And Just Like That farewells Willie Garson’s character Stanford to mixed reviews

Beloved Sex and the City character Stanford Blatch was officially farewelled in this week’s episode of the spin-off series – and fans had thoughts.

Beloved Sex and the City character Stanford Blatch was officially farewelled in this weeks episode of the spin-off series, And Just Like That.

The show kept Stanford alive despite the real-life death of Willie Garson, the actor who played Carrie Bradshaw’s best friend on both the original and rebooted series.

Garson passed away aged 57 from pancreatic cancer in 2021 after filming just three episodes of AJLT’s first season.

However, instead of writers killing off his character, they concocted a storyline which saw Stanford abruptly leave New York for Japan on business, leaving behind his husband, Anthony (Mario Cantone).

Now, as season two draws to a close on BINGE, the writers appear to have written Stanford off the show for good, with Carrie informing Anthony during a tender scene that he had decided to stay in Japan permanently... having become a Shinto monk.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Mario Cantone played out the tender scene on And Just Like That. Picture: Binge

Parker was especially emotional as Willie Garson was her good friend in real life.

Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) broke the sad news to Anthony over cocktails in her apartment, as she read out a letter Stanford had sent her.

“’Carrie, for the first time in my life, I felt peace, real peace,’” Stanford wrote, describing his spiritual awakening at a temple.

She told Anthony that Stanford had enclosed legal documents, in which he had left his estranged husband his apartment and all of his belongings.

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Willie Garson (right) appeared on three episodes of And Just Like That How before his death in 2021. Picture: Binge

“I want no attachments. I have let go of all things that no longer serve me and I let it all go with love,” Stanford wrote.

Carrie then showed Anthony a photo of Stanford dressed in a monk’s robe.

The explanation that Stanford will now live his life as a monk in Japan did not sit well with some viewers, who believed the storyline was not true to the character of Carrie’s fashionable, cocktail-loving gay bestie.

I just wish the writers/producers didn't make Stanford a monk. I mean I get they wanted him to be at peace but still. Should have been something better than this. #AndJustLikeThatpic.twitter.com/LL4YEKOScM

— Marie C (@9woodMac) August 17, 2023

#AndJustLikethat did a despicable thing with Stanford Blatch. They could have honoured Willie Garson, the man, ergo, Stanny with a wonderful, dignified & realistic send off; with a bottle episode,not one pitiful scene.
Instead, Stanford was discarded like last seasons Manolo's. pic.twitter.com/wbSUcY3R7k

— Karen (@CallMeMissRoss) August 17, 2023

Can they just write in that Stanford passed? This storyline “excuse” is just bad #AndJustLikeThatpic.twitter.com/OhP9Nate6z

— Victoria Vérité (@VictoriaVerite) August 17, 2023

i have defended #AndJustLikeThat through so much bs but making stanford a japanese monk?! who made this choice lmao i need names

— hot girl bummer (@k8erzz) August 17, 2023

Why with this outrageous story line with Stanford? It’s so unnecessary. #ajlt#AndJustLikeThat

— Daisy (@vnes17) August 17, 2023

The most offensive thing about #AndJustLikeThat is the Stanford plot line…especially in this weeks episode. So disrespectful to his character. Disappointed.

— hi gay (@devinmartin96) August 17, 2023

They could’ve just left the Stanford storyline unwritten/a mystery. This was a half ass job for an actor that passed in real life #AndJustLikeThat

— Maxine Shaw, S.S. (@KeishaFierce) August 17, 2023

The way they did Stanford’s character dirty after Willie Garson’s death really annoys me. He deserved better #AndJustLikeThat

— Farah (@FarahBai_) August 17, 2023

However, some fans appreciated knowing what became of Stanford, arguing that it was a nice way to pay tribute to Garson.

The scene about Stanford made me cry because he was such a pivotal character in both series and Willie’s unexpected passing in real life was such a hard pill to swallow. #AndJustLikeThat  I love that fans finally got closure.

— Amb. एम्बर (@ajscribes) August 17, 2023

I love how they are honoring Willie Garson aka Stanford ♡ #AndJustLikeThat

— Say🦋 (@_saysuccess) August 18, 2023

The fact they turned Stanford in to a monk is actually a nice ending for him.🍸to Stanny! #AndJustLikeThat

— Jills🔪 (@SporadicJills) August 18, 2023

I’m about to cry. Making Stanford find “absolute peace” is about to make me cry!!!!!!!!!! #AndJustLikeThat

— hi (@missninabina) August 17, 2023

I was teary eyed when Carrie was reading Stanny’s letter. I love the closure that letter symbolizes for both Stanford and Willie Garson. Kudos to the writers 💕 #AndJustLikeThat

— Joe (@schizojoejoe) August 17, 2023

This entire series is shocking but I must say, the scene about Stanford was written beautifully and you could really see how hard it was for the actors. #AndJustLikeThat

— Abbey 🌈 (@abbeylouuu) August 17, 2023

Amid the chatter, AJLT showrunner Michael Patrick King backed his team’s decision to wrap up Stanford’s character the way they did because ultimately they “didn’t want Stanford to die. We wanted Willie to be alive as Stanford somewhere in the world.”

“I wanted to somehow pay tribute to Willie and put Stanford someplace where it was golden and filled with light because I hope Willie’s someplace that’s golden and filled with light,” King said on Thursday’s episode of the And Just Like That… The Writers Room podcast.

“And it was poetic and it’s very emotional.”

This season of And Just Like That will conclude next week, amid speculation that this might also be the final season of the show, with many characters’ storylines seemingly heading for resolution.