Expanding Identification and Exploring Relationships
*** Spoiler Alert | S02E01 ***
As you know, the main cliché of ‘Sex and the City’ was that women related to one of the four characters. It was common for a group of girls to identify themselves as either Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, or Samantha. However, “And Just Like That” pushes the boundaries of identification by introducing new Black and Queer characters. The show’s first season was significantly influenced by the woke culture, with one notable moment being the exploration of shifts in dating culture through the question: “Are the 50s the new 30s?”
In the initial season, Carrie was overwhelmed by grief after losing Mr. Big to a heart attack. Desperate for relief, she believed changing her apartment might provide some solace. During this time, she met Seema, a powerful Indian American real estate agent who introduced her to online dating apps. Seema confronted Carrie’s slut-shaming, and the entire first season celebrated sexual freedom for women over 50 while also shedding light on LGBTQ+ rights for the boomer generation. We must acknowledge and applaud the producers for enabling Miranda to embrace her queer sexual identity fully and for portraying nudity on the show.
The second season of ‘And Just Like That’ begins with more daring scenes. Each character finds themselves entangled with partially naked men. Moreover, the opening story serves as a reminder of where the narrative left off last year: Carrie kissed her podcast producer; Charlotte struck up a friendship with Lisa, a successful Black documentarian; Seema finds a boyfriend after multiple dates; Miranda embarked on a journey to LA with her non-binary partner Che, and Nya, Miranda’s former professor turned friend, a Black activist, experiences loneliness while her musician boyfriend is on tour. With the embrace of nudity by the producers, ‘And Just Like That’ becomes slightly more provocative compared to ‘Sex and the City.’ While watching, I couldn’t help but notice how Samantha’s sexuality seemed somewhat naive. It was Nya who captured my attention and made me question new ways of identification with the characters.
I couldn’t help but wonder: Does “And Just Like That” have a wider audience than “Sex and the City”? How does the ratio of identification differ among the characters? In the past, whether true or false, almost 90% of viewers believed they were similar to Carrie — fashionable, creative, funny, and romantic. Personally, I find myself relating more to Miranda due to her realistic and sarcastic nature. However, in the opening scene of ‘And Just Like That’ season 2, my thoughts were more focused on sexuality. I couldn’t help but contemplate how many women over 40 truly have the freedom to enjoy their sexuality. Looking at it from a different angle, how many women can fully embrace their sexuality in real life without complications or toxicity? As a final question, how many women turn off the TV or roll their eyes when confronted with a sex scene? #LOL
This episode delves into the boundaries of entering a relationship, showcasing the symbolic act of Carrie wearing her wedding dress from the past, the very one Mr. Big left her years ago for the MET Gala, as a means of freeing herself. Three instances stand out: a voicemail question Carrie receives on her podcast, Che confessing to Miranda about their distance since being told to lose weight, and Carrie changing her mind about attending a rooftop gathering with Franklyn’s friends. However, the question remains unanswered. I earnestly hope that the tension between sex and relationships won’t become the central theme for the entire season. Drawing from real stories, I feel compelled to share a secret: When a relationship begins solely as a sexual connection, it will likely never develop into something real. By a real relationship, I mean a partnership based on equality, devoid of toxicity, male fragility, gaslighting, or ghosting.
Catch me in the next episode!
