Summary
"The Last Supper Part II," the season 2 finale of And Just Like That..., potentially marks the conclusion of Carrie Bradshaw's journey as she makes the decision to sell her renowned Manhattan apartment and reflects upon her previous decisions.
The reappearance of Aidan Shaw and Carrie's admission that Big may have been a misstep suggest the potential for resolving Sex and the City's polarizing ending. Kim Cattrall's surprising appearance as Samantha further reinforces that a third season is improbable and indicates a definitive reunion of the original SATC cast.
And Just Like That..., the Sex and the City revival, is hinting at a definitive conclusion to Carrie Bradshaw's narrative 19 years after the polarizing final episodes of the original series. Since its inception in 1998, Sarah Jessica Parker's character, Carrie, a sex and relationships columnist known for her love for high-end shoes, has become synonymous with Manhattan, the borough she calls home. Regardless of the ups and downs in her personal and professional life, Carrie's sense of self is deeply tied to her luxurious Upper East Side apartment. However, the finale of And Just Like That season 2, titled "The Last Supper Part II," is set to disrupt these foundational elements of the long-standing series.
The revival brings back the original character Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) from Sex and the City, leading to a rekindling of his and Carrie's relationship. Yet, Aidan adamantly refuses to step foot into Carrie's apartment, which they once attempted to share. This prompts Carrie to make the difficult decision of selling her cherished rent-controlled haven in Manhattan. In a somewhat self-referential move, Carrie plans to host a dinner party to commemorate her iconic living space, hence the name of the finale episode. However, with the sale of Carrie's apartment, Samantha Jones' (Kim Cattrall) planned cameo in the finale, and ongoing strikes in Hollywood, this could potentially mark the conclusion of Carrie Bradshaw's story once and for all.
Why Sex And The City's Original Finale Was Divisive
Carrie immerses herself in a relationship with worldly artist Aleksandr Petrovsky in season 6 of Sex and the City. He persuades her to join him in Paris, which holds a significant place in the series as it is where her romance with Mr. Big ended. Despite Miranda's disbelief and warning about sacrificing her job, apartment, and friends for a spontaneous love affair, Carrie remains steadfast. Even a compelling argument with Big fails to change her mind.
However, Carrie's experience in France falls short of her expectations, leading to a confrontation with Petrovsky. In a typical romantic comedy twist, Big unexpectedly appears at their hotel, and they share a seemingly romantic kiss by the Seine while taking a stroll. After declaring Carrie as "the one," they return to New York. It is disheartening that the show portrays this as a fairytale ending, considering Big's history of toxic, manipulative, and abusive behavior. Furthermore, all of Carrie's choices in the finale revolve around men, which is deeply disappointing for a series that aims to promote empowerment and feminism.
And Just Like That's Season 2 Finale “The Last Supper” Is A Fitting End For Carrie
Upon the release of the promotional poster for season 2 of "And Just Like That...", fans quickly noticed the reference to Da Vinci's The Last Supper. This allusion, coupled with the developments in the storyline, suggests that the show is building towards a definitive conclusion for Carrie's journey. The return of Aidan and Carrie's confession to Miranda about her doubts regarding Big further adds to the story's anticipation. While this confession may be frustrating for some fans, for others, it signifies the show's intention to address and rectify the disappointing finale of "Sex and the City".
Despite the season's strong resemblance to the original series, there are indications that the finale of season 2 will mark the end of the entire franchise. The happy ending between Carrie and Aidan is endangered when Aidan's son is involved in a car accident, compelling the father of three to return home. Additionally, Carrie's decision to sell her apartment to Lisette, a jewelry maker who represents the single woman of 2023, goes beyond simply transferring ownership of her brownstone. It also symbolizes Carrie relinquishing the role she has played in viewers' hearts for more than two decades.
Kim Cattrall’s Unexpected Samantha Cameo Signals The End Of The Franchise
The current real-world circumstances surrounding And Just Like That... are not working in its favor. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have resulted in stalemates, as studios and streaming platforms are unwilling to meet the demands of actors and writers. Consequently, this has led to delays in the release of both TV shows and movies, disrupting production schedules. Furthermore, the show's future looks increasingly uncertain, particularly considering the negative reviews it has received and the fact that it has not yet been renewed for a third season. Although Season 2 of And Just Like That... might show improvement over its predecessor, it would require significant efforts for the series to continue moving forward.Kim Cattrall's surprising decision to rejoin the Sex and the City franchise seems to solidify the notion that And Just Like That... season 3 is highly unlikely. During Cattrall's appearance on The View, an HBO executive straightforwardly inquired about the conditions for her cameo on And Just Like That... In response, the actress made a special request for the return of Patricia Field, the beloved Sex and the City costume designer, ensuring Samantha receives a proper farewell.
How And Just Like That's Season 2 Finale Can Properly Wrap Up Carrie's Story After 25 Years
Regardless of how much Cattrall is being paid, her appearance remains astonishing. The show confirms that Carrie and Samantha are still in communication, but their friendship remains peculiar. Nonetheless, it is significant that executives were adamant about bringing Cattrall back. Considering the unresolved fallout between the characters, the cameo feels less like a narrative decision and more like a means to reunite the original SATC stars one last time.
The season 2 finale of And Just Like That... teases an exciting conclusion, but leaves us in suspense about what lies ahead. While it seems like Carrie and Aidan are finally heading towards a happy ending, things may not be so straightforward. The episode titled "The Last Supper" hints at a potential betrayal within Carrie's inner circle, with one of her friends playing the role of Judas. Additionally, Samantha's cameo raises the possibility of her cancer returning from SATC season 6, thereby making "The Last Supper" a symbolic representation of the last time Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte sat together around a table.
It is conceivable that And Just Like That... could wrap up Carrie's 25-year journey by having her depart from New York. While this was attempted in the finale of Sex and the City, the choice between love (someone) and New York (herself) is now within Carrie's greater control. In fact, Carrie may decide to prioritize the life she has established over Aidan, thus challenging the shortcomings of SATC's finale. Regardless of the outcome of And Just Like That... season 2's finale, it is imperative that Carrie is empowered to shape her own conclusion.