[Editor’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for “And Just Like That…” Season 2, Episode 7.]
The second you’ve been craving, fearing, or each is lastly right here. Aidan Shaw, as performed by John Corbett, is again in “Sex and the City” land because of “And Just Like That” Season 2. Episode 7 sees Carrie’s e-mail to her ex-fiancé result in a Valentine’s Day “date” — and it’s, it seems, a date. The previous furniture-maker and out-of-work podcaster rekindle previous flames after a momentary meeting-spot mix-up, earlier than skedaddling to Carrie’s house for a fast spat and an extended kiss.
However as a lot because the “And Simply Like That” writers would like we expect much less about Aidan & Carrie taking yet one more stab at love, we’ve got… questions. Loads of questions. Like, too many questions for a sequence of scenes spanning not more than 10 minutes. So if you happen to, pricey readers, even have misgivings about what you simply noticed (and what could come subsequent), IndieWire’s Erin Strecker and Ben Travers teamed up for a Double Take on Episode 7, Aidan, and extra.
ERIN STRECKER: “And Simply Like That” has executed many deranged issues within the 17 episodes thus far, however bringing again Aidan stands out as the most tousled of all. He, in fact, has an enormous fan base of people that (wrongly) consider he’s Carrie’s precise one real love, however throwing him again with Ms. Bradshaw post-Large’s loss of life appears wild even by this present’s requirements. However, the tip of Episode 7 positive makes it appear to be he’ll be sticking round for the remainder of the season, so with that assumption made, let’s dive in. What have been your Aidan character ideas previous to this?
BEN TRAVERS: Erin, simply the phrase “Aidan character ideas” is a dangerous proposition, because it may ship me down an extended, darkish rabbit gap stuffed with exasperation and dismay — although that scary void may merely be tied to the truth that the final time we noticed him, we have been watching “Intercourse and the Metropolis 2.” Darkish instances, certainly.
It’s honest to say I’m not a fan of Aidan. Initially, he was good for the present, however over time, too many misconceptions of what that character stood for have turned him into an annoying lightning rod. (There ought to by no means have been #TeamAidan vs. #TeamBig fan factions — Aidan was written to be the mistaken selection.) However I’ll additionally concede the unique collection spent a lot time displaying and telling us why he and Carrie weren’t the best match, I absorbed that information and, most probably, proceed to expel it again with added vitriol on the previous furnishings maker. Remembering Aidan means remembering Carrie gone astray — aka, attempting to pressure a relationship with a person who she clearly doesn’t wish to be with.
So I used to be fairly confused after I found out he was returning but once more for “And Simply Like That” Season 2 — and after seeing it occur, I nonetheless am. Erin, please assist — assist me perceive the set-up for Aidan Half III.
ERIN: Oh Ben. Sadly my illness is knowing these characters higher than I do know most of my pals. So: Principally final week Carrie and The Ladies obtained to speaking about relationships and got here to the conclusion that some persons are higher left in your previous. Sure, I assumed. Lastly we’re getting away from “And Simply Like That’s” odd resolution to convey again random characters for no actual motive as if to completely distract us from the one one that isn’t coming again (secret cameo excluded). Aidan is a PERFECT instance of a personality that ought to have stayed up to now — two romantic go-rounds on the unique present the place it was painfully clear they have been wildly totally different individuals + a kiss in Abu Dhabi within the horrible second movie. WHY WOULD CARRIE EMAIL THIS MAN!? Sicko conduct. (It’s by no means good when Shoegal messes round with e-mail, however I digress.)
Her psychotic choices worsen from there: Aidan ACCEPTS they usually arrange a dinner date ON VALENTINE’S DAY. My woman is positively ADDICTED to chaos. And, it should be stated, clearly I’m as properly, so I buckled in and tried to benefit from the journey. What have been your ideas when John Corbett lastly confirmed up?
BEN: Actually? My first thought was, “He seems like a cult chief.” That black skintight raincoat? The hair slicked again with little curls behind every ear? The needy, palms-out plea for a hug? I like John Corbett (from what little I know about him), however there was nothing interesting about his pressured star flip right here. (And the way in which Carrie turns within the different path even after she’s found out the place the best restaurant is? Come on.)
However dinner gave me a quick flicker of hope. All episode, the heavy-handed romanticism placed on their Valentine’s Day get-together feels unwarranted. For one, Carrie doesn’t seem able to date anybody severely proper now. (She dumped Podcast Producer — no, I cannot lookup his identify — as a result of he needed to go on an precise date, and she or he bailed on Bicycle owner Chin as a result of he… has a job, I suppose? Irrespective of the way you slice it, she’s not on the “let’s get a boyfriend” stage of her grieving course of.) For an additional, as you talked about, she ought to by no means be able to date Aidan once more. So each “did he imply to ask you out on Valentine’s Day” and “does that imply he’s single” indulgence rings false.
