I come to you from an all-consumed state of Sex and the City in the hopes I can switch you to the side of Manolo Blahniks, city sidewalks, couture, sex and best friends. Growing up I always saw the ads for the new Sex and the City movies, and just from the name, I thought they were some incredibly racey movies my mom would never allow me to watch. Little did I know, there’s so much more to it. When I was in high school, a new TV series known as The Carrie Diaries came out on Netflix. This teen drama show took place in the 1980s, and starred AnnaSophia Robb. I quickly realized this series was based off of what happened before the ever so famous Sex and the City, sharing the life of Carrie Bradshaw before her big move to the city. After watching the Carrie Diaries, I became very curious about the fate of Carrie Bradshaw, and here I am eight years later finally finding out.
First off, I definitely did not watch the whole series in order, as I had no clue what the order was supposed to be. In the past few years, I have watched the movies and became acquainted with the elegant career-driven women whom the show is all about. HBO recently released a revival of the original show, called And Just Like That…. Not knowing there was a sequence things should be watched in, I began to avidly watch this newest season. I was hooked to say the least. I am not sure why it has taken me so long to watch this show, as every aspect of it is what I like in television series. The show follows the lives of four career-driven, pretty women living their best lives in the heart of Manhattan. These New Yorkers are all best friends in their late 20s, 30s and 40s, balancing their impressive careers, relationships and dating in New York, and their social and family lives. Each of the main characters has such a different character that brings so much to their friend group and the show as a whole. It is absolutely hilarious and heartwarming to see these best friends navigate life together over the course of the show.
The show is narrated by the front runner and writer, Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Carrie is a writer on the Upper East Side of Manhattan writing her column “Sex and the City,” a relationship column that she bases on the recent relationship navigations of her and her friends. She has some aspect of fame in this position—her column being widely read— but still lives a somewhat frugal life where her paycheck goes primarily to her Upper East Side Rent, going out on the town, and a new pair of designer shoes. Carrie’s partners in crime are Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.
Samantha Jones is the oldest of the friends, bringing a sense of experience to the group, especially on any of their sexual questions. Played by Kim Cattrall, Samantha is a very well-to-do publicist who has spent her career building herself and networking in the great city of New York. Along with her knack for publicism, she also has a way to get any guy (or girl) she wants by turning on her seductive side. She is absolutely hilarious in this role, as she brings light and laughter to her friends even when the situations are somewhat uncomfortable. She has a sense of confidence that is admired by her friends and many of the viewers as well. However there is a recent controversy, as she was the only character not asked to return for the reboot of the show this past year.
In absolute contrast to Samantha is the traditionalist, art gallery curator, Charlotte York. Charlotte, played by Kristin Davis, is the stereotypical Upper East Side, preppy New Yorker, dressed in all Ralph Lauren, who plays tennis at the club on Tuesdays. Charlotte is the more modest of the friends who heirs on a more traditional side of relationships, exclusively dating. Charlotte is comedic in the sense that she’s obsessed with the idea of marriage and a perfect life. An important aspect of this show is her realizing not everything is perfect and coming to terms with imperfections and surprises.
Lastly, there is Miranda Hobbes, the overworked, red-headed lawyer. Miranda, played by Cynthia Nixon, is a very level headed professional who has never had the confidence that the other girls have. One of her battles in the show is overcoming this mental block that she is not enough. Miranda has some very real relationships throughout the show, most notably with her baby Brady who unexpectedly comes along in season four. This is a wonderful addition to the show as it shows the challenges of motherhood, especially as a career-driven woman. It also shows the challenges she has with dating after having a child. Having a mother in the show really grows the plot for the better, as all her friends support her through the process. I think Miranda is one of the most underrated characters in the show.
This show encapsulates femininity, relationship drama, family dynamics, and many of the challenges that women face over their lifetime. It covers some pretty relevant and substantial topics such as: sex, sexual hygeine and health, dating, marriage, choosing to not marry, abortion, pregnancy, fertility problems, and so much more. It covers all this while keeping the audience actively engaged in the friends’ social and professional lives, which makes for a very interesting show. I don’t find myself consumed by shows often, however this hooked me. I suggest everyone watch this show for some good entertainment, that is if you like romance, handbags and taxi cabs!