The writing team responsible for And Just Like That… seem to pick up where Sex and the City left off. It seems the fans are the only ones who want Miranda Hobbes and Steve Brady to stay together. The duo split twice during the original show and had a few more false starts. In Sex and the City: The Movie, they split after Steve cheated on Miranda. Now and just like that… Miranda cheated on Steve with the non-binary character Che Diaz. While fans aren’t in love with the plot, it’s actually relatable. Infidelity in marriage is not uncommon.
“And Just Like That …” are dismayed by Miranda Hobbes’ decision to cheat on Steve Brady
Miranda’s admission of dissatisfaction with her life and marriage did not come as a huge shock to fans. Viewers who’ve tuned on And Just Like That … since it premiered on December 9th pretty much have seen it. Still, few viewers are willing to accept that Miranda reacts to this feeling by cheating on Steve Brady with Che Diaz.
Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes | Craig Blankenhorn / HBO Max
Infidelity is no stranger to the franchise. Sex and the City explored infidelity in season 3 and casually mentioned it several times. It served as a key plot point in Sex and the City: The Movie and Sex and the 2. There’s a good reason for that, too. Infidelity, especially in long-term relationships, isn’t nearly as uncommon as most people would like to think.
How common is infidelity in a relationship?
Miranda cheating on Steve may feel incomprehensible to many people, but her feelings of boredom and lack of fulfillment in a long-term romance should be. According to LifeHack, a 2011 research study found that long-term partners were most likely to describe their relationship as “boring.” According to the same study, men are more likely to get bored with dating, while women get bored when vows are exchanged.
Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes and David Eigenberg | Craig Blankenhorn / HBO Max
Cheating isn’t always a response to feeling unfulfilled, but it can be. It’s hard to say how many people cheat in long-term relationships, but several studies suggest the percentage ranges from 20% to over 60%. It is almost impossible to get an actual statistic as study participants have to report themselves and fraud is often accompanied by feelings of guilt and a desire to lie. Most studies find that despite the percentage of respondents who admit cheating, almost all respondents agree that cheating is wrong.
Miranda’s interest in non-binary characters, Che Diaz, isn’t uncommon either
Regardless of the ethics of cheating, fans have another problem with Miranda’s plot. Sex and the City fans have complained about the predictability of the plot point. Giving Miranda an act that will lead her out of her heterosexual marriage and into a space where she can explore the fluidity of sexuality feels a little too “easy” based on Cynthia Nixon’s own experience. Nixon had a long-term partnership with a man before meeting and marrying Christine Marinoni. Nixon and Marinoni have been married since 2012. According to Out, Nixon identifies as queer. Her on-screen character has not yet given an explanation of her sexuality.
Che Diaz and Miranda Hobbes | Craig Blankenhorn / HBO Max
Some fans have argued that Michael Patrick King chose the plot based on Nixon’s experience. While this likely helped make the decision, Nixon’s experience isn’t all that unique. According to the NPR, women’s sexuality appears to be more fluid as they age. Miranda’s story has replayed over and over again for many different women around the world. Invented or not, for many people it is still an understandable story.
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