There Is Probably Someone More Unhappy About the Big Twist in ‘And Just Like That…’ Than Fans
HBO Max released the first two episodes of And Just Like That…. on December 9 amid a flurry of hype. Fans waited nearly a year for the release and spent months checking out production pictures to theorize about the reboot’s major plot points. The production team teased big surprises in the reboot, and episode 1 certainly delivered. That doesn’t mean everyone is happy about it, though. In fact, fan reactions ranged from melancholy to enraged. Fans might be mad, but Peloton, the exercise equipment company, is probably angrier.
[Spoiler alert: Major storyline spoilers for And Just Like That… ahead]
‘And Just Like That…‘ opened with the death of a recurring character, despite Michael Patrick King’s insistence that it wasn’t going to happen
Just days before the release of And Just Like That…, Michael Patrick King seemed to put to rest the rumors that a main character would die in the series. In fact, he stated that “no one dies” in an interview with the New York Times. King was apparently fibbing. Mr. Big, Carrie Bradshaw’s longtime love, died in the final moments of the premiere of And Just Like That... His death, from a heart attack following a Peloton class, was painful to watch.
While many fans were shocked, the writing was on the wall from early in the show’s first episode. Fans took to Twitter to discuss everything that foreshadowed Mr. Big’s death, including Carrie’s decision to wear her wedding shoes to Lily Goldenblatt’s piano recital.
Peloton issued a public statement following the ‘Sex and the City’ reboot release
Fans were shocked by the sudden death scene, especially considering King’s comments about a potential death just days before. Peloton was shocked, too. Peloton immediately went into crisis management mode. Shortly after HBO Max released the episodes, the company released a statement regarding their equipment and heart attack risks.
Speaking to Buzzfeed News, a spokesperson revealed that the company was just as shocked by Mr. Big’s death as the rest of the world. According to the spokesperson, Peloton was aware that HBO would use one of their bikes in the series. The company was aware that an actor would serve as a fictional instructor, too, but beyond that, HBO did not clue them in. The production company procured the bike on its own.
The scene certainly didn’t paint Peloton in a positive light, and it did little to bolster consumer and investor confidence. The company’s stock price tumbled immediately following the show’s release. It is unknown if Peloton will be featured in any future episodes.
Fans aren’t so sure they’ll return for another episode of the much-anticipated series
Peloton is no stranger to damage control. The company has weathered public relations nightmares in the past, too. The And Just Like That… incident, however, is the first time that the company seems completely surprised by what is going on. While Peloton worries about its public image, fans are preoccupied with the thought of watching even one more episode of And Just Like That…, let alone eight more.
Fans took to Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram to share their feelings about Mr. Big’s storyline. While many were not happy, several Reddit fans did note that while the visceral nature of the scene was painful to watch, the acting and Carrie’s reaction to Big’s sudden and unexpected death was accurate and believable. Love it or hate it, the team behind And Just Like That… took a big gamble. Whether it pays off remains to be seen, and it is entirely possible even more big surprises are included in the show’s 10-episode run.
