And Just Like That: Michael Patrick explains Carrie’s solo ending and the unforgettable Miranda scene

And Just Like That has always been about growth and change when it comes to love, friendships, and even a character's very own self. In the season finale, Carrie Bradshaw ended her chapter not with a wedding or a romantic interest, but by choosing herself. Shocking, yeah?

However, Michael Patrick King explains why this moment was the only real ending for Carrie and why Miranda's messy, unforgettable scene had to happen. His reasoning? Both moments carried emotional weight that went beyond shock value. Here's how the creator explained these defining scenes.

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Carrie’s ending in And Just Like That: choosing herself was the point all along

Michael Patrick King never intended to stop telling Carrie's story until the ending wrote itself.

In an interview with Deadline, he shared that while making the season 3 finale, a single sentence landed in his head:

"The woman realized she was not alone. She was on her own."

For him, this was more than a line. It was a callback to Sex and the City's final message that;

"The most significant relationship is the one you have with yourself."

Back then, Mr. Big's call softened the sentiment. This time, Carrie's words stood alone, without a man waiting in the wings.

King described this change as the ultimate growth in Carrie's arc as a woman who once matched being chosen with being loved, now standing content without that external validation. King says;

"It's for the people who don't have someone..."

He emphasized that feeling good about your own life is the true happy ending. That decision also set the tone for the rest of the characters, each of whom found some form of resolution, from Charlotte and Harry reconnecting to Seema rejecting the need for marriage.

For King, it wasn't about closing Carrie's life and story, but about giving her an ending that felt truly honest.

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Miranda’s scene: couture meets chaos

If there's one moment from the And Just Like That finale that everyone will remember, it's Miranda walking through literal sewage. Michael Patrick King confirmed the hilarious "poop scene" was shot in one take using silicone, but it wasn't all just for laughs.

He explains via. Deadline;

"Sex and the City and And Just Like That have always dealt with relationship shit..."

He explains that it was a visual metaphor for the messes people have to clean up in love and life. It also exemplified the show's mix of higher and lower moments, blending jazzy, glamorous scenes with grounded, sometimes outrageous reality. Narratively, the scene also had a purpose: Victor Garber's character needed a reason to leave Carrie's apartment, and King admitted that humiliation was the quickest exit.

Still, the symbolism resonated with fans. Miranda and Joy's relationship may have endured, but they still had to clean up after life's excesses. This highlights the broader theme of the finale: relationships, whether romantic or platonic, require effort, compromise, and sometimes navigating unpleasantness. In true And Just Like That style, this uncomfortable visual complemented the set pieces, once again showing that the show thrives on contrast.

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In And Just Like That, Michael Patrick King gave fans closure without neat perfection.

Carrie's ending wasn't about loneliness; it was about self-fulfillment. Miranda's chaotic scene wasn't just gross-out comedy; it was life in all its mess and beauty. Both scenes remind fans why they've stayed invested in this universe for decades. The city changes, relationships shift, but the heart of the show remains the same: growth, resilience, and unapologetic honesty truth.