POV: A GenZer rewatched ‘Sex and the City’ in 2024

In the wee hours of a school night, as I flipped through a bunch of channels, nothing caught my attention like the title Sex and the City did. For a ninth grader, it was a blend of something forbidden and curiosity that made me continue watching it. Three binge-worthy episodes later, I knew I was in for a ride. The ride lasted six seasons long, giving me a glimpse of everything from girl-talk to sex-talk, Fendi baguettes to strappy Manolos, cosmopolitans to cheeseburgers, and a whole lot of love in between. 

For the uninitiated (you can't sit with us), the show follows a group of four girlfriends in their mid to late '30s living in New York City tackling love and life, men and money and the evolving concept of dating in the late '90s. I distinctly remember perceiving the fictional characters as older and wiser, believing there was much to be learnt from their escapades. In fact, for better or for worse, a prominent part of my teens were influenced by the Sex and the City (SATC). 

 

A strong character analysis later, I deduced that Carrie Bradshaw is the overthinker of the group. She’s whimsical and fashionable, intelligent but often delusional and is always chasing her next BIG story. Samantha Jones, founder of Samantha Jones PR, is seen as a go-getter in bold pantsuits, making power moves both at work and at play. She’s got a sharp wit, an enviable career, and a knack for turning heads, all while not being apologetic for some fun and freedom. The no-nonsense, career-driven realist of the group, Miranda Hobbes is all about tough love, practicality, and eye rolls. She’s the friend who’ll call you out on your nonsense, but she’s also fiercely loyal and quietly vulnerable beneath her sarcastic exterior.  Lastly, Charlotte York, the eternal romantic and a type-A perfectionist. Her pastel fitted dresses, and lightly blushed cheeks, always had her ready for a near-love situation. Charlotte dreams of fairy tales, white picket fences, and proclaims monogamy with a capital M. These ladies each bring their own flair to the streets of Manhattan, making them a dynamic—and sometimes hilariously mismatched—squad!

Now, in my mid-20s as I rewatch this wild show, I couldn’t help but wonder if these characters actually had it all? Here are some harsh realities I got from watching SATC again, as I took a trip down memory lane. 

A show about women that’s mostly about men

“How does it happen that four such smart women have nothing to talk about but boyfriends?”, says Miranda as she storms out of the hundredth conversation the four of them have about their partners—and that’s personal on so many levels. While there’s always conversations around other subjects like fashion, friendship and feminism, every episode is led by a guy problem. The storyline could venture into so many more interesting topics for 30-something women that were not driven by men. Now as an adult with long female friendships, I wished there was more to Carrie and her girlfriends than their relationship status. 

Selective inclusivity 

In episode four, ‘Boy Girl, Boy Girl’ of season three, protagonist Carrie goes out with a twenty-something man who talks about his bisexuality which effectively terminates the beginning of that relationship. In the late '90s featuring the LGBTQ+ community on screen was always done with a filter, and SATC attempted at hiding those prejudices while creating their own. “I’m not even sure bisexuality exists, I think it's just a layover on the way to gaytown”, says the sex columnist while narrating the date to her friends like a propaganda. All homophobia breaks loose when Samantha dates a woman and comes out as a lesbian. Not only are the friends in utter disbelief, but completely belittle the relationship with awful jokes about Samantha’s heterosexuality. In fact Stanford Blatch, Carrie’s gay best friend, is often welcomed only to become a fashion accessory and not an actual person with real feelings. 

Everyone who matters is rich 

 

Despite living in New York City and in rent-controlled apartments on the Upper East Side, the four friends eat at fancy restaurants, indulge in frequent retail therapy, take expensive trips together but seemingly never run out of money. And when they do, it’s in a painfully unaware situation that’s paired with major irresponsibility. “I spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live?!”, realises Carrie while trying on yet another pair of shoes. In the fictional show, wealth is aspirational, sexy and sometimes mysterious too. That’s why we are meant to see Mr Big, a businessman, as a bigger charmer than Steve, a bartender, who couldn’t pay rent… what a dichotomy!  

Love shouldn’t be dramatic 

For six seasons, Carrie and Big shuffle between partners, cities and feelings with uncertainties only to find their way back to each other. The fact that nothing is ever simple between the two, unfortunately, is what gives their relationship a unique, special and worth-fighting-for need over the rest of the couples in the show. Contrary to popular first impressions, Carrie equally withholds the tag of a red flag as much as Mr Big. The two have other simpler and fuller relationships that go into marriage (cue Aidan and Natasha) but are written off because they lack the drama. The damages of all this infidelity, only to be with each other, is nearly not spoken enough. 

Miranda and Samantha go up on the favourite’s list

 

The care-with-caution, uptight and independent portrayal of Miranda is relatable for so many women in cities like New York. She embodies the modern woman’s balancing act between career ambition, personal relationships, and self-doubt while also being unafraid to challenge societal norms. Often titled as cynical, Miranda’s lawyer mind breaks down every situation and its outcomes which also leads to the challenges she faces like vulnerability, insecurity, and the pressure to "have it all”.

Much like a fearless and fierce Miranda, Samantha's character challenges conventions around femininity and sexuality, embracing her desires without shame. Samantha has long been a fan favourite with a self-made career, insatiable sexuality, iconic one-liners and a non-judgemental girl’s girl attitude. She doesn’t chase the next big date, just the next big orgasm. I hate-watched ‘And Just Like That…’ because there’s truly no Sex and the City without Samantha Jones.

*The opinions expressed in this article are solely of the writer's. 

Lead image: James Devaney/Getty Images

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