Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, Samantha…probably the most iconic foursome of fabulousness, relationships (or situationships) and careers got here to an finish in 2004. What began out as an sincere and hilarious comedy that pioneered feminine sexuality, was extra of a melodrama by the point Carrie returned to New York from Paris. Someday later, Hollywood graced us with two characteristic movies, “Intercourse and the Metropolis” and “Intercourse and the Metropolis 2,” the second of which was a serious flop. I revisited the unique present for the umpteenth time early this fall, simply in time for the premiere of the reboot, “And Simply Like That.”
This time, I watched it not as a single 20-something evaluating my nights-in to Miranda’s chocolate and TiVo-only Saturdays, however as a married 30-something with a matured consciousness of inauthentic character growth. I spotted Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) might be the worst character of the bunch, even trumping Mexico-shaming Charlotte (Kristin Davis). Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) are arguably the very best, most sincere—whether or not you agree with them or not.
“We seemed just like the Witches of Eastwick.” -Carrie Bradshaw & pals, when SATC was gold.
The present opens with the notorious Parker and Cattrall drama, with Carrie, relatively than taking the excessive highway, making an attempt to tarnish Samantha’s title primarily based solely on a profession change. We’re instructed that Samantha ditched all three of her pals and left for London after Carrie leveled up in her personal profession and not wanted Samantha to characterize her.
To start with, not solely did this do the alternative and make SJP look unhealthy, however that’s fully not like the character of Samantha Jones. Samantha wasn’t simply the free sexual spirit and comedic reduction, she was additionally a ball-busting, no-nonsense businesswoman who understood company techniques and would have supported Carrie (as she so usually did) it doesn’t matter what. Lastly, Carrie’s passive petty celebration does one factor I can’t stand: she shames her buddy for shifting on to greater and higher issues. Then once more, Carrie is egocentric asf.
If something, this passive aggressive assault backfired, beginning the #teamsamantha Twitter buzz. This selection for Samantha’s story arc not solely doesn’t make sense, it simply made for unhealthy writing. Wouldn’t it have made extra sense for Samantha’s most cancers from the unique present to return? Prompting Charlotte to cryptically say, “she’s not with us”?
Within the second episode (spoiler alert) Carrie mourns the loss of life of her husband, John James Preston (a.ok.a. Mr. Large). When it’s found he included his former spouse, Natasha, in his will, Carrie stalks and pursues her—for the second time. The unique present tried to color Natasha as “the opposite girl,” and the writers proceed to this try within the reboot.
If we recall, it was Carrie who entered an affair with Large, not Natasha. When Carrie was found of their condo, she doesn’t have the center to face his spouse, who falls, cracking her entrance tooth in pursuit of Carrie. After a damaged marriage and traumatic reconstructive surgical procedure, it’s no marvel Natasha needs completely nothing to do with Carrie Bradshaw. In “And Simply Like That,” Natasha lastly shouts what I’ve been ready for her to say, “What the f*** would you like from me!?”
Whereas Samantha is unfortunately absent from the reboot, Miranda would possibly as properly be too. At one time, Miranda was both everybody’s favourite or least favourite as a result of she was considered as a pessimist. Now, she has gone from being an empowered, cynical (however relatable) unbiased girl who refuses to take anybody’s b.s., to a flubbing “white savior.”
We don’t blame you for trying away.
Miranda’s professor, Dr. Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman) labels her as such after an insinuation {that a} campus safety guard is singling out Dr. Wallace for being black. Nya tells Miranda to calm tf down, saying that the man was simply doing his job, and Miranda has turned a easy interplay awkward for no purpose. Miranda has additionally gone from being probably the most accountable character to somebody who makes irresponsible selections as if she’s 19. She gave her husband, Steve, a lot hell for dishonest on her* within the first movie however then nonchalantly cheats on him with non-binary Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez)—in Carrie’s kitchen―whereas Carrie is resting after hip surgical procedure. That is so out of character for Miranda. It’s like Daenarys burning King’s Touchdown another time.
