And Just Like That (The Anthony Appreciation Society)

[ReeseWitherfork]

First thread….
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/4819133-and-just-like-that

Spoilers etc.
Everyone posts when they’ve seen the episode so probably best to avoid the thread until you’re up to date.

I agree with everything in relation to the pregnancy/ miscarriage storyline. I expressed upthread that I was rolling my eyes a bit at the surprise pregnancy storyline being done to death. But I think more than that it’s just so rare to see a woman on screen have a surprise pregnancy & decide to terminate. So often they are convinced that it’s a gift even if the reality is very different. At least in AJLT Lisa did spell out how much more of a sacrifice it would be for her.

I was rewatching Girls recently & found it quite refreshing when Jess schedules her appointment for an abortion (although she misses it) & later miscarries. But there is no question of her keeping the baby & she’s totally unapologetic about it. For all the criticisms of that series they did get some things right.

I wasn’t sure about the Stanford exit storyline. As someone living with cancer it made me feel a bit uneasy but perhaps it was discussed with his family. I understand it’s a bit of a conundrum for the writers.

Listening to The Writers' Room podcast on the Stanford story. They say that when Willie Garson died, they didn't want Stanford to die also, so they came. up with the Japan storyline, but didn't really say much about him, as it was a "band aid" solution to the actor's death. MPK says that they came up with the Shinto monk storyline, because he went to Kyoto with SJP after SATC2, in a state of turmoil about the way that movie had been received (ie comprehensively panned). He says he was going from temple to temple with SJP trying to release his "complicated feelings", and got some peace from this and strengthened his bond with SJP. He says that these places are peaceful and golden and filled with light, and that's what they hoped was the place both Stanford and Willie would find themselves in. The wanted Carrie and Stanford "together" in a temple in peace as MPK and SJP had been together. So, when she's reading Stanford's letter, they backlit her against the window to give the impression of her being in a heavenly place; and Carrie necking that Cosmopolitan in one go and winking at Mario Cantone was all SJP - a great big toast to her friend, Willie.

WRT to Che's "comedy" set, it seems to be a mixture of the writers believing they had too "vanilla" an ending to the Che and Miranda affair, wanting Miranda to understand that her own break up narrative isn't the only one, and maintaining that Che would never have been so cruel had she known Miranda was there. And also, apparently Carrie giving Miranda concerned looks in the club was tantamount to her great love and support of her friend. Personally, I am not convinced.

They wanted Carrie and Stanford "together" in a temple in peace as MPK and SJP had been together. So, when she's reading Stanford's letter, they backlit her against the window to give the impression of her being in a heavenly place

Not explained that very well - ie, they wanted Carrie to be with Stanford in spirit, hence the heavenly backlighting.

@Ridemeginger
“Aiden crying: So funny! Someone needs to book him a plane ticket to the UK. The Egremont Crab Apple Fair, Cumbria, is the venue of the World Gurning Championships. He stands an excellent chance of placing in the top 3. “

I love your whole post but this part in particular.

the crying scene and the trying to sound agonised voice was simply dreadful.

If I was Carrie I would actually heave a sigh of relief I wasn’t going to have to endure Aiden’s psychotic malfunctioning offspring - along with those tragic y fronts - in the new show home.

part of me thinks he’s emotionally manipulating Carrie so the up sticks and goes to live in the sticks. With the chickens . And Wyatt Leatherface

I think it's a tired and cowardly trope for an unwanted pregnancy to conveniently miscarry on TV. They get all the 'drama' of an unwanted pregnancy but they don't have to stick to their convictions by having a character decide to have an abortion.

Disappointing from a show that became successful because it was cutting edge for it's time.

Now there is a serious abortion access issue in America, and they chicken out by having a throw away line 'so glad I have rights/choice' whatever but then the character (and the show) is relieved of exercising that choice.

Carrie being a shit friend as always completely ignoring Miranda's discomfort about the dinner. Surely Carrie didn't need to invite her former coworker to a dinner of 15 people.

Che's comedy still not funny. At all. Complaining into a microphone isn't comedy. They make the show in New York, could they not find one actual comedy writer to produce a few sentences for the show?!

The Stanford thing didn't land for me. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was out of respect for his family's wishes or something. Toasting with cosmos was nice but I wish the explanation for his absence made more sense.

Charlotte's daughters are absolute brats and they need to get taught. Glad Charlotte found her voice (even if it was drunk) and told them where to go. Nice to see she was mad at everyone but the dog. Relatable!

They seem to give a lot of screen time to the wrong people, and not enough to the ones who are actually interesting.

I like the human rights story for Miranda, that seems like realistic character growth.

Not sure about the whole Aidan thing yet. It's not looking good.

Che in a wig …… no words. So pleased Miranda has seen them for who they really are: a cruel non event of a person. No discernible comedic talent whatsoever only a nasty mean streak and a fuck tonne of self absorption. Still they have their new acolyte so conveniently the appalling exploitation of Miranda for “material” can be pushed to one side.

Miranda’s epiphany and her progressional achievements were both long overdue. They have started to make her look more like her old self again. Thank Christ.

Not sure how Carrie can continue to associate on any level with Che after the way Miranda was hurt like that. Time to nail her colours to the mast and tell the pot smoking mediocrity to do one.

'the crying scene and the trying to sound agonised voice was simply dreadful.'

