Aidan’s return came early in And Just Like That…, and showrunner Michael Patrick King has a good reason for it. A sequel to Sex and the City, the show was intended to be a simple miniseries but quickly earned a renewal after season 1. Sarah Jessica Parker serves as the show’s lead, Carrie Bradshaw, who remains infatuated with John Corbett’s Aidan Shaw. After And Just Like That… season 2 ended with Aidan returning to Virginia to look after his son Wyatt (Logan Souza), it seemed that it would be another five years before they could reunite, but Aidan returned early.

Despite the five-year promise, Aidan appeared in And Just Like That…‘s season 3, episode 2, “Rat Race”. With Aidan now embroiled in additional drama, King spoke with Variety about why he elected to bring Carrie’s partner back to the show. After introducing “this almost impossible demand“, the writers “wanted to see John Corbett sooner“ and used this opportunity to showcase a new side to these characters. The “broken contract” between them only adds more intrigue to the series, which is why King was fascinated with the idea. Check out his full quote below:

It was the first question in the room. We’ve made this almost impossible demand of Carrie — can you wait for me? I’ll see you in five years — and in shock, she says, OK. The thing we didn’t want to do was start the season with a chyron that says “Five years later…” So I think that the best-laid plans lead to the best “get laid” plans. The idea that he’s drunk, and has always been a rule breaker, and calls her was something that I believed could happen, because we wanted to see John Corbett sooner.

And it also creates another layer of Carrie and Aidan that we haven’t yet seen, which is a strong awareness of how sexual they are. Usually, it’s kind of offstage. And so the idea of the broken contract, the messy contract, the back-and-forth of it all felt like something that would infuriate the situation. There’s nothing more annoying than a show about waiting for something to happen. So we found a way to make something happen, then take it away, then make it happen again, off and on and off and on and hopefully in an unpredictable way. He’s here, she’s there: How do we make this both surprising and fulfilling?

What Aidan’s Early Appearance Means For The Show

And Just Like That… Has Tension Again

Aidan’s surprise season 3 return completely changed expectations for the rest of the season, which might otherwise have gone on without his involvement at all. Instead of skipping past the drama, King elected to inject additional tension for the couple. A time jump might have been interesting, but it would also restrict audiences from seeing that five-year journey. Carrie and Aidan’s relationship can now continue to develop, while also showcasing the distinct differences between these characters.

Just as the season 2 finale showcased the responsibilities that a father faces, this season can explore the weight of those expectations. Aidan is forced to balance his rule-breaker tendencies with the need to become the stable force that his son needs. Carrie, who does not understand the pressure of having children, also must face the reality that she will need to wait for Aidan, while still being teased by his on-and-off presence in her life. Had he not been present, she might have rethought her impulsive decision to wait, but this only adds more drama to that possibility.

Our Take On Aidan’s Early Appearance

This Was The Best Move For And Just Like That…

The brilliant decision to reintroduce Aidan could explain why this season has become so critically renowned. ScreenRant‘s Mae Abdulbaki explained that the relationship is “nothing overdramatic” but manages to create the perfect tension in the show. With real-world tension injected into the season, it explains the relatability that led to the season’s 79% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, even if the 31% Popcornmeter score leaves much to be desired. There is no way to know if Carrie and Aidan will end up together, but this decision makes for a brilliant twist in And Just Like That‘s story.