Then they sit down and act like… individuals. Aidan acknowledges the elephant within the room — John’s loss of life — with respect. He apologizes for not reaching out when he first heard, and his causes have been greater than sound. He even learn Carrie’s guide, which ought to actually knock a author’s socks off, let me inform you. For a second, it looks like they’ll catch up and half as pals (perhaps they acknowledge what occurred in Abu Dhabi, however actually, I’m wonderful with pretending it by no means occurred, too). No hurt executed. “Development,” as they are saying.
Then it’s a tough lower to her house, and all the pieces went to shit. However please: Inform me if it went downhill even sooner.
ERIN: OK fascinating! We completely agree. I assumed the second they really sit down collectively at dinner is basically good. As you be aware, they’ve a respectful convo, are heat to one another, and I began considering perhaps the present was going to say one thing fascinating about closure and respect. I actually perked up after they return to her house and we study that it isn’t fairly that straightforward to simply decide issues up once more. It makes whole character sense that regardless of earlier pleasure, Aidan wouldn’t be capable of finally go as much as her house together with her. She didn’t wish to marry you! She dragged her toes about residing collectively! DO NOT GO BACK INTO THAT HOUSE OF HORRORS. I used to be THRILLED that it seemed just like the present was going convey him again solely to indicate that it was a wish-fulfillment fantasy the entire time, they usually may by no means be what they as soon as have been to one another. As a substitute, he makes a joke about resorts they usually make out on the street. Fade to black.
We must always be aware that neither of us have seen any extra episodes, so we’re simply as at nighttime about what is going to come subsequent as conventional viewers. Having stated that, it positive appears probably he’ll be sticking round via the tip of the season (there are 4 extra episodes remaining in Season 2), and whereas I can’t say I’m enthusiastic about watching them date but once more, I do assume it’s in all probability fairly correct for a girl to understand that good guys in NYC might be tough to seek out, and why not roll the cube on a 3rd strive with a man you’ve got been circling — yikes — for the higher a part of 20 years? I assume Large is rolling in his grave.
BEN: With full information I’ll reside to remorse these phrases, I don’t assume “AJLT’s” Aidan/Carrie romance will get any worse. I imply… how can it? Sure, Aidan’s response to seeing Carrie’s previous house — their previous house [insert massive eye-roll] — is on the cash, however did he not hear her give the tackle to their cab driver? Was he too enamored together with her ivory eating gown to note the road he was on? Why was it such an enormous response after he obtained out of the cab?
But in addition: Get your metaphors so as! Their final phrases on the restaurant are, “We’re on the identical web page,” after which Carrie is standing on her stoop, pleading with this direction-averse New Yorker, “It’s the identical place, however we’re not in the identical place” — just for the episode’s inexplicable decision to get buttoned-up by Carrie’s voiceover returning to “And similar to that… Aidan and I have been again on the identical web page.” My god, individuals. If the house goes to be the embodiment of their issues, can we not no less than use it via the tip?
I’m sorry, I’m sorry. That’s nitpicky and doubtless the least annoying factor a few scene that makes zero sense. From Aidan’s bewildered arrival to his insane conclusion that one dinner obtained them “again to the place we began,” all of the second actually illustrates is the person’s inner fraudulence. For years, Aidan was framed as Large’s “emotional opposite” — the delicate one, the one who’s able to commit, blah blah blah — however he was really an emotional moron. He’s pushy with out realizing why. He’s vulnerable to massive gestures (shifting in too quick, proposing too quick, all whereas ignoring actuality), and his chill demeanor is basically only a masks for childish mood tantrums. (Bear in mind when he freaked out over Carrie discovering his Rogaine drugs? Corbett’s iconic line, “I don’t want to TALK about it” says all the pieces we have to find out about Aidan’s understanding of intimacy.) This man didn’t have it collectively 20 years in the past, and — as evidenced by his plan to by no means go inside Carrie’s house however up to now her anyway… like, how?? — he nonetheless doesn’t have his shit collectively now.
However, Erin, BUT — that’s the reason I don’t assume the Carrie/Aidan arc can get any worse from right here. “And Simply Like That” selected to push previous the laborious, trustworthy conversations and plow forward with a third-times-the-charm coupling, logic and historical past be damned. It could by no means make sense why they obtained again collectively, however now that they’ve, no matter occurs must be judged by how they match within the right here and now. I see no different selection however to deal with them like some other pal who embarks on a relationship we don’t absolutely assist: patiently take heed to their pleased tales, have their again in any disagreement, and, ultimately, benefit from the fireworks. You stated you’re hooked on chaos, Erin, and I do assume we’re in retailer for extra. Michael Patrick King killed Large so Carrie may very well be single once more — I don’t assume he’s going to maintain Aidan round for lengthy.
“And Simply Like That” Season 2 releases new episodes Thursdays on Max.
