Opinion
SATC spinoff “And Just Like That”
Please not Aidan! The return of the series character sends the completely wrong signal
Sarah Jessica Parker and John Corbett on the set of “And Just Like That”
© Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection/Picture Alliance
The first trailer for the second season of the “Sex and the City” offshoot “And Just Like That” reveals: John Corbett aka Aidan Shaw will return to the life of Carrie Bradshaw. As a fan of the series, one would like to say: please don’t.
More than eight million people live in New York City, 1.6 million of them in Manhattan. And yet it seems like there were only two men in the life of “Sex and the City” heroine Carrie Bradshaw, and that for several decades: Mr. Big and Aidan.
“And Just Like That”: Aidan returns
The former died right at the beginning of the SATC offshoot series “And Just Like That”. Mr. Big was Bradshaw’s great love, her husband, and the cause of much heartbreak over the original six seasons. Aidan was his antagonist, the fictional columnist’s other serious relationship.
As the trailer for the second season of the new series reveals, the furniture designer, played by John Corbett, will once again play a role in Bradshaw’s love life. Photos from the set in New York showed the two already intertwined. So there will be a love comeback from Aidan and Carrie. A strange sign that the series makers are sending.
Opportunity to tell modern stories
Putting aside that their relationship wasn’t exactly healthy – after all, Carrie cheated on Aidan with Mr. Big – the return of the role suggests otherwise. Namely that there are and were exactly two men for Bradshaw. A strange signal, because “Sex and the City” has always been known for its modern approach to dating. The series featured women in their 30s advancing their careers. Some looking for a life partner, some looking for a little fun. In the 1990s, it was a concept that sparked debate.
Even now “And Just like That” would again have the opportunity to set new themes. What does it mean to be on your own again in your mid-50s and to find your way back into dating life? The series makers could show how Carrie designs her life without Mr. Big. How she meets other interesting men who also bring a different attitude because they are no longer in their early 30s. There should always be enough men in the series Manhattan.
Instead, Aidan is retrieved. The man Carrie didn’t want to marry for years and didn’t really treat well. A relationship that is latently toxic from today’s perspective is warmed up again. Apparently that’s how many fans of the series see it.
fans are angry
When a picture of Carrie and Aidan was posted to the show’s official Instagram in February, the comments were scathing. Aidan being “thrown into the show is just another red flag because on and off relationships aren’t healthy either. I hope that this time around we’ll see a healthy relationship. Because that’s what we should be aiming for.” , was one comment from a fan.
Far from the only one. “This does Carrie’s character a disservice and is so sloppy and poorly written,” ranted one user. As a fan of the series, one can only say: please treat Carrie to new men. And better storylines for all viewers.