😱 And Just Like That… It’s OVER! 😱
The Sex and the City saga just dropped its FINAL bombshell, and trust us, you’re NOT ready for the shocking moments in the And Just Like That Season 3 finale! 🚽💔 From a jaw-dropping bathroom disaster to Carrie’s bold new chapter, the drama hits harder than a Manhattan martini. What’s got everyone buzzing? And who’s dancing alone to Barry White? 👠 You’ll wish you saw this coming!
👉 Dive into the chaos and uncover the finale’s wildest twists!
And Just Like That (AJLT), the polarizing revival of Sex and the City (SATC), concluded its third and final season on August 14, 2025, with an episode titled “Party of One” that left fans reeling. Premiering on Max in May 2025, Season 3 chronicled the evolving lives of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis), and their expanded circle in their 50s. The finale, part of a two-part conclusion announced by showrunner Michael Patrick King, aimed to tie up loose ends while delivering shocks that sparked heated discussions across social media. From a revolting toilet overflow to Carrie’s embrace of singlehood, the episode blended absurd humor, emotional resonance, and callbacks to the original series. This article dives into the most shocking moments of the And Just Like That Season 3 finale, explores their implications, and reflects on the legacy of a franchise that defined a generation.
The Announcement and Context
The news that Season 3 would be the last came abruptly on August 1, 2025, as Michael Patrick King announced on Instagram that the season’s conclusion felt like “a wonderful place to stop.” The decision, made alongside Parker, HBO’s Casey Bloys, and Max’s Sarah Aubrey, extended the season from 10 to 12 episodes, culminating in a two-part finale. The New York Times and Variety reported that the choice was framed as creative, though some fans, as noted on Vulture, speculated it was a soft cancellation due to declining viewership or critical backlash. With a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score for Season 1 and mixed reviews for Season 3, the show struggled to recapture SATC’s magic but retained a loyal fanbase drawn to its nostalgic charm and bold, if flawed, evolution.
The finale, clocking in at a brisk 34 minutes, felt rushed to some (The New York Times), yet it packed in moments that ranged from poignant to grotesque. Set during Thanksgiving, the episode centered on Carrie’s journey toward self-acceptance, Miranda’s chaotic hosting, and Charlotte’s comedic relief, while addressing themes of aging, singlehood, and female empowerment. Below, we break down the five most shocking moments and their significance.
Shocking Moment 1: The Toilet Overflow Apocalypse
The most unforgettable—and infamous—moment of the finale was a stomach-churning scene at Miranda’s Thanksgiving dinner. A new character, Epcot, a lactose-intolerant friend of Brady’s baby mama, Mia (Ella Stiller), consumed cheese and caused a catastrophic toilet overflow. As described by Glamour and The Independent, the scene showed feces bubbling up and flooding the bathroom, witnessed by Charlotte’s boss, Mark Kasabian (Victor Garber), who fled in horror. Miranda, left to clean the mess, was joined by her girlfriend Joy (Dolly Wells), who embraced her despite the stench, marking a tender moment amid the chaos.
This scene, dubbed the “poo-pocalypse” by Indiewire, was widely criticized as a low point for the franchise, clashing with SATC’s glamorous legacy. The Guardian called it “vile” and out of step with the show’s roots, while Harper’s Bazaar noted its visceral impact, likening it to The White Lotus Season 1’s infamous bathroom moment. Fans on X expressed disgust, with posts like “AJLT ended with literal sh*t? Why?” (@SATCFan4Life). Yet, some saw it as a bold, if misguided, metaphor for the messiness of life, with Vulture suggesting it invited comparisons to the show’s divisive run.
Shocking Moment 2: Carrie’s Embrace of Singlehood
The finale’s emotional core was Carrie’s decision to embrace life as a single woman, a bold departure from her SATC arc defined by romantic pursuits. After splitting with Aidan (John Corbett) and a brief fling with Duncan (Jonathan Cake), Carrie grappled with loneliness, highlighted by an awkward solo lunch at Haidilao, where a plush doll was placed opposite her to “keep her company.” Vogue praised this as a critique of society’s stigma against single women, especially those over 50. Carrie’s conversation with Charlotte revealed her fear of permanent solitude, but by the episode’s end, she rewrote her novel’s epilogue, changing “the woman was alone” to “the woman was not alone—she was on her own.”
This moment, underscored by Carrie dancing alone to Barry White’s “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything” in her Gramercy Park townhouse, was a callback to SATC’s finale, where she declared the most significant relationship is with oneself. Elle called it “refreshing” but noted its lack of “fabulousness,” while The New York Times saw it as empowering yet bittersweet, given Carrie’s history of serial monogamy. Fans on X were divided, with some (@CarrieFanNYC) celebrating her independence and others (@SATCLove) lamenting the absence of a romantic resolution.
