A joke 20 years in the making and 25 other subtle references you missed in AJLT season 2.

Grab the girlies and order a round of Cosmos because And Just like That has just wrapped season two.

The Sex and the City spin-off first debuted in 2021 and after a long wait, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) returned to our screens. 

The series revival's first season already introduced viewers to a bunch of new characters, as the New York women juggle friendships, dating, marriage, and kids in their 50s. 

Watch the season two trailer. Post continues after video.

The premiere spoiled viewers with a double episode, which saw Carrie moving on from Big's death with her podcast boss Franklyn, Charlotte struggling with her daughter Lily maturing, and Miranda having to contend with life in LA with her new partner, Che. 

Here's every Sex and the City Easter eggs to be found in season two.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 1.

Carrie's inability to cook a poached egg.

The season begins with Carrie telling her new booty call, Franklyn, that she dreams of being able to poach an egg. She says she didn't prioritise learning cooking skills in her younger years, which checks out as Carrie on SATC was known for ordering takeout and storing jumpers in her oven. 

Charlotte's new dog is named Richard Burton.

Charlotte arrives at Carrie's place just in time to see Franklyn's walk of shame. With her is Charlotte's dog, Richard Burton, which is a callback to the dog she had on the original series – a retired show dog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Elizabeth Taylor. 

Richard was also a Hollywood movie star and became Elizabeth's husband... twice.

Charlotte imitates iconic Samantha and Miranda moments.

In a hilarious moment, Charlotte attempts to be the antithesis of her romantic self when offering Carrie advice about Franklyn. She instead invokes the powers of Samantha Jones. "How big is his dick?" she says. "I'm not allowed to be me so I'm going to be Samantha," she jokes with Carrie. 

This is a throwback to many lines on Sex and the City uttered by Samantha, who once described a man's penis as "dickilicious". 

Image: HBO.

Charlotte then does her best Miranda impression. "If you sleep with someone at work, you are giving away your power," she says to Carrie. This is spot on. Miranda would often lecture the women in the earlier seasons about gender politics. 

Miranda vs Los Angeles.

After moving to be with Che, Miranda tries to embrace LA novelties, namely a 'relaxing' floatation tank that she ends up almost drowning inside. "F**k the new me," she shouts, as she drags her naked body out of the tank. 

This isn't the first time Miranda has attempted to live a Californian lifestyle – and failed. In the SATC episode when the women visit LA, Miranda dates a former New Yorker who at first seems much happier in LA but she soon realises that he's developed unhealthy eating habits and dumps him (and LA) on the spot. 

Quick! Take a listen to this episode of The Spill. Post continues after podcast.

The wedding dress and hideous bird hat return.

After Carrie's Met Ball dress falls through, she has to quickly find a replacement for the theme 'Veiled Beauty'. And when was the last time Carrie rocked a veil? At her first unsuccessful wedding to a runaway Big in the Sex and the City movie. 

As part of a bridal special for Vogue, Carrie got to wear a custom Vivienne Westwood gown. Carrie revives the whole look and while the dress is still stunning in 2023, she also unwraps the big turquoise bird she donned on her head. 

Maybe some traditions are best left in the past, Carrie...

Image: HBO.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 2.

Carrie mentions once wanting to rent a house in the Hamptons.

This might be a little niche, but my ears pricked up when Carrie was recalling failed plans over drinks. "When I was single, I almost rented a house in the Hamptons six times," she told Seema. 

In the SATC season two episode 'La Douleur Exquise!', Carrie asked Big if he wanted to go in on a "share in the Hamptons," with Charlotte. "Are we thinking about doing something or should I go in on that?" she queried, but then Big dropped the bombshell that he was moving to Paris. 

Was Carrie shading Big with that line? I hope so! 

There were also two occasions in Sex and the City when the ladies ventured to the Hamptons: first to rent a house to attend a hoe-down beach party and another time for the wedding of Bobby Fine and Bitsy von Muffling.

Image: HBO.

Carrie's discomfort talking about vaginas. 

As a sex writer, Carrie oddly has never been comfortable talking about the ins and outs of sex. In the second episode, she refuses to record a podcast ad that discusses vagina dryness.

This is silly but unsurprising as throughout Sex and the City, Carrie has frozen every time she needed to speak frankly about her sexual anatomy. 

The timeline of Harry's mum's death does not add up. 

About 20 minutes into Episode 2, Charlotte is having dinner with Harry and Anthony, and she’s upset about Lily donating her nice clothes to The Real Deal, an online consignment shop.

“I want them to return this dress with an acknowledgement that what they did was wrong,” she says.

