And Just Like That: Most important challenge with SATC revival

Friends, lend me your reading through time.

I come to bury Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), not to praise her. I actually indicate that. Now that the dust has settled on And Just Like That’s 1st (and closing?) period on HBO Max, it’s distinct that Massive (Chris Noth) wasn’t the only key character murdered by the writers. In Miranda’s circumstance, though, it was character assassination. And Just Like That reworked Miranda into actually the worst.

In the decades adhering to Intercourse and the Town’s groundbreaking run on HBO, Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda Hobbs developed into the most likeable particular person on the show, many thanks to her practicality and grounded method to appreciate, lifestyle, and friendships. She was the 1 pal who would always tell Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) the reality, primarily if it hurt, but she was also often there when s**t his the enthusiast. Even her personal character’s arc on the clearly show — starting off as a cynical lawyer and ending up, perfectly, even now a cynical lawyer, but just one so devoted to her husband Steve (David Eigenberg) and son Brady that she selflessly cared for Steve’s dementia-addled mom (Anne Meara) — was thought of one particular of the very best. Miranda identified adore and acceptance without changing who she was. Her legacy in pop society was confident. And just like that, And Just Like That improved Miranda without end.

In situation you someway skipped it, And Just Like That is HBO Max’s Samantha Jones-a lot less Sex and the Town revival. We get to view Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) navigate the ups and downs of their 50s. Carrie loses her beloved husband to Peloton-induced cardiac arrest, while Charlotte’s lifestyle would seem as blissfully organised as ever. Miranda, on the other hand, spirals out of management.

When we initially satisfy Miranda in And Just Like That, we discover that the previous five many years have activated a moral tailspin. Soon after marching on Washington back in early 2016, she’s decided to go back again to faculty to understand how to implement her authorized know-how to progress social justice challenges. She’s also exhibiting indicators of alcoholism, sneaking in glasses of wine ahead of class and carrying little bottles of Tito’s in her backpack. So is Miranda depressed? Yeah. But somewhat than seek out counselling or an AA meeting, she finds refuge in the arms of Carrie’s new manager, Che Diaz (Sara Ramírez).

It was not surprising that Miranda experienced a midlife crisis or that she fell in love with a non-binary man or woman. What was wild to view is Miranda absolutely shed her temperament in the approach. Gone was the pragmatist. In her spot was a deeply egocentric person who pursued her have enjoyment with this sort of abandon that she damage absolutely everyone in her wake. Miranda’s first hook-up with Che transpired when she was meant to be caring for a publish-op Carrie. Miranda afterwards saved her infidelity a key from Steve until deciding to question for a divorce. If these seemed like blips, Miranda would later change down a coveted internship to abide by Che to LA, a alternative she seemingly forgot (??) to loop besties Carrie and Charlotte on?

Miranda entirely should have been cost-free to explore her sexuality in And Just Like That She really should have been permitted to deal with a midlife crisis, also. These are typical points that women of all ages are navigating in their 50s these times. What’s horrible is how Miranda appeared to reduce her core identity in the approach. She grew to become self-centred, flighty, and not able to choose the slightest criticism. When Carrie gently attempts to give Miranda a reality check (in a way that evoked Miranda’s very own conversations with Carrie when she foolishly adopted Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Petrovsky to Paris), Miranda freaks out.

And Just Like That is a demonstrate that has created some wild possibilities for its people. Though I generally applaud risk-having, every choice from the writers’ room about Miranda felt off. Not due to the fact Miranda Hobbs has to be “straight” or “married to Steve” endlessly, but because Miranda saved performing wildly out of character. You could argue that her journey was just one of the head vs . the heart, but her brain was AWOL in each of these plot developments. Her guilt, non-existent. Her many years of grounded behaviour and faithful friendship? Absent with the wind. I still adore Cynthia Nixon and assume she is a titanic acting expertise — PSA: she’s fantastic in HBO’s The Gilded Age! — but And Just Like That has permanently besmirched the legacy of a person Miranda Hobbs. No lengthier is she that best pal we wish we had. She is the ridiculous self-absorbed lunatic we all want to stay absent from.

This article originally appeared in Decider and was reproduced with authorization.