Warning: SPOILERS For And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 4, “Apples to Apples.“Especially after she married Mr. Big (Chris Noth), I never thought that Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) would get this storyline 27 years afterSex and the Citystarted, but it’s happening inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3. It’s been a momentous outing for Carrie and her gal pals, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Seema (Sarita Choudhury), and Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker). Carrie continues her long-distance relationship with former beau Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) after the couple decided to wait five years to be together inAnd Just Like Thatseason 2’s finale.
Carrie and Aidan’s romanceis off to a rocky start, their no-contact agreement fracturing as soon asAnd Just Like Thatseason 3’s premiere. The couple had been talking and texting since Aidan called his girlfriend one night, which led to him visiting Carrie in New York and then her book publicity event in Williamsburg, Virginia, which she took to see Aidan, ultimately staying for a few nights. While her trip inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3, episode 4, is far from ideal,the outing gives Carrie a story I thought we’d never see.
Carrie Navigates New Family Dynamics With Kids In And Just Like That Season 3
Bradshaw Takes On Pseudo-Parenthood
I never thought Carrie would be navigating a family dynamic with children, but Bradshaw is getting a glimpse of motherhoodinAnd Just Like Thatseason 3. When Carrie is down in Virginia, she spends time with the younger two of Aidan’s sons, Wyatt (Logan Souza) and Homer (Corbin Drew Ross). While Carrie instantly clicks with Aidan’s middle son, Homer, she struggles to form a connection with the youngest, Wyatt. The tension between Carrie and Wyatt is a continuation of what we saw in season 2, with Wyatt rolling his eyes on FaceTime whenever his dad showed his girlfriend.
Carrie’s quality time in Virginia does little to soothe the tension with Wyatt, who knocks her over the head with a laser gun at the mall when the clan goes to play a virtual reality zombie-killing game. Despite her injury, Carrie is made to feel somewhat responsible for what happened, as Aidan asks her not to make Wyatt feel bad for the alleged accident.The situation devolves even further as Aidan’s oldest son,Tate (Jason Schmidt), returns home for his birthday party, which is also attended by Aidan’s ex-wife, Kathy (Rosemarie DeWitt).
Carrie is caught in the middle, navigating complex family dynamics after two decades of romance with Mr. Big, with whom she has no children.
When Kathy shows up with her boyfriend, Bob (Tony Crane), he tells Carrie that he’s been part of the clan for about four years, saying that the kids will accept her over time. Bob reveals to Carrie that Kathy and Aidan have a difference of opinion about Wyatt using Adderall, with Kathy insisting that Wyatt needs ADHD medication and Aidan vehemently refusing due to his youngest son’s substance-abuse issues. Amid the clamor, Carrie is caught in the middle, navigating complex family dynamics after two decades ofromance with Mr. Big, with whom she has no children.
Can Carrie And Aidan’s Romance Survive The Shaw Family’s Struggles In And Just Like That?
Even Bradshaw Doesn’t Know
Carrie was never completely opposed to having children inSex and the City,but it was far from a priority for her. Furthermore, the original series often contrasted the story of Carrie and her friends with that of other women their age who were getting married and having children, using the comparison to suggest that a non-traditional lifestyle wasn’t so bad. As the “it” single girl,it makes sense that Carrie never had kids inSex and the City.Now, Carrie is exposed to the complexities of parenthood after rekindling her former flame, further straining their long-distance connection.
After Wyatt’s outburst during Tate’s birthday party, it’s even less clear whether Aidan and Carrie’s romance will survive the five years he asked for, the time required for Wyatt to turn 20.Carrie has a clearer understanding regarding why Aidan has to stay in Virginiaafter “Apples to Apples.” We don’t know which direction this clarity will take her, but she sees that there are only drawbacks to visiting Aidan in Virginia. She also realizes that his three boys won’t be bunking down at their Gramercy Park home anytime soon.
Carrie will have to fully embrace part-time motherhood if she wants to make it work with Aidan.
It looked like Carrie was breaking up with Aidan after her ill-fated trip to Virginia, but she gave him a key to their home instead. Still, as Bradshaw indicates through her fiction writing at the end of episode 4, it’s unclear whether the trip, seeing Aidan’s life, brought her closer to her long-distance partner or put even more space between them. Ultimately, Carrie will have to fully embrace part-time motherhood if she wants to make it work with Aidan. YetAnd Just Like Thatwill also introduce another love interest for Carrie in episode 5, so anything is possible.
And Just Like That…
Cast
And Just Like That is a continuation of the beloved franchise Sex and the City, chronicling the experiences of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they transition from the complexities of life and friendships in their 30s to those in their 50s.
