Well, they did it. They gave Harry (Evan Handler) prostate cancer. The clues were there from way back in season one when Charlotte (Kristin Davis) was willing to cancel Harry’s colonoscopy for dinner with the Wexlers. If I trusted the writers of this show, I would say that this is a part of getting older, and navigating an illness with kids could be a compelling storyline, but I’m not holding my breath.
“Under the Table”-AND JUST LIKE THAT…, Pictured: Kristin David as Charlotte York Goldenblatt and Evan Handler as Harry Goldenblatt.. Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX ©2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved
The problem with this storyline is it will illuminate Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) as an awful person and friend. She actually utters, “What does that have to do with me?” Parker has been making the rounds promoting the show, and someone asked her about people hating Carrie, and she took offense to that. She made a good point that we embrace male anti-heroes, but women cannot be complicated or make bad decisions. I get what she’s saying, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that in this episode alone, she’s a bad friend and neighbor.
Carrie finally meets her downstairs neighbor. I was confused, and then Seema (Sarita Choudhury) reiterated that there was a tenant downstairs who resided there six months out of the year to write. Is Carrie a landlord?
Carrie’s complaining to the ladies about her neighbor, who asked her to remove her shoes or at least get rugs. Her clacking is keeping him up. When Carrie mentions the name of the neighbor, Duncan Reeves (Jonathan Cake), Miranda fan girls. Duncan writes really long, popular biographies. Oh no, the writer’s connection. Didn’t we do this with Berger? During lunch, Miranda shared that she’s also experiencing neighbor problems in her long-term Airbnb. Her neighbor plays death metal at all hours.
After lunch, Carrie and Charlotte have a heart-to-heart where Carrie admits that there’s some relief in understanding why her relationship with Aiden needs to be long-distance. Charlotte replies that she doesn’t know what she would do without Harry every day. Can you see the foreshadowing waving in the distance? I do give Carrie credit for not making a remark about living without Big, which made me wonder, why have we not talked about Big? Or Che? Was last year a fever dream?
Harry tells Charlotte he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. I really love how Harry knows Charlotte and anticipates her reaction. He asks her not to tell anyone and Charlotte offers to cancel their upcoming glamping trip with the Wexlers, but Harry insists on going. Oy.
Back at the Wexlers, communication issues arise between Lisa (Nicole Ari Parker) and Herbert (Chris Jackson). Is Lisa forgetting to tell Herbert about plans, or is Herbert not listening? Lisa is flying out to Atlanta with her editor and will meet the family at the campsite where their lack of communication continues.
Seema has decided to start her own business and is trying to get a loan from the bank. Welcome back, Linda (Stephanie Cannon)! We remember you from Sex and the City as the bank officer who turned down Carrie for a loan when she needed to buy her condo after breaking up with Aidan. Linda has the same news for Seema: without collateral assets or guaranteed income, it will be tough to get a loan. So, is Seema’s success all smoke and mirrors? Yes, she says she needs a driver and a chic space to work out of, but I was honestly surprised that she didn’t have more capital to invest. I assumed she was a savvy business person.
Carrie tries to make nice with Duncan and gives him a welcome basket filled with items from the neighborhood. This is a thoughtful gesture, and I can only assume that she got the idea from Charlotte. Duncan, too, wants to make peace and buys Carrie house slippers, handing them to her still in the Amazon package. Carrie refuses to give in on the heels but promises to buy a rug soon. Duncan is an ass too. He writes at night and sleeps during the day, so he needs it to be completely quiet. During the day. In New York. As a renter, why does Duncan think he can complain about the renovations to the garden and terrorize the landscaper, Adam (Logan Marshall-Green)?
“Under the Table”-AND JUST LIKE THAT…, Pictured: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw. Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/MAX ©2025 MAX. All Rights Reserved
Miranda is still having issues with the noise from her neighbor, and Carrie finally invites her to stay. She said she should have offered sooner, but she forgot about the extra rooms. Carrie still identifies as a studio apartment owner. Really, it’s like all of her time married to Big was wiped from her memory. You just know that Miranda and Carrie living together is going to be an issue. Miranda also asks Carrie if Seema can help find Miranda an apartment. This is reasonable, but Carrie hesitates; she doesn’t like to mix friendship and business. Remember that time when Carrie needed to buy her apartment back from Aiden and Linda from the bank turned her down for a loan? Carrie eventually got the money from Charlotte who sold her engagement ring from Trey. I have always found Carrie to be the worst friend among the original group, and that has been a consistent factor in AJLT. Carrie and Miranda are not ideal roommates. Miranda eats Carrie’s last of everything, spills Coke on the Aiden table, and the beautiful scarf Miranda borrowed for her first sleepover with Joy. Also, Carrie didn’t appreciate Miranda being naked in the hallway. For a former sex columnist, Carrie has consistently been a prude.
Back to this Aiden table. It was a surprise delivery to Carrie, and it’s really better looking than it was online. We’re meant to see this as a romantic gesture, but I think he wants a reminder of him in her place.
The glamping on Governors Island is a nice location, but it’s typical for a family getaway. All of the kids are on their phones, Harry is being eaten alive by mosquitoes, Herbert and Lisa continue to have communication problems, and Charlotte is struggling to keep Harry’s secret. There is a nice moment in a hot tub where Lisa can tell there’s something wrong, but Charlotte won’t talk about it, and Lisa reaches over and gently offers a supportive hand on her back. This is the series I want to watch. Lisa recognized her friend in pain but didn’t push. Charlotte will share when she’s ready. I wonder how Carrie will make Harry’s cancer about her.
After Duncan almost burns down his apartment making tea, he and Carrie go out to dinner. Outside the confines of their house, their conversation is easy and flirty. I’m bracing myself for this serious writer to read Carrie’s work of fiction and give it praise even though we all know it’s going to be crap. A woman knows. Carries returns to her place and takes off her heels. Countdown to Aiden using his key and seeing Duncan and Carrie getting their writing on.
PARTING THOUGHTS
Even though it’s a bitchy move, I enjoyed the montage of Carrie’s heels and swishing outfits.
I hate when Carrie thinks she’s being clever. A woman’s right to shoes. We remember it was the name of an episode of Sex and the City.
Yes, I’m glossing over the scene with Miranda’s neighbor answering the door naked with a meat cleaver.
Having Carrie text Samantha about Duncan was a cheap move.
Just to prove I’m not totally critical, I’m loving Carrie’s hair this season.
Meredith Howell
Meredith lives in Chicago where she and her husband made sure their two boys were fluent in all things pop culture. She loves talking about all things GG- Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, and Golden Girls and indulges in a yearly viewing of Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version is the only one recognized).