*Though, I wish to discredit any story arcs from the movies altogether, as Steve dishonest on Miranda is mindless along with his character both.
Charlotte is even worse in her overly good method. Her eldest daughter, Lily, is an achieved piano participant. Her youngest, Rose, pronounces she’s non-binary, making Charlotte nervous as she struggles with all of the modifications occurring round her. Charlotte needs the whole lot and everybody to remain the identical, one thing she admits when Miranda reveals she’s having an affair with Carrie’s boss, Che. Whereas Charlotte could be forgiven for combating change, it’s her desperation to have “extra black pals” in an effort to be seen as progressive and various that’s so superficial it’s nauseating.
Enter Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker), whose solely story arc up to now has been to fill the empty area of range in Charlotte’s life. Lisa deserves higher. Up to now, Charlotte was the one who at all times had some over-privileged, outdated factor to say. From the road, “It’s Mexico,” within the first movie when she refuses to eat something on the five-star resort south of the border, to her claims that NYC has a caste system (yikes). Charlotte’s questionable views make her new mission to have “extra black pals” come off as painfully shallow.
The reality hurts, Charlotte.
It’s scenes and dialogue like this that make “And Simply Like That” cringe. Not solely is that this fully pointless, it makes Miranda, Carrie, and Charlotte appear fully out of contact with actuality. It feels as if the writers try to make up for the truth that they didn’t be various within the unique present, and are actually scrambling to show that they’re, the truth is, inclusive. What they didn’t anticipate was their viewers would be capable to see proper by way of their inauthenticity as they drive feed us their lecture.
The most effective characters, for my part, are Nya Wallace and Seema Patel* (Sarita Choudhury), Carrie’s realtor. Each are profitable, unbiased, and select to stay on their phrases. On the similar time, I really feel as if Seema would possibly simply be written in to fill the footwear of Samantha Jones. Seema can also be the one one who calls Carrie out on her b.s., like when Carrie boldly congratulates Seema for “nonetheless placing herself on the market” within the relationship world on the age of 55. At one time, we might count on both Miranda or Samantha to name Carrie out; however Miranda is not the Miranda of outdated.
Seema Patel could be AJLT’s solely saving grace…she deserves higher.
*AJLT has so many points that it’s not possible for me to unpack all of them right here. This is the reason I’m not stepping into the entire Diwali-sari-lehenga mess.
The present is making an attempt desperately to be related. Whereas I’m all for reveals with girls 50+ as the primary protagonists who’re rediscovering themselves (I imply, I like “Grace and Frankie”), “And Simply Like That” feels prefer it’s extra in denial than something. The present appears to have forgotten one of many golden guidelines of writing: belief your viewers. On this case, cease telling us this present is progressive―simply BE progressive whereas trusting that your viewers is simply too. We are able to see there’s loads of range in “And Simply Like That” and that’s lovely. You don’t must continuously inform us that Nya is black, Seema is Indian, and even that Che Diaz is Irish-Mexican. The visuals of girls of shade, non-binary, and many others. on display is the illustration and inclusion so blatantly lacking from the unique collection.
Carrie, did you simply get right here?
What “And Simply That Like That” wants is to tone down its want for consideration. It’s an overinflated money seize at not solely the “Intercourse and the Metropolis” franchise, however girls of shade and the LGTBQ group. And so insistently are they reaching that it’s pathetic. Slightly than performing like girls who’re dwelling within the instances, the threesome act as in the event that they’re aliens who’ve awoken from a 15-year-long coma. In essence, it’s not an sincere comedy about relationship or marriage however one thing that’s making an attempt to money in on the instances.
Apart from, why would you ever do this with out Samantha Jones? The one factor I’ve to essentially say about “And Simply Like That” is what Charlotte so boldly claimed about Miranda’s affair with non-binary Che Diaz: “You’re not progressive sufficient for this.”
Fundamental {photograph} by Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max
