While Carrie Bradshaw is trying to make the most of her long-distance romance with Aidan Shaw, an unlikely friendship is forming with her new neighbor, Duncan Reeves.
During the Thursday, July 10, episode of And Just Like That, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) throws a birthday party for Charlotte (Kristin Davis) at her still-unfurnished Gramercy Park home. Before hosting the bash, Carrie warns Duncan (Jonathan Cake) about the “karaoke, birthday, Cosmopolitans” level of noise that could disturb his work.
“Instead of gifting you a hotel room — which I did consider — I am begging you to join us,” Carrie says.
Much to Carrie’s surprise, Duncan reveals he’s a big fan of karaoke. An even bigger surprise? He actually shows up for the party.
While Charlotte opens gifts in front of her guests — Patti LuPone among them as the mother of Anthony’s boyfriend — Duncan asks Carrie to meet him on the terrace for a smoke. He gives a glowing review of the early draft of her first-ever novel, saying he was “transported” by her writing. (Earlier this season, the biographer and Carrie agreed to exchange pages while working on their new projects.)
Throughout their conversation, Duncan places his hand on Carrie’s shoulder, and she takes a sip from his drink. Back inside, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) spots the duo joking together and watches with a coy smile.
When the festivities die down, Miranda catches up with Carrie in the kitchen. “I think Charlotte had a fun time. … And you and Duncan seemed to be having fun as well,” Miranda says as she polishes off a slice of cake, telling Carrie she “caught a little vibe there.”
Carrie pauses her cleaning, asking Miranda what she’s implying. “Wait, are you upset?” Miranda says. “I don’t understand what’s happening right now, we were just doing a fun little party debrief.”
Less than impressed, Carrie reminds Miranda that she’s still with Aidan (John Corbett). The tension boils over when Miranda tells Carrie it was refreshing to see her let loose for the night.
“I’m not saying anything is going on,” Miranda continues. “It’s just … sometimes it seems like you’re working so hard with Aidan.”
Carrie replies, “Well, yes. I guess I am. Not all relationships are ‘effortless,'” referring to Miranda’s budding romance with BBC producer Joy (Dolly Wells). “Aidan and I are over 20 years in, and it’s complicated right now. So yes, maybe I laughed and had a sip of scotch. I am allowed to laugh and sip scotch.”
Amid the messy back and forth, Miranda quotes the first line of Carrie’s new book: “The woman wondered what she had gotten herself into.” Carrie explains that she’s writing a fictional story set in the 19th century.
The conversation is interrupted by Miranda’s son, Brady (Niall Cunningham), but it appears there are no hard feelings. Carrie and Miranda hug as they say their goodnights.
Aidan was not present for the party as he and Carrie continue to navigate their lives — both separately and together. During a previous episode of AJLT, Aidan revealed he slept with his ex-wife, Kathy (Rosemarie DeWitt), but Carrie brushed it off and reiterated her commitment to Aidan.
Before season 3 premiered this summer, Parker hinted at the “new faces” being introduced to fans. “Carrie has a wonderful story line. The story takes some big swings and we fold some big ideas into those big swings,” she teased in December 2024. “Some of the male characters are back, and there are some new men.”
And Just Like That season 3 airs on Max Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
