crucial role in hour three. Anthony Marantino and Stanford Blatch also returned, but Willie Garson's tragic passing effectively cut Stanford's story short. Finally, the girl's significant others also appeared, with varying degrees of significance.
It's safe to say Harry and Anthony would return for season two, but Steve is up in the air. Natasha's role was a one-and-done situation, but Bitsy could pop by again. Still, several other SAtC characters could guest-star in And Just Like That. Candice Bergen's Enid, Jennifer Coolidge's Victoria, and even Jennifer Hundson's Louise could all show up. As for ex-love interests, Kyle MacLachlan's Trey or Will Corbett's Aidan would also provide some juicy drama.
Anthony's newly single life was one of the storylines that And Just Like That needed to resolve before season one ended. However, it didn't and only showed him going out on a failed date with a Holocaust-denier.
Samantha's absence creates the perfect opportunity to give Anthony more storylines. Critics and fans heavily criticized Sex and the City for treating its LGBTQ+ characters more as props than three-dimensional figures. And Just Like That has the perfect opportunity to right that wrong by either giving Anthony a proper love story or by exploring his life as a single gay man in his fifties.
Unlike Carrie and Miranda, Charlotte's storyline in the final episode doesn't set up anything for a potential season two. However, it does continue her long-term arc of opening up to new experiences, eventually growing as a person. Without a doubt, Charlotte is the character who changed the most during Sex and the City, and And Just Like That continues her journey to becoming more open-minded.
With so much of Charlotte's story revolving around her family in season one, perhaps season two could instead focus on her as an individual rather than as a mother. The show could explore her friendship with Lisa further, adding more nuance to a relationship that was one of season one's highlights.
And speaking of Charlotte and her family, her youngest child, Rock, played a crucial role in And Just Like That season one. Their journey is only beginning, as they are slowly discovering who they are and who they want to be.
Like any other child about to enter adolescence, Rock is sometimes annoying and frustrating. However, their relationship with Charlotte was one of the most compelling parts of the season, so season two needs to continue building their bond. And while Rock is probably better in small doses, their appearance in season two can and should be as crucial as in season one.
Miranda Hobbes was the most intelligent character in Sex and the City; she was also the most judgemental. Completely cynic and staunchly independent, Miranda actively rejected romance and overly elaborate displays of affection, to the point where she avoided them even when married to Steve.
And Just Like That shows her adopting an entirely different approach, behaving like a teenager in love in her relationship with Che. She even abandons a prestigious internship to follow Che to L.A., acting like Carrie when she followed Petrovsky to Paris. Miranda ends the season on her way to California, leaving fans to wonder how long will she stay there.
Speaking of Steve, episode nine makes it clear that he won't give up on Miranda. However, will he actually try to win her back? Will season two show him making an effort to regain Miranda's love, or will he be written off, becoming another casualty of the franchise's new direction?
A love triangle seems like the worst possible choice for Miranda; instead, that's something fans would expect from Carrie (more on that later). However, Steve is such a beloved character that And Just Like That might want to give him something to do other than sit around watching television and mourning his lost love.
The season finale finally gives Carrie the closure she needs after Big's death. For 10 episodes, fans saw her dealing with her husband's passing but never actually moving on to the next chapter of her life. The season's last minutes feature her in Paris, scattering Big's ashes into the Seine and finally letting go.
Carrie already had a successful date earlier in the episode, but the final scene shows her kissing her podcast's producer. Both men seem sweet, and she clearly likes them, so could Carrie's storyline feature a love triangle in season two? When done correctly, the love triangle can be very compelling and entertaining, and fans might just get one should And Just Like That come back for round two.
Over the years, fans have expressed the many problems with one Carrie Bradshaw. It's hard to argue otherwise because Carrie is indeed very messy. She is selfish, materialistic, emotionally immature and co-dependent. She often sabotages her own happiness, to the point where it almost seemed like she needed the drama to feel normal.
Carrie seemingly got her happy ending with Big, but that came crashing when he died in the first episode of And Just Like That. Now, with Carrie single again and potentially dating two men, fans can't help but wonder if she'll go back to her old ways or take a more mature approach to single life. Season two will need to address that, but the answer might not be what fans expect or want.
And Just Like That showrunner Michael Patrick King recently revealed in an interview with Variety that he had "no realistic expectation of Kim Cattrall ever appearing again." However, the show's choice to have the character appear via text messages feels odd and almost disrespectful.
Cattrall was a huge part of the show, and millions of fans adored her character. Indeed, And Just Like That would've been much better with Samantha. However, keeping Samantha but never showing her is ultimately detrimental to the show; she is around, but not really. The series might be better if it completely writes her off, but will it? Only season two will tell.