Why Aidan Shaw’s return to And Just Like That is a step backward

Carrie Bradshaw's world took a tragic turn in And Just Like That, the revival series of Sex and the City, when her husband, John Big, dies in the series' premiere.

While the fans of the parent series were divided among Carrie's many love interests in New York City, John Big and Aidan Shaw were clear winners. Carrie was always meant to be endgame with Big, but the couple had many obstacles, during which she met and fell in love with Aidan.

Big's death in And Just Like That was not just tragic for Carrie, but paved a path for her to re-unite with Aidan, who was also recently divorced from his wife, Kathy.

But Aidan's return feels like a trap for Carrie to fall back into her old ways and use him as a way to escape from her life's grief.

More on this in our story.

*Disclaimer- This article is based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.*

And Just Like That: Aidan Shaw's return is a stark reminder of Carrie's failed relationships with him

Aidan Shaw's introduction in Sex and the City Season 3 was a fresh start for Carrie after her disastrous relationship with Big, which ended because he moved to Paris and got engaged to Natasha. However, soon, the flaws in her new relationship begin to show.

While Aidan was a much-needed distraction for Carrie in the parent series, his return in And Just Like That feels lazy writing and unnecessary because the couple has tried to make their relationship work at least three times before calling it quits for good.

Not only was Aidan self-absorbed and dismissive of Carrie, but she always thought of him as a substitute for Big. During her first meeting with Aidan, he is instantly controlling and asks her, rather orders her, to stop smoking. He even threatens that smoking is non-negotiable for him, and his tone is harsh.

Carrie's journey throughout And Just Like That is one of progress, and Aidan's return to her life hinders her healing and growth pattern.

Talking about patterns, Aidan and Carrie were never on the same pace in their initial dating phase in Sex and the City. While Carrie initially cheated on Aidan with Big, the couple gave their relationship a second chance.

However, the second (and third) chances never worked because Carrie was too anxious about the speed at which Aidan wanted their relationship to move forward.

And Just Like That: Aidan's return negates Carrie's growth in the revival series

And Just Like That was not just a revival series of Sex and the City, but in a way, it was also the revival of the characters we last saw in the parent series finale. While Carrie was married in the reboot series' first episode to Big, his sudden death plunges her back into her old ways and negates the character growth since Sex and the City.

When Aidan returned in And Just Like That, Carrie's mental state was similar to when she first met him in the parent series. While she was grappling with her breakup with Big in the parent series, she was grappling with her husband's death in the reboot.

In both instances, Aidan was not just another romantic interest but a way for Carrie to escape and forget about her grief. While Aidan's return might seem like Carrie's second chance at love, one should not forget that it is her fourth chance at love with Aidan (which is saying something).

Her emotional growth is completely negated when she keeps her needs below Aidan's and accepts a 5-year pause in their relationship because Aidan wants to move back to Virginia for his sons.

Not only is Aidan keeping his needs above Carrie and asserting his dominance in the relationship (again), but it also brings Carrie back to square one in And Just Like That, negating all her character growth.

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Also Read: And Just Like That... Season 3: Release date

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