Sex and the City is one of those classic TV shows that fans can watch hundreds of times. The story of New Yorker Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and her best friends Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), and Samantha Jones (Kim Catrall) feels like it could take place in any era. After all, everyone is always searching for love, hanging out with their friends, and observing the people around them.
But even though SATC is so loved and feels so classic, the truth is that there are some things about the show that don't make that much sense today. Here are five things from Sex and the City that have aged poorly, along with five that are timeless.
Aged Poorly: Mr. Big And Carrie's Relationship
When watching Sex and the City, the audience is supposed to think that Mr. Big (Chris Noth) is the most incredible guy around. He's handsome, he's wealthy, and he's supposed to be Carrie's Prince Charming.
The problem? Mr. Big is kind of a jerk and definitely a bad boyfriend. She wants to live happily ever after with him, and he's not even interested in spending time with her friends. Their relationship is always talked about as "bad timing" and it seems like every time they get back together, Carrie thinks that it'll work out this time. The fact that Big actually gets married to Natasha (Bridget Moynahan) is such a betrayal... and also so strange since he wouldn't commit to Carrie.
Timeless: Carrie's Style
No doubt about it, Carrie Bradshaw is one of the most fashionable TV characters. Everyone talks about her outfits all the time. Sarah Jessica Parker has even said in interviews that after wearing so many high heels while playing the character, she can't do so anymore.
Carrie wears a lot of fabulous coats and dresses with full skirts that she can twirl around in (like in the opening sequence when a bus splashes her). Every item of clothing that she wears is amazing. This aspect of the show is timeless since she always looks great and put together.
Aged Poorly: The Characters Hate Not Being In A Relationship
In episode four of season two, "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?" Carrie thinks, "As I walked home, I couldn’t help but wonder … When did being alone become the modern-day equivalent of being a leper?”
The characters (with the exception of Samantha, who likes casual dating) really hate not being in a relationship. When they're single, Carrie gets confused and upset, Miranda gets angry, and Charlotte gets kind of whiny. This is something about the show that has aged poorly. In 2019, there are so many ways for a woman to build her life, and being solo is totally great. You can absolutely be happy and single.
Timeless: The Voiceovers
Sometimes a movie starts with a voiceover and it's so incredibly corny that it's clear that audiences are in for a rough two hours. Other times, a film or TV show has very intelligent voiceovers by the main character.
Sex and the City is famous for Carrie's voiceovers, especially when she says her famous line, "I couldn't help but wonder..." It's not only impossible to imagine the show without these, but the show wouldn't be as good. Carrie's voiceovers are one timeless aspect of the popular show. One of her best: the season three episode 13, "Escape From New York" quote, "I couldn’t help but wonder, No matter how far you travel or how much you run from it, can you ever really escape your past?"
Aged Poorly: Big Calls Carrie "Kid"
Why does Big call Carrie "kid?" It's basically accepted that this is his name for her... but why? Isn't this so insulting and also kind of sexist?
Carrie is an independent woman who has her own writing career. She's doing amazing things. Why would she be okay with a guy calling her such a ridiculous and silly name? This is only one of the issues with their relationship, but it's definitely a reason that this show has aged poorly. It's tough to imagine this happening on a 2019 series.
Timeless: The Observation Of Dating Behaviors
Whether it's 1998 like when SATC premiered or 2019, people behave generally in similar ways when dating. We might have Tinder and other dating apps, we might text instead of call, but we can relate to Carrie and her friends.
The observation of dating behaviors is something that Sex and the City does really well. The characters are often dealing with people who don't want to commit or people who send mixed messages. That still happens today.
Aged Poorly: Carrie's Apartment
Many fans of Friends wonder about Rachel and Monica's massive apartment. Pop culture fans basically have to accept that movies and TV shows are going to feature characters living in big spaces that they wouldn't be able to afford IRL.
Another part of Sex and the City that has aged poorly is the fact that Carrie lives in such a big (and such a nice) apartment. Isn't she supposed to be somewhat of a struggling writer? She has a column, and sure, this was back in the '90s, but she often talks about how she can't really afford the fancy, designer shoes that she's buying, so it doesn't seem like she's rolling in cash.
Timeless: Miranda's Honesty
While Sex and the City doesn't always hold up (like when the characters hate being single, as previously mentioned), Miranda does have her clever, hilarious moments. She is sometimes so honest about her dating life that her quotes are timeless and classic.
Take this one: "Do any of you have a completely unremarkable friend or maybe a houseplant I could go to dinner with on Saturday night?" Who hasn't thought something like this when navigating the weird parts of dating?
Aged Poorly: Carrie's Comment
While many of Carrie's quotes are classic, there are some that raise some eyebrows these days. This one, for example, isn't great: in episode eight of season five "I Love A Charade, she says, "I revealed too