Episode two of And Just Like That… hits us the same night as episode one, and while it so-nearly ends on a cliff hanger… it decides to turn around and just run back to safety.
This episode packs some (guest) star power. For one, we’re introduced to Tony Danza (playing himself playing Che Diaz’s fictional father). Then, we’re introduced to someone‘s husband – who, for the sake of spoilers, we’ll cover at the end.
This quirky little ep has some great musical moments, defined by ‘Hotel California’ and ‘The Power Of Privilege’, an edgy new ballad written and performed by Upper East Side piano prodigy, Lily Goldenblatt.
If you missed episode one of AJLT season two, catch-up here.
While we receive some fascinating insights into the Wexleys this episode (“Wexleys win by winning”), Nya and Seema have far-less interesting turns: the former still fighting with Andre Rashad and the latter falling out with her hairdresser.
But my main question this ep is — what is wrong with Carrie Bradshaw?
What is Carrie’s problem with the word ‘vagina’?
Carrie faces a massive obstacle this episode, in that she can’t say “vagina”.
Very tempted to just leave it at that, but, seriously, what is her problem?
She’s tasked with reading-out promos for her podcast, and finds herself in a bind when a brief comes across for vaginal odour suppositories. Her issue, it seems, has nothing to do with the product, but that she just can’t damage her brand by saying words like “vagina” and “suppository”. Franklyn, the doll, tries to find a solution: but Carrie still can’t say more than “down there”, even when speaking with fellow 50-something, Miranda.
And so everyone loses their job.
The whole arc is juvenile and, frankly, a little offensive.
It’s tomfoolery like this that reminds us precisely why we need Samantha Jones to tell Carrie to just say the f***ing word.
Lily Is A Teenager With Feelings
I’m obsessed with the dynamic between Rock and Lily and am convinced theirs is the spin-off we actually deserve. Perhaps Harry and Charlotte lose their fortune in a rogue investment with the Wexleys, and Rock and Lily must embark on a Schitt’s Creek style journey of navigating their way out of poverty. Comedy gold.
This episode we’re introduced to Lily on the brink of her rebellious phase, as shown by her new purple hair streak and an electric keyboard. She performs a poetic song for the fam in which we learn Lily feels unseen from her “gilded cage”.
Given the Goldenblatt’s obscene wealth, I want to mock Lily’s emo ‘Power Of Privilege’ ballad… but it’s actually just pretty good. Cathy Ang (who plays Lily) is obviously talented, so I have no idea if the writers wanted us to roll our eyes at the little, rich girl, or if they wanted us to marvel at her talent and pity her pain. Either way, I just hope she becomes Lady Gaga.
How far would you go to rescue your phone? (And forgive your partner?)
SPOILERS AHEAD: READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK
Towards the latter half of the episode we get, what could be, the biggest cliff-hanger of the season… only instead of dangling it on the cliff’s edge, it just backs away, builds a sensible fence, and watches the plotlines that could have been.
When we first meet Lyle (played by Kate Hudson’s brother, Oliver Hudson), you’d be forgiven for thinking this hot nepo-baby is here to ‘turn Miranda’s head’, so to speak. (Was it just me, or did they have chemistry?)
As it turns out… he’s her partner’s husband.
The reveal of Che’s marriage feels pretty outrageous—mostly because it seems so improbable. Che Diaz? Married to this cis-het-white-surfer-man-boy prototype? It seems SO insane, that your logic overrides any possible drama with the obvious conclusion it was a green card marriage or a drunken Vegas quickie.
And, while that may not be the case, the drama is kind of over. The possibility of tension is further suppressed when Miranda eventually confronts Che and their response is the equivalent of “yeah… and?”
Che fully admits to the marriage, laughs it off, and admits they just couldn’t be arsed getting divorced. And that’s it.
While I wager this is true, there is a glaring red flag still present in the room: Is Che gaslighting Miranda?
Gaslighting is often thought to be denying or lying about factual events in order to manipulate a partner into questioning their feelings. Even if Che is telling the truth, they dodged the topics and their complete dismissal of Miranda’s feelings is cruel at best, abusive at worst (probably both). If there’s one time you’re allowed to feel confused and upset, it’s when you find out your partner has a husband you didn’t know about. But, of course, Miranda, so enraptured with Che, doesn’t seem to mind. Are things worse with Miranda than we thought? Does she need our help? (I did notice she touched her drink bottle while still wearing the gloves she’d been picking up trash with all day… so maybe she has a parasite?)
All I know is that if the writers try and pass off a marriage between Che Diaz and Lyle as a romantic love-match… I will scream.
Read our recap of episode 1 here.
Where to Watch ‘And Just Like That’
And Just Like That… season two, episodes 1 & 2 are now available to stream on Binge, with new eps arriving every Thursday.
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