And Just Like That … Recap: Rat Queen

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It seems that even though filming for season three of And Just Like That … was already finished before its premiere, some fans’ criticism about the confusion surrounding Carrie and Aidan’s long-distance relationship may have played a part in shedding light on the dynamics of their situation this week. In essence, we may have inadvertently influenced this development! Thank you, Carrie (and Aidan), for giving us something to talk about. Interestingly, despite planning these arrangements, it appears Aidan himself was oblivious to them. As for whether they can sustain their relationship with the current setup for five years, my guess is no way. However, at least Aidan apologized for being too strict and made amends by making up for the missed phone-sex conversation last week.

Car Bear’s situation seems to be improving, although initially it appears quite bleak. To begin with, we never discover if she managed to recover after receiving one of the most distressing phone calls ever recorded on film since Drew Barrymore was faced with making a choice about her favorite scary movie, or if she is too traumatized to experience pleasure again. Given the events, it wouldn’t be surprising if this were true; I still find myself affected by it, having merely been a spectator of the entire incident. In addition to this haunting recollection, Carrie encounters an unwelcome surprise on a lovely day in her peaceful backyard as she seemingly works on her next book about a woman who lived in her home during the 1800s. Unfortunately, I’m not joking when I say that a swarm of rats burst forth from her garden. Regrettably, this is not a metaphor for her sexual satisfaction; it’s truly revolting. Fortunately, things take a positive turn after that incident, primarily because she promptly calls exterminators to handle the problem (by tearing out her entire garden), and the following day Aidan pays her an unexpected visit.

A fellow shows some good instincts! He confesses to Carrie that he found their last conversation strange and since Wyatt was away with his mother, he secretly traveled to New York for the night. He picks her up and carries her to the bedroom. It’s rather sweet, truth be told. There’s always been a reason why Carrie keeps getting drawn to Aidan again and again. And by that, I mean their height difference. Not everyone gets picked up like that!

What stands out most in this situation is that Aidan acknowledging his quirks and taking Carrie to their bedroom isn’t where their discussion on their relationship ends. Instead, they have a mature conversation about the health of their partnership, which is quite refreshing! Carrie confesses her perplexity. She’s been fretting over whether it’s acceptable to send him messages about her daily life (mainly, the rats), while he can simply drop by whenever he wishes? He concurs that it’s puzzling and admits, amidst his guilt and pain from not being there for Wyatt’s accident, he might have overreacted and overcompensated. Despite wanting to stay focused on his children in Virginia, he also believes texting is perfectly acceptable and suggests Carrie should call him when she needs help. He’s open to more visits as well. This seems much more manageable, almost typical of a long-distance relationship. However, even with these new guidelines set, five years still feels like an awfully long period, especially when issues start cropping up even after the changes are made.

The initial hurdle in their relationship seems to stem from different communication styles. It’s challenging when one person prefers composing lengthy voice-to-text messages expressing how a table they want to buy symbolizes both them and their partner, while the other communicates primarily through single emojis. While it’s hard to imagine a carpenter reacting to a text about a table with just a thumbs down, this minor mismatch could escalate into a larger communication issue. On the other hand, the more tangible challenge Carrie and Aidan are encountering is quite… tactile in nature.

The issue at hand involves a man who goes by the name of Adam Gardens in public, but is often seen with a beard and a penchant for handling dirt – traits I find quite appealing. This individual is charismatic, slightly disheveled, and hails from New York City, which undoubtedly ignites Carrie’s passion as he begins to restore her overrun backyard post-rat infestation. As they casually flirt, it becomes evident that Adam appreciates the thrill of uncertainty, stating that “what is meant to be has room to manifest.” With such sentiments being expressed, it seems inevitable that boundaries may be tested if someone is inclined towards that.

In a refreshing shift from last week’s debut, everyone else appears to be involved in some enjoyable antics instead. To tell you the truth, friends, the premiere left me feeling apprehensive: Was this the start of a grueling season? However, if the rest of Season 3 maintains the pace of “The Rat Race,” it could turn out to be entertaining! I’m optimistic, that’s all I can say. For instance, consider Seema. Tired of what she terms “hate-dating,” akin to hate-watching but mainly practiced on bar stools. Seema delivers sharp rebukes to a multitude of potential partners — such as Dan, who goes by the name Wolf when introducing himself, showcasing just how dismal the dating scene is — and then, exhausted, agrees to be matched by her boss.