Harry isn’t so optimistic, though. “Good luck,” he says. “I’m still waiting for any acknowledgement from my mother, and she’s been dead 10 years.”

If it’s been a while since your last Sex and the City rewatch, let us get you up to speed on some maths. Harry’s mom in the SATC timeline died well over a decade ago. In fact, back in Season 6, Harry told Charlotte that he had to marry a Jewish woman — because he promised his mum before she died that he would. 

Charlotte was, of course, privately happy to hear Harry’s mum was no longer alive because it meant she wouldn’t need to navigate another challenging mother-in-law relationship after going through a boat load of interference with her ex, Trey, and his questionable mother, Bunny.

The revised timeline in ADJT, though, implies that Charlotte actually did get to know Harry’s mum. Confusing!

Did anyone else notice Harry told Anthony that his mother has been dead for 10 years? However, was already dead when he met Charlotte, and given their timeline, she’s been dead at least 16-17 years. Surprised a writer didn’t catch that. #AndJustLikeThat

— Dawn Kanehl (@DawnKanehl) June 22, 2023

The bird bag won't quit.  

Run for cover, the bird bag is back!

SATC fans will be deeply triggered by this bag, as they're brought back to the moment Big gifted Carrie a bejewelled swan clutch. Carrie was so horrified that instead of saying 'I love it' (a big, fat lie), she said 'I love you' to Big for the first time. 

The bag, which was typically carried by snobby Upper Eastside housewives, made Carrie rethink whether Big knew her at all. But here we are in 2023 and Carrie is carrying another bag shaped like a bird, but this time it's a pigeon. The bag is actually by JW Anderson and who knows, the pigeon could be a nod to Big's memory, but with a modern Carrie twist. 

Bird bags be gone! Images: HBO.

This goddamn bird bag won't quit!

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 3.

Carrie's floral trench gets a 2023 revamp. 

I think about Carrie Bradshaw's outfit in the pivotal Sex and the City episode 'I Heart New York' roughly once a week. 

The frilled pink Christian Louboutins, the black dress, and to top it off, a velvet floral printed coat – it's a flawless ensemble. And Carrie's jacket got a 2023 update with this floral printed trench she wore in episode three. 

Image: HBO.

The Birkin bag remains ever elusive. 

A random thief steals Seema's mustard Birkin bag on the streets of NYC. "I bought it so long ago, there wasn't even a waitlist," she told Carrie on the phone after being robbed.

And which SATC character was on that waitlist? Samantha Jones, of course. 

Image: HBO.

Samantha had been vying for a red Birkin, even trying to use her famous client, Lucy Liu, as a way to secure herself a bag. 

Samantha failed miserably, but Seema must have invested in a Birkin long before the accessory became the most coveted handbag in the world.

Carrie's sequined Fendi baguette.

The sequined Fendi baguette handbag is deeply ingrained in SATC lore. Carrie was wearing the bag when she was mugged in a hilarious season three exchange. "Give me your bag," the burglar instructed. "It’s a baguette," a shaken Carrie replied. 

God, when this show was good, IT WAS SO GOOD. 

But never fear, the purple bag returned in season one of And Just Like That, suggesting Carrie had replaced it post-mugging. And on this season, the Fendi bag is back again but this time it's hot pink (Carrie does Barbie-core??) and comes with a Gen Z-style body strap. 

Image: HBO. 

After a traumatising audiobook session, Carrie is heading home when a familiar face knocks on a window inside a waxing salon. It's Bitsy von Muffling, an iconic character who made several appearances on SATC. 

Bitsy offers Carrie advice about trying to cope with the grief she still faced a year on from Big's death. "The second year is worse than the first – that's the dirty secret no one tells you," Bitsy admitted to Carrie, reflecting on the death of her late-husband, cabaret entertainer Bobby Fine.

"You feel farther and farther away from him, and it's just awful." 

Bitsy also appeared briefly in the first season of And Just Like That. At this point, the producers may as well just sub Bitsy in as Samantha to round out the core four. I'd like to see it! 

Image: HBO.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 4.

Enid still hates Carrie. 

Seasons change, people come into your life and people go, but it's comforting to know that Enid still absolutely hates Carrie.

We met this savage character, played effortlessly by Candice Bergen, when Carrie was freelancing for Vogue working under Enid as editor. They had a frosty working relationship culminating in Enid trying to steal Carrie's boyfriend, Alexander Petrovsky, as he was closer to her age.

