So I had been playing around with the idea of writing down my thoughts and reactions after watching each episode of "Sex and the City", but then I scrapped it thinking, "Why would anyone want to read that?" But tonight, I felt I must. The series just got over [who stops at 6 seasons?] and I must say I enjoyed the journey thoroughly.
Let me just clear up one point first, I'm a TV hog. I tend to binge watch a lot of TV. So when I saw that they were going to air "Sex and the City" once again I was quite excited. Mostly because I had always wondered why this series had become such an iconic part of television history. I was too small to watch it when it first aired, and the movies that were released in 2008 and 2010 felt like an overdose of a fantastical female perspective. However, now that I've watched the series, I completely understand the tone of the movies and the need for it.
I must say that initially I found the series to be too stereotypical. A brainwashing tool created by a set of American male producers who thought they could tell women how they behave - "Women love to gossip and wear fancy fashion brands. Hurrah! We understand women." I found myself getting annoyed with the characters who constantly seemed to unnecessarily overreact to trivial things and discuss very common knowledge in a shocked manner.
However, as the series progressed and the scepticism died down I began to focus on the other more important aspects, taking the frivolity and overreactions as just entertaining accompaniment. If you think about it, when the series first aired in 1998 it was the first of its kind. A precursor to other series that focused on female relationships like "Gilmore Girls", "Desperate Housewives" and "Pretty Little Liars", and that passed the Bechdel test. The "Sex and the City" series openly discussed numerous problems and situations that single men and women were, and in fact still are, dealing with. Things that are taboo or strange or so common that everyone can relate to it.
Then there are the main characters. The four friends represent very different types of women, and Carrie Bradshaw [after much asking around] is by far the most relatable - the intelligent, successful woman who just wants to be loved and will settle for nothing less, no matter how frazzled she may get. Her relationship with the commitment phobic Mr. Big still gets mixed reviews with some rooting for them, and some others wishing she had held on to "Mr. Perfect" Aiden.
But past all the relationships, the ups and downs of living in a city as overwhelming as New York, past all the sex and the lusting over designer shoes, one thing remains that is, and probably always will be, true for all girls and women even today - their friendship. These four female characters are, as they tell us, "each other's soulmates". Their friendship and loyalty represent the ultimate #squadgoals.
I've been living in Gangtok for almost 2 years now and recently whenever I'd miss my girlfriends, who are mostly still living in Delhi, "Sex and the City" provided me with much needed girl time. I confess, its not really for everyone and is blatantly aimed at women and gay men, but the humour and wit and fashion behind it is undeniable. It is the ultimate TV love song for a city like New York.
Thus, once again, I'm filled with a little sadness because I've finished another great TV series and I can't believe its over. *sigh*
Anyway, thanks for reading my rant.
Till next time.
xoxo
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