‘It's so cringe': The Chronicle weighs in on end of ‘And Just Like That'

San Francisco Chronicle​

4 days ago

Pack up your Manolo Blahniks and grab your Fendi baguettes: The ' Sex and the City ' universe is coming to an end with the series finale of ' And Just Like That… '
The original show was based on writer Candace Bushnell's 1996 book, a compilation of her New York Observer columns, and followed the lives of relationship columnist Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), publicist Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), lawyer Miranda Hobbes and gallerist Charlotte York (Kristin Davis.) It debuted on HBO in 1998, and soon left its mark on pop culture, gifting the world phrases like, 'He's just not that into you' and 'I'm a try-sexual. I'll try anything once.''
With its sexually frank discussions, themes of female friendship and innovative use of fashion in storytelling, the series became not just a lauded hit for the cable network, but also the kind of zeitgeist entertainment that developed a passionate following.
It also gave rise to the ultimate fan question: 'Are you a Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte?'
Then, after six seasons, 'Sex and the City' wrapped its series run in 2004. Two subsequent movies — simply titled 'Sex and the City: The Movie' (2008) and 'Sex and the City 2' (2010) — hit theaters.
The first broke several records, raking in approximately $57 million in its opening weekend. It marked the biggest launch ever for a romantic comedy and the highest opening for an all-women at the time.
The sequel, however, was deemed a commercial disappointment, and fans soon accepted it was the last they'd see of the characters.
But 11 years later, 'And Just Like That…' revived the franchise once again. Its return sparked plenty of debate, with Mr. Big's death in the first episode, the absence of Cattrall's Samantha and the introduction of new characters like the nonbinary comedian Che Diaz (Sarah Ramirez) all sparking online backlash. For many longtime fans, 'And Just Like That…' became the TV equivalent of a car crash — awful in parts, but it was impossible to look away.
Some feel that in Season 3, the show finally hit its stride, making its just-announced conclusion all the more disappointing. Yet, after making its cultural mark through everything like inspiring fashion trends, drag versions and countless meme-able moments, we couldn't help but wonder: Is this really the end of the 'Sex' universe?
Chronicle staff writers Tony Bravo, Zara Irshad, Vanessa Labi and J.D. Morris recently gathered over a virtual cosmopolitan to toast — and sometimes lovingly roast — the series, which concludes Thursday, Aug. 14.
Q: How do you feel about the decision to end 'And Just Like That…'?
Zara Irshad: I always respect when showrunners opt to end a show themselves rather than running it into the ground trying to maintain cashflow. I was surprised that 'And Just Like That…' ran for as long as it did, given the mixed reviews.
J.D. Morris: Not at all surprised, given its polarizing reception. But I doubt the finale is going to be satisfying, because it doesn't seem like it was intended to be the end of the series when it was made.
The show was a hot mess for most of its run, but I enjoyed getting to spend more time with these characters and seeing them in a different phase of life.
Vanessa Labi: It could've brought it home with one more season. But maybe it's just as well that it's leaving us — or me at least — wanting more.
Tony Bravo: Given how expensive this show must be, I wasn't surprised.
Q: When did you start watching 'Sex and the City?'
Labi: I went in toward the end of high school. My friend and I had a ritual where we would rent a season from Blockbuster and binge it on Fridays. I also like to rewatch it every few years and relate to it differently each time.
Irshad: I'm a newer fan. I started watching the original show when it was released on Netflix last spring, and have seen it a few times through. I had heard tons of Carrie Bradshaw jokes from friends when I started working as a journalist — even more when I too started dating a furniture designer — and figured it was time to get in on the discourse.
The general vibe seems to resonate, though a number of the jokes and sub-plots have been questionable looking back. It seems to have become a default comfort show for us nonetheless.
Bravo: I was a freshman in high school when it debuted and I would VHS record episodes to share. It shaped a lot of how I saw dating, friendship and city dwelling.
Morris: I really got into it in college. Me and some girlfriends from my dorm — who I'm still close with today — used to watch episodes of the show while doing our laundry freshman year.
Q: How do you think 'And Just Like That…' continued the characters' stories?
Labi: I thought Charlotte's character development felt pretty earned and natural! If she had stayed her prudish self with old-fashioned values, it would've felt one-note and stunted her storylines. It was fun to see her have fun.
Bravo: I agree that Charlotte fared best, but I did like how Miranda had to find herself as a queer woman.
Morris: I appreciated the fact that the show did not pretend Carrie was anything other than a very wealthy woman. Miranda's arc felt like a mess until this last season. At the beginning of this show I kept wondering where the old Miranda went.
Irshad: Charlotte's development felt refreshing — it was really nice to see more of how she handles motherhood. Miranda's storyline did feel a bit frazzled in that first season (and I miss Steve too!) but I appreciate the way that the show depicted her journey in the end.