The age debate reared its ugly head on And Just Like That when Enid, freshly fired from Vogue, bumped into Carrie and asked the ex-columnist to help out with her new online magazine for mature women. Carrie was horrified to be considered in the same age bracket as her ex-boss while Enid simply wanted to squeeze some money out of her former employee. 

Some things never change. 

Image: HBO.

Steve finally remembers he owns a bar.

During a therapy session with Miranda, Steve finally mentions the bar he owns with Aidan, Scout, named after his beloved pet dog. This is vindication for Steve stans who have been growing concerned over what the hell Steve does with his days since Miranda divorced him. 

Bitsy confirms her late-husband Bobby was, in fact, gay.

At Enid's magazine launch party, Bitsy Von Muffling makes another welcome cameo this season. While chatting with Carrie, she confirms Sex and the City's worst-kept secret: her late-husband cabaret singer Bobby Fine was indeed gay.

In the season five episode 'I Love a Charade', the ladies spend most of Bitsy and Bobby's wedding making jokes about Bobby's assumed sexual orientation. 

Image: HBO.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 5.

Charlotte boasts about her teen modelling days.

Rock is discovered by a modelling agency that works with Ralph Lauren, prompting Charlotte to get nostalgic over her early modelling days working for the designer. 

This adds up, as in season four of SATC Charlotte told the group that she was "a teen model when the Ralph Lauren store opened in Newhaven." 

And Just Like That recycles a man from SATC.

Peter Hermann plays Carrie's love interest George in And Just Like That, which is kinda awkward as the actor's other character was trying to bang Charlotte in SATC.

No, your eyes did not deceive you. Hermann is the man who chatted up Charlotte at a Jewish mixer, who failed to impress because he went to err... Yale. Charlotte admitted she was still hung up on Harry so this handsome man offered to still have sex with her, which she declined. 

Image: HBO.

Manhattan is so small that the women are now trading men. It might be time to venture across the bridge, ladies.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 6.

Carrie Bradshaw still loves to send a rogue email to her ex.

Carrie emailing Aidan as the first point of contact is a callback to how she tunneled back into his life in season four. After they broke up due to Carrie and Big's affair, the columnist decided to email Aidan to reconnect, simply sending him three little words, “I miss you.”

Aidan later said that he probably deleted her email, but after an awkward phone call, they ended up going on a double date with Miranda and Steve before eventually starting a relationship... again. 

Luckily for Carrie, Aidan was more receptive to her email on And Just Like That. 

Image: Max.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 7.

Aidan is back – and so is his baggage.

Off the back of a successful email exchange, Aidan invites Carrie to dinner on what turns out to be Valentine's Day. After meeting at the wrong restaurant, they eventually reunite and sparks fly like no time has passed.

They go back to Carrie's apartment but Aidan refuses to enter. “This is where we ended. With the f**king wall I couldn’t break through and those floors... remember those floors that I re-did? It’s all bad. It’s just... it’s all in there," he tells Carrie.

“No matter how much I want to, I can’t go in there again with all that. I’m never going in there again."

Image: MAX.

Aidan has a point. There's a lot that transpired in that apartment, starting with her affair with Big and ending with her breaking off her engagement with Aidan.

Aidan even bought her neighbouring apartment with the plan to bridge the two spaces as a home they could share. But as Carrie's freaked out in the series when Aidan starts breaking down the walls of her home, the wall represents the real barrier between them: Carrie didn't want to marry Aidan.

This AJLT outburst from Aidan also reminded me of when Carrie tried to win her ex back the first time, and he shouted at her, "You broke my heart!"

These characters sure do love a dramatic moment on the streets of New York.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 8.

Did Carrie make a Big mistake?

After reuniting with Aidan and finding that their relationship is better than ever, Carrie drops a bombshell. "I've been asking myself… was Big a big mistake?" she ponders.

This question is something that has simmered under the surface of SATC for decades. As the seasons aired, there was always a rivalry between 'Team Big' and 'Team Aidan', with the latter pointing to the countless flaws in Big's character. 

It's even a debate that Carrie's besties Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha have joked about. 

For Carrie to ask this rather meta question – decades after choosing Big, marrying him, grieving his death – is bizarre to say the least. 

The curse of Aidan's country home continues to afflict Carrie.

As Carrie and Aidan get more serious, she starts to integrate into his life with his three sons, including Tate, who we were first introduced to in season six of Sex and the City.

But this also means that Carrie, once again, must occasionally go to the country. Aidan has a home in Norfolk, Virginia, that is described as a “big, classic, red-brick farmhouse” dating back to 1816.

Carrie shares with the girls over lunch that she's already having flashbacks to Aidan's old cabin in Suffern. In an iconic SATC two-part episode, Carrie attempts to rough it but ends up enlisting the help of Samantha as entertainment – who of course, ends up hooking up with a cow farmer across the way.

