And Just like That... came to an end in a way that did not look like a traditional TV send-off. The last image is Carrie Bradshaw in her apartment, putting on Barry White, letting herself dance alone. No partner, no big reunion scene, just her. The choice left a lot of people divided. Some saw a calm and powerful statement, while others felt the story simply faded instead of closing.
The absence of a holiday dinner with Charlotte and Miranda added to the sense of distance. Thanksgiving had always been a symbol of their friendship, but the finale kept them apart. Viewers who wanted a moment of togetherness felt disappointed, and this gap quickly became part of the criticism. At the same time, the writers insisted that the ending had its own logic, that it was not about pleasing everyone but about being faithful to Carrie’s path.
Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, who guided the revival, reacted to the negative response. They spoke about independence, about closing Carrie’s arc in a way that felt clean and true. Their defense was strong, not apologetic, and that tone shaped the discussion after the last episode aired.
A controversial ending
The controversy was not surprising. Carrie alone at the end of And Just Like That... was a bold choice for a character so closely linked to romance. Fans had been following her since Sex and the City first aired, hoping for a conclusion with warmth, maybe a final love. Instead, they got a quiet scene, almost ordinary, with no grand closure.
Zuritsky explained that the writers felt this was the truest option. A woman in her fifties, she said, might find satisfaction in stability and in herself rather than in a relationship. It was not about creating drama, but about reflecting something that actually happens. That perspective made the finale different from what many expected, but also gave it weight.

Zuritsky states that
Elisa Zuritsky emphasized that Carrie had gone through grief, had returned to the idea of romance, and had chosen not to settle for a connection that did not feel right. She said this rang true to her as a fan of the series and as a woman of a similar age.
She described the conclusion as gratifying. Carrie is left full and realized, not incomplete. According to her, television rarely shows this kind of ending, where the main character is happy without a partner. She called it a punctuation mark, a graceful ending to a long story.
The message, as Zuritsky framed it, is that being alone can also mean being content, and that a character like Carrie, after everything, could find peace in her own space.
Rottenberg highlights
Julie Rottenberg echoed this idea. She said it felt like the most honest way to finish the series. Carrie faces the idea that there might never be another great love, and she accepts that possibility. Rottenberg explained that the strength of the finale was in that acceptance.
She pointed out that Carrie still has a full life. She has friends, history, a career, and experiences that define her. Ending the show without forcing a new romance was, in her view, the clearest way to respect the character’s journey. It was not framed as a tragedy, but as a resolution that fits.

Critical interpretation of And Just like That... ending
Reactions from fans remained mixed. Many wanted a more conventional conclusion. After years of emotional investment, a large part of the audience hoped for a reward, something like a happy ending. Instead, the finale told a different story.
Critics have noted that the And Just like That... episode can be read in two ways. On one side, it looks abrupt, leaving a feeling of incompleteness. On the other hand, it is consistent with where Carrie is in her life. She lived a great love with Big, she lost him, and trying to replace him would not have felt genuine. Seen in this light, the final dance is not about absence but about survival and continuity.
Future expectations
The final episode also made clear that And Just like That... would not move forward. The production confirmed that season 3 was the end of the story. There are no announced plans for additional seasons, and the cameo by Kim Cattrall as Samantha in season 2 already worked as a farewell.
For fans, this closure may feel unusual, but it sets the series apart. It chose to end on independence instead of reunion.

Conclusion
The last scene of And Just like That... remains a point of debate. For some, it was unsatisfying, even flat. For others, it was authentic and fitting. Rottenberg and Zuritsky stood by their vision, describing it as the most honest ending possible.
The revival did not give Carrie another love story. It gave her space, clarity, and a sense of acceptance. Whether seen as disappointing or empowering, the finale left her in a place of completion, and that decision continues to define how the series is remembered.