Once upon a time on the little island of Manhattan there lived four smart, beautiful women who were very good friends. These women spent a lot of time eating, drinking, dating, and shopping together. But, most of all, they enjoyed talking. They would voice their opinions on any topic: marriage, divorce, pregnancy, honesty, commitment, and favorite positions. If it was taboo, they had something to say. When they didn’t agree on certain issues, they would yell and get into fights. But, in the end, they were always there for one another. They were all very different in their own unique ways. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), the voice of the show, was a columnist for the New York Star who chronicled the on-going battle of the sexes. Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) was an art dealer who believed that playing by the rules was the best way to get a man. Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon) was a corporate lawyer fed up with the embarrassment of dating but refused to settle for less than she deserved. Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) was a public relations executive who thought that women could have sex like men, and wasn’t afraid to test her theory. “Im a trisexual. I’ll try anything once,” she said in one episode.
After six years, five Emmys, and eight Golden Globes, including the best comedy-actress in a series (Parker), the producers of HBO’s “Sex and The City” decided to kick off their Manolos one last time.
Since its debut in June of 1998, “Sex and The City” has gone from eccentric sitcom to cultural phenomenon. The series paved a new road for feminism, fashion, friendships, and sexuality. Single thirty-something women are rejoicing everywhere because of the impact this show has had on their lives.
Throughout the years, “Sex and The City” has become the bible for fashion. Women tune in every week just to see what the girls are wearing, thanks to costume designer Patricia Field. The nameplate necklaces, newsboy caps, and flower pins were seen here first. Carries’s obsession with shoes, especially Manolo Blahniks, has made them a house-hold name. In one episode, Carrie realizes that she has spent over $40,000 on shoes and now has no money to buy her apartment. “I will literally be the old lady who lived in her shoes,” she said.
The show has even developed a vocabulary of it’s own. Do you know what a “toxic bachelor” (serial seducer), “yogasm” (orgasm brought on by post-yoga sex with someone in your class), “modelizer” (a man who is obsessed with models) or a “frenemy” (two friends who are always fighting it out) are?
Many fans won’t be able to forget some of the most outrageous moments such as when Samantha had sex on that swing, or when Carrie farted in front of Mr. Big; Miranda’s charade as a lesbian to become more socially acceptable surely won’t be forgotten either. The Rabbit, Charlotte’s sex toy that kept her busy for weeks, will keep fans laughing for years.
Of the many things that won’t be forgotten include their loves and “lovas.” “Can you believe, that all of our ex-boyfriends can fit on that tiny island?” Miranda asked the others while taking in the view of Manhattan from a ferry.
Samantha was at the top of the list with 44 lovers. Most of these men didn’t last long; she liked to keep her weekends open for meet-ing new guys. Richard Wright (James Remar) and the “ultimate hunk” Smith Jerrod (Jason Lewis) were able to capture her heart.
When the uptight Miranda met Steve Brady (David Eisenberg), she couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t her type. Shortly after they broke up, Miranda got pregnant with his baby. She tried pushing him out of her life by dating Dr. Robert Leeds (Blair Underwood), but was unable to fight her true feelings-she was in love with Steve.
Trey MacDougal (Kyle MacLachlan) was Charlotte’s knight in shining armor. He saved her life and seemed to be the perfect gentleman. Charlotte soon found out that she also married his mother Bunny. If it weren’t for her divorce, Charlotte wouldn’t have met Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler).
Mr. Big (Chris Noth) was the most loved and hated guy of the entire series. His mysterious character came into Carrie’s life in the very first episode. Throughout the six years, he has broken her heart many times and often left her wondering if she would ever find love. After her first breakup with Mr. Big, Carrie met the rugged and loving furniture designer Aidan Shaw (John Corbett). The couple tried to make it work two times, with the second leading to an engagement. Carrie wasn’t ready for commitment however, and Aidan left her. In season five, she fell in love with New York City, and the moody writer Jack Berger (Ron Livingston). It was in the last season that she met artist Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov).
Despite the many relationships these women have agonized over, their friendships remained their top priority. “I couldn’t imagine what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met all of you,” said Carrie to her girls before she left for Paris.
The sixth and final season turned out to be as fabulous as the first five. It was more of an emotional ending compared to the more provocative seasons of the past.
The big question that all fans wanted answered, besides Big’s real name (thanks to caller-ID, we learn it is John)-will Carrie end up with Big or Aleksandr? The final episode was top secret, and no one mumbled a word as to the final outcome. To be sure, three alternate endings were filmed.
After six years, the fans got what they wanted. Carrie admitted her mistake of moving to Paris with Aleksandr. “I am someone who’s looking for love, real love…can’t live without each other love,” Carrie told him, “and I don’t think that love is here.”
Shortly after, Big arrives after racing across the Atlantic to bring her back home. He finally over-came his commitment problem and said, “It took me a long time to get here. But I’m here. Carrie, you’re the one.”
It was a happy ending for all of the women on the show. Miranda was able to open her heart and home to Steve’s ailing mother. Charlotte, after many disappointing attempts at having a child, got her wish: she and Harry will be adopting a baby girl from China. And Samantha, after her battle with breast cancer, admitted to Smith that he has meant more to her than any other man.
Why stop now? This has been one of the most asked questions. “We want to leave at a high note; that way we have the opportunity to come back and revisit,” said Sarah Jessica Parker in an interview with Oprah. “You don’t want to be the last one to leave a party.”
This may not be the end of “Sex and The City.” The series top executive, Michael Patrick King, and the show’s cast are talking with HBO about a movie that would continue the saga. There haven’t been any decisions made yet. Until then, Cosmopolitans