Dustin Gandof
Introduction
‘And Just Like That’, the much-anticipated sequel to the beloved classic, ‘Sex and the City’, has been making waves since its debut on HBO Max in December 2021. However, while it’s getting plenty of buzz for its bold, dramatic and controversial moves, there’s one important issue that the show seems to be tiptoeing around rather awkwardly, leaving viewers bewildered and a tad disappointed.
A Stroke of Brilliance or A Missed Opportunity?
One of the pillars of the original ‘Sex and the City’ series was its unabashed willingness to embrace bold themes, especially those related to femininity, sexuality and relationships. The new series does not seem to shy away from these themes either, with one significant exception – its handling of social issues of our time. ‘And Just Like That’ introduces new diverse characters and situations that resonate with the cultural and social developments of the current era – yet, the producers seem to have missed a trick in ensuring these characters drive the narrative in a meaningful way.
Shying Away from The True Representation
By virtue of being set in New York City, one of the diverse cities globally, the original show was often criticized for its lack of ethnic diversity. ‘And Just Like That’ makes an effort to correct this omission by introducing new racially diverse characters like Che Diaz, played by Sara Ramirez, and Nya Wallace, played by Karen Pittman. But it’s not just the casting that’s diverse, its the characters’ personal narratives too. However, these inclusivity efforts seem half-hearted and insincere, like they were included to meet a quota rather than to tell authentic stories.
Diversity – More Than Just a Checkbox
While it’s commendable that ‘And Just Like That’ has made an effort to diversify its cast, it seems like the show does not allow these characters the space to articulate their experiences and perspectives in a genuine way. Instead, they often feel like tools used by the creators to conform to the diversity and inclusion trend, depriving them of their depth and authenticity. This limits the potential for a greater impact and meaningful conversation about important issues facing the diverse population that watches and loves the show.
Lack of Intersectionality
The other key issue that ‘And Just Like That’ tiptoes around is intersectionality – where different forms of discrimination intersect. There are hints sprinkled throughout the episodes where intersectionality could play a major role, but the show never truly dives into the topic. The experiences of the characters are often steered by their sexuality or gender, largely ignoring the racial and socio-economic contexts that profoundly shape their lives. And this could have added depth and nuance to their stories.
More Than Just Girl Talk
It’s really about telling stories that matter, in ways that don’t merely pander, but educate, stimulate, and even provoke. The show has a brilliant opportunity to open up dialogues about racial justice, transgender rights, socio-economic inequalities, and other major social issues. By skirting around these topics, it misses an opportunity to contribute a substantial voice to these discussions.
Conclusion
Despite all this, it’s definitely a step forward that ‘And Just Like That’ is making attempts to move the needle. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot. However, as fans and critics, the constructive thing to do is to keep pointing out where the show falls short in handling important social issues, in the hopes that future seasons will take these shortcomings onboard and do better. After all, every long journey begins with that single step.
