The Woke Overload: How 'And Just Like That...' Alienated SATC Fans
The Sex and the City Reboot: A Messy, Woke Disaster
In a shocking conclusion to the divisive reboot of Sex and the City, And Just Like That... has finally closed its book on Carrie Bradshaw's life after three seasons. The revival, which premiered in 2021, was met with a mixture of excitement and skepticism from fans of the original series. However, it quickly became clear that this was not your grandmother's SATC.
The absence of Kim Cattrall, who famously refused to reprise her role as Samantha Jones due to a well-publicized feud with Sarah Jessica Parker, left a gaping hole in the show. But instead of filling it with more of the same old, familiar magic, creators Michael Patrick King and Colette Burson opted for a slew of woke characters and storylines that have left fans reeling.
The Che Diaz Fiasco
At the center of the controversy is non-binary comedian Che Diaz, played by Sara Ramirez. Introduced as Carrie's new podcast co-host and producer, Che quickly became the face of the show's "woke" agenda. Their relationship with Miranda, which began with a drunken tryst in Carrie's kitchen, was met with outrage from fans who felt it was an unnecessary and insincere attempt to be progressive.
Che's character was accused of being "insufferably woke" and setting back non-binary representation by 70 years. Their antics, including urging co-stars to ask questions about eradicating the patriarchal system, were seen as cringeworthy and heavy-handed.
Despite their best efforts, Che's character ultimately became a "waste of airtime," according to insiders, who claimed that Sara's head was on the chopping block since season two. The decision to axe Che sparked a heated debate among fans, with some hailing it as a necessary move to save the show from itself.
The Diversity Debacle
One of the major criticisms of the original SATC series was its lack of diversity. However, instead of addressing this issue in a thoughtful and nuanced way, the reboot seemed to be more concerned with checking boxes than actually representing people of color.
Problems arose when Samantha's dalliance with Chivon, a Black music executive, was reduced to a simplistic and stereotypical portrayal. Miranda's relationship with Dr. Robert Leeds was also criticized for being tokenistic, while Carrie's refusal to date a bisexual man sparked outrage among fans who felt it was an unnecessary nod to the show's "woke" agenda.
The introduction of Dr. Nya Wallace, a Black Columbia law professor played by Karen Pittman, was seen as a clumsy attempt to atone for SATC's history of racial cluelessness. Miranda's interactions with Nya were cringe-worthy, including her gaffe about braided hairdos and later attempts to be a "white ally."
Charlotte's Family Fiasco
Eternally prudish Charlotte's storylines centered around her family life, including her daughter Rose's evolution into non-binary Rock. However, some fans felt that the show was using these characters as a way to check boxes rather than actually telling meaningful stories.
The portrayal of Charlotte's child, played by Alexa Swinton, trying to navigate coming out as non-binary sparked controversy among fans who felt it was too simplistic and heavy-handed. Others criticized the show for perpetuating the "fallacy that all gender non-conforming people are difficult."
Samantha's Replacement
Nicole Ari Parker's character Lisa Todd Wexley was branded "Black Charlotte" due to her similarities with the original, yet fans were baffled by the need to reference her skin color. The decision to replace Samantha with Sarita Choudhury's Seema Patel, a real estate agent of English and Indian-Bengali roots, was seen as a "checklist" addition to the cast.
Seema's storylines, including taking Carrie to a Diwali party and shopping for saris in a store that only sold lehengas, were criticized for being awkward and forced. The show's attempts at diversity and inclusivity were seen as shallow and insincere, leaving fans feeling frustrated and disappointed.
The Verdict
In the end, And Just Like That... was a messy, woke disaster that failed to recapture the magic of the original SATC series. While it was clear that creators wanted to push the envelope and be progressive, their attempts came across as heavy-handed and insincere.
Fans were left feeling frustrated and disappointed by the show's lack of nuance and thoughtful storytelling. The decision to axe Che's character sparked a heated debate among fans, while the diversity issues continued to plague the show throughout its three seasons.
As the curtains close on Carrie Bradshaw's life, it's clear that And Just Like That... was a misstep for the SATC franchise. But will it be enough to save the show from itself? Only time will tell.