Shocking Moment 3: Charlotte and Harry’s Thanksgiving Miracle
Charlotte, often the comedic heart of AJLT, delivered a hilarious yet shocking moment when her husband Harry (Evan Handler) overcame his prostate cancer-related erectile dysfunction during Thanksgiving preparations. As Charlotte basted a turkey, Harry’s sudden arousal led them to abandon their guests for a quick rendezvous, dubbed a “Thanksgiving miracle” by Vulture. Harper’s Bazaar highlighted Kristin Davis’ comedic timing, noting the scene’s lighthearted contrast to the episode’s heavier themes.
This moment resolved Charlotte’s Season 3 arc of supporting Harry through his health struggles, reinforcing their enduring partnership. However, The Independent criticized its abruptness, arguing it felt like a checkbox for fan service rather than a meaningful resolution. Fans on X, like @GoldenblattGang, cheered the couple’s rekindled spark, appreciating a rare moment of joy in an otherwise chaotic episode.
Shocking Moment 4: Miranda’s Messy Thanksgiving
Miranda’s attempt to host a Thanksgiving dinner for Brady, Mia, and their Gen Z friends unraveled spectacularly, culminating in the toilet disaster. Her decision to invite Mia without Brady’s knowledge, as revealed in Episode 11 (Vulture), sparked tension, with Brady storming off after learning of her presence. The dinner, attended by Mark, Epcot, and others, was described by The A.V. Club as “the most annoying Thanksgiving ever,” with caricature-like younger characters clashing with Miranda’s efforts to play peacemaker.
The scene where Miranda cleaned the toilet mess, only to be comforted by Joy, was a surprising highlight. Us Weekly noted the emotional weight of Joy’s gesture, signaling Miranda’s growth in accepting life’s unpredictability. However, NZ Herald criticized the episode’s condescending portrayal of younger characters, like Mia’s demand for “cucumber, brown rice, and seaweed,” as undermining the show’s empowerment message.
Shocking Moment 5: No Samantha and No Group Farewell
A glaring omission in the finale was the absence of Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), whose brief Season 2 cameo had fueled hopes for a final appearance. Vogue and Elle expressed disappointment that the show didn’t reunite the core four—Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha—for a nostalgic send-off, such as a Cosmopolitan-fueled bar scene. Instead, the episode focused on individual resolutions, with Carrie’s final scene alone in her townhouse.
Additionally, the lack of a group moment with Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte felt like a missed opportunity. Harper’s Bazaar lamented the absence of a “chic bar” scene, while Us Weekly noted that fans expected a nod to their decades-long friendship. Parker’s Instagram post, reflecting on the characters’ bond, only heightened the sense of loss. On X, fans like @SATCForever cried, “No Samantha? No girls’ night? This isn’t the finale we deserved!”
Thematic Analysis and Legacy
The finale leaned heavily into the theme of female empowerment, particularly through Carrie’s acceptance of singlehood. Vogue praised this as a bold statement in 2025, when single women over 50 still face societal judgment, but The Independent argued it recycled SATC’s Season 4 epiphany about women as soulmates, lacking originality. The show’s attempt to diversify its cast with characters like Seema (Sarita Choudhary) and Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) was commendable, yet Vice Media criticized their underdevelopment, a flaw evident in the finale’s rushed subplots.
The toilet overflow, while shocking, was seen by some as a metaphor for AJLT’s struggles to balance SATC’s glamour with modern absurdity. Indiewire called the finale “not written like an ending,” reflecting its abrupt feel, possibly due to the late cancellation decision. Viewership data from Wikipedia shows AJLT never matched SATC’s peak of 10.6 million viewers, with Season 1 averaging a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score. Yet, its cultural impact endures, with Parker’s emotional farewell on Instagram—“Carrie Bradshaw has dominated my professional heartbeat for 27 years”—resonating with fans.
Reception and Fan Reactions
The finale polarized critics and fans. Vogue called it “just right” for its hopeful message, while The Independent dubbed it “abominable” for its unfunny gags and baffling choices. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 63% approval for Season 3, an improvement from Season 1’s 48%, but Metacritic’s 55/100 score reflects mixed feelings. On X, fans expressed frustration (@HBOFanatic: “A toilet scene as the legacy of SATC? Disgraceful!”) and nostalgia (@CarrieVibes: “Carrie dancing alone broke my heart but also felt right”).
The episode’s brevity and lack of closure for characters like Seema, who declared her love for Adam (Logan Marshall-Green), and Lisa, who recommitted to Herbert (Christopher Jackson), left some arcs unresolved. ScreenRant argued that the show’s improvement in Season 3 warranted a fourth season, making the abrupt end feel premature.
Conclusion
The And Just Like That Season 3 finale delivered shocks that ranged from grotesque (the toilet overflow) to profound (Carrie’s singlehood). While moments like Charlotte’s comedic triumph and Miranda’s emotional growth offered glimmers of SATC’s heart, the absence of Samantha and a group farewell disappointed fans craving nostalgia. The episode’s bold choices, though divisive, cemented AJLT’s willingness to take risks, even if they didn’t always land. As the Sex and the City universe closes after 27 years, Carrie’s dance to Barry White and her declaration of being “on her own” leave a bittersweet legacy—one of empowerment, imperfection, and the enduring allure of Manhattan’s fabulous women.