Image: HBO. 

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 9.

Carrie still loves an ornamental hat.

"Nice hat!" was a comment that Jack Berger once threw Carrie's way amid an argument.

And it's true, Carrie does like to wear a nice hat. And often a hat that doesn't serve a larger purpose than to simply be an accessory to sit atop her head.

Carrie's episode nine hat was in fine form.

Image: MAX/HBO. 

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 10.

Remember Skipper???  

After ghosting Che after their breakup, Miranda tells Carrie, "I can't treat Che the way I treated Skipper." To this, Carrie replies, "Skipper? That was like 25 years ago.”

She's right, Skipper is vintage SATC. 

If you had forgotten all about Miranda's first boyfriend, Skipper, then you are forgiven. 

Skipper was a 27-year-old website creator who dated Miranda on and off throughout season one. Miranda was clearly not into this dopey excuse for a human, yet he continued to shower her with attention.

After breaking up a couple of times in season one, eventually, Miranda simply stopped answering Skipper's calls. 

Image: HBO.

Petition for Skipper to become a tech-millionaire in season three starts now! 

Stanford's legacy is laid to rest.

In episode 10, Carrie and Anthony shared a moment, or more specifically a round of cosmopolitans, as a dedication to the character Stanford, played by actor Willie Garson, who passed away in 2021.

This was no doubt a thoughtful callback to the countless drinks Carrie and Stanford shared in her apartment across the six Sex and the City seasons. While Stanford's ending was divisive, there's no denying it was a touching sendoff to an actor who was a huge part of the original series.

And Just Like That, Season 2, Episode 11.

Andre DeShields reappearing.

In another case of ‘hey, haven’t I seen you here before?’ we’re met with actor Andre DeShields popping back into the SATC/AJLT universe. Playing Nya’s boss, he delivered the news that she had been elected into the American Law Institute. DeShields previously featured in Sex and The City season 4 when he starred as Charlotte’s tap instructor. Perhaps he parlayed his love of dancing into an esteemed law career? Maybe!

Annabelle Bronstein.

Much hype was made about Kim Cattrall’s big return to the fold after plenty of negative discourse between her and her former castmates.But there was a huge chunk of money plonked on her desk (US $350,000 to be specific) and it was an offer she couldn’t refuse. While fans may be slightly let down by Samantha Jones’ 74 second appearance in the season finale, they will be buoyed by the rather clever throwback joke included in her lines. 

During her phone call with Carrie, Samantha referenced ‘Annabelle Bronstein’ an alter-ego she created way back in 2003 Sex and The City season 6, episode 10. Day ones will remember the iconic interaction Samantha had when she was trying to bluff her way into staying at the Soho House using a fake identity. The joke has been 20 years in the making but it had a payoff that tickled die-hard fans.

Image: HBO.

Aidan throwing rocks and feelings.

Ah, Aidan. He’s back to break our hearts and most likely Carrie’s window. Like a lovesick school boy he’s back to his Romeo antics by throwing rocks at Carrie’s old apartment window. It’s a romantic gesture set up by the fact her buzzer is broken and one that’s giving us déjà vu.

Back in season 4 of Sex and The City Carrie and Aidan prepare to give things another shot. The scene is set with Aidan throwing rocks and Carrie’s window to get her attention. At the time they patched things up although things didn’t work out so great in this modern pebble slinging instance. In the season finale Aidan delivered the news that he needs to put the brakes on their relationship, shattering a million hearts and potentially a few glass panes. 

The cat’s mother.

Despite her reluctance to adopt the stray kitten presented to her by Che, it seems Carrie has formed a rather sweet bond with ‘Shoe’. This is the first time we’re really invited to see a maternal side of Carrie and it's really quite moving. Happening in tandem with this layer of Carrie’s character coming to light we see the heartbreaking journey of Lisa coming to terms with her miscarriage. It’s a deep portrayal of the many sides of motherhood and how that can look so different for everyone.

Image: HBO.

Cosmopolitans will always be there.

At the episode’s close we see Carrie and Seema luxuriating on the beaches of Greece dissecting their love lives. Both women reflect on how they’ve ended up in relationships that are being dictated by distance. There’s a twang of unknown about how things will materialise for both of them but as Carrie orders two Cosmopolitan cocktails (the official legacy SATC drink of choice) from a handsome young waiter, it’s clear these two strong women will be just fine. They always have been. 

This article was originally published on June 30, 2023 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature image: HBO + Mamamia. 

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