As for me, Seema’s boss isn’t planning on fixing Seema up with a romantic interest, but rather with a well-known matchmaker named Sydney Cherkov (portrayed brilliantly by Cheri Oteri, a fantastic addition to any series). And yes, her name does bear a striking resemblance to a phrase that might make one chuckle, and yes, the show doesn’t shy away from acknowledging this humorous coincidence rather than leaving it up to us, the audience, to catch the joke. We get it, we promise! (We’re not just saying this; we genuinely appreciate your clever humor!)

Seema isn’t very welcoming when Sydney gets involved in her personal relationships, which isn’t unusual given the circumstances. However, Sydney quickly grasps Seema’s personality traits as if she had known her for years. Intrigued and with nothing to lose, Seema consents to let Sydney arrange a date for her, even agreeing to follow some of Sydney’s guidelines, such as wearing pastel colors and pearls. Sydney finds Seema’s wardrobe filled with metallics and animal prints too cold and predatory. Changing one’s personality or appearance to please someone else rarely works out in the long term, but it’s refreshing to see Seema abandon the facade before dessert is even served. When Seema admits to her date that she was pretending to be quiet and agreeable because she knows “men like to feel in control,” the man excuses himself to leave the restaurant. Sydney Cherkov steps in to scold Seema for not sticking to “The Cherkov Experience.” Disappointed by this failed matchmaking attempt, Seema ends it immediately, but I hope that Sydney will return with a better understanding of who Seema truly is.

I found “Cherkov” amusing initially, but I’m more inclined towards Fingerhood, specifically Lois Fingerhood (Kristen Schaal). Known as The Finger among students at Arbor School, she is often referred to as the Ivy Whisperer due to her ability to guide high-school students towards their dream colleges. However, these colleges are not always the dreams of the students themselves but rather their parents’. Charlotte and Lisa initially believed that seeking outside help for college admissions was discouraged. But when they discover other parents are utilizing the Finger’s services, they express their disapproval to the principal (Tim Bagley). Yet, upon learning that he too supports this practice, they cease their complaints, realizing in essence, “break the rules if it gets you into an Ivy,” is the unspoken rule in this scenario.

Given their delayed acquisition of Fingerhood’s services, they persistently followed this woman to her son’s little-league game, pleading with her to meet Lily and Herbert Jr., but Charlotte and Lisa will soon regret that choice. After a 45-minute consultation with the Finger, the women discovered their children in the midst of severe panic attacks and deep existential crises. They have been applying to colleges incorrectly. There’s no hope for them! They are overqualified. Unwilling to witness their kids collapse like this, Charlotte and Lisa exclaim, “Fuck Lois Fingerfucker!” loud enough for the real Lois Fingerfucker to hear—she will not collaborate with the York-Goldenblatts or the Todd Wexleys anymore. A challenging moment for everyone involved, but a delightful one for us: I am sure I’ll replay Kristin Davis shouting “Fingerfunk” several times over in the coming days. An unexpected and welcome surprise at a time when we truly needed it.

This and That

After an encounter with a figure symbolically associated with virginity, Miranda pursues a flirtation with a straight, married woman who is also a mother of two, as they bond over conversation while she prepares guacamole at Rosa Mexicano. It’s a challenging time for her, but maybe she’ll give things a try with Joy from the BBC, as there seems to be a good connection between them! In the meantime, I hope she indulges in watching ‘Bi Bingo’, just like many of us might do when feeling down.

Let’s consider if Carrie mentioning that Aidan’s surprise appearance nearly gave her a heart attack was a subtle jab at Big, or if the show has erased Big from people’s minds. Let’s explore the possibilities!

“Was Carrie implying that Aidan’s sudden arrival reminded her of a heart-stopping moment when she was thinking of Big? Or has the show caused everyone to forget about Big?

* Each decision made by Tim Bagley, as the principal of the Arbor School, is flawless in his single appearance. Let’s hope for multiple more episodes of Greg’s Inappropriate Tuesdays throughout this series.

Stepping into the world of baked goods, I find myself in Anthony’s newly established brick-and-mortar store. While I can’t help but chuckle at the clever play on words, I must admit, this move was a wise one. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air is a testament to Anthony’s dedication and skill. This reviewer gives two thumbs up to Anthony’s latest venture!

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2025-06-06 04:54