“And Just Like That”, the continuation of Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic story, has concluded its run, sparking fervent discussion and varied reactions among loyal viewers. After nine seasons, two movies, and countless romantic encounters, Carrie’s narrative appears to be, for now, complete. The series finale, set on Thanksgiving, aimed to leave each character with something to be grateful for, yet its resolution for Carrie has proven particularly divisive.
A Look at the Characters’ Endings:
- Miranda finds gratitude in her kind girlfriend’s unwavering acceptance, even amidst mundane (and messy) realities.
- Charlotte and Harry celebrate Harry’s recovery from prostate cancer surgery.
- Seema embraces advancements in gluten-free baked goods, signaling her adaptable expectations in both food and relationships.
- Lisa expresses thanks for her marriage, admiring her editor as always.
- Anthony, true to form, remains grateful for hot younger men.
Carrie’s Ambiguous Conclusion
The finale sees Carrie residing solo in her grand Gramercy house. In the epilogue of her new novel, she writes of “the woman” (presumably herself) realizing “she was not alone – she was on her own.” This sentiment, while potentially empowering, clashes with an earlier conversation where Carrie confided in Charlotte about her struggle to truly be okay with single life. She admitted, even after Big’s death, thinking “Aidan, maybe Aidan,” acknowledging a need to “quit thinking ‘maybe a man’ and start accepting ‘maybe just me.’ And it’s not a tragedy, it’s a fact. And I just have to start accepting it, full stop.” This left viewers questioning whether her final state was one of acceptance or simply resignation.
Creator Michael Patrick King’s Perspective
Series creator Michael Patrick King views the ending as empowering and a “full circle moment” for Carrie. He told Variety that after years of heartbreaks and new romances, Carrie is “grown-up enough to face this, because I’ve created a life that’s so magnificent for myself.” He emphasized that the final sentence, “She’s on her own,” is for anyone who has someone or doesn’t, and primarily for those who feel bad about being single, suggesting it’s about self-sufficiency.
Critical Reception
Despite King’s intent, critics were largely unimpressed with Carrie’s finale. A USA Today critic called it “a sweet sentiment of self-love, but one that feels too tacked on and hastily written to pack an emotional wallop,” adding that “Carrie deserved far better than this treacly Hallmark sendoff.” Judy Berman of Time offered a more cutting analysis, stating, “It took three decades, nine seasons’ worth of two different series, and a pair of excruciating movies for Carrie to so much as approach the place where Samantha started,” referencing Kim Cattrall’s character.
Future of the Series
Michael Patrick King seems to indicate he is personally “done” with the series for now but doesn’t entirely rule out a future return. He told The Hollywood Reporter, “Look, I have definitely closed the book, and whether there’s another book remains to be seen… You’re never, ever not… I’m always surprised. When we closed ‘Sex and the City,’ we closed it. And just like that, we’re back!” King also stressed the importance of ending a show while there’s still sustained interest, comparing it to leaving a party at its peak. However, some feel the show ended abruptly before truly receiving its proper “toasts.”
