This story contains spoilers for the fifth episode of Season 2 of And Just Like That. Miranda Hobbes, portrayed by Cynthia Nixon, wears a Harvard hoodie in an uncomfortable manner in an episode from the first season of Sex and the City. In “Bay of Married Pigs,” Miranda agrees to a blind date at her firm’s annual softball game. However, when she meets her potential match, she realizes that her colleagues have misunderstood the reason behind her single status. After meeting a woman named Syd, Miranda is embarrassed and corrects her colleague’s assumption about her sexuality. This particular episode, which aired in 1998, explores the conflict between married and single individuals, often portraying single women as enemies or objects of pity. Surprisingly, Miranda receives more respect from her firm as a partnered lesbian than as a single straight woman, leading her to create a fake relationship with Syd. Although Miranda eventually reveals the charade, she kisses Syd in the elevator, confirming her heterosexuality.
Over the past 25 years, this episode has become a favorite among Sex and the City’s queer fans for its meme potential. The interest in this episode is heightened by Cynthia Nixon’s real-life romance. After ending her long-term relationship with a man, Nixon began dating Christine Marinoni as the original series concluded. Since then, she has come out as bisexual, married Marinoni, and publicly identified as queer. Even before news of a Sex and the City reboot was confirmed in 2021, many queer fans hoped that the show would explore the possibility introduced in Miranda’s softball game. Miranda, in certain circles, is regarded as the most relatable character on the show, often level-headed and criticizing her friends for revolving their lives around men. Despite occasional offensive portrayals of queerness, Miranda has served as an imperfect representation for queer women.
In the first season of And Just Like That, Miranda does indeed embark on a queer storyline. However, the love interest that sparks her awakening leaves many fans with mixed feelings. Still married to Steve, Miranda falls for Che Diaz, a nonbinary stand-up comedian who identifies as polyamorous and pansexual. Che co-hosts a podcast called X, Y, and Me, covering various aspects of gender and sexuality. The idea of a repressed lawyer experiencing a midlife queer awakening is not far-fetched, but Che’s character is often grating. In their first scene, Che introduces themselves with a series of provocative statements, calling Carrie “Ms. Cis” and labeling themselves as a “queer, nonbinary, Mexican Irish diva.” This characterization has frustrated many queer individuals, reminiscent of the divisive character Jenny Schecter from The L Word.
Surprisingly, the most recent episode of And Just Like That brings about a small shift in sympathy for Che. Season 1 ends with Miranda leaving her life behind to follow Che to Los Angeles, hoping to secure the green light for their semi-autobiographical sitcom. In this episode, Che watches a focus group criticize their pilot, specifically taking issue with the portrayal of a nonbinary experience. This critique devastates Che and prompts a deeper exploration of their character. The vulnerability of creating autobiographical art, especially for queer and trans people, is highlighted by Che’s reaction to intra-community judgment. The criticism they receive feels particularly harsh, leading them to question their life’s work. Miranda attempts to console Che, but is dismissed as being ignorant of the situation.
Che’s character on the show has been uncertain and ambiguous, making it difficult to understand their role in the story of the three women. While they initially served as a foil to Carrie, challenging her discomfort with queerness, other characters like Charlotte had minimal interactions with Che. The purpose of Che’s character was not solely to show Miranda’s unhappiness in her marriage but also to bring awareness to privilege and expand the representation of diverse lives in the series.
Including a nonbinary character like Che in a show like Sex and the City comes with its challenges. Nonbinary characters exist in other shows with rich and complex storylines. However, Che has constantly been viewed through the lens of the original show, making it challenging for them to break free of stereotypes. The inclusion of Che in the reboot has been seen as an attempt to appeal to Gen Z viewers who identify outside the binary. The latest episode allows for a deeper exploration of Che’s character and potential growth beyond their caricature-like portrayal.
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