Top 10 Things ONLY Sex and the City Fans Understand
#10: Not Everyone is a Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, or Samantha Various Episodes
From the time that “Sex and the City” first aired, it seemed that everyone wanted to categorize themself as either a Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, or Samantha. In the years since the show premiered, there have been countless online quizzes created to tell you which character you’re most like. The thing is, however, Carrie’s three friends are created as exaggerated archetypes, so it would be surprising for any real-life person to have all that much in common with them. All four women have traits that are likely relatable to many viewers, so feeling like you’re a combination of them all is totally fair.
#9: Carrie Is Supposed to Be an Antihero Various Episodes
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While Carrie may be “Sex and the City’s” protagonist, she isn’t written like the majority of other female characters that were seen on TV prior to the show’s release in 1998. Emily Nussbaum, writing for the New Yorker, calls Carrie TV’s first female antihero, praising the writers’ decision to allow Carrie significant flaws that, at times, made her utterly unlikable. The way that Carrie behaves isn’t always relatable, and she often does things that make viewers cringe. But when watching the show through the lens of her being an intentionally imperfect woman, it’s easier to appreciate it for what it is.
#8: The Significance of a Drawer "Evolution"
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In the season two episode "Evolution", Carrie is dating Mr. Big, and laments the fact that she has to cart all her toiletries and personal items all over town with her for when she sleeps over. She has no space of her own in which to leave her things at his apartment, which makes her feel displaced. The entire storyline signifies the imbalance in Carrie and Big’s relationship, which is created by Big being unwilling to commit to her. The fact that the episode doesn’t even end with him giving her a drawer gives a hint of the turmoil to come in their love story.
#7: Don't Underestimate a Lazy Ovary Various Episodes
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In season two, Miranda is diagnosed with a “lazy ovary”, which means that her odds of naturally conceiving a child are diminished. Two seasons later, Miranda hooks up with her ex-boyfriend, Steve, who has recently gone through testicular cancer. Considering both of their reproductive hurdles, Miranda doesn’t think she needs to wear a condom, and ends up getting pregnant. It’s a lesson to us all that no matter what the circumstances are, it’s always prudent to use protection. Of course, things end up okay for Miranda and Steve in the end, considering the pregnancy results in Brady!
#6: You May Think You Want a Trey, But Fall For a Harry Various Episodes
When we first meet Charlotte, her romantic aspirations seem to be pretty superficial. She wants to meet a wealthy guy from a good family who checks all the boxes and looks good on paper. She thinks that women have to follow the “rules” of dating to land themselves the perfect guy. But when she ostensibly finds Mr. Right in successful doctor Trey MacDougal, it turns out to be a disastrous match. Charlotte only gets her real happily-ever-after when she throws all the rules out the window and meets Harry, who may not be the man she imagined but ends up being the perfect guy for her.
#5: The Meaning of Hubbell “Ex and the City”
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If you’re under the age of 50, you may not be familiar with the classic romantic film, “The Way We Were”. If you’ve seen “Sex and the City”, however, you know the basics of the plot, including the iconic line: “your girl is lovely Hubbell”. That’s because the four women of SATC discuss the impact the movie had on them and how Carrie sees herself as a “Katie girl”. In the episode “Ex and the City”, Carrie runs into Big after his engagement party and delivers the heartbreaking line from “The Way We Were”, showing that she’s letting their relationship go...at least for now.
#4: I Choose My Choice! "Time and Punishment"
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While the women of “Sex and the City” make many dubious decisons through the series, there’s one thing they all maintain: being entirely themselves. Each of the four of them has a distinct personality, and they inevitably clash at times when it comes to the choices they make. When Charlotte wants to quit her job in order to become a homemaker, fiercely independent Miranda isn’t able to hold back her judgement. In the end, however, all of the main characters act as examples of how women can make their own choices, taking different paths in order to have the lives that are right for them.
#3: The Intense Connotations of a Post-It "Hop, Skip, and a Week" & "The Post-it Always Sticks Twice"
In season six of the show, Carrie’s boyfriend, Berger, memorably breaks up with her on a Post-It note that simply reads: “I’m sorry, I can’t, don’t hate me”. This is arguably one of the worst breakups in television history, drawing the ire of any fan of the show due to Berger’s selfish and careless behavior. While the episode that follows turns the situation into a humorous one, you can’t help but feel for Carrie as another relationship ends despite her best efforts. No fan will ever think of those little sticky notes the same way ever again.
#2: Carrie's Fashion Sense Wasn’t Meant to Be Universally Appealing Various Episodes
We already discussed the ways in which Carrie was intentionally designed to be unlikable, but we haven’t yet touched on her wardrobe. “Sex and the City” is a show with a heavy focus on fashion, and throughout the series Carrie in particular wears many incredible outfits... and some questionable ones. You could even say that Carrie was repping “man repeller” style before the term was even popularized. The thing is, however, Carrie’s style wasn’t meant to be beloved by all viewers. She takes risks and dresses for herself, rather than in the interest of pleasing the male gaze, or the gaze of the viewer. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Don't Say "I Love You" on a Cookie, “One” There Are a Lot of Ways to Express Your Feelings But This Is Not One of Them The Movies Aren't Canon Well, Technically They Are, But We Don't Want to Accept It Shopping Is Acceptable Cardio, “Baby, Talk Is Cheap” Who Needs the Gym? The Inexplicable Mystique (& Mystery) of Skipper, Various Episodes It Seems Like He Completely Disappeared
#1: You Can Have More Than One Soulmate “The Agony and the ‘Ex’-tacy”
In the season four premiere, the women discuss the concept of soulmates and whether a person gets more than one in their lifetime. Carrie is also celebrating her 35th birthday in this episode, and finds herself crestfallen when her party ends up being a total bust, lamenting the fact that she doesn’t have a man in her life to make the day feel special. In one of the most touching and memorable moments of the series, Charlotte suggests that the women be each other’s soulmates, relegating men to the sidelines. It’s a scene that sums up the important themes of the show and inspired viewers to reconsider who their true soulmates really were.