Just awful. I could understand him being choked up and tearful but the 'I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE CARRIE! WAAAAAH!' was just hilarious, which probably wasn't the effect they were going for 😂 I wonder how many takes they filmed before they gave up and realised that the hamming it up was all they were going to get

In the Coney Island scene, when he went off to take another whiney phonecall from Wyatt, I thought Carrie was a bit terse with him when he came back. Not that I blame her!

*professional ffs

😂😂😂 “bone dry undercarriage” 😂😂😂 absolutely brilliant

😂 think there were probably several outtakes identical to the one they were forced to go with in the end. Perhaps they could have burned the gothic safari jacket or his abs painting kit in front of the car to elicit a better reaction. he was more upset about the prospect of shagging in an apartment that held difficult memories for than his son poor diddums…….

yes I thought she was a bit terse but frankly he’s irritating as fuck with seemingly a lore
more emotional baggie than she wants to cope with so can’t really blame her. I think she’s starting to realise the “having the kids in the new apartment” to visit was more than a bit rose tinted.

steve’s voice really grated on me in that Coney Island scene too. He always sounds like he’s about to break down in tears. Wet lettuce.

Also so many awful kids in this series. Surely one of them has a nice child?

I guess we're all back to hating Che again, then! So much for the sick turtle, or whatever it was!

It would have been nice if Che's routine had been about something else entirely and they'd been pleased to see Miranda in the crowd, or something. Although the cruel act made for high drama, unfortunately it (and how dreadful Che was outside) wound us right back to woeful Season One in terms of how obnoxious the audience found the character - and surely the writers don't want that, otherwise why did they try so hard to make Che Diaz 'nice'?

I'm disappointed. I'd warmed to that character. I loved the fake-perky Cameo recordings in particular.

Superb analogy.
it would indeed be like kindling.

I am assuming John Corbett was an active participant in the campaign to rescind any sec symbol status he had enjoyed in his acting career to date because the brief (pardon the pun) could not be clearer

*sex symbol ffs what is wrong with my sausage fingers today

@SunRainStorm Ooh I'm not sure about complaining into the mic not being comedy- I love Stewart Lee and Jo brand- both of who do that 'a lot' - on the other hand I can't stand Che as it seems forced and fake . I'm not sure if we are meant to like 'her/them' or not -

Now with John Corbett it's a weird one- I loved Aidan in first series but he clearly is not that good an actor and to make it worse I no longer fancy him either

Shout out to the green leather bomber jacket SJP wore when meeting Aidan’s ex. Probably vintage. Loved it.

WRT to Che's "comedy" set, it seems to be a mixture of the writers believing they had too "vanilla" an ending to the Che and Miranda affair, wanting Miranda to understand that her own break up narrative isn't the only one, and maintaining that Che would never have been so cruel had she known Miranda was there. And also, apparently Carrie giving Miranda concerned looks in the club was tantamount to her great love and support of her friend. Personally, I am not convinced.

@Ridemeginger Thats interesting to hear.

The writers seem to have just fucked up so much with the character of Che and it was almost like they were digging a hole for themselves and burying their heads in the sand. This is possibly one of the first TV characters ever that's been GLOBALLY criticised, and despite making progress by trying to make them more likeable by literally throwing kittens and puppies at them, they regressed back to the start which is what everyone hated in the first place!

Everytime Che is on screen with the whole "woe is me" schtick, that's where I miss Samantha. You know she would have supported Miranda and stormed the stage to back up her girl. Carrie simply looking at Miranda - not even attempting to hold her hand or anything was just shit

It's also interesting about what you said about MPK going to Japan in a state of turmoil - he really cannot accept criticism or that he got things wrong can he? As I've said before on this thread, I honestly can't work out how not a single member of the cast and crew figured out when they were filming SATC2 that it was a horrendously racist pile of shit.

Re: comments about Steve's voice, the actor playing him has become quite deaf, which explains the change: hearing loss can result in altered tone of voice or accent. Love how the character is embracing his freedom though - hot dogs and clams suits Steve to a t

Carrie is such a cow to her friend of decades in this episode. Just an uncomfortable look when Che was slagging Miranda off in the club. Then having the cheek to tell Miranda to basically get over it, Che is still coming to the meal.
Samantha would have had her back, just like she had Charlottes when her baby name got stolen ‘you bitch, let’s go’

Aiden and that crying car scene 🤣
He’s going to dump her next episode.

Samantha was such a good friend.

Carrie is just the worst.

All of their voices have changed/aged

You can't botox w voice box

Che's stand up routine not even funny. God no wonder that persons career has bombed

I’m torn on the Stanford thing because it does seem a lame cop out leaving him in Japan as a monk. Also having Carrie deliver the news and the legal papers to Anthony.
But, I’m a sucker for knowing a beloved character is still out there. I totally adored the Cold Feet reboot, most recent Bridget Jones outings for that reason.
I did like this scene though; Anthony’s moist eyes and Carrie downing her drink both looked a bit unscripted but heartfelt IMHO. As a PP said, I’d imagine there’s a fair bit of SJP and Mario Cantone in that scene saluting their friend Willie Garson.

@SunRainStorm

I wonder if the network could broadcast an abortion nationally? Not sure. Just a thought

YY to Carrie being an awful friend as usual.
IMO Carrie usually had friends who she can get something from. I can’t see the appeal of Che especially with her so called fall from grace. So WHY would Carrie not call her out after so painfully insulting her best friend of 30 years?