‘And Just Like That’ Recap: Carrie Gets Nostalgic Over Her Old Apartment, Finishes ‘Tragic’ Book

The penultimate episode of And Just Like That might have left some big hints about Carrie’s future.

During the Thursday, August 7, episode of the HBO Max series, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) helps Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) prepare to host Thanksgiving by placing an order for (too many) pies at a bakery in her old neighborhood. “I’m walking down my old street. It’s so strange that I don’t live here anymore,” Carrie says over the phone.

While Miranda remarks that “it’s so weird” how quickly people move on when they change apartments, Carrie isn’t so sure. “I don’t know, I think part of me still lives here,” she says.

Carrie then bumps into her former neighbor Lisette (Katerina Tannanbaum), who moved into Carrie’s unit when she left for Gramercy Park.

“What are you doing here?” Lisette asks, as Carrie teases with a straight face, “I want my place back.”

The women catch up on the sidewalk before Lisette invites Carrie to her pre-Thanksgiving celebration. Later, Carrie gets a surprising real estate proposition from Seema (Sarita Choudhury) and gets nostalgic about her old home.

“I got a call from the rep for the family who owns the apartment below you. They wanted to know if you’re interested in buying it,” she says, confirming Duncan (Jonathan Cake) won’t be renewing his lease on the space downstairs. “They’re coming to you before they put it on the market.”

Carrie insists she doesn’t need more space, but Seema says there’s more value in owning the entire property. The conversation then takes an awkward turn as Carrie dwells on her split from Aidan (John Corbett).

“Why am I so upset right now?” Carrie replies. “I don’t know if it’s because I was harboring the idea that Duncan would come back or because I feel like you’re saying I should resell. … Because of course, it’s too big for one person. I bought it with a plan and it didn’t happen.”

Seema assures Carrie she was just asking for business purposes, and Carrie quickly refocuses. “I’m sorry. I’m having a lot of feelings about apartments these days,” she explains, admitting that she’s “a little afraid” about going to Lisette’s place. “I think it might make me sad or something, being there again. What if I miss it?”

Seema reminds Carrie that the place was “a dump” compared to where she lives now. “Miss the chipping woodwork? The s***ty kitchen? The warped floors?” she asks. Carrie nods.

When she shows up for Lisette’s party, Carrie walks into a nearly unrecognizable apartment. A wall separates the entryway into two, leaving Carrie confused as she introduces herself to Lisette’s roommate, Ezekiel. While taking the grand tour with Lisette, she finds another wall separating the bedroom.

“I feel like Alice in Wonderland,” Carrie says before pouring herself and Lisette a drink.

Lisette goes on to explain that the arrangement is less about affording rent and more about her being too “freaked out” about living alone. “I thought after all these years of roommates that I would love it, but I didn’t dig it at all. … Doesn’t it bother you? Living in that big house by yourself?” she asks.

Carrie goes back to her big (and finally furnished) house after the party and writes an epilogue to her novel. Earlier in the episode, Carrie’s editor gushed over her “moving” prose but was left unsatisfied by the ending, saying it was “tragic” for the leading lady to finish her story alone.

“I liked the ending,” Carrie tells Miranda and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) after the meeting. “I thought it was honest.”

The series finale of And Just Like That airs on HBO Max Thursday, August 14, at 9 p.m. ET.