“And Just Like That…” Finally Breaks Disappointing Trend with Critically Acclaimed Season 3
After a four-year struggle, “And Just Like That…” has finally turned a corner, breaking one of the “Sex and the City” revival’s most frustrating patterns. Debuting in 2021, the HBO Max series brought back Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw, alongside Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis), as they navigated their opulent but often chaotic New York City lives. “And Just Like That…” aimed to revive the stories of these beloved “Sex and the City” characters, whose narratives had seemingly concluded after six TV seasons and two films, with a third movie never materializing.
While the original “Sex and the City” faced some retroactive criticism as time passed, the 2021 return of Carrie in “And Just Like That…” sought to address and “redeem some of the harsh realities of Sex and the City” nearly three decades later. Yet, to the disappointment of many fans, the revival has generally been considered a letdown, struggling to find its tone and falling short of expectations. However, it now appears that “And Just Like That…” season 3 has finally overcome a persistent frustrating trend with its premiere.
“And Just Like That…” Season 3 Achieves First “Certified Fresh” Rotten Tomatoes Score
“And Just Like That…” Season 3 Is So Far Certified Fresh
Image via Max
Image via Max
Image via Max
Image via Max
Image via Max
Breaking a two-season streak, “And Just Like That…” season 3 marks the “Sex and the City” revival’s first season to earn critical acclaim. “And Just Like That…” season 3 garnered a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes, representing a significant improvement over the revival’s first two seasons. This score sets a new record high for the show. Max premiered “And Just Like That…” season 3 on May 29, following a nearly two-year hiatus. Now that the numbers are in, the wait appears to have been worthwhile.
“And Just Like That…” season 1 received a dismal 48% Rotten Tomatoes score.
While a 78% rating might not seem overwhelmingly impressive, Rotten Tomatoes designates anything with a score of 75% or higher as “Certified Fresh,” essentially affirming its quality. This metric represents a substantial improvement from the revival’s divisive debut. “And Just Like That…” season 1 earned an abysmal 48% Rotten Tomatoes score. “And Just Like That…” season 2 showed a slight improvement, adjusting some of the elements that didn’t work in the first season, managing a 63% approval rating and winning over at least a majority of viewers in its sophomore run.
Why Reviews for “And Just Like That…” Season 3 Are Significantly Better
Something About “And Just Like That…” Season 3 Just Clicks
In reviews for “And Just Like That…” season 3’s premiere, a consensus among critics and audience members suggests that the show has finally found its footing. It appears to have settled into a cohesive tone that effectively packages “Sex and the City’s” themes for the modern era. “Sex and the City” was always considered progressive, but nearly three decades later, the HBO series was far from timeless. “And Just Like That…” season 1 swung the pendulum too far, with polarizing characters like Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez), who were intended to be relatable, instead sparking backlash.
| And Just Like That… season | Rotten Tomatoes score |
| And Just Like That… season 1 | 48% |
| And Just Like That… season 2 | 63% |
| And Just Like That… season 3 | 78% |
While the series is far from reaching the original “Sex and the City’s” creative ingenuity, critics have praised “And Just Like That…” season 3 for embracing its fun and light-hearted nature. It’s also evident that, to the satisfaction of many devoted viewers, the revival has discovered a format for modernizing “Sex and the City” that generates less cringeworthy content while maintaining its progressive intentions. In essence, “And Just Like That…” has finally figured out how to portray the same characters in the same city 30 years later, in an age dominated by cell phones, social media, and dating apps.
“And Just Like That…” Continues to Improve with Each Season
“And Just Like That…” Season 3 Is The Best Yet
With “And Just Like That…” season 3, episode 1, building on a positive trend, this bodes well for the show, provided it can maintain its momentum. While “And Just Like That…” didn’t necessarily hit the ground running, it is clearly improving with age, maturing as it adjusts its tone and approach to its messaging. “And Just Like That…” season 3 has also seen some characters depart, while others have remained and become central figures. Although it would have been ideal for “And Just Like That…” to have found its stride sooner, at least it is now heading in the right direction.
Still, with “And Just Like That…” season 3 earning a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score, there’s clearly room for further improvement. Thanks to “Sex and the City’s” enduring acclaim, “And Just Like That’s” characters command a dedicated fan base, deeply invested in their misadventures. Audiences have steadfastly supported the series through its growing pains, hoping for its transformation and watching even when it didn’t immediately deliver. The series shows no signs of slowing down, so with “And Just Like That…” season 3 hinting at continued improvement, subversive stories are once again on the table if “Sex and the City’s” revival continues to flourish with age.
“And Just Like That…” Season 3 Reviews Outperform Half of Original “Sex and the City” Seasons
“And Just Like That…” Outranks “Sex and the City” (But Is It Really Better?)
I would not assert that “And Just Like That…” has surpassed what made “Sex and the City” great; far from it. However, it’s worth noting that “And Just Like That…” season 3 has a higher rating than most seasons of “Sex and the City” on Rotten Tomatoes. “And Just Like That…” season 3’s premiere outranked “Sex and the City” seasons 1, 2, 3, and 5. “Sex and the City” season 1 scored a mere 46% on the review site, failing to win over the majority of its audience and almost matching “And Just Like That…” season 1’s low score.
| Sex and the City season | Rotten Tomatoes score |
| Sex and the City season 1 | 46% |
| Sex and the City season 2 | 60% |
| Sex and the City season 3 | 67% |
| Sex and the City season 4 | 86% |
| Sex and the City season 5 | 73% |
| Sex and the City season 6 | 90% |
According to Rotten Tomatoes, “Sex and the City” improved with age, suggesting the revival is mirroring its predecessor’s arc, at least critically, over time. “Sex and the City” season 2 achieved a 60% rating, and season 3 earned a 67% score, which is closer to “And Just Like That” season 2. Only “Sex and the City” seasons 4 and 6 surpass “And Just Like That…’s” third outing on the site, with “Sex and the City” season 5 landing at 73%, just shy of “Certified Fresh.” “Sex and the City” season 6 is surprisingly the flagship series’ highest-rated season.
Conversely, I belong to the camp that considers “Sex and the City” season 1 one of the flagship series’ best chapters, its episodes driven by strong, enjoyable themes that make each installment memorable. The initial few “Sex and the City” seasons also portray Carrie unburdened by long-term relationships, with her dating experiences leading to candid discussions about communication, expectations, and sexuality. That said, I agree that “And Just Like That…” is improving in its third season, and its shift towards handling love and sex in a manner that is both frank and fun, adhering to “Sex and the City’s” original modus operandi, truly makes it work.