And Just Like That… the Whiny Man-Child Is Gone. Hallelujah!

We did it, girls. We endured nine episodes of emotional constipation and flannel-clad sulking, but finally, the man-baby has exited the building.

Aidan is GONE. May he retreat to his farmhouse in peace and never bring his needy, passive-aggressive energy back to Manhattan again.

But let’s talk about how we got here… because this breakup was the most cringe-inducing experience of my entire life.

First things first: Are these episodes shrinking?

Has anyone else noticed the runtime keeps dwindling, as if the writers are quietly admitting they have nothing left to say? At this point, I can summarize all the side plots in two sentences, tops:

Charlotte and Harry are apparently bedridden geriatrics, Miranda’s girlfriend needs alcohol to feel secure, which is awkward because Miranda’s an alcoholic, Lisa’s husband is now suddenly obsessed with cheese (because… surprise weight gain? Sponsored by Ozempic?), and Sima and the gardener are STILL talking about deodorant. Still. Two. Episodes. Of. This.

Also, Sima is rich again! Didn’t I call that in a TikTok recap? We’re in the magical land of Manhattan delusion where reality doesn’t apply — one week she can’t afford eyelash extensions, the next she’s got a high-rise office and a full-time assistant. This show exists in a financial fever dream, and I want whatever fantasy meds they’re on.

Now back to Carrie and her emotional support lumberjack:

She comes downstairs wearing a Victorian barmaid costume and finds Aidan cozying up to Duncan, which she explicitly told him not to do. She joins them, and every time Aidan speaks, she looks like she wants to melt into the floor. Same, girl.

Then we’re treated to a scene where she’s writing and Aidan wants to cook a steak but throws a tantrum because he doesn’t want to eat alone. She tells him to go ahead, and instead of acting like a grown adult, he just… leaves the raw steak out. Because nothing says “emotionally evolved” like passive-aggressively food-poisoning your partner.

Carrie realizes his temper tantrums are actually about him not trusting her around other men.

Yes, this man still has trust issues. We’re recycling season 4 plotlines now. Sure, she cheated — but that was 25 years ago! And he forgave her! He even wanted to marry her! And now he doesn’t trust her again, even though he’s the one who just slept with his ex-wife? And she forgave him like a passive little puppy. Make it make sense.

But I will give credit where it’s due — it took us all the way to episode 9, but someone finally turned the lights back on in Carrie’s brain.

It was low-key cathartic to watch her bite back and not just absorb his man-child angst. It’s like her personality is slowly growing back — we finally have signs of life!

Carrie can’t take the tantrums and the insane standards Aidan is holding her to, and she finally dumps him. They share the most awkward hug of all time, and then she goes back to her mansion and starts taking down the postcards from Virginia as Taylor Swift’s “How Did It End?” plays in the background, trying to manipulate us into mourning this breakup.

No. There will be no mourning. Only rejoicing.

And “How Did It End?” was the song choice? The better question is: How did it go on this long?!

And THEN — glory be — she goes out to meet the girls and is FINALLY wearing a gorgeous outfit! Not only did her brain and backbone grow back… her sense of style did too. We are witnessing a full resurrection.

Hopefully this is it for good. Bringing Aidan back was a huge mistake. I think they thought the fans would be thrilled — but no one wanted this. I would have rather seen her try again with Berger than sit through this mess.

Good riddance, Aidan. Take your flannels, your steak, and your emotional fragility back to Virginia.

They better redeem themselves for everything they’ve put us through in next week’s episode. Just saying.