The Authenticity Odyssey in ‘And Just Like That’

*** Spoiler Alert | S02E03 ***

First things first, I must admit that I spoke too early after watching Episode 2 of Season 2 of ‘And Just Like That’ and said that Carrie Bradshaw is back in the dating scene. In reality, she is still mourning the loss of Mr. Big and finding solace in shopping. This made me reconsider the intended audience of the HBO show in light of the current social, political, and economic circumstances.

Who can truly empathize with the experience of having their prized Birkin bag stolen?

The third episode opens with Seema being robbed in front of her townhouse. She calls Carrie in distress, lamenting the loss of her Birkin bag, a coveted luxury item from the high-end fashion brand Hermès. Birkin bags can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $250,000 and often have a waiting list for purchase. Seema mentions that the bag was a gift to herself after a significant sale, emphasizing that there was no waiting list at that time. I found myself questioning Seema’s complaint. Was she mourning the loss of a special item or frustrated by the idea of having to wait for another Birkin? In today’s struggling economy, how many New Yorkers can truly relate to the theft of a Birkin unless they were considering selling it online for extra money? This raises the question concerning the audience of ‘And Just Like That’: How many fashion enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await a minimum $10,000 bag?

Moreover, it seems that Seema had no one else to turn to but Carrie in her distressing situation of the stolen Birkin bag. Perhaps she believed that only Carrie would understand the magnitude of her loss. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I must admit that I spoke prematurely after watching the second episode. I made a mistake by labeling Carrie Bradshaw in the following way: “I would never identify Carrie Bradshaw as a feminist, but in ‘And Just Like That,’ her character embraces her AuthenticityAuthenticity more compared to the fashion-obsessed, luxury-seeking woman in ‘Sex and the City.’” It appears that Carrie is still grappling with her shopping addiction as a means of self-healing.

‘Loved and Lost’ by Carrie Bradshaw

In this episode, we are introduced to Carrie Bradshaw’s latest book, ‘Loved and Lost,’ which serves as an autobiographical account of Mr. Big’s untimely demise. As Carrie’s publisher pushes for her personal voice to be incorporated into the audiobook recording, she finds herself grappling with the challenging task of narrating the moment she discovered Mr. Big’s lifeless body in the shower. As she searches for ways to cope with her grief, she encounters an old friend who has also experienced loss and has dedicated herself to beauty. This friend advises Carrie to find her own path to moving on rather than wallowing in self-pity. And what does Carrie decide to do? Yes, you are correct — she embarks on a shopping spree for stylish shoes! I hope she enjoyed her retail therapy session, with the intention of returning those items later without incurring any costs. Similar to the behavior reminiscent of novice influencers frequently posting sponsored content on Instagram. Ultimately, I expect the show’s producers to develop a persona for Carrie Bradshaw that aligns more with the realities of living in New York City in 2021 and 2022 or 2023.

Is Being on a List of MILFs the New Sexy?

Another striking aspect of the third episode is the revelation of a MILF list at Charlotte’s and Lisa’s children’s school. As I mentioned in my previous post, “One thing I still dislike about Carrie Bradshaw or the show, in general, is the lack of addressing important social issues such as anti-queer feminism and racism.” It is disheartening to see Charlotte and Lisa’s excitement at securing the second and third spots on the list. This behavior does not align with embracing sexual positivity. Moreover, fixating on a high school male student with lascivious intent can’t be classified as freedom of sexual expression since it is literally sexual harassment by gazing. Nya is the only character who attempts to shed light on this misconception. Still, she becomes momentarily distracted by a new flirtation, leaving the issue unresolved.

Is Miranda a Successful Lawyer but a Clueless Mother and Lover?

Lastly, let’s discuss Miranda’s problematic comment when she tells her non-binary partner, “They’d never get it.” Aside from the absurdity of Miranda sneaking her phone into a live recording of Che’s TV show and forgetting to turn it off while anxiously awaiting a call from her son in Amsterdam, I find it perplexing how Miranda can be a successful lawyer while simultaneously behaving as a clueless mother and partner. Can we really attribute this to the hormones of being a mom? #LOL

What is the Authenticity of the Story in ‘And Just Like That’?

In conclusion, ‘And Just Like That’ is still struggling to find its authentic voice in portraying the lives of six New York women in their 40s and 50s. This leads me to reconsider the intended audience of the HBO show. While ‘Sex and the City’ was perceived as a fairy tale, we now expect a TV series framed as “LGBTQ+ and Black-friendly” to be more mindful of boundaries when it comes to depicting New York luxury. Failing to address these concerns raises questions about the show’s underlying message, as it risks using new queer and Black characters for the sake of fitting into today’s culture of commodification, akin to pinkwashing. It appears that introducing new characters serves two primary purposes: to accompany Carrie in her singledom and showcase motherhood through characters other than Charlotte and Miranda. Unfortunately, aside from its vibrant New York City setting, the series lacks a compelling narrative that sparks curiosity.

Nevertheless, I will continue watching to critique arrogant ignorance.

Catch me in the next episode!