Carrie Getting Insanely Rich in AJLT Kind of Ruins the Whole Point
One of the most beloved characters on television has faded away.
When Sex and the City premiered on HBO twenty-five years ago, it was sensational. The female-centric narrative was imminently relatable for millions of women worldwide, solidifying the show's immense popularity among diverse audiences. In total, SATC spanned six full-length seasons, two cinematic instalments, and two spin-offs.
In retrospect, it's obvious why Sex and the City was so popular: it was simply revolutionary at the time. However, we believe the relatability of its characters was also a key factor. Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte represented different types of women, making them feel seen and heard. Regrettably, this doesn't seem to hold true for the sequel, And Just Like That, which is currently in its second season.
Samantha is missing in action. Charlotte remains Charlotte, consumed with adoration for her husband. Miranda appears to be experiencing a midlife crisis and exploring her sexuality – both intensely personal and not particularly relatable issues. And Carrie is... living the comfortable life of a wealthy middle-aged woman. Furthermore, she is seemingly so affluent that she can afford to completely ignore everyday problems, making her story arc ring completely hollow to most viewers.
Carrie was a prolific and popular author in Sex and the City. However, she still worried about money and faced financial challenges from time to time – like when she needed $40,000 to buy her apartment. She was extravagant in her clothing choices, but she never spent beyond her means. In fact, her most expensive items were gifts from wealthy lovers like Mr. Big and Aleksandr Petrovsky.
The sequel's Carrie doesn't have to think about money. She can finance her own podcast. She can give Enid a hundred thousand dollars as an apology. And she can pretty much do whatever she wants. There's no tension in this situation. More importantly, it comes across as extremely elitist, alienating a portion of the audience who related to SATC's Carrie and her struggles then.
All in all, Bradshaw's affluence has created a barrier between And Just Like That and its target audience. Like the franchise itself, the new wealthy Carrie is stale and boring, a fact that many SATC fans lament.