Spotlight
56
SEX CITY AND THE
should have stayed in the 90s
“Dirty martini? Dirty bastard.” Condensed with unforgettable quotes and remarkable outfits, if there was one word to describe the impact Sex And The City had on audiences at the end of the millennium, it would definitely be phenomenal. Posing provocative questions to the romantic backdrop of New York City, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) recently returned on screen in the new HBO series And Just Like That to reconquer the struggles of balancing a relationship with being an independent, working woman. Whilst many fans were excited to re-immerse themselves in the extravagance of Darren Star’s depiction of cosmopolitan living, the show fell short of the tenacity and gumption it once dominated on screen. From the absence of audience favourite Samantha Jones (played by Kim Cattrall) to forced LGBTQIA+ community inclusion and even tokenistic spotlighting of characters of colour, the new show is a reminder of all the parts of the 90s which should’ve been
left in the last century. But just how catastrophically did the show flop? Was it destined to fail from the beginning? Reprising their roles as Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York Goldenblatt, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reunited with Parker to explore the trials and tribulations of living in their mid-50s. Facing new challenges of supporting a grown family and bereavement, the trio returned to stride through their problems whilst continuing to wear the latest indulgent pair of Manolo Blahniks. Yet a heavy weight is felt in the absence of Cattrall and the seductive spirit of her character, which defined the coy attitude of the show. Without her witty input (and yes, her antics which were a catalyst for many of the group’’s discussions surrounding sex and relationships) the show feels hollow and empty; indifferent to any other programme you can stream. Albeit the show’s success should not be dependent – or scrutinised – for its inclusion of sex, its reduced focus on the character’s plotlines made them appear dated and