And Just Like That Season 3 Finally Remembers What Made Sex And The City So Amazing

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for And Just Like That season 3, episode 10.

Fans of the originalSex and the Cityseries have been less than impressed withAnd Just Like Thatseason 3, to say the least. But episode 10, “Better Than Sex,” felt like old times in a major way, and we can’t help but wonder if it’s a hint that the maligned season will go out strong.

Common complaints about theAnd Just Like Thatseason 3 charactersinclude Charlotte becoming a punchline, Miranda being completely defanged, and Carrie and Aidan dragging out their confusing and toxic relationship. Add thebacklash of Lisa’s father seemingly dying twice, and social media has turned into a veritableAJLTFestivus, with fans airing their grievances every Thursday.

At the root of the fandom’s frustration is a deep love for these characters.Sex and the Cityintroduced us to four witty, smart, hilarious womenwho navigated the complexities of life, love, and sex together. Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha (we miss you!) were vastly different from each other but had a strong bond we envied and admired. Thankfully,And Just Like That’s latest episode gets back to this in a big way.

AJLT Season 3 Episode 10 Is All About The Friendship Between The Original Sex And The City Characters

Miranda Leans On Carrie & Charlotte In A Crisis

A cornerstone of the originalSex and the Citywas the girls getting together for lunch and discussing the triumphs, challenges, and conundrumsin their lives. There was a breeziness to these conversations, but they were always intelligent and spoke to the female experience.

While get-togethers between the ladies still happen inAnd Just Like That,many have criticized their interactions as being a funhouse mirror version of what they once were. In the place of insight and critical thought, there are puns and cheap jokes — Carrie, in particular, has been accused of treating these interactions like her personal open mic.

That’s what makes the latestAJLTepisode feel like a throwback toSex and the Cityin the best way possible.Miranda is finally given a real problemwhen Brady comes to her and Steve with the announcement that he got someone pregnant. Both parents are understandably shocked, with Steve launching into a full-blown tirade while Miranda tries to pick up the pieces.

Cut toMiranda immediately calling Carrie and Charlotte for moral support and a plain old-fashioned vent. Though they’re on smartphones instead of corded push-buttons, the conversation is very reminiscent of how they used to interact inSex and the City. Carrie asks reasonable questions, and Charlotte confesses that it’s her worst nightmare as a parent, though shes quick to immediately put the focus back on Miranda.

It’s a reminder that Miranda, Carrie, and Charlotte are the most important people in each other’s lives.

It’s telling that Miranda didn’t lean onherAJLTgirlfriend Joyhere. That’s not a knock against their relationship — it’s one of the season’s best — but it’s a reminder that Miranda, Carrie, and Charlotte are the most important people in each other’s lives. The storyline proves their unbreakable bond, and the episode only gets better from there.

Charlotte Once Again Proves She’s The MVP Of Friendship

She Was There For Both Carrie & Miranda

Harry’s cancer notwithstanding,Charlotte’sAnd Just Like Thatseason 3 storylineshave veered into ridiculous territory. The premiere saw her dog getting “canceled” while her entire plot for two episodes straight was cartoonishly falling like a member of the Three Stooges due to vertigo. Where is the sweet, “cheerleader for love” ofSex and the Cityyore?

Well, “Better Than Sex” sees the Charlotte we know and love back with a vengeance, andthe episode is a big reminder of what an amazing friend she is. She was happy to accompany Miranda on her recon mission to learn about the mother of Brady’s unborn child, and even though it was obvious Charlotte didn’t agree with Miranda’s sneaky tactics, her priority was supporting her friend.

Charlotte’s advice is simple. Follow your heart.

But Charlotte’s crowning achievement was her heart-to-heart with Carrie, who confessed her uncertain feelings for Duncan. Whereas Miranda’s pragmatism can make her judgmental,Charlotte is the epitome of a great, caring listener. Anytime we hear Charlotte curse — “F**k Miranda!” — is a delight, but beneath the humor, Charlotte’s advice is simple. Follow your heart.

Dating back to evenSex and the City, Charlotte gets a lot of flak for being a prude and out of touch, and sometimes that’s true. However, she’s also the one who ismost in her friends' corner, cheering them on and telling them they deserve to sparkle.

Ultimately, it’s Charlotte, not Duncan, who convinces Carrie to wear her gorgeous Vivienne Westwood number to the literary party. After all, that’s what friends are for, and here’s hopingAnd Just Like Thatseason 3 keeps embracing that theme.