In the world of television, Kim Cattrall is a queen. Rumored to have earned a jaw-dropping one million dollars for less than two minutes of screentime, Cattrall’s much-anticipated appearance in And Just Like That’s second season finale was met with mixed reviews. Many saw it as a cash-grab, a strategic move by Cattrall to assert her worth and exercise her leverage. Reports circulated that Cattrall refused to have contact with her former Sex and the City castmates during filming, allegedly due to being denied equal pay to star in the sequel series. This in itself forecasted the lack of chemistry and staying power in her cameo as the iconic Samantha Jones. Ultimately, the return of Samantha Jones turned out to be nothing more than media-hyped foreplay followed by a blink-and-you-miss-it flash of empty joy. Needless to say, many viewers were left disappointed and fast asleep by the start of the next scene.
One of the significant moments in the second season finale was Samantha’s fleeting phone call with Carrie. Samantha simply informs her old friend that she won’t be able to attend her era-ending celebratory dinner party. This exchange, like many other character interactions throughout the season, was intended to be meaningful but ended up lulling the audience into a stupor. The entire second season of And Just Like That failed to have the same impact and shock value as the first season. The first season had delivered genuinely shocking turns, such as Mr. Big’s sudden death, Miranda’s latent queerness, and extramarital affair, and Carrie’s disapproval of Miranda’s life choices. In contrast, the second season struggled to leave a lasting impression. It relentlessly preached the message that it’s never too late to start over but failed to show the audience the realities and consequences of doing so. For a show that is supposed to fulfill bourgeois fantasies, it often ended up being soul-deadeningly bleak.
On the surface, And Just Like That tries to convince us that 55 is the new 35. Carrie finds love again after being widowed, Charlotte resumes her career as a gallerina after 20 years, and Miranda manages to climb the corporate ladder despite setbacks. However, each character faces disappointment at every turn. Carrie, despite inheriting Big’s wealth, struggles to find the stability she craves. Charlotte, who always dreamed of being a wife and mother, finds herself battling with bratty teenagers instead of cute little girls. Miranda, despite her success as a professional, still finds herself without a permanent home, disconnected from her exes, and unable to motivate her son. It seems that no matter the circumstances, dissatisfaction always lurks beneath the surface.
One of the reasons why the second season of And Just Like That failed to captivate viewers was the lack of development in its numerous storylines. Carrie’s renewed relationship with Aidan, for example, felt rushed and deprived the audience of pivotal moments. We never got to see Carrie’s visit to Aidan’s home in Virginia or understand the dynamics between him and his troubled son. Without this depth, scenes meant to elicit emotion fell flat. The lack of exploration and focus on essential plot points left viewers feeling disoriented and disconnected from the characters.
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The season was also burdened with too many storylines and a ballooning cast of characters. While some characters like Che offered compelling narratives, others felt underdeveloped and uninteresting. The show introduced relationships, pregnancies, divorces, and personal growth arcs without giving them proper attention. The pacing and editing of the show left viewers feeling as though they were watching CliffsNotes versions of these characters’ lives. More often than not, less is more, and And Just Like That failed to strike the right balance.
Despite these shortcomings, And Just Like That is not an active hatewatch. It falls more into the category of a pleasant, yet monotonous comfort-watch. The show has its flaws and can be a pain at times, but many viewers are eagerly awaiting more episodes. There is still hope that the series can find its footing and deliver the compelling storytelling that Sex and the City was known for. Only time will tell if And Just Like That can reignite the magic and captivate its audience once again.
