Sex and the City is an American television series which originally aired on HBO from June 6, 1998, to February 22, 2004, spanning six seasons. The show, set in New York City, may seem like a distant and perhaps difficult to relate to setting for many. However, I am half way through my first watch and I feel incredibly inspired to write my own piece on this fantastic show – Carrie-style.
The show focuses on the lives of four women—Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones—who navigate love, friendship, careers, and their personal lives. From the pilot episode, I felt a strange comfort. I’m not sure whether it was the stunning fashion, hilarious conversations or the heart-warming friendships between these women but I knew this show had something special.
As I made my way through the episodes, one thing that particularly stuck out to me was the special bond these four women shared. No matter what, they always come back to each other. I particularly love Miranda, she is such a stand-out character. Miranda is a complex character who is a very successful lawyer with her own strong views about what it means to be a woman. There is a very powerful episode where Miranda gets angry at the rest of the girls because all they seem to talk about is their own relationships with men. She says, “How does it happen that four such smart women have nothing to talk about but boyfriends? It’s like seventh grade with bank accounts. What about us? What we think, we feel, we know? Does it always have to be about them?” I think she’s such a special character.
I have always felt the importance of my own female friendships and it’s wonderful to see a show that represents the power that these bonds between women can have. Romantic love is not ignored however; there are many discussions between them about what sexuality even means. I loved their individual personalities, sense of self and of course their vulgarity when it came to aspects previously taken to be incredibly private and taboo.
Carrie’s decisions have often been a topic of discussion online and I think ultimately that although they may not always follow the most ‘morally correct’ path, it feels refreshing to have a show that unapologetically presents real human life. Things don’t always work out. Sometimes life surprises you: in a good and bad way. Your ego can get in the way and it can take time to realize that. I think the frustration the audience can feel is within the beautiful mix of emotions that this series provokes.
I have not yet finished Sex and The City so I cannot say for sure where I stand with the show as a whole but so far I think it’s a must watch for women especially younger women. It presents the reality of what growing up into adult life leads to. These women are in their mid 30s to early 40s and their personal views on marriage, motherhood, sex, relationships are so diverse and I love the way these topics are explored. Most of all I love the way these women are presented as successful in their own ways. They know what they want and they aren’t afraid to go after it. They are fabulous just how they are and in fact aging is not something to be afraid of, regardless of what scary corporations want you to think! Life is not over when you turn 30. In fact, it is truly beginning!
The older you get, the more experience you have. This is a logical fact that most people often disregard but I love how this series shows the value in this as well as the inner conflict of what it means to be a woman in this society where ‘wisdom’ can sometimes be confused with inadequacy or in fact the loss of youth.
Of course, this show is not perfect. It handles some topics less tastefully than others and the glitz and glamour of their New York City life may not be for everyone! However, if what I have had to say interests you in the slightest, I suggest you begin your ‘Sex and The City’ journey and let me know your own thoughts!
