‘And Just Like That’: Miranda Finally Gets a Good Love Interest in Dolly Wells

Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon) has a had a rough go of it on MAX’s And Just Like That… In Season 1, she struggled with alcoholism and blew up her marriage by embarking on an affair with non-binary comic Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez). In Season 2, she followed Che to California, only for that romance to fizzle out in spectacular fashion.

And Just Like That… Season 3 now sees our girl looking for love as a single lesbian on the town. So far, she’s only gotten with a virgin nun played by Rosie O’Donnell, but, hey, her luck might finally be looking up. In And Just Like That… Season 3 Episode 4 “Apples to Apples,” Miranda finally makes a move on her work crush, Joy (Dolly Wells).

**Spoilers for And Just Like That… Season 3 Episode 4 “Apples to Apples,” now streaming on MAX**

Miranda first met BBC producer Joy all the way back in Season 2 as part of her work with the Human Rights Campaign. While Miranda felt a spark, it was unclear if Joy felt it, too. Cut to last week’s episode of And Just Like That… Miranda asks Joy for a little tutorial on how to be more poised on camera and Joy uses it as a sly opportunity to touch Miranda’s chest. (Oh, it’s on.)

With Carrie staying with Aidan in Virginia this week, Miranda gets the plum job of cat-sitting Shoe in her bestie’s fabulous new Gramercy duplex. She takes full advantage of these digs and invites Joy over for a drink. Joy winds up bringing her three obnoxious friends from England along for the hangout.

What’s even worse for Miranda is the fact that she awkwardly misspoke during her latest soundbite cut for Joy and has gone instantly viral as the “wild cunt” lady. Even though Brady (Niall Cunningham) laughs it off, Miranda worries that Joy’s officially lost interest. Joy’s aloof demeanor during the hangout at Carrie’s pad seemingly confirms this. Her friends raucously take full advantage of Miranda’s hospitality, while Joy seems withdrawn, even sad.

Then comes the twist! Miranda confronts Joy about their chemistry, admitting that she knows she got it wrong. However, Joy then reveals that she shuts down and gets quiet when she really, really likes someone. And just like that… Miranda and Joy share their first kiss.

Miranda’s burgeoning romance with Joy is good news for And Just Like That… in general. First of all, it means that Miranda is finally seeing someone whose lifestyle matches with her own. Che and Miranda ultimately were incompatible for a lot of reasons, but the fact that Che was a laid-back comedian to Miranda’s type A attorney was one of the biggest sources of tension in that relationship. Joy, on the other hand, is a professionally-minded career woman interested in the same causes as Miranda. It also helps that they’re closer in age to each other and actually share a sense of humor.

Miranda’s new love story is also great because it adds some spice to the show. Most of the characters on And Just Like That… are paired with partners they’ve known for a while. That’s not to say that Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Harry (Evan Handler) aren’t sweet together, but everything is comfortably familiar. Miranda and Joy are still exploring the early days of their connection. It’s all sparks, trying to catch flame.

Most importantly, though, Joy mentioned in Season 2 that she has Italian greyhounds, and I’m all about adding more pets besides Shoe and Mr. Burton to this zany show.