And Just Like That finale explained

The showrunner defends his approach while acknowledging fan concerns as season 3 wraps.

And Just Like That Boss Addresses Season 3 Critics and the Press Pinata

Michael Patrick King told Entertainment Weekly that season 3 chatter has two currents. He describes the press reaction to And Just Like That as a press pinata, a loud party game that draws attention but is not the heart of the show. He contrasts this with the quieter love from fans who have followed Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte for 27 years and with their concerns about endings and how stories unfold. He says the finale is highly focused on the needs of the audience and aims to service both long time viewers and new fans on HBO Max.

King also notes a generational split in how the show is received. He says 50 something viewers cheer moments like Carrie sharing a martini with Seema, while younger viewers on Netflix question whether Carrie and Aidan should be together. He argues the show can be both zen and agitated, and that tone matters as much as plot. The overall goal, he says, is to honor the heart of the characters while acknowledging the memes and conversations that surround them. The finale is framed as a culmination that balances the hopes of five female leads and their world, with audience service guiding the writing process.

The interview frames audience response as a two sided conversation. The media cycle creates a loud outside noise that the writer calls a party game, while the true test is whether the characters feel earned and emotionally true. That framing invites readers to see the finale not as a concession to online chatter but as a deliberate vote of confidence in the show’s central relationships. The tension between nostalgia and modern storytelling is not a flaw but a feature, and the finale attempts to thread that needle by giving long time fans what they want while inviting new viewers to meet the characters on their terms.

The piece also highlights a real risk for any legacy show. If the heart of the story is not clear, the audience may drift; if the tone or pacing becomes a running joke, the strongest emotion can evaporate. King’s emphasis on serving a diverse audience is admirable, but it can also invite accusations of hedging or dilution. The test will be whether the closing chapters leave a lasting impression beyond social chatter and memes.

Highlights

The ending sparks more talk about what audiences want from iconic characters.