June 5 brought with it the airing of the second episode of Season 3 of Max’s Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That…, and the divisive series is, incredibly, continuing an upward trend for the show. A series that has proven utterly contentious since its 2021 debut, with some die-hard Sex and the City fans entirely dismissive of it, some of the same magic from the original sitcom does still exist, with the hole left in many people’s lives following Sex and the City‘s end at least somewhat filled by this spin-off.

After its first season, And Just Like That… could only manage a poor 48% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even worse 27% score from audiences, cementing its woes. Still, the story of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), Aidan Shaw (John Corbett), and co. continued, with Season 2 faring somewhat better with a 63% critics’ score and 36% from audiences. This positive trend has thankfully continued, with Season 3 so far earning a “certified fresh” 79% from critics, albeit with audiences dropping their opinion slightly with a 33% score thus far.

Incredibly, this means that, at least critically, two of And Just Like That‘s three seasons to date have a better score than the overall average rating of Sex and the City, which stands at just 50%. However, perhaps where it matters most, the iconic original trumps the spin-off, with Sex and the City‘s audience rating of 77% considerably higher than any season of And Just Like That. It is worth noting that this Season 3 score is from just 23 reviews so far critically, and after just two episodes have aired for audiences. It is very likely that both ratings will have altered by the time the season finishes at the end of July.

‘And Just Like That…’ Season 3 is “The Best Yet”

For Collider’s Samuel R. Murrian, And Just Like That‘s third season was “the best yet,” with the critic awarding the outing a 7/10 and citing improved storylines, impressive dramatic beats, and show-stealing performances as positive factors. “And Just Like That still doesn’t nearly match Sex and the City for innovation or gut-busting laughs, but now that it’s been its own thing for several years, perhaps it’s time to stop comparing the two,” Murrian wrote, adding, “Much of Sex and the City‘s core fandom will enjoy the frothy escapism of these new episodes, partly thanks to the series’ magnetically charismatic actors. For now, thanks to some much-needed refinements between seasons, maybe that’s enough.”

And Just Like That Season 3 is available to watch on HBO and HBO Max. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for regular updates on the latest shows.