A Long-Awaited Reunion: Sex and the City's Original Character Set to Resolve Carrie's 23-Year-Old Dilemma

Summary

Carrie and Aidan have consistently faced a major hurdle in their relationship in the form of Mr. Big. However, with his departure, there is now a real possibility for them to explore a deeper connection.

The series must approach the reunion delicately to avoid disappointing fans and facing backlash, as it is crucial to provide a satisfying resolution for Carrie and Aidan's relationship.

With the return of a Sex and the City character, And Just Like That... can finally address a lingering Carrie Bradshaw issue that has persisted for 23 years. Prior to the premiere, the And Just Like That... season 2 trailer shocked audiences with the news of Aidan Shaw's reappearance in the world of the Sex and the City sequel series. Viewers have long expressed frustration with Carrie's treatment of Aidan. The conclusion of And Just Like That... season 2, episode 6 presents a scene where Carrie sends Aidan an email, indicating a potential reignition of the pair's tumultuous romance.

Even though Aidan brings out the best in her, Carrie fails to show him the respect, honesty, or allocation of closet space that he truly deserves. While Kim Cattrall's return may be attracting the most attention, it is evident that Aidan's reappearance will significantly impact Carrie's narrative. Initially, Aidan was introduced as a new romantic interest for Carrie in season 3 of Sex and the City. Back then, nothing could fill the void left by Mr. Big, but with the unfortunate Peloton-induced demise of John James Preston (Chris Noth) in season 1 of And Just Like That..., Carrie and Aidan now have a genuine chance of being endgame.

Aidan's Return Risks Reigniting Huge Carrie Backlash (Unless They're Finally Endgame)

During the airing of Sex and the City, Carrie had several long-term romantic partners that garnered mixed reactions from fans. While some despised Carrie's willingness to endure emotional pain in her relationship with Mr. Big, others found their romantic conclusion in Paris to be fitting. However, there was widespread agreement when it came to Carrie's treatment of Aidan – it was universally deemed terrible. To recap their relationship timeline, Carrie and Aidan crossed paths shortly after Carrie discovered that Big had married Natasha (played by Bridget Moynahan). On their first date, Carrie's smoking habit created a rift between them, with the writer connecting her addiction to cigarettes to her unhealthy infatuation with Big.

Carrie faced a difficult decision between pursuing a new love and breaking free from old patterns. Despite her concerns, she chose to have an affair with Big, as a means of self-sabotage. Eventually, Carrie confessed the truth to Aidan after a period of deceit. In season 4, Carrie and Aidan made another attempt at their relationship, but Carrie quickly pushed him away by putting up emotional barriers and reconnecting with Big in a platonic manner. Aidan's proposal to Carrie was misguided, driven by his desire for marriage and an attempt to alleviate his trust issues. Although Carrie made several mistakes throughout the series, she prolongued the ill-fated engagement, leading to a destructive confrontation between the two. In season 6, Carrie unexpectedly encountered a happily married and fatherly Aidan on the streets of Manhattan, making a future with him seem unlikely. Despite a brief and unwise moment in the forgettable "Sex and the City 2" movie, Carrie ultimately chose to remain married to Big. Now, after 23 years, Carrie and Aidan are reuniting in "And Just Like That...", revealing that both are recently single, for better or worse.

And Just Like That Season 2 Must Finally Resolve Carrie & Aidan's 23-Year Off-And-On Romance

Carrie and Aidan's constant source of conflict was always Mr. Big, even if their resentment towards him led them to wrestle in the mud of Suffern, New York. Now that Big is no longer in the picture, Carrie's previous commitment issues with Aidan may have also disappeared. As for Aidan, the passage of time and the absence of Big might finally allow him to trust Carrie. However, the Sex and the City sequel series is in a precarious position as it has the opportunity to rebuild on their 23-year history together.

In season 2 of And Just Like That..., it is revealed that Aidan has been divorced for five years, making both Carrie and Aidan single once again. In the sixth episode, Carrie reaches out to Aidan through an email. Although it is not confirmed if they will end up together, clips and set photos suggest that Aidan's return is a romantic one. In season 4, when Aidan proposed to her, Carrie said in a voiceover, "Maybe there are no right moments, right guys, right answers. Maybe you just have to say what's in your heart." Regardless of whether a future with Aidan is now what Carrie truly desires, the series needs to definitively resolve their relationship once and for all.

The reintroduction of old dynamics between Carrie and Aidan in And Just Like That... has the potential to cause trouble for the series. Not only would it be a disappointment for loyal fans to have Aidan make a brief appearance, but it also runs the risk of generating the same level of criticism towards Carrie as the original series did. Reviving Carrie and Aidan's romance would only be meaningful if they become a lasting couple. Otherwise, it would simply be a temporary fan-pleasing gesture. Catch new episodes of And Just Like That... season 2 on Max every Thursday.