Warning! SPOILERS For And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 9, “Present Tense”
Sadly, an originalSex and the Citycharacter’s story just hit an all-time low in the revival series,And Just Like That.Many iconicSex and the CitycharactersjoinedAnd Just Like That’scastfor the revival. Namely, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon reprised their leading ladies, Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda.
With its third run, things are finally heating up inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3. Seema is getting more robust storylines, and Miranda finally has a relationship that works, bringing exciting new developments for both women. That said,Charlotte’sAnd Just Like Thatstory has been a disaster, and her role in “Present Tense” unfortunately proves that.
Charlotte’s Story Reaches An All-Time Low In And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 9
Charlotte Is The Jester Of And Just Like That Season 3
Charlotte’s story has a bizarre start inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3’s premiere. While the rest of the women were navigating milestones in their lives, Charlotte was embroiled in a frivolous B-plot, with a local woman at the dog park “canceling” Charlotte’s dog, Richard Burton. York tries to prove herself the rest of the episode, leaning into the ridiculousness.
Charlotte became involved in more nonsensical stories, rather than growth-oriented ones, like Carrie and Miranda.
After that,Charlotte became involved in more nonsensical stories, rather than growth-oriented ones, like Carrie and Miranda. Her plot is non-consequential again inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3, episode 2, as she recruits a college admissions expert to help her and Lisa’s (Nicole Ari Parker) oldest children, only to let her go at the end of the episode.
That said,Charlotte was sidelined early in the season, rarely getting her own plot that wasn’t tied to another character or used for comedic purposes. That changed in episode 5, when York found out that Harry (Evan Handler) had prostate cancer. For a couple of episodes, it seemed like Charlotte’s story was getting interesting.
Charlotte and Harry’s dilemma gave her story more emotional weight, which is warranted. However,after Harry’s surgery, Charlotte’s characterization reverted to comic relief again. InAnd Just Like Thatseason 3, episode 8, Charlotte suddenly has vertigo, and she is humiliated when she falls head-first into one of her art exhibits and lands directly on a condom.
Her story hits an all-time low inAnd Just Like Thatseason 3, episode 9. Charlotte has a single scene in “Present Tense,” and, making her the butt of the joke again, Charlotte’s limited screen time consists of her falling on her face… again.The random vertigo story highlights that Charlotte has been utilized primarily for laughs, unlike the others.
And Just Like That Has Totally Changed Charlotte’s Personality From Sex And The City
Charlotte Is More Composed In Sex And The City
I can’t help but wonder why the show’s creators have made Charlotte so animated and exaggerated. It completely contrasts with what we know aboutKristin Davis' character inSex and the City.She has her funny moments, butCharlotte’s default is serious, sophisticated, and elegantin the original. She’s sometimes at the heart of a joke but not the comedic foil.
Charlotte certainly wasn’t reduced entirely to humorous moments inSex and the Cityas she has been inAnd Just Like That.She is completely settled, soCharlotte didn’t need the life updates that Carrie and Miranda’s stories required to realign their characters in middle age. However, York still needs a dynamic narrative in the revival to keep things fresh.
Continuing the trend, evenHarry’s cancer storyhas been converted into another ongoing joke. Harry’s jokes about his"nuts"and"cantaloupes"are a fast turnaround from Goldenblatt knocking on death’s door and Charlotte breaking down in Walgreens. InAnd Just Like Thatseason 3 and beyond, Charlotte needs real development, using her traditional sensibility for something beyond an ongoing punchline.
