The End of an Era for Carrie in 'And Just Like That...'
Unpacking the Tensions in Aidan and Carrie’s Relationship
Seema might be concerned about body odor, but what truly stinks is the state of Aidan and Carrie’s relationship. Despite Aidan staying at their apartment for an extended period, old memories and unresolved issues continue to hinder their progress. This dynamic sets the stage for a complicated episode that delves into the challenges each character faces, both personally and in their relationships.
One of the most notable moments occurs when Aidan interacts with Carrie’s neighbor, Duncan. In season 3, episode 9, Aidan sits on the backyard terrace with Duncan, engaging him in a conversation that quickly turns into an interrogation. He asks why Duncan smokes a pipe, and Duncan reveals it's partly due to his ex-wife. Aidan reacts strongly to the smoking, echoing his past concerns about Carrie. Carrie believes Aidan feels threatened—not by Duncan, but by her. Her past actions, including her smoking and infidelity with Big, have eroded his trust, making Duncan a potential trigger for him. However, one wonders if Aidan has truly moved past these issues.
Personal Struggles and Complicated Dynamics
The rest of the friend group also grapples with their own challenges. Charlotte continues to struggle with vertigo, taking center stage in her only solo scene of the episode. Meanwhile, Lisa's husband, Herbert, who is running for public office, faces difficulties sticking to a diet. Lisa suggests he try Ozempic, a common solution for weight management. Seema receives a crystal from Adam to use as deodorant, but her attempt ends in embarrassment when she rushes to a high-profile meeting in a sweat, drawing attention to the scent of B.O. from the crystal.
Anthony’s efforts to impress Giuseppe’s mother, Gia, are met with resistance. He attempts to win her over with a home-cooked dinner, but Gia criticizes his risotto and even tries to pay him off to break up with Giuseppe. Her behavior reflects a fear of her son ending up in a similar situation, having married a much older man herself. The tense exchange culminates in Gia throwing food and plates off the table before expressing regret. While the scene ends with Gia giving up on separating Giuseppe and Anthony, it highlights the strange and disjointed nature of the episode.
Moments of Sensitivity and Honesty
Despite the tension, there are moments of sensitivity and honesty. Miranda comes clean to Joy about her alcoholism, sharing why she threw away her bottle of gin. Joy tries to understand, but she recognizes that drinking around Miranda only makes her feel worse. Miranda reassures her that she doesn’t have to worry, and they agree to accept each other’s emotional baggage.
Carrie and Aidan also face their own struggles. When Carrie is in a writing workshop with Duncan, Aidan interrupts to invite them to dinner. Carrie declines, saying she won’t be back until late. Aidan leaves defeated, leaving raw T-bones on the kitchen counter. When Carrie returns, she snuggles up with Aidan, but he pushes her away, telling her to shower because she reeks of smoke. She does so and ends up sleeping in another room.
A Breakdown and Reflections
By morning, things remain unresolved. Carrie takes a walk to clear her head, leading her to a department store where Andy Cohen makes a brief cameo. Before she can try on heels, Aidan invites her to lunch to discuss everything. At the sidewalk table, their conversation falls apart due to grammatical errors. Aidan mentions his trust issues with Carrie and other men, which leads Carrie to question why he still has trouble trusting her now. She feels she has done nothing wrong and is tired of trying to fix their relationship.
Carrie points out that she has put in so much effort into their “wait for me for five years” agreement, which Aidan broke by sleeping with Kathy. She realizes she has nothing left to give and acknowledges that they both need 100 percent from each other. Their relationship ends with a tearful embrace and the playing of Taylor Swift’s “How Did It End?”
A New Chapter?
Even as an Aidan fan, it’s clear that the relationship between Aidan and Carrie is being put to bed. The episode attempts to recreate the spark between them but falls short, with the chemistry feeling forced and unnatural. The pacing of their relationship arc this season was also inconsistent, with hints of their incompatibility creeping in too slowly before a sudden return of Aidan’s past trauma.
In the final scenes, Carrie meets up with Charlotte, Miranda, and Seema, marking both a homecoming and the beginning of a new chapter. With both of her great loves out of the picture, Carrie may finally have the chance to start fresh.