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From left to right, Nicole Ari Parker, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Karen Pittman make their return in Season 2 of “And Just Like That…”. Photo courtesy of Max.
LOS ANGELES, June 21 (UPI) — The premiere of Season 2 of “And Just Like That…” on Max delivers the long-awaited revival fans have been anticipating. The series returns with a focus on dating, relationships, and fashion, while still evolving the characters and themes in a humorous manner.
Season 1 had the task of undoing and setting up various storylines. The “Sex and the City” movies established Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) as married to Mr. Big (Chris Noth).
Since “And Just Like That…” decided to make Carrie a widow, it took several episodes in Season 1 to navigate through the funeral proceedings. However, Season 2 begins with the characters already engaged in interesting adventures.
Carrie is venturing back into the dating scene, while Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) continues her involvement with Che (Sara Ramirez) and explores her first queer relationship. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) remains frisky with her husband Harry (Evan Handler). The new ensemble members, Seema (Sarita Choudhury), Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker), and Nya (Karen Pittman), all have their relationships at various stages of harmony or disharmony.
The new cast also seamlessly integrates with the original trio, as they gather regularly for brunch, signaling their natural connection.
Season 2 portrays Carrie’s job as a podcast host in a more relevant light compared to the fantasy version presented in Season 1. Carrie now has to read distasteful ads and faces the fluctuations of the media industry. However, despite these challenges, she has the most luxurious studio for a podcast ever seen.
“And Just Like That…” doesn’t completely forget about Big either. Carrie has to record the audiobook of her memoir, reliving the chapter of his death. This reminder of grief is something many people can relate to, even if they don’t have to record it for an audiobook.
Episode 1 of Season 2 focuses on the characters preparing for the Met Gala, leading to fashion emergencies and scheduling conflicts. Anthony (Mario Cantone) provides his trademark wisecracks, reminiscent of old times, and the fashion component continues to explore generational differences.
Lisa and her husband Herbert (Chris Jackson) tackle racial issues faced by Black couples, discussing the challenges of losing one’s temper in public. They contemplate the consequences in a conversation that serves as a reflection on systemic double standards.
The series also delves into feuds with hairdressers, highlighting the intimate relationship between clients and stylists. Furthermore, “And Just Like That…” presents sexual scenarios that give rise to awkward situations and subsequent humorous discussions.
The show addresses modern issues influenced by emerging technology since the original “Sex and the City.” Losing a phone and all one’s contacts can pose challenges in a world where phone numbers are no longer memorized. Similarly, wanting a sexy Facetime session while one’s partner is busy can lead to hurt feelings and expose underlying relationship issues.
All of this happens before Aidan (John Corbett) makes his anticipated appearance, as teased in the trailers.
With a total of six storylines to balance, compared to the four in “Sex and the City,” Season 2 of “And Just Like That…” uses its runtime to explore interesting and engaging stories. While some subplots may still be cringe-worthy, they appear less frequently.
For instance, Che travels to Los Angeles to film a pilot based on their life, becoming entangled in conflicts concerning LGBTQ stereotypes in Hollywood. This plotline intends to address important issues but comes across as heavy-handed. When Che performs stand-up comedy, their jokes about Los Angeles versus New York feel lackluster.
In an instance of corporate synergy, a character is shown using the Max app on their TV. While this accurately reflects the launch of the Max platform, it feels self-justifying rather than essential to the scene.
Despite these minor quibbles, “And Just Like That…” Season 2 still demonstrates a significant improvement over Season 1. It successfully recaptures the essence of the original “Sex and the City,” which, although not perfect, has returned to its former glory.
Fred Topel, an entertainment writer based in Los Angeles and a member of various prestigious associations, including the Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association, shares his insights on the industry and film.
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