Long ago (1998), in a magical land called New York City, the tale of four thirty-something, beautiful, intelligent women commenced being told. These women were clever and independent, as well as naive and bullheaded at times. They lived uncompromising lives, both at work and play, until they finally saw the light and admitted that compromise was necessary in life. In all aspects of life. Even more importantly, they lived these lives in absolutely fabulous clothes, shoes and handbags.
Sex and the City began as a column by Candace Bushnell written for the New York Observer about the dating exploits of various New York City stereotypes. Bushnell, writing as her alter ego Carrie Bradshaw, gave these people titles such as “modelizer” and “toxic bachelor,” infusing the column with a sense of humor to shadow the brutal honesty of what it is to be thirty-something and single in one of the most unforgiving dating cities in the world.
In setting the scene for what would become one of television’s most iconic series, Candace Bushnell gave Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) three extremely different, yet mysteriously well-matched best friends. Charlotte (Kristin Davis) was polite, well-versed in all kinds of etiquette and forever searching for the perfect man to sweep her off her feet, marry her and give her babies. Even better, he should come from money, be the waspiest WASP ever and be ridiculously handsome. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) was mostly work, with some play but no pressure for commitment. She was determined to make partner in her law firm and would not tolerate a man whose neuroses had any chance of getting in her way. And finally, there was Samantha (Kim Cattrall), who brought all expectations of proper female behavior to their knees and dared to “have sex like men.” These women were the perfect foils for Carrie’s own neurotic, confused and ever-searching personality. They quickly became best friends, and even more quickly became soul mates. They always listened, rarely judged and never turned their backs on each other.
Sex and the City the series was funny, intelligent, clever and irreverent. Improperly dubbed a “chick series,” it appealed to all genders, varying age groups and multiple demographics. It combined serious matter, hilarious circumstance and amazing fashion (often timeless yet sometimes bordering on the ridiculous). SATC brought to the forefront the Birkin, Manolo and ugly, sequined, animal-shaped clutches that somebody, somewhere decided were cute??? It also showed us erectile dysfunction, infertility, alzheimer’s and dementia, the consequences of adultery, cancer (both breast and testicle), religious conflict, the wonders of adoption and the difficult choice of abortion. At all times, SATC strove to be both humorous and honest. These women were by no means perfect, but were perfect friends for each other. In all their differences, we were able to view every possible choice for a woman to make and, in that way, SATC is the perfect lesson in feminism. You can be married or single, a housewife or law partner and still be happy living the life that was meant for you. It is in this way that SATC the series became a milestone in television history. Here, as part of that history, are my five faves:
1) Season 1: “The Drought” – Carrie is still early in the first run of her relationship with Mr. Big when…dum DA dum dum….she farts in the bed! The funniest parts in this episode come from Chris Noth. The obvious reaction to the fart, laughter. Then, as Sarah Jessica Parker ad libs by going underneath the blanket in shame, Noth ad libs back with “I think its worse under there”… hilarious. Then SJP runs to the bathroom, still under the blanket, and runs right into the door. More hysterical laughter from Noth. The rest of the episode goes on with Carrie analyzing why Big isn’t having sex with her, only to determine that it was the fart. Big doesn’t make it any better by placing a whoopie cushion under her at an opportune moment. What makes this episode one of my faves is not only the realism (c’mon, guys…ladies fart. get over it.) Its also how well SJP and Noth work together, even so early on in the relationship/series. It was then that I realized they were MFEO.
2) Season 2: “Ex and the City” – Carrie is broken up with Big and he’s become engaged to Natasha (Bridget Monyahan), the “idiot stick figure with no soul”. Specifically, its the end of this episode that makes it perfect. Taking reference from The Way We Were with Streisand and Redford, Carrie realizes that she’s to wild for Big and that Natasha is white bread, wasp-y perfect for his inclinations. After the girls’ impromptu performance of “The Way We Were,” Carrie sees Big outside of the Plaza after his engagement party. Quoting the film, Carrie tells Big “Your girl is lovely, Hubble”. Big tells her “I don’t get it” (b/c he’s a guy, and its a chick flick) and Carrie responds “And ya never did.” Perfection.
3) Season 4: “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda” – Miranda has given Steve (David Eigenberg) a mercy-f**k because he had to have a ball removed and he feels less a man, and now she’s pregnant with his child. Unable to comprehend single-motherhood as a partner in a corporate law firm in NYC, Miranda schedules an abortion. Meanwhile, Charlotte has learned she and Trey (Kyle MacLachlan) are unable to get pregnant. The emotional tug-of-war between the two culminates in Charlotte’s acceptance of Miranda’s decision, despite the fact that she believes Miranda is taking the baby for granted. However, upon bringing Miranda flowers after she is to have had the abortion, Charlotte learns that Miranda could not go through with it. And, as Carrie says, on that day three aunts were born.
4) Season 4: “The Good Fight” – Unable to conceive and sick of trying, Trey decides to give Charlotte a cardboard baby. Thus begins the fight to end their marriage. On a more entertaining note, Carrie and Aidan (John Corbett) have moved in together and are attempting to live amongst the array of boxes he has brought to her little apartment. This culminates in a battle to end all, as carry mocks Aidan’s collection of Speed Sticks and “preventative” use of Rogaine. After storming out, having dinner at Charlotte’s and witnessing a knock-down, drag-out between Charlotte and Trey, Carrie makes her way back to Aidan, grateful for him after all.
5) Season 4: “I Heart NY” – Charlotte is single, Samantha gets her heart broken, Brady Hobbes is born and Big is leaving. “I Heart NY” was written before 9/11, but its expression of love for the city and the narration at the end are so touching and prophetic. This episode especially shows how much of a character NYC actually is for this series. As the creators of the show say, NYC really is the 5th star. The episode is bittersweet, though, as it shows the exit of Mr. Big from Carrie’s life (though temporarily, obviously). At that moment, and as Miranda is having her baby, NYC has changed ever so slightly for Carrie, and would never be the same. For better or worse.
Honorable Mentions:
Season 6: “The Catch” – Carrie can’t do a “catch” on a trapeze, but Charlotte has finally found a man to catch her when she falls, Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler). By far, one of the greatest men on this series, Harry is smart, funny and certainly not as unattractive as they try to make him.
Season 6: “One” – Miranda dumps Blair Underwood for Steve as he tells her she’s the one at Brady’s 1st birthday party.
Season 6: “An American Girl in Paris: Part Deux” – Samantha finds true love in a younger but more stable Smith, Charlotte and Harry get their baby, Lily, Miranda becomes a true family woman and shows pure love as she helps her mother-in-law cope with dementia and Big goes to Paris to bring Carrie back. The series ended on a pitch perfect note in this finale, with all girls getting a happy, realistic ending. If only they’d left it alone. Sigh.
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