11 things we learnt from the first episode of And Just Like That, the long-awaited return of Sex and the City

Okay, we don’t want to be party poopers here – and goodness, how we wanted to believe in And Just Like That and love it – but in our humble opinion, And Just Like That is, er kinda, And Just Like Cr*p. And I say this as a one-time avowed Sex And The City mega fan. Yes, it’s fun seeing them all together again on screen after all this time, but it seems like a pastiche; like the creators have taken three women from the late ‘90s / early ’00s and plonked them in today’s world without them actually absorbing the past 20 years – just being startled and confused by it at every turn.

Yes, they are constantly making references to how times have changed – in fact, the writers ram that down our throats at every given opportunity: a passing reference to Covid and lockdown, a lot of talk about podcasts, pronouns and Pelotons. Heck, even Bridgerton gets a mention. In fact, we can’t escape how much has changed – it is all around them on steroids – but what seems jarring is how Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda have not, even though they’re really really trying.

Their attempts at change seem performative and awkward. The change seems at best exaggerated, at worst, farcical.  As the episodes develop (there are currently two out of 10 available on NOW and Sky Comedy) we see the three women grapple with living (in privilege) in New York City in 2021, and perhaps this a brave, realistic way of tackling how the world has moved on since they were last skipping round Manhattan in Manolos. Perhaps it’s a good way of igniting important conversations amongst some of the older SATC demographic? But to me it feels jarring and at times, inappropriate. And I’m not the only one’s who think this, Deadline has branded it: “awkward, uncomfortable and trying too hard.”

We’re praying that as the show progresses it gets better. Please! But in the meantime, here are 11 things we learnt from episode 1 (spoilers obviously incoming)…

1. There is shade towards Samantha in the first 3 minutes from our old pal Bitsy Von Muffling

Yes, Bitsy! She who married an still-in-the-closet chorus line singer at that magnificent wedding in the Hamptons. “She’s no longer with us,” says Charlotte after Bitsy enquires to Sam’s whereabouts. Before Miranda then clarifies that she has not died from Covid – as Bitsy presumed – but has simply moved to London. “Smart. Sexy sirens in their Sixties are still viable over there!” squawks Bitsy. Yikes. 

2. Samantha has ghosted them ALL

Rumours are true, Samantha and Carrie had a massive falling out (art imitating life?) after Carrie ditched her as her publicist because the book publishing world is not what it was. She’s taken it badly and taken a job in London and now won’t return any of Carrie, Miranda or Charlotte’s calls. More shade comes from Carrie: “I thought I was more than an ATM machine to her.” Ouch.

3. Miranda is going back to school to Columbia to study a Masters in policies and principles of humanitarian law

She has left corporate law after 30 years because she ‘couldn’t be part of the problem’.  She recounts a tale of when she heard about Trump’s Muslim ban, she just found herself in a cab on the way to JFK to help because her ‘pink pussy hat wasn’t cutting it anymore.’ Her first day at school is problematic and awkward and her blundering monologue at her Black lecturer Dr Naya Harris (Karen Pittman) is excruciating. However all this is later addressed and she confesses to Carrie that she was so worried about being the older white woman saying the wrong thing that she “said all the wrong things” – which she really did. 

4. And she might also be an alcoholic

Not only do we see Miranda trying to order a glass of Chablis at a bar before 11am but sneaking a bottle of Pinot into Charlotte’s daughter, Lily’s 2 hour piano recital (fair play on that one.)

5. Charlotte has a problem with Miranda going grey

“I don’t need to be a spicy red head to go back to law school”, retorts Miranda after Charlotte encourages her to dye her hair in what is clearly an on-going battle between the two. 

6. Carrie Bradshaw has only JUST got Instagram

And is still working out how to use it. Yes, mind blown. 

7. Charlotte has turned full-blown helicopter soccer mom, PTA queen of Park Avenue (of course she has!)

She also has a major girl crush on “LTW” – Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) – who is a fellow school Mom at Lily’s school and her son Henry learns the piano with Lily. She is also somewhat insensitive about her youngest daughter Rose’s refusal to wear an Oscar De La Renta dress.

8. Carrie has become even more prudish

Despite being a legendary sex columnist for over 20 years, she gets squeamish on both anal sex and masturbation during her new podcast – which she also likens to ‘jury duty’.

9. The gay stereotypes have not abated

Anthony and Stamford are arguing over clothes and how long it takes Stamford to get ready. Meanwhile Anthony has started a bread delivery company “hot fellas” that involves him scrolling through social media finding hot guys to deliver said bread.

10. There’s not much sex in the city

In fact, the most sexually active member of the cast seems to be Miranda and Steve’s teenage son, Brady and his girlfriend Louisa. 

11. SOMETHING VERY BIG HAPPENS (major spoiler alert incoming…)

Still want to know the major spoiler? Are you sure? This is your last chance to look away…

100% sure?…

Okay, well, John James Preston dies. Yep, in what made even this hardened cynic to 2021 SATC shed a tear, Mr Big falls off his Peloton – stroke? heart attack? – and Carrie finds him dead in the shower at the end of episode 1. 

And Just Like That episode 1 & 2 is now available on Now and Sky Comedy 

For more from Glamour UK Entertainment Director & Assistant Editor Emily Maddick follow her on Instagram @emilymaddick