After nearly a decade of twists, heartbreaks, romances, and the kind of life lessons only Carrie Bradshaw could narrate, And Just Like That has wrapped its final chapter. Nine seasons, two spin-off movies, countless suitors, and a wardrobe that could single-handedly fund a small boutique—Carrie’s story has officially paused. For now, anyway.
And yes, that “for now” is crucial. We’re in 2025, after all, and television has taught us that “gone” is rarely “goodbye.” There’s also the fact that the finale sparked some of the most intense, divided reactions in years. Loyal fans are collectively gasping, muttering: “Is this really it?” “It can’t possibly be it.” And, for those who are visually sensitive, “Someone call the pear-shaped diamond with a gold band—we owe it an apology because it’s not even the worst thing we’ve ever seen on this show.”
Thanksgiving, Thankfulness, and the Final Gatherings
Let’s rewind to that finale. Set during Thanksgiving, the episode gave each character a chance to reflect and show gratitude—albeit in their own quirky ways:
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Miranda: Thankful for rubber gloves and a partner unbothered by a poop-covered bathroom floor—though, her Hedley & Bennett apron deserved a little more fanfare.
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Charlotte and Harry: Grateful for Harry’s successful prostate cancer surgery and, of course, each other.
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Seema: Appreciating the evolution of gluten-free baked goods, signaling she’s as willing to compromise on pies as she is on relationships.
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Lisa: Thankful for her marriage, with a nod to her undeniably gorgeous editor.
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Anthony: True to form, thankful for hot younger men—some things never change.
And then there’s Carrie. Her gratitude is… ambiguous. By the finale, she’s living solo in her spacious Gramercy apartment, not in a quaint New York shoe but in a home as large as her unresolved feelings. In the epilogue of her latest novel, Carrie muses about a woman referred to simply as “the woman,” concluding that she “realized she was not alone—she was on her own.”
Solo, Not Lonely
This is a big pivot for Carrie. Earlier in the episode, she confided to Charlotte that she’s learning to navigate single life without leaning on a man.
“Even when Big died, after the shock and total devastation, in the back of my mind I thought, ‘Aidan, maybe Aidan.’ I have to quit thinking ‘maybe a man’ and start accepting ‘maybe just me.’ And it’s not a tragedy, it’s a fact. And I just have to start accepting it, full stop.”
It’s a nuanced distinction—acceptance versus choice. She may be alone, but Michael Patrick King, the series creator, frames it as empowering: a full-circle moment for a woman who’s endured heartbreak, loss, and new love.
“Many, many years later, having gone through deaths, heartbreaks, new romances, she’s saying, ‘I’m grown-up enough to face this, because I’ve created a life that’s so magnificent for myself,’” King told Variety.
“She’s on her own. And that sentence is for everyone who has someone, and for everyone who doesn’t have someone…primarily, it’s for anyone who feels bad because they don’t have someone.”
In other words: Carrie’s story isn’t about tragedy—it’s about self-made triumph. Admirable? Absolutely. But for devoted fans, the finale may not hit the mark.
Critics Weigh In
Many viewers weren’t entirely convinced by this “self-love” narrative. A critic at USA Today wrote:
“It’s a sweet sentiment of self-love, but one that feels too tacked-on and hastily written to pack an emotional wallop. After nearly 30 years of knowing and loving Carrie, she deserved far better than this treacly Hallmark sendoff.”
Judy Berman from Time was even harsher:
“It took three decades, nine seasons, and a pair of excruciating movies for Carrie to so much as approach the place where Samantha started,” referencing Kim Cattrall’s iconic character.
The sentiment is clear: for a character as legendary as Carrie, the ending feels abrupt, even underwhelming.
The Creator’s Perspective
King, however, seems at peace with leaving the story here—though he doesn’t entirely shut the door.
“Look, I have definitely closed the book, and whether there’s another book remains to be seen. You’re never, ever not… I’m always surprised. When we closed Sex and the City, we closed it. And just like that, we’re back!”
He emphasizes that sometimes the classiest move is to leave a party while it’s still happening—arguably, how he views ending And Just Like That amid sustained interest. Still, for many fans, it feels like the show left the dance floor just before the last toast.
Carrie’s Journey: More Than a Love Story
It’s worth noting that Carrie’s journey has always been about more than romance. From the very beginning, her narrative explored independence, self-discovery, and the messy, thrilling chaos of friendship. Her relationships—be it Big, Aidan, or others—have been mirrors, reflecting her growth rather than defining her entirely.
The finale underscores this: Carrie’s “solo” life isn’t a punishment; it’s a canvas. She’s finally accepting that her story doesn’t need to hinge on a man’s presence. She’s navigating singlehood with the same introspective wit that made her a cultural icon decades ago.
Fans’ Emotional Rollercoaster
Of course, the reaction online has been a mix of denial, grief, and nostalgia-fueled debate. Social media erupted with memes about Carrie’s enormous apartment, Big’s final cameo, and the series’ bittersweet tone. Some fans celebrated the message of empowerment, while others mourned what they saw as an incomplete arc.
Pointers from viewers include:
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Carrie’s epilogue should’ve been more dramatic—perhaps a reunion with a familiar face, or a bold new adventure.
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Thanksgiving episodes are usually sentimental; some fans wished for a more humorous, heartwarming sendoff.
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Many adored the nods to past seasons and characters, but felt they weren’t leveraged enough for maximum emotional impact.
Why This Ending Matters
In a way, this finale reflects the era we live in. Stories are no longer neat, and endings aren’t guaranteed to wrap everything up. Life, like Carrie’s Gramercy apartment, is spacious, sometimes lonely, sometimes full of unexpected surprises. By showing her learning to be content with herself, the series champions self-empowerment over conventional romance—a message that resonates deeply in 2025.
Carrie’s story reminds us that growth doesn’t always come with a partner by your side. Sometimes, it comes with introspection, gratitude, and the courage to say, “Maybe just me is enough.”
What Comes Next?
While King insists the book is closed, the world of And Just Like That is far from over. Television is unpredictable, and the franchise could always return, whether through a new series, a movie, or a special event. For now, though, fans are left with the bittersweet reality: Carrie Bradshaw, iconic as ever, has chosen herself—and in doing so, she leaves a legacy that’s as complicated, stylish, and thought-provoking as her wardrobe.
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