And Just Like That: Season 3 Finale Explained

And Just Like That concluded its series with a heartfelt send-off for Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda. But how did these beloved characters take their final bow?

The Sex and the City spin-off resolved the arcs of the trio, including newer friends Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) and Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury), during the episode that aired on Thursday, August 14. Season 3 kicked off with Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) grappling with single life after her breakup with Aidan (John Corbett) and a brief romance with Duncan (Jonathan Cake).

“I might be alone for the rest of my life,” she confesses to Charlotte (Kristin Davis), who can’t fathom that reality.

Carrie questions who she will be truly alone. “I know how to live alone, but never without the notion that it wouldn’t last long,” she elaborates. “Even after Big died, amidst the shock and utter devastation, I thought, ‘Aidan. Perhaps Aidan.’ Although Duncan made it clear he wouldn’t return, I still held onto ‘maybe.’ But I have to stop hoping for a man and start embracing being just me. It’s not a tragedy; it’s a fact… I just need to accept it, period.”

Earlier this month, it was announced that AJLT would not be renewed for a fourth season, with showrunner Michael Patrick King expressing his belief that season 3 marked “a wonderful place to conclude.”

“SJP and I delayed announcing this news because we wanted the word ‘final’ to not overshadow the enjoyment of the season,” Michael added in his statement. “With immense gratitude, we thank every viewer who invited these characters into their lives over all these years.”

Curious about what transpired with Carrie and her friends in the series finale? Scroll down for a comprehensive recap of their conclusions in the last AJLT episode:

Carrie Bradshaw

As Carrie treats herself to lunch at the episode’s outset, an unwelcome surprise awaits her in her booth — a doll. “They seat a boy doll across from any woman dining solo,” she tells her friends afterward. “Lunch comes with a side of shame. Trust me; it’s true, and I endured it yesterday.”

She recalls a remark from her novel’s editor that has stuck with her: “Apparently, it’s not just tragic for women to dine alone in the past; it’s still an issue for the future.”

After attending a bridal fashion show with Charlotte, Seema, and Lisa, Carrie reminisces about her marriage to Big (Chris Noth), reflecting that it felt right to settle down as she was finally “chosen.” Ultimately, she comes to terms with the possibility of being “alone for the rest of my life.”

After a chaotic Thanksgiving at Miranda’s, Carrie returns to her Gramercy Park townhouse carrying a pie. She turns on the karaoke machine left from a gathering and sings while reveling in her new home, delighting in sweet spoonfuls of dessert.

Carrie later revisits her novel’s draft and scrubs the epilogue she was toying with. Instead, she pens, “The woman realized she was not alone. She was simply on her own.”

Miranda Hobbes

Miranda re-establishes connections with her ex-husband, Steve (David Eigenberg), over dinner shortly before Thanksgiving, coping with the revelation that their son, Brady (Niall Cunningham), is becoming a father with a girl he casually dated “maybe twice.” Steve inquires about the girl, Mia (Ella Stiller).

“How do I phrase this delicately?” Miranda muses. “I fear she might be an idiot. A spiteful idiot who texted Brady, suggesting I invaded her energy. Brady allowed her to think I was bipolar, hence, he’s not speaking to me either… Babies becoming parents.”

Steve acknowledges he shouldn’t have “lost it” with Brady, assuring Miranda they will “navigate this” as a family. “There’s no way our grandchild won’t know us,” he reassures.

Setting aside the baby chaos, Miranda worries her partner, Joy (Dolly Wells), is fabricating reasons to avoid Thanksgiving dinner because her dog is unwell, mainly presuming Joy was put off by the “huge quarrel” she had with Brady over inviting Mia for the celebrations. Carrie prompts Miranda to reach out to Joy, and upon doing so, discovers the dog’s condition was genuinely urgent.

While Brady is involved in food prep, Miranda adopts the opportunity to check on Joy at the clinic, leaving Carrie to greet Mia and her quirky crew, including a friend oddly named Epcot (yes, like the theme park—a joke reiterated several times).

Upon seeing joy at the clinic, Miranda is taken aback by her emotional response—rest assured, the dog is fine. However, the Thanksgiving turkey is another story. Miranda’s guests make do with only the sides and a cheese platter, but once they depart, she’s left confronting a significant mess. (Mia’s friend Epcot caused a serious bathroom issue; the “plumbing drama” claimed a notable amount of screen time.)

While cleaning up, Miranda is pleasantly surprised to find Joy standing at the door. “You celebrated with my family; I can celebrate with yours,” she tells Miranda.

Charlotte York Goldenblatt

During the bridal fashion show, Charlotte and Lisa open up about how their marriages have evolved over time. Charlotte reveals that her husband, Harry (Evan Handler), is “devastated that our love life isn’t the same” after his cancer diagnosis.

However, the mood shifts abruptly when Charlotte is back home prepping for Thanksgiving. Harry walks into the kitchen, announcing he’s “ready,” prompting them to rush off to the bedroom.

Later, while delivering stuffing at Miranda’s, Charlotte forgets she has invited a potential suitor for Carrie. Mark Kasabian (Victor Garber) is eager to keep Carrie company, but she’s not too keen on the prospect.

“I hated that you think there’s no man out there [for you],” Charlotte retorts. “There is someone. … He has a plane!”

Lisa Todd Wexley

Continuing her work on the docuseries, Lisa receives a message from Marion’s acquaintance at the Obamas’ production company, stating that while Michelle “is too well-known to feature” in the project, the former first lady might “consider narrating.”

Overwhelmed, Lisa embraces attractive editor Marion (Mehcad Brooks), who suggests they celebrate with dinner. However, despite her “work crush,” Lisa declines.

“We can’t go out for drinks or dinner or engage anywhere outside this edit bay,” she emphasizes. “This needs to remain solely professional. Just work. We must pull back whatever this may be. It has to be about work.”

Marion agrees, conveying that anything more than colleagues would “complicate everything.”

At the fashion show, Lisa contemplates the complexities of forming a lifelong alliance like marriage. “Someone ought to inform these sweet, unsuspecting girls that marriage entails much more than a beautiful gown,” she remarks while observing the models. “It’s fraught with confusion, not knowing how to assist, and practicing restraint.”

Back at home, Lisa reassures her husband, Herbert (Chris Jackson), of her unwavering commitment to him, until death do them part.

Seema Patel

Seema grows closer to Carrie’s attractive landscaper Adam (Logan Marshall-Green), who expresses his disdain for weddings, deeming them “absurd” and “a waste of time.”

During a conversation with Carrie at the fashion show, Seema notes, “Adam was literally dismissing marriage. He doesn’t buy into it at all. His mother was never married, so he lacks a point of reference. He finds the whole concept to be ludicrous.”

Seema shares her contrasting view on marriage: “Since childhood, it’s been something I was raised to anticipate … a long-standing dream,” she contemplates, wondering, “Is it what I genuinely want, or merely what I’m conditioned for?”

Looking out for her girlfriend, Carrie later probes Adam about his intentions with Seema. Even without the inclination towards marriage, he reassures that his connection with Seema is unique and could endure “a lifetime.”