The July 24, 2025, episode of And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 9, “Present Tense,” delivered a gut-punch to fans who long championed Aidan Shaw (John Corbett) as Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) true love. For years, Aidan was seen as the antidote to Mr. Big’s (Chris Noth) chaotic romance, but this episode exposes a colder, more controlling Aidan, leaving Carrie—and viewers—heartbroken. The fantasy of Aidan as the perfect partner is shattered, prompting a reevaluation of whether Big, flaws and all, was the better match.

The episode unravels as Aidan, visiting Carrie in New York, displays simmering jealousy over her friendship with neighbor and fellow writer Duncan (Jonathan Cake). His trust issues, rooted in Carrie’s past affair with Big during their Sex and the City days, resurface with a vengeance. A pivotal moment occurs when Carrie returns from a writing session, smelling of Duncan’s pipe smoke. Aidan’s reaction—“Uh-uh, no. Get away from me. Go take a shower”—is jarring, revealing a pettiness that feels like a betrayal of his once-warm persona. “This isn’t the Aidan we loved,” one X user posted, echoing the shock of many.

The confrontation escalates at a lunch date, where Aidan admits, “I do have trust issues with you around other men.” Carrie, devastated, counters, “I’ve moved mountains and apartments,” highlighting her commitment to their long-distance relationship. His inability to forgive her past, coupled with his recent admission of sleeping with his ex-wife, exposes a double standard. As Taylor Swift’s “How Did It End?” plays, Carrie ends it, stating, “I can’t give you any more than I have, and it wasn’t enough.” The breakup, confirmed by writers Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky to Variety as “pretty permanent,” feels final, with fans on X lamenting, “Aidan broke her all over again.”

In contrast, Big, despite his commitment issues, embraced Carrie’s flaws, never demanding she prove her worth. Posts on X reflect this shift: “Big let Carrie be herself. Aidan’s controlling side is a dealbreaker.” The episode dismantles Aidan’s saintly image, revealing a man trapped by resentment. As Carrie removes Aidan’s Virginia postcards from her fridge, the symbolism is clear: she’s freeing herself from his judgment.

And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 9 forces fans to confront the truth: Aidan’s idealized persona was a fantasy. Big, for all his mistakes, may have been the one who truly stayed. This revelation, streaming on Max, has left viewers stunned and divided, redefining a decades-long debate.