Do you remember the heartbreaking final scene in And Just Like That, Season 1, when Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) scattered Big’s ashes into the River Seine? Just as Season 1, Episode 1, made us cry when Big died, Episode 10 closed off the first year of Carrie’s grief with a call-back to the music playing when Big died, and a chance to cry and let go of the tremendous sadness and loss some of us felt along with Carrie.

Life After Big

So I think with the start of Season 2, we were all ready for Carrie to discover who she wants to be as a widow. How much time does she want to herself, how much energy does she have for a relationship, what does she want from men these days, if anything? No spoilers, but she begins to explore these questions in Season 2, with her OG friends and also with her new friends, the glorious Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) and funky young co-podcaster Jackie Nee (Bobby Lee). And she does it in her inimitable style.

Carrie’s Crowning Style

Though I had to do some kvetching in my last post about Miranda’s styling, Carrie’s AJLT style is bang-on. I was relieved to see towards the end of Season 1 that she was still wearing sheer blouses with a black bra underneath. I still do that too, but wasn’t sure if that look was over in the ’90s. So I am much reassured that hopefully I don’t look like a dodo bird.

Speaking of birds, let’s look at Carrie’s crowning look for Season 2, Epidsode 1, the outfit she wore to the Met gala.

Valentino Galentino

First of all, it was a thrill that our favorite characters got to go to the gala at all, and the outfits they each wore were so dreamy. I especially loved the shot of Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) walking up the Avenue (for 10 blocks!) with her sublimely vivid red Valentino gown wafting behind her for a mile.

Secondly, it was interesting to learn that the lesser luminaries don’t walk the red carpet but go in through a separate entrance. Who knew? Now we do!

A Major Call-Back with a Side of Redemption

Turning to Carrie’s look, the writers, as always, bring their brilliance to the fore with pathos and call-backs to some of our favorite SATC moments. In this case, the wrenching moment when Big left Carrie at the altar in the first SATC movie. What a poignant scene at the end of Season 2, Episode 1, watching Carrie unveil the turquoise bird-festooned veiled fascinator, removing layer after layer of tissue, to reveal this painful memento from her past.

She also donned her unconsummated Vivienne Westwood cream taffeta wedding gown, transformed from altar to ultra-éclat with the stunning turquoise cape created by her newbie designer friend Smoke (Bethlehem Million). Viva the glory of style at its zenith, worn by our favorite heroine on our favorite stoop in New York City.

I am so happy the SATC gang is back, with a batch of wacky, vivacious, intelligent new friends and the promise of nine more episodes and hundreds more outfits to adore or villify! And I simply can’t wait for the Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) moment we’ve been promised via Carrie’s texting and hints here and there in the media.

And Just Like That, life is complete again.