From Carrie's first date with Big, to Miranda's unexpected pregnancy, to Charlotte's divorce, to Samantha's outrageous statements, Sex and the City has touched all of us in one way or another, whether you're a woman or a man, I am brave enough to admit. The common misconception surrounding this show is that it is pornography, that these women are sluts, that they are "male-bashing, unmoral, unfocused, drunken losers" to quote a certain user. At the beginning, we were introduced with the theme of Sex and the City: If men can go around having sex with as many women as they want, why can't women benefit from the same right. Thus began an era of cosmopolitans, manolos, men, breakups, makeups,shakeups, tears, and many surprises. The show expressed a series of views, social standards and taboo statements opinionated by the women, which before were considered to be unlady-like, associated with men's sleazy mind.
This theme however began to be diverted towards each woman's personal life as their character develops from past mistakes and experiences. We witness this with Carrie, as she started with Big, in the very first episode of the series. Though Big turned up to have broken her heart more than once, they became even closer friends apart, until they realized that they just couldn't live without each other, all summing up to their grand reunion in the series finale. My personal favorite, Miranda, cynicism impersonated at its best, portrayed this development as she starts to realize to give up her pessimism about men meeting Steve, whom she ends up pregnant with accidentally. From the minute that the baby was born, one could not deny it that they were an inseparable trio. Though they decided that it would be best they run their own lives and have their own partners since so many differences arose between them while they were dating, a blind could sense the undeniable feeling that was flowing between them: love, for each other and the child that they share together. This love grows even stronger as the show breaks another taboo of society: Miranda asks Steve in marriage, strengthening their family love. The turning point in Miranda's life with Steve and Brady is when they decide to move together to Brooklyn, much to the girl's disappointment. At first, Miranda has doubts that her life will get better here but as she looks outside from the kitchen window, he sees Steve playing with Brady in the yard, and she thinks it would be selfish of her to ever deny this to her family. Next comes sweet Charlotte, who has been trying so hard to be pregnant to the point that she got upset when Miranda got pregnant when she didn't even try anything. When she was finally impregnated, she miscarried her baby, bringing to an emotional breakdown. But she wasn't alone to go through this, as her divorce lawyer, now her husband Harry was there with her, for her, the whole way and never gave up hope. Life seem to be laughing at Charlotte's face as after Miranda got pregnant, Charlotte's dog, Elizabeth Taylor got pregnant after being gangbanged in the park. Harry then proposes adoption, an idea that seemed unlikely to Charlotte at first as she wanted her own child. But then her heart gave in and embraces the idea. Again, bad luck strikes the Goldenblatt residence as the first couple that wanted to give up their child for adoption to Charlotte decided to change their minds. Charlotte doesn't give up hope and hope finally answers her call as they receive a picture of their baby in the series finale. Charlotte breaks into tears as her dream has been finally realized: she's a mother. And last but definitely not least, the controversy of the show: Samantha Jones, PR: "Translation: I give great head." Samantha has been the favorite, yet the most hated character by so many on the show for her boldness, her outrageous and provocative views on sex and men. Yet, who would have ever thought that this sassy diva could express emotions. Season 6, she meets Jerry Jerod, a waiter at a restaurant called Raw, serving everything cooked below 118 degrees, basically, lawn in a bowl, to quote Miranda. This waiter turns out to be a lot younger than her, but "the best sex I have ever had in years." But little did she know that this same waiter would bring about her emotions and be there as she faces her toughest challenge yet: she is diagnosed with breast cancer. For the first time, we see this wrong woman, who isn't afraid of anything, start to express fear for her life and her breasts. One of the memorable episodes is when she gives her "perspirational" speech, identifying herself as a victim of breast cancer along with thousands of other women suffering with her. Jerry, now Smith, turned out to be more than Samantha bargained for. Not only was he "a great f*ck", but a sentimentalist that isn't afraid to show the world that he loves Samantha. Samantha realizes this as he comes back from one of his acting trips all the way from Alaska and tells her that he forgot to tell her he loves her. Samantha cries and responds: " You've made me feel like no man has ever done before", an amazing breakthrough in Samantha's life. All these women have been through everything together, apart, and closer than ever as they reunite for a final walk together in the series finale. This show does not belittle men. It shows men that women are more than just things to toy around with, that they have feelings as well, and we can see that from the fina male characters in the show and some in between. These women are role models to so many in not just what they do, but what they are, for being there for each other through the toughest times, showing a whole new side to girl-talk. I may be a guy, but this show has been truly an experience for me.
Farewell, Sex and the City. You will truly be missed.
