'And Just Like That' writers defend the controversial Steve and Miranda storyline and suggest fans' criticism is actually 'a lopsided gender issue'

• A writer on "AJLT" said that criticism of Steve's storyline reveals a "lopsided gender issue."
• Writer Roxane Gay tweeted about Steve's storyline, wondering if the writers "hate" his actor, David Eigenberg.

Since the "Sex and the City" revival series "And Just Like That" premiered in December, fans have been concerned about Miranda's husband Steve, played by David Eigenberg. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, some of the "And Just Like That" writers finally addressed the criticism of Steve's portrayal and defended his storyline.

Perhaps the biggest issue viewers have with Steve's treatment in the revival series is that Miranda, unhappy in her marriage, is actively cheating on Steve but also not talking to him about any of their relationship issues. On the latest episode, we're made to believe that the couple hasn't had sex in so long that Steve has forgotten how to please his wife — which is a tough development to swallow for fans who watched the couple's often-passionate relationship flourish in the original show and films.

It's not good representation of the fan-favorite character. Although Steve is flawed (he cheated on Miranda in the first "Sex and the City" movie), he's also been steadfast in his support for Miranda, who seems to be forgetting she's married as she continues to fall for Carrie's boss, Che Diaz, a character some fans have a whole separate set of problems with.

Elisa Zuritsky, who also wrote for "Sex and the City," told Vanity Fair that fan criticism of Steve's plot in the revival suggests a "lopsided gender issue," noting that viewers feel "angry" at Miranda and "more protective" of Steve because of that.

Zuritsky was clear that the writing on "And Just Like That" is in no way meant to be a betrayal of Eigenberg or Steve as a character. "Everyone on the show, every single person, loves David Eigenberg as a human being," she said. "We love him as an actor. We love Steve. We are really invested in the Steve-ness of him. He's so full of life, and the Steves out there are good guys."

Writer Julie Rottenberg, who was also on the writing staff of "Sex and the City," also urged viewers to consider just how relatable Miranda's situation is. "Miranda's journey is representing another reality out there, which a lot of people go through — the reevaluations and transitions in life," she said. "Grown couples grow apart, and people come to epiphanies about what their spouse is or isn't fulfilling for them."

Zuritsky promised fans that they're "going to get that scene" examining how Steve feels about the new issues in his marriage, implying that those problems Miranda is keeping secret will eventually become apparent to him.

Fans are unloading on social media about how much they hate Steve's 'AJLT' storyline

Steve's storyline is getting criticism from many viewers, including author Roxane Gay.

"On And Just Like That, do they hate the actor who plays Steve?" she tweeted. "They have given his character not one good scene. He just walks around yelling uttering absolute nonsense. It's bizarre. He was so lovely."

—roxane gay (@rgay) January 14, 2022

Julia Jacobo, a reporter at ABC, pointed out that the idea that Steve and Miranda suddenly have an unsatisfying sex life doesn't line up with what we've seen on "SATC" in the past.

"Why do they keep doing Steve dirty like that? In the show, when Miranda was contemplating dating 'Steve the bartender' and was asked about the sex, her response was 'There are no words.' she tweeted. "I understand libidos slowing down, but Steve didn't just forget how to fuck."

—Julia Jacobo (@JuliaTheWriter) January 14, 2022

Writer and comedian Rohita Kadambi tweeted that they noticed a disparity between how Steve, Miranda, and Che are represented on the show in relation to their respective ages, and suggested that Steve is being made to seem much older than he actually is.

—Rohita Kadambi (@RohitaKadambi) January 17, 2022

But other viewers support Miranda's storyline on 'And Just Like That,' no matter how Steve is portrayed in it

While there is a loud outcry of justice for Steve on social media, some fans just don't like him.

"How can people like Steve?!" one user wrote. "I'm Team #CheDiaz I like Miranda and Che together!!!"

Another user tweeted that although they are "sad" about Miranda and Steve's storyline, "anyone who has been in a long term relationship should know that it can be tough to keep those sparks going."

New episodes of "And Just Like That" are available to stream Thursdays on HBO Max.