When it was announced in 2020 that “Sex and the City,” one of the biggest shows of the early 2000s, would be rebooted, fans both old and new rejoiced. It had been over 10 years since lovers of the original show had a chance to reunite with the fabulous quartet consisting of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte.
The excitement quickly plummeted when Samantha’s actress, Kim Cattrall, announced she would not be returning. Ever since the premiere of the controversial film “Sex and the City 2” in 2010, Cattrall publicly expressed her distaste for the handling of her character and the premise of the show overall. Although fans held a cautious optimism regarding her return, the majority were still crushed by the harsh reality.
In an effort to “replace” Samantha (the show’s creators denied this, but we all know it’s true), the announcement was made that four women of color were to be cast to combat the original show’s undeniable whiteness. This gave a hint to fans that the reboot would take on a new, politically correct writing style.
This dismayed fans even more; the original program’s edgy humor was both loveable and a reflection of the character’s imperfections. They, like so many of us, have bold opinions and unchecked prejudice, and the writers’ plan to ditch that in favor of a more vanilla approach to the humor was undeniably a mistake.
One of the major faults of “And Just Like That…” is their approach to womanhood. In an attempt to appear, for lack of better words, “woke,” every character, both new and old, was forced into the confines of the “strong woman archetype.” This archetype, as it stands, strips away any lovable, relatable qualities, replacing them instead with a cold, solitary toughness that feels more isolating than empowering.
Contrary to the writers’ opinion, it is not weak or offensive to portray a woman searching for love. “Sex and the City” managed to perfectly paint the four women’s different ways of approaching romance while simultaneously reminding the viewer of their boastful independence and strength. That is what made the original characters feel so powerful, contrary to “And Just Like That…” where it feels as though any realistic character traits are blatantly replaced with a surface-level idea of a “strong woman.”
The unveiling of season one opened floodgates of disappointment, criticism, and a general feeling of betrayal toward the show’s writers, directors, and producers. Carrie, who in the original show was never particularly drawn to technology and instead gravitated toward the more unique aspects of life— whether in her writing or fashion— suddenly found herself hosting a podcast and managing an Instagram account.
Charlotte, who in the original show boasted her desire to become a mother, seemed to lose any desire to raise her children with the values she once held so strongly. Her children consistently disrespected her and were met with no consequences of any sort. Viewers of the original series were instantly made aware of Charlotte’s assertive manner and her demands of respect for both herself and the people around her; her newfound timid approach to motherhood was odd, to say the least.
By the end of the original series, Miranda, the show’s cynical romantic, married and built a home and family with the man that fans considered to be her perfect match: Steve Brady. However, viewers were in for a harsh surprise when, just five minutes into the new series, Miranda reveals that the once-strong, mutually happy relationship has completely fallen apart.
Although sad, relationships deteriorating was a realistic and frequent aspect of “Sex and the City.” What truly turned heads was how the writers chose to have Miranda respond to her frustration— with an affair. This was a stark departure from her character, especially considering that in the first “Sex and the City” movie, Miranda had separated from Steve after being deeply hurt by his infidelity.
The affair seemed out of character for a woman who once valued loyalty and trust above all else, leaving fans questioning how far the writers were willing to push her character’s development.
And then there’s Samantha, who, as previously mentioned, is completely absent from the series—a tragedy in itself. Or could it be a blessing in disguise that her fiery, unapologetic personality was safe from being tarnished by the poor writing of “And Just Like That…”?
In the end, “And Just Like That…” has proven to be a deeply divisive experience for fans. While the excitement of reconnecting with beloved characters was palpable, the reality of the new direction the series took left many feeling disconnected and disillusioned.
What made “Sex and the City” so iconic wasn’t just its fashion or its humor— it was the raw, relatable portrayal of women navigating complex, messy lives with all their imperfections. Unfortunately, in “And Just Like That…”, many of these imperfections seem to have been replaced by a version of womanhood that feels more like a caricature than a reflection of real life.