Season 2 of the iconic series "And Just Like That…" had long promised us two surprises: a Kim Cattrall cameo, dressed by none other than Pat Field, and Carrie's reunion with her former fiancé Aidan Shaw, played by John Corbett. Samantha Jones's return is still on the cards. However, we have now seen the much-awaited Aidan 2.0 plotline unfold. It is a tale with sweet nostalgia, which rounded off a Valentine's Day special in the most perfect way.
See Also: And Just Like That - Season 2, Episode 6 Recap
The episode has quotable lines that ring true to the spirit of the original series. Let's delve into each storyline using some of these standout lines as entry points:
After ending her relationship with Che, Miranda is grappling with her sexual identity. She adored non-binary Che, not for their appearance but their intellect and shared humor. This leaves her questioning where she fits on the dating spectrum, both online and in real life. During a bookstore visit with Nya, Miranda encounters a voiceover artist, Amelia Carsey, who's reciting Pride and Prejudice. Amelia's distinct voice, fiery red pantsuit, and apparent love for Austen intrigues Miranda. Amelia, quite popular among Audible listeners, is instantly recognized by Miranda, who falls for her aural charm.
However, their date reveals a less-than-perfect Amelia. Amelia's apartment is a chaotic mess. There is a litter box smack in the center of the room and an unmade bed because of laundry day. Yet, actress Miriam Shor deserves applause for unabashedly embracing this chaos. When left alone, Miranda calls Carrie to question her obligation to stay. She soon realizes that, unlike her younger self, her present version won't compromise on her standards, leading to her exit.
A witty exchange ensues between Carrie and Miranda when Miranda shares her recent dating adventures. Carrie asks, "Is Ms. Carsey your Mr. Darcy?", and when Miranda indicates her interest in a casual fling, Carrie replies, "So you have great… sexpectations?" While Miranda responds with "I’m done with Dickens," Carrie's final verdict is: "Lesbian Miranda is A LOT."
In this episode, Nya Wallace rejects an invitation for a girls’ night out on Valentine’s Day, opting for a solitary evening with a self-made chocolate soufflé, or a "mevening," as she puts it.
Meanwhile, Anthony's flourishing bakery, Hotfellas, has caught the attention of Drew Barrymore. But the use of performance-enhancing drugs by his muscular delivery staff forces Anthony to fire them all before appearing on Barrymore's show. To fill the void, Charlotte ropes in a handsome Italian poet, Giuseppe, who unexpectedly boosts the business.
Lisa Todd Wexley, known as LTW, finds her new adversary in her son Herbert Jr.’s girlfriend, Baxter. While LTW initially believes Baxter is overstepping boundaries by being overly physical with her son, it turns out that Baxter is more interested in flaunting LTW's handbags on social media.
A subplot involves Che, whom we thought we were done with, rescuing a stray dog and considering returning to an old job at a dog rescue center.
The most love-struck of the lot, Charlotte, unfortunately, doesn't get to enjoy her Valentine's Day due to a mishap with a pot-infused brownie. Rock, her child, criticizes Charlotte's overenthusiastic management of their modeling career. On top of that, when Charlotte brings a cake for Lily's party, she's literally shown the door. Feeling underappreciated and eager for a change, she informs Harry of her decision to return to her pre-children life.
Finally, Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda share a lavish lunch during which Carrie discloses that Aidan has responded to her email and has asked her out for a Valentine's Day dinner. When Aidan doesn't show up at the restaurant, Carrie fears he is standing her up. However, she soon discovers the mix-up and Aidan has been waiting at a different restaurant.
Their reunion is heartfelt, marked by a sense of warmth. But when they reach their former shared apartment, Aidan freezes. He associates the place with their past failures, despite Carrie's pleas to remember the good times. Eventually, Aidan decides they can spend the night in a hotel.
In the last episode, Carrie reflected on the nature of moving on, stating that it's not about readiness, but outgrowing who you used to be. Her past with Big had hindered her relationship with Aidan. Now, with a fresh perspective and space for Aidan, maybe the future holds something promising. After all, Aidan was always the fan favorite.
