Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for And Just Like That… Season 3, Episode 2
Two episodes into And Just Like That… Season 3, and I’m even more convinced Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) are not soulmates. Backtracking to the Sex and the City days, Carrie and Aidan have had an interesting past, and she’s found herself torn between her current love and her late husband, Mr. Big (Chris Noth), for the better part of her adult years. First she fell in love with Mr. Big, but by the time Season 3 of the original series came along, she moved along to Aidan. In the original series, I rooted for Aidan and Carrie. While I thought their storyline escalated quickly, I thought he was a much more suitable match than Mr. Big, who was 10 years Carrie’s senior.
But then Carrie ruined her relationship with Aidan by cheating on him later that season. I was surprised when Aidan tried to make it work, and I still rooted for them while he tried to work through his trust issues. However, I never thought Aidan’s character would be able to get over the betrayal and, ultimately, I was right. As a result, Aidan and Carrie split ways, and she married Mr. Big. That is, until the revival. After Mr. Big died in Season 1 of And Just Like That…, Carrie reconnected with Aidan, which I initially thought was a bold move. I also thought her reconnecting with her most recent ex was a little odd, but an old-time fan, I was also excited to see them together on-screen again. However, now that they’ve been working through their relationship, I’m convinced Carrie needs to move on.
Carrie and Aidan Being Together on ‘And Just Like That’ Feels Too Comfortable
Firstly, I think Carrie and Aidan only got back together because their relationship and connection felt comfortable. I’m not even sure if they were truly in love again, at least in a similar way to when they first met. When they reconnected in And Just Like That…, Aidan was going through some hardships. He was no longer married, shared custody of his three sons, and lived in Virginia. His storyline only became more tumultuous as his sons started acting out. More specifically, his youngest son kept getting into trouble and, in Season 2, got into a car accident from being intoxicated behind the wheel. Carrie, on the other hand, spent the whole first season grieving the loss of her husband and trying new adventures in her career, like podcasting.
A reboot was never going to be the same without her.
Given where they both were emotionally and mentally when they reconnected, I think they simply stumbled upon each other when they needed comfort. They’re a prime example of an off-and-on-again relationship, and I’m not convinced there’s genuine love on their end. To make matters worse, as their interactions on the show continue, I lose more faith in them and think they’re only repeating history. I can understand Carrie and Aidan’s desire to be with someone who feels comfortable, especially considering their ages and where they are in life now. However, Carrie has gone through some massive transformations, and it would be amazing to see how those changes translated into her dating life. Additionally, there’s been the introduction of a new man, a landscaper played by Logan Marshall-Green, who seems like he might be date-worthy for Carrie. Unfortunately, though, she’ll never get to tap back into the dating scene if she’s too busy waiting for Aidan to call her back.
Aidan’s Five-Year Boundary on ‘And Just Like That…’ Is Absurd
Initially, Aidan didn’t want to step foot in Carrie’s old apartment and still struggled to hear any stories relating to Mr. Big. Given the fact that Carrie and Mr. Big had a massive affair that destroyed his marriage and her engagement, I can understand Aidan’s hesitancy. After all these years, Aidan still hasn’t gotten over what happened with Carrie and I wonder if this is in part some foreshadowing. After his son got in a car accident, Aidan needed time to focus on his family, which I thought was reasonable. What I didn’t think was acceptable was the no-contact-for-five-years rule Aidan instilled while he became the primary caretaker of his son. He said, snapping his fingers, that he and Carrie “haven’t seen each other in 10 years, and it went by like that.”
Is he trying to say that another five years is nothing at that point? While he might think five years is not a long time, I’m surprised Carrie would agree with that boundary. Carrie’s in her 50s waiting on the sidelines and isn’t even allowed to move in a way that’s comfortable for her. If they do check in, it consists of unsigned postcards, or it’s on Aidan’s terms who’s craving an albeit awkward phone sex conversation, which makes their agreement more frustrating. They’re essentially back to their on-and-off again status, but they’re full-blown adults now. Carrie’s not in her 30s anymore and this connection with Aidan is starting to feel much more like a situationship than a relationship of love and respect — which Carrie ultimately deserves.
Unfortunately, I don’t agree with Charlotte York’s (Kirsten Davis) opinion about Aidan and Carrie’s relationship. I don’t think their weird, silent postcard exchange is worthy of an “aww.” In fact, I think it’s a sign of how doomed they are, and their following awkward interactions support my beliefs. At the beginning of Season 2, Carrie mentioned how no one spoke about how difficult the second year after losing a partner was. She claimed the first year grieving was easier compared to the discomfort she felt in the second year. Coincidentally, she stumbles across Aidan, essentially the last man she was with before Mr. Big and another man who ultimately felt safe to her. I’m not sure Carrie will feel satisfied with a five-year break with limited interactions. However, now there’s been the introduction of this new landscaper, I’m more convinced the older duo needs to split. Carrie has an opportunity to find love — a relationship that might better support her needs — but if she continues to hold onto Aidan, I think she’ll cause more pain in the long run.