Q: Has it been must-watch or hate-watch TV for you?
Bravo: Must-watch while sending critical texts to the friends I used to pass the VHS copies of 'Sex and the City' to.
Morris: Both. I watch it alone and have consistently found myself pausing the show to scroll TikTok for a minute because it's so cringe. But I also needed to know what comes next and relished escaping into this world again.
Labi: I also watch it alone! I can't watch it with my husband in the room because it amplifies my awareness of how absurd the writing has become. But in a very earnest way, I love it. It sneaks up on you, the way the characters and performances are still able to affect you.
Irshad: It's a guilty pleasure show, for me. I haven't been as invested as I was while watching the original series, but I think that has to do with my lack of nostalgia, since I've only been immersed in the 'Sex and the City' universe for a year or so.
Q: What did you like about the new series?
Bravo: The fabulous —but ludicrous — clothes by costume designer Molly Rogers.
And as a gay Italian American, I loved how much more Mario Cantone's character Anthony was featured.
Morris: I thought Seema and Lisa were fun additions to the group.
Labi: They were fun! I enjoyed seeing the universe expand and how their perspectives felt more fleshed out by Season 3. Even if one of Seema's storylines was literally: Will she embrace her boyfriend's natural deodorant?
Irshad: It was cool to see how each character progressed in their careers since the original series. I particularly enjoyed seeing Charlotte return to the art world.
Q: What didn't work?
Labi: The tonal switch-ups were really tough. Episode 10, for example, delved into some serious subject matter only to be followed by a three-way phone call where the girls discuss it — over a score with silly sound design — while Carrie purses her lips to cue a goofy tone.
Bravo: Everyone was so rich there didn't seem to be real world stakes.
Morris: Che Diaz. I appreciated what the show was going for there, but it wasn't executed well. Also, the Samantha cameos felt really forced and awkward to me. But maybe that's just because I've read too much about the off-screen issues there.
Irshad: It did feel a little off without Samantha in the mix. I think her personality brought a level of lightness that this show didn't have as much of.
Q: Publicly, the story from Sarah Jessica Parker and Darren Star, is that it was a mutual decision to cancel the series. Other reports say HBO canceled it. Has that affected your feelings?
Bravo: I think the show got markedly better this season, so I would be disappointed if it was canceled without the writers being able to craft a proper finale.
Morris: I don't know enough about the behind-the-scenes drama, if there was any, that led to the cancellation. But I will say, I thought SJP's Instagram farewell to Carrie was lovely.
Labi: I wonder if Parker started to feel limited by the character and maybe even tired of criticism of the show.
Q: How do you think it will end?
Bravo: I want Samantha or Che to suddenly show up.
Labi: I would definitely shed some happy tears if Samantha came onscreen for the last episode.
Morris: Carrie probably stays single at the end of this one, which will be kind of disappointing to me if it pans out that way. I liked her and Aiden as a couple!
A final moment with the original four would melt hearts and break the internet.
Irshad: Agreed, Carrie's probably going to stay single. I hope the finale is filled with all the nostalgia.
Q: Final thoughts on its legacy?
Morris: Something I kept thinking about while watching 'AJLT' was how the show depicted the characters spending time with each other while running errands and going about their regular routines. Normalize catching up with your friends while going mattress shopping!
Bravo: Like 'The Golden Girls,' the show was at its best when it focused on the friendship between these women. I aspire to see my friends as often as Carrie.
Irshad: It's cool to see the original show getting somewhat of a second life with Gen Z watching for the first time. It's definitely seeping into the social media mainstream with TikTok edits and Carrie's cringier moments being made into memes. I'm here for it!
Labi: I love how so many shows that have come after 'Sex and the City' are in conversation with it, like HBO's 'Girls.' It seems its format and legacy will continue to be reinterpreted for a long time.
Labi: I don't think I'm any of them! Maybe Carrie for the writerly aspect, and Lisa because I relate to feeling perpetually frazzled.
Bravo: When I wrote my relationship column 'Connectivity' for the Chronicle Style section, people often compared me to Carrie. I started as a Carrie who tried to be as empowered as Samantha and have ended up a Carrie, with a very strong sense of Charlotte propriety.
Irshad: I think that I'm some combination of Charlotte and Carrie, though that's tough to admit.
Carrie's messy in a way you can't look away from, especially in those earlier seasons — and I, too, feel that way sometimes. Charlotte's loyalty and optimism also resonate, and I feel like she has stayed true to those values throughout.
Morris: I used to think I was a Miranda. But as I've gotten older, and especially after watching 'AJLT,' I'd put myself somewhere between a Carrie and a Miranda. I relate to Miranda's ambition and directness, but I love the way Carrie loves her city. I think more people should romanticize San Francisco — or wherever your chosen home is — the way she romanticizes New York.