Ding dong, Aiden (John Corbett) is gone.
After giving Aiden a transparent boundary to not interact with Duncan (Jonathan Cake), Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) returns residence from choosing up her dry cleansing to seek out Aiden and Duncan within the backyard speaking. From the look on Carrie’s face, we will inform she’s irritated, however tries to make peace and introduces Aiden as a gifted furnishings designer. Aiden ruins this by asking Duncan, “What’s the deal with the pipe?” We all know from SATC that Aiden was a powerful opponent of smoking, so it is clear he is choosing a struggle. Duncan provides a form of charming purpose for smoking a pipe, attributing it to a behavior he is fashioned whereas writing his e-book on Margaret Thatcher. Carrie agrees to the premise and tries to get Aiden to again down. Nonetheless, Aiden pushes on, referring to the truth that most individuals dislike the scent of pipe smoke. Duncan says his spouse would agree (wait, he first refers to his spouse, however then clarifies that it is his ex-wife. Hazard! Hazard!). Duncan confirms that he and his ex-wife didn’t have youngsters, and Aiden shares that it is the smartest thing he did along with his ex-wife. Yikes, that is uncomfortable. Carrie excuses herself to go to lunch with Seema.
“Present Tense”-AND JUST LIKE THAT…, Pictured: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw and John Corbett as Aiden Shaw.. Picture by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX ©2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved
Seema (Sarita Choudhury) and Adam (Logan Marshall-Inexperienced) proceed to sleep collectively, however her use of conventional deodorant is changing into a problem. Adam provides her some crystal deodorant to attempt, and though initially repulsed by the thought, she decides to present it a attempt. We actually do not know sufficient about Seema to grasp if that is actual progress. Nonetheless, I do know 30-minute comedy exhibits, so this crystal will come again to chew her within the tush, which it does as she rushes to make a enterprise lunch and finds that the crystal deodorant does not do the job, forcing her to make use of her journey deodorant on the restaurant. She gave the crystal a attempt, and it was a bust.
Charlotte’s (Kristin Davis) vertigo is annoying. We get it; she has a bodily manifestation of the emotional toil of caring for Harry (Evan Handler), taking good care of the children, and dealing. It is sensible, nevertheless it’s performed for laughs, which undermines what might have been a extremely compelling storyline. I am shocked. Shocked, I inform you to listen to that their youngsters aren’t serving to out in any respect.
Seema has a brand new workplace, and it is huge and delightful. Wait, is she poor or not? She claims that it is not that costly since folks stopped going into the workplace, however it will possibly’t be that low-cost. Carrie tells Seema that she had been very clear with Aiden to not get pleasant with Duncan. Quite a bit is happening right here. Sure, Aiden defied Carrie’s request out of jealousy, however I am additionally questioning why this was such a agency boundary for Carrie. Sure, Carrie cheated on Aiden with Large, and it was terrible. I am glad she talked about Large, as a result of I used to be beginning to surprise if he ever existed. Carrie’s not thrilled that Aiden was pumping Seema and Adam for data on Duncan. Carrie is aware of that Aiden nonetheless does not belief her, however hopes this can be a blip and does not wish to take Seema’s very mature recommendation of speaking about it.
The storyline of Herbert (Chris Jackson) making an attempt to food plan is admittedly unconvincing. From yelling about Nutty Buddies to calling Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) at work, we’re meant to see this as a stark distinction to the connection she has together with her editor, Marion (Mehcad Brooks). Nonetheless, it is difficult when her storyline is superior every week in one-minute increments.
The devolution of Miranda continues. Pleasure is over for dinner and asks about her gin. Miranda makes an attempt to play it off that her cleansing girl might need taken it, however finally tells Pleasure the reality about being an alcoholic. SATC Miranda would not have lied, or blamed another person, or worn a shirt with shells affixed on the sleeves, however right here we’re. Each time I believe Pleasure goes to run for the hills, she proves to be the one grownup within the room by being trustworthy with Miranda about why she drinks. They’re each susceptible, and it may not be the idyllic bubble Miranda wished to protect, nevertheless it does serve to deepen the connection.
Carrie supplies Duncan with some strong suggestions on his Thatcher chapter when Aiden knocks on the door, asking about dinner. He is prepared to cook dinner dinner for the three of them, however Carrie reminds him that they didn’t make dinner plans and he or she’s working. Ugh. He is so needy.
Anthony (Mario Cantone) is having dinner with Giuseppe’s (Sebastiano Pigazzi) mother (Patti LuPone) making an attempt to get her to love him. Nobody performs bitch in addition to Patti, and it is enjoyable to see her chew the surroundings together with her Italian accent dropping out and in. She tells Anthony that the age distinction between him and Giuseppe bothers her. Moreover, he isn’t rich or cultured. Gia desires extra for her treasured son and, identical to that, she drops the accent solely and tries to bribe Anthony to dump Giuseppe. The argument threatens to turn into bodily. It is a humorous scene, nevertheless it feels prefer it’s from a completely completely different present. Gia tells Giuseppe that she is not going to assist him if he continues to be with Anthony.
“Present Tense”-AND JUST LIKE THAT…, Pictured: Patti LuPone as Gianna Amato and Mario Cantone as Anthony Marentino. Picture by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX ©2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved
Carrie returns residence to see the uncooked steaks on the kitchen counter (put these away, Aiden!) and sees Aiden remains to be awake. She tries to attach with him, however Aiden tells her she smells like smoke and sends her away, and you may see the dejection on her face. This isn’t the fortunately ever after she envisioned, so she goes to Shoe’s room to sleep. She’s pissed, and it is about time.
I truly prefer it when these two struggle. Aiden asks her to satisfy for lunch, they usually begin speaking. Aiden admits his belief points, nevertheless it’s within the current tense (hey, the title of the episode!). He nonetheless hasn’t forgiven her for dishonest with Large, regardless that he lately cheated with Kathy. Carrie has modified her whole life for him—moved to a brand new home, agreed to attend till Wyatt is out of the home to be with him, and he nonetheless cannot recover from the previous. At that second, she is aware of she’s completed. She returns to her stunning Gramercy residence and removes the Virginia postcards from the fridge whereas Taylor Swift’s How Did It Finish performs. Minimize to Carrie dressed superbly in a white costume strutting down the road to her ready associates. She’s going to be high quality.
“Present Tense”-AND JUST LIKE THAT…, Pictured: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, . Picture by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX ©2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved
With three extra episodes left within the season, will we see Carrie and Duncan’s relationship flip romantic? Will we care?
Hey! Steve’s in subsequent week’s episode. Bear in mind when he was a enjoyable character?
Meredith Howell
Meredith lives in Chicago the place she and her husband made certain their two boys have been fluent in all issues popular culture. She loves speaking about all issues GG- Gilmore Ladies, Gossip Woman, and Golden Ladies and indulges in a yearly viewing of Pleasure and Prejudice (the Colin Firth model is the one one acknowledged).
