I'm Not Sure How I Feel About Miranda's Drinking Story Making A Comeback

Warning: This review contains spoilers for And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 8, “Happily Ever After”

Aidan (John Corbett) is back in And Just Like That season 3, episode 8. It’s because his son wants to be with Cathy instead of him that brings Aidan to New York, though. The episode was well-paced, moving from one story to another with ease. It felt the most natural of all the episodes this season in that regard. Every character had their storyline and the interactions were generally fun. Perhaps now that the stories seem to be picking up (even though some of them are more contrived than others), And Just Like That season 3 is finally out of its slump.

Miranda’s Drinking Comes To The Forefront In And Just Like That Episode 8

Let’s talk about Miranda’s (Cynthia Nixon) drinking problem. I don’t want to make light of it, but I found it quite interesting (and a bit of a cop out) that she would suddenly have a problem staying away from Joy’s (Dolly Wells) gin when we’ve previously seen her in bars this season and her friends still drink around her.

Why is it suddenly an issue now? Is it the close proximity? I appreciate And Just Like That trying to tackle it because the way it was handled initially felt like the writers attempting to give Miranda something to tackle that wasn’t her relationship with Che. But now it’s like it was forgotten about until this moment. The show didn’t linger on it at all, so dealing with it again comes off as a bit contrived.

With storylines like this, a buildup is necessary, and Miranda’s struggles with alcohol should’ve been shown at least once before episode 8 delved into it. And because it’s Miranda, I did chuckle at the way she handled the gin — tossing it down the trash chute was great. Separately, this turn means Miranda will have to broach more serious topics with Joy. It’s something she’s been hesitant about, especially after telling Carrie that their relationship has so far been effortless.

[Miranda and Joy’s] relationship can’t fully progress without Miranda’s willingness to talk about the more difficult life stuff.

That’s what primarily stuck with me. Miranda and Joy weren’t always going to be in the carefree portion of their relationship; things had to get a bit more real, and I look forward to seeing how that’s handled. I hope Miranda’s alcoholism — and I love that she was questioning it herself — isn’t swept under the rug and ignored. I’d like to see where things lead with Joy and how that shakes out. Their relationship can’t fully progress without Miranda’s willingness to talk about the more difficult life stuff.

Aidan Might Be Starting To See Duncan As A Threat To His & Carrie’s Relationship

Duncan (Jonathan Cake) wasn’t even in this episode and yet his presence was felt all the same. With Aidan around for more than a couple of days, and learning that Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Duncan spend several hours together going over each other’s work — though I’m sure it’s not the only thing they talk about — Aidan’s curiosity is being piqued. It’s not like he even sees Carrie and Duncan interact, but he wonders, and asks questions; they’re questions Carrie’s friends aren’t willing to broach, which makes him even more suspicious (and likely concerned).

With Carrie and Aidan’s relationship still going after eight episodes, I have to wonder when And Just Like That will finally break them up. I still think it’ll happen, but after episode 8, I firmly believe the decision will come from Aidan. After all, he’s still struggling with his son and working on their relationship. That isn’t going to end anytime before the five-year timeframe (that’s been mentioned so often we can’t forget it). Maybe being the one to end things will feel like setting Carrie free to actually pursue other people. The whole five-year timeline wouldn’t have been brought up otherwise.

Elsewhere in the episode, Seema (Sarita Choudhury) and Adam (Logan Marshall-Green) are hitting it off. I love that for them. Though they seem like a strange pair, their opposites-attract dynamic works. Adam is a lot more chill, while Seema is not. They balance each other out. As for how long this relationship will last, I’m not sure, but it’s been nice watching them be together.

And Just Like That season 3 felt much breezier, with tighter writing and pacing

Lisa’s (Nicole Ari Parker) storyline with Marion (Mehcad Brooks) is interesting. I feel like, initially, it kind of came out of nowhere and bugged me because it insinuates that men and women can’t work together without having some sexual tension involved. But And Just Like That season 3, episode 8 showed, more than anything, that Lisa is lacking excitement in her own relationship. She and Herbert (Christopher Jackson) have achieved “power couple” status and all that, but they’ve also been so heavily focused on their work that their relationship may be fizzling out in other areas.

Lisa previously worried that sleeping in separate beds would drive them away from each other. Is this a self-fulfilling prophecy? I can’t deny that she and Marion do have chemistry, and, hey, it’s all good to have a crush on someone who isn’t the one you’re married to, but I’m also starting to wonder if Lisa is making things more awkward than they actually are. Either way, Lisa and Herbert will likely have to talk about their relationship eventually.

While Charlotte doesn’t get much to do except have vertigo (a real thing, indeed), her storyline brought some of the laughs and reminded us that these women are growing older, which means health issues abound. All told, episode 8 of And Just Like That season 3 felt much breezier, with tighter writing and pacing that left me intrigued about where things go next for the characters. I’m most especially looking forward to seeing Duncan again.

New episodes of And Just Like That season 3 air weekly each Thursday on HBO Max.