AJLT S02E09 Recap: Carrie Bradshaw’s Reunion with Aidan Sparks New Drama

After a year-long hiatus, I dove back into And Just Like That with all the enthusiasm of someone reopening an old wound — why, Carrie, why Aidan again? From the first scene, where Aidan’s son refuses to speak with Carrie, I was reminded why I stopped watching in the first place. Hoping to gain a fresh perspective, I pushed on, but with each passing scene, my objections only grew louder.

Can Two Teens’ Sexuality Break Their Mothers’ Friendship?
In AJLT S02E09, we see Miranda, the queen of self-control and micromanagement, adrift as she tries to navigate her son’s future. She turns to Charlotte’s daughter, Lily, for help. But things take an unexpected turn when Miranda catches Lily leaving Brady’s room without pants — cue the separate panics for both mothers.

This scene highlights the awkward intersection of teen sexuality and parental friendship: Are these mothers worried about their kids, or is their anxiety rooted in long-standing knowledge of each other’s character? The irony of these ’90s New Yorker free-spirited women applying a “you’ll understand when you become a mom” mentality, a phrase steeped in patriarchal overtones, is tragically comic. This storyline opens up deeper themes of parenting, sexuality, and the complexities of modern female friendships.

Workaholic Wife or Relieved Husband: The Dilemma of Lisa Todd Wexley
And Just Like That continues to explore the complexities of modern womanhood through Lisa Todd Wexley. In what I consider the most realistic scene of the episode, Lisa snaps as she prioritizes her own career while her husband chases after an election candidacy. But just as we’re ready to applaud Lisa’s assertion of her professional identity, the writers throw in a twist — Lisa’s pregnancy is revealed during Herbert’s opening speech.

This plot point raises critical questions about the portrayal of women’s rights on television: Was Herbert’s look one of joy over the new family member or relief that his wife hadn’t “really” changed? It makes you wonder — if Lisa had chosen to have an abortion, would the show have tackled the restrictive abortion laws in the U.S., or would that have been considered “too woke”? This moment serves as a commentary on the societal pressures women face, balancing career ambitions with traditional family expectations. #FingersCrossed for more nuanced exploration in future episodes.

Seema’s Professional Boundaries: Don’t Mix Work with Your F*ckbuddy
In AJLT S02E09, Seema’s storyline highlights a critical rule of professionalism — don’t let anyone crossing your boundaries, especially not a film director whose reputation is questionable. The writers seem to be perplexed about Seema’s character arc. She’s confident, booming, and ambitious, yet this episode tries to paint her as someone suddenly considering marriage with a zero-charm guy.

Carrie’s snide “Who’s talking about marriage?” comment doesn’t help either — it feels out of touch with Seema’s established persona. This misstep raises the question: Why would an independent woman suddenly consider tying the knot? The scene underscores the need for the show to maintain consistency in character development, especially when highlighting how easy it is to undermine a woman’s success by inserting an unnecessary romantic subplot.

The Misogyny Behind Harry’s Jealousy Crisis: A Reflection on Gender Roles
Charlotte’s storyline in AJLT S02E09 brings to light the lingering misogyny in modern relationships. As Charlotte returns home late with pre-ordered dinner in hand, she’s met with Harry’s passive-aggressive outburst: “You’re home this late [from working at an art gallery]?” Moreover, the scene where Harry expresses jealousy over Charlotte’s gallery boss, Mark, taps into outdated gender roles and the insecurity some men feel when their partners pursue careers. Charlotte’s dismissive response — “I heard he likes blonde women” — only adds fuel to the patriarchal fire.

The situation reveals a deeper issue: the “rescue” mentality some men have, believing their wives are nothing without them. Harry, the once quiet and compromising guy, now shows a hidden agenda to protect his family’s peace at the expense of Charlotte’s career. This subplot provides a critical commentary on how gender expectations continue to shape and sometimes stifle women’s professional lives, even while talking about Sex and the City.

Mr. Big’s Legacy: Will Carrie Bradshaw Ever Move On?
The specter of Mr. Big looms large in And Just Like That S02E09. When Mark slyly inquires about Carrie’s previous marriages, she responds, “It was a wonderful marriage to a wonderful man.” This line is revealing — despite all the drama and toxicity that characterized her relationship with Mr. Big, Carrie is still entranced by his memory.

This moment serves as a poignant reminder of how past relationships, especially those as tumultuous as Carrie and Big’s, can continue influencing us long after they’ve ended. It also raises questions about the narratives we create around our past — has Carrie truly moved on, or is she still stuck in the idealized version of her relationship with Mr. Big? This scene invites viewers to reflect on how we remember our past loves and how those memories shape our present.

Don’t Kill Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment: The Heart of Sex and the City at Risk
One of the most painful moments in AJLT S02E09 was seeing Carrie give up the iconic apartment that made her the Carrie Bradshaw. After all the history, the breakups, and the renovations, why is she suddenly moving to a 4-bedroom house? It feels like a sharp goodbye to everything that the apartment symbolizes.

Sadly, Carrie’s decision seems driven by a desire to create the family life she couldn’t have with Mr. Big. But is this really what she wants, or is she clinging to a dream that was never hers to begin with? Aidan’s pragmatic “Don’t do this for me; do it for yourself” highlights the tension between past and present desires. The move from a studio apartment to a multi-story house symbolizes more than just a change in address — it’s a shift in Carrie’s identity, one that fans of the original series might find hard to swallow. #90sTaboos, indeed.

The Silent Duel: Kathy vs. Carrie — Is It About the Kids or Aidan?
Finally, AJLT S02E09 culminates in a tense meeting between Carrie and Kathy, Aidan’s ex-wife. Kathy’s message is clear: “I don’t want you using my kids in your writing.” But beneath this request lies a more profound, unspoken challenge — no matter how close Carrie gets to Aidan, Kathy will always be a part of their life through their children.

This scene is a masterclass in passive-aggressive communication. Kathy’s assertion of “sacred motherhood” is a power move, reminding Carrie that her relationship with Aidan comes with strings attached. It raises the question: Is Kathy genuinely concerned about her kids, or is she staking her claim in the Carrie-Aidan dynamic? This final scene sets the stage for more drama, as Carrie must navigate her relationship not just with Aidan but with his entire family.