Sex And The City: The 5 Most (& 5 Least) Realistic Storylines
"They're just like me and my friends." That was the go-to thing to say by those who watched Sex And The City religiously, and for good reason.
A majority of the storylines were true-to-life: Miranda introducing the man she's interested in to her decorator and having them hit it off, Carrie wanting to leave personal items at Big's house, so she didn't have to run around NYC with a toothbrush and change of underwear in her designer clutch, or running into an ex in the street with his new love. But every now and then there's a scenario that makes even the most diehard fans say, um, no.
10 Realistic: Samantha's Cancer Journey
This storyline had the audience face the very real truth that whether you're a vibrant, successful executive or a nun (and everyone in between) cancer does not discriminate and can find anyone. And often when it does, it's not with some dramatic collapse in a board meeting or social event, but as in Samantha's case, during a routine exam.
Perhaps that night she cried in her pillow, (really who wouldn't?) but Samantha faces the hard road ahead by focusing on the business of getting treated by practicing self-care and finding a noted oncologist. What often gets people through this devastating process is the support of friends and family, as Samantha had when hers went with her to chemo and Smith shaved his head in solidarity.
9 Unrealistic: Carrie's Reason To Leave Paris
Carrie Bradshaw leaves NYC because Petrovsky asked her to travel to Paris with him? Perhaps for an extended vacay, but forever? Even though she felt left out that the other three women were in committed relationships -- hence the comment: "I can't stay in New York and be single for you," it's unrealistic that someone so entrenched in Manhattan, as well as her career, would settle for being arm candy with no plan for herself.
With all her publishing contacts, Carrie could have had at least a meeting with Vogue Paris through her former editor, Enid. The reality is, it would have taken only a few days of boredom before Carrie turned on her Manolos and returned home, and it would've never gotten to the point of her getting hit by Petrovsky.
8 Realistic: Laney's Baby Shower
This episode checked all the boxes. First, there's Laney, who went from music biz wild child to the suburban wife of a Brooks Brothers-wearing exec. People change, but Carrie, Miranda and Samantha -- three women with no interest in children -- can't get out of there fast enough, and only went to appease Charlotte, the only one who thought to bring a gift.
Charlotte starts out excited to be part of a world she longs for, but when she realizes it still may be a long way off, ends her day feeling down -- especially when she finds out that Laney "stole" her baby name. Things end with Laney showing up at Samantha's admitting she misses her devil-may-care youth.
7 Unrealistic: That Carrie Doesn't Have A Podiatrist On Speed Dial
Not only does Carrie have a closet full of 40K-worth of designer footwear, they're all sky-high heels. There had to be some unseen foot soaking going on or daily pedicure/massages, because no one can run around NYC all day every day in impractical shoes like these. There are people who can't last the length of a wedding reception and have to dance barefoot.
Also, given the fact that Manhattan streets are notorious for cracked sidewalks and potholes, if the pain from the high heels doesn't get you, the pavement will.
6 Realistic: Steve Feels Inferior To Miranda's Success
What happens when a successful, independent woman gets romantically involved with a good guy, but one who is less successful? The reality is, disparate incomes can become an issue for some men who are insecure because they fear being viewed as unable to pull their weight.
Unfortunately, if the woman wants to keep the relationship alive, she often has to resort to traditional ego-boosting gender roles, such as when Miranda only chooses restaurants where Steve can afford to pay and act like he's taking care of her. Things were better between Steve and Miranda once he became the owner of a thriving bar and felt like her equal.
5 Unrealistic: That The Characters Can Even Afford NYC
Manhattan is a hard place to live, and being a freelancer or entrepreneur is a hard gig. Often the two do not go well together. Carrie wrote a weekly newspaper column and paid rent on a one-bedroom on the Upper East Side and lived a 100K (at least) lifestyle. Impossible. Freelancing is about hustle and having more than one client. Samantha relies on clients as well and can't pay her bills until they decide to pay her--which often is not in a timely manner.
And sure, Aidan's work is beautiful, but how many people wake up and say, "I want someone to carve me a bespoke headboard." Charlotte doesn't work after her job as a respected art dealer, and Steve was a bartender who relied heavily on tips. What bank would give him a loan to open his own bar? Not to mention, how do any of them afford health insurance, which is astronomical if you're not on a group plan?
4 Realistic: Big Remarries After Saying He Never Would
Shades of George Clooney: Mr. Big was married once and said that once was enough. Carrie half took him at his word, hoping she'd be the woman to make him change his mind. But the woman who actually did was Natasha. "Why wasn't it me?" Carrie had to know, to which big responded, "It just got so hard, and she's ..." He never finishes the sentence because Natasha wasn't better than Carrie. The truth is a person can be all that, but if the other person doesn't feel it in their soul, that's that.
It's well explained in "When Harry Met Sally" when Meg Ryan finds out her ex, the commitment-phobic Joe, is engaged: "All the times he said he didn't want to get married, he meant he didn't want to marry me."
3 Unrealistic: Big, Aidan, And The Cabin
Outdoorsy Aidan has a cabin in the woods. No shocker there. Carrie, who would attend the opening of an envelope if it were at an NYC hotspot, doesn't do rustic. Again, seems believable.
What is not, is Big staying with them after finding himself stranded upstate. On what planet would Aidan agree to extend hospitality to the guy who slept with his girlfriend? Also, Carrie is not that insensitive or naive that she would even ask. On top of that, there's really no "stranded" in the life of a wealthy guy like Big, who has limos, drivers and helicopters at his disposal. Even if the offer were made, he'd see the accommodations as beneath him.
2 Realistic: Charlotte And Harry's Baby Journey
Infertility is a sensitive issue for many couples, and there are options to help them achieve the goal of creating a family, such as in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and adoption, to name a few. But the reality is that the road is not always an easy one, as seen with Charlotte. When she did get pregnant, she miscarried, and when she and Harry began the adoption process, they were bamboozled by a young pregnant couple who just wanted to score a trip to NYC.
Another fairly realistic point was that after some couples adopt, as Charlotte and Harry did with Lily, they get pregnant: as Charlotte did with baby Rose, showing that sometimes fertility can be unpredictable and sometimes surprises can happen.
1 Realistic: Natasha Catches Carrie In The Apartment
Big and Carrie started out with a leisurely afternoon at a 5-star Upper East Side hotel complemented by a champagne toast, then devolved into a quicky at a seedy midtown motel replete with vending machine crackers. They then got truly sloppy when they moved their rendezvous into Big and Natasha's apartment.
The fact that Big arrogantly paraded his mistress before building staff and perhaps neighbors, and Carrie stayed in the apartment after he went back to the office, seemed like one or both of them subconsciously wanted to get caught so the vicious cycle of sneaking around--as lustful as it was--would come to an end.