The ‘And Just Like That’ Finale Is Proof The Spinoff Should’ve Never Existed

Earlier this month, showrunner Michael Patrick King announced that HBO Max’s “Sex and the City” reboot, titled “And Just Like That...,” was coming to an end after three seasons. While not entirely surprising, the news still left fans feeling divided, with some sad to see their favorite characters go, while others were relieved to bid farewell to a show that never quite lived up to its predecessor.

The revival series initially generated excitement among fans and critics alike, promising to explore the lives of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) in their 50s. However, as the seasons progressed, it became increasingly clear that something was amiss. The show's writing became increasingly erratic, with odd storylines and a general sense of disconnection from its beloved characters.

So what went wrong? For many fans, the answer lies in how much “And Just Like That...” strayed from the original “Sex and the City” universe. By introducing new characters, such as Che Diaz (Sara Ramírez), and shoehorning in diversity elements without proper integration, the show felt like two separate entities, neither of which quite lived up to the magic of the original.

The show's handling of women of color was particularly egregious, with characters like Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) and Seema (Sarita Choudhury) feeling more like tokens than fully fleshed-out human beings. The lack of genuine representation and opportunities for growth made these characters feel like afterthoughts rather than integral members of the cast.

But perhaps the biggest mistake was bringing back Aidan (David Eigenberg), Carrie's former love interest, who had been deceased for the entire series. His return felt like a desperate attempt to cling to past glories, and his storyline with Carrie ultimately felt like a waste of time.

"We are owed a settlement," joked one fan on social media, in reference to the show's cancellation. And while it's unlikely that the writers and producers will face a class-action lawsuit, there's certainly no shortage of outrage and disappointment among fans who invested so much time and emotional energy into the series.

So why did the finale feel so lackluster? According to showrunner Michael Patrick King, the decision to end the series was motivated by fan feedback – specifically, the negative reaction to the final season. "We didn't want the world 'final' to overshadow the fun of watching the season," he said in a statement.

But for many fans, the finale felt more like a desperate attempt to salvage what was left of a damaged series. The two-part finale felt rushed and unearned, with too much emphasis on closure that ultimately felt hollow. And let's not forget the bizarre decision to include the original theme song in the end credits – a move that stopped many viewers in their tracks.

"Not all reboots are meant to see the light of day," one fan summed it up best. And with “And Just Like That...,” it's clear that this particular spinoff will forever be remembered as a cautionary tale about what not to do when revamping a beloved franchise.