Sex and the City. The miniseries, which stars three of the franchise's four main characters, is missing the magic that made the original so timeless, largely because of Samantha Jones's absence.
While the show has found a way to work around her leaving, it's becoming undeniably clear that a big part of the franchise's appeal rested on Miss Jones's Chanel-covered shoulders. Indeed, Samantha's presence would've done a lot to help elevate some of And Just Like That's weakest spots thanks to her irreverence, iconic one-liners, fabulous fashion sense, and larger-than-life personality.
Putting The Sex Back In The City
Fans and critics are divided about And Just Like That, but one thing everyone agrees on is that this city is lacking in sex. Once a staple of the franchise, the friends' sexual adventures are missing from And Just Like That almost entirely, save for Miranda's affair with Che.
Samantha's presence would've easily fixed that. She is the "sex" part of the show, and her exploits provided most of the show's most erotic content. And Just Like That could certainly use a presence like hers because the storylines so far lack any of the excitement or originality the original show had.
Exploring A Sixty-Year-Old Woman's Sexuality
How often do audiences see a sixty-year-old woman exploring her sexuality? Sex and the City broke new ground about female sexuality in an industry that thinks women stop being sexual at forty.
And Just Like That could've done the same for women in her sixties with Samantha as the trailblazer. The show could've tackled all sorts of issues about how women keep their sexual lives alive and thriving, especially considering Samantha is single. It's such a missed opportunity that becomes even more glaring considering the lack of attention Carrie and Charlotte's sex lives have received so far.
Exploring Ageism
Another of And Just Like That's biggest criticisms is its attitude towards aging. The women are in their mid-fifties, but it sometimes feels like the show is suggesting their best days are behind them. More shockingly is the fact that the writers attempt to insert humor into their aging commentary, whether it's Carrie's hip surgery or Harry's colonoscopy.
Samantha's presence would've allowed for a more nuanced approach to age. As the oldest of the group, she was always ahead of the pack when it came to defying age expectations. Her character outright challenged outdated beliefs about women in their forties and fifties and would've done the same for the sixties had she been included in the sequel.
A Real Storyline For Anthony
For years, Anthony Marentino, Charlotte's best friend and wedding planner, was more of an accessory than a real character. He appeared sporadically to deliver snarky one-liners and offer emotional for Charlotte before marrying Stanford during the much-reviled second movie.
After Willie Garson's tragic death, And Just Like That has included Anthony in more scenes with the three women. He also began spending time alone with Carrie in a blatant attempt to make him a more prominent part of the girls' lives, but his over-the-top personality seems ill-fitting for Carrie's current state of mind. However, he would've made an excellent companion for Samantha. Indeed, the two could've had a rich storyline that complemented their characterizations while still providing plenty of hilarious moments.
A Diverse Social Circle
One of the most glaring criticisms of the original series was its distinct lack of diversity. The show was all-white and nearly all-straight, with the only two prominent LGBTQ+ characters acting more as props than three-dimensional figures.
includes many likable characters that fix this issue, but the show still seems limited. Giving each of the women one new friend that fits the "diverse" box suggests that this is a matter of quotas. Being a PR expert with a decidedly more relaxed worldview, Samantha's social circle would be far more inclusive than the other women's. Having her in the show could've opened the door to include many more characters of different backgrounds.
All That Fabulous Fashion
One of the franchise's most iconic elements is the character's extravagant fashion choices. Carrie's peculiar and often over-the-top fashion sense might be the series' centerpiece, but Samantha's bold outfits were also subject to plenty of attention during the show's original run.
And Just Like That features many great outfits, but Samantha's bold choices are missing. Who else would wear a bright pink leather suit paired with blue heels? The series needs Samantha's distinctive and fun style to balance Carrie's experimental wardrobe and Charlotte and Miranda's more conservative choices.
Pandemic, But Make It Sam Jones
Two years into the pandemic, few shows have explored what it's like to live in quarantine. And Just Like That outright avoids it, presenting a New York City where COVID has been outright eradicated. The characters make few mentions of it, but they clearly didn't enjoy their time in confinement.
Samantha Jones would've found a way to keep herself entertained in isolation, and And Just Like That could've used the material to give the series a sense of relevance it currently lacks. Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte probably spent their time writing, drinking, and baking, but Samantha Jones surely found new and original ways to keep herself occupied.
Bringing Back The Humor
Samantha Jones was arguably the funniest character on Sex and the City. Her irreverence, lack of inhibitions, and open-mindedness made her the center of many of the show's most clever and humorous storylines, and her one-liners were the stuff of comedy dreams. Kim Cattrall's delivery made things even better, turning Samantha into an underrated comedic icon.
And Just Like That seems weirdly humorless. Seven episodes in, there hasn't been a single moment as funny as a Samantha scene. In hindsight, most of the series' humor came courtesy of Samantha, and her absence from the sequel series proves that the franchise is less entertaining without her around.
Friends Can Fight And Still Be Friends
The idea of Samantha having a falling-out with the girls is not illogical. She had several differences with the other three in the original series, especially Charlotte, whose conservative worldview often put her at odds with Samantha's liberal lifestyle.
Samantha's presence in And Just Like That would've been the perfect opportunity to deal with this storyline and show that friends can still be close despite fighting once in a while. The series could've explored a story in which Samantha separates from the group, only to return later once they realize their friendship is more important than any disagreement. Instead, by painting Samantha in a mainly negative light, the show is turning its back on its themes of friendship and solidarity.
Soulmates For Life
Sex and the City's main thesis was always "Friends can be your soulmates." The women ed each other through breakups, parental deaths, romantic and professional disappointments, and everything in between. Indeed, Sex and the City had many memorable friendship scenes that keep fans invested in the show, nearly twenty years after it ended.
And Just Like That lacks any of the endearing moments that made the original such a success, and even if it had them, they wouldn't ring as true because Samantha is missing. Samantha was arguably the best friend in the series, always willing to the other three without judgment. She would be there encouraging Miranda's sexual fluidity, comforting Carrie through Big's death, and celebrating Charlotte's open-mindedness in dealing with Rock's identity. The city feels somehow empty and lifeless without Samantha Jones.