The recent episode of “And Just Like That” has brought the series back to its roots, evoking the spirit of the original “Sex and the City.” This season has shown significant improvement over the frustrating first season of the revival, which failed to capture the essence of the beloved original. The characters on “AJLT” are now engaging in funny and open conversations about sex, dating, and relationships, a signature element of “SATC.”
However, despite the progress made, the show played it safe when it came to discussing abortion in this week’s episode. It’s an unusual choice for a franchise that has been known for its groundbreaking approach to hot-button issues. It’s worth noting that the second season of “And Just Like That” is currently airing amidst a strike by TV and film writers and actors, who are advocating for fair pay and better working conditions in the streaming era.
In the previous episode, Lisa Todd Wexley (played by Nicole Ari Parker) revealed that she was unexpectedly pregnant. Lisa, a documentary filmmaker, already has three children with her husband, Herbert (played by Chris Jackson). They are juggling their family responsibilities while pursuing their careers. Lisa’s documentary on pioneering Black women has been picked up for a 10-episode series by PBS, while Herbert is running for New York City comptroller. The couple has faced tensions over Herbert not doing his fair share of child care and household tasks, a common dynamic in heterosexual parenting. Lisa’s career is finally taking off after she had to prioritize raising their children.
In a late-night conversation, Lisa and Herbert discuss her complex feelings about the pregnancy and how it would impact their lives and her career. Herbert subtly suggests considering the option of abortion without explicitly mentioning it. He assures her that he will support whatever decision she makes. Lisa expresses her gratitude for having the choice but ultimately decides against it. However, later in the episode, Lisa discovers that she has had a miscarriage, making the abortion discussion irrelevant. While addressing miscarriages on screen is important, narratively, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the topic further.
Lisa’s situation reflects the reality for many women who are already parents and may not want more children. However, TV often portrays abortion storylines involving teenage characters, while network procedurals tend to use extreme situations to depict characters having abortions. Even shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” which have normalized abortion to some extent, still resort to stereotypes and missteps.
In the case of Lisa, it would have been reasonable for her to consider an abortion, and it shouldn’t be controversial to depict that. Unfortunately, “AJLT” avoids delving into this discussion, which is disappointing. The outcome of an abortion storyline shouldn’t require justification, and it would have been informative for viewers to see a character go through a direct conversation exploring her choices instead of the vague discussion in this episode.
What adds to the disappointment is that the original “Sex and the City” would have embraced a frank conversation about abortion. In the groundbreaking Season 4 episode, “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” Miranda, played by Cynthia Nixon, discovers she is pregnant after a casual encounter with her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Steve, played by David Eigenberg. Miranda plans to have an abortion, and Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, accompanies her to the appointment. In the end, Miranda decides not to go through with it. However, the episode was significant for its honest portrayal of the choice to have or not have an abortion. It allowed other women in the show, such as Carrie and Samantha, played by Kim Cattrall, to talk about their past abortions and how it was the right decision for them.
The scene in “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” exemplifies how abortion can be discussed in an everyday context, even during brunch conversations. Each character’s choice is respected, and the discussion doesn’t become overly contentious. It’s crucial, now more than ever, to have TV storylines that treat abortion matter-of-factly. We should be able to openly talk about abortion, breaking the perception that it is a delicate subject or a taboo. Abortion is a common experience for many people in America, and avoiding these conversations only contributes to the stigma surrounding it.
While “And Just Like That” is meant to provide an escape, it’s reasonable to wonder about missed opportunities and wasted potential. Pop culture, in all its forms, has the power to normalize important issues and remove the stigma associated with them. “Sex and the City” successfully delved into meaningful discussions about taboo topics, and it would have been refreshing to see the revival series continue that legacy rather than skirting around sensitive subjects.
In conclusion, “And Just Like That” could have taken a bolder approach to discussing abortion, considering its history of tackling controversial issues. Normalizing abortion storylines on TV is more important than ever, and it’s time to have open conversations without hesitation.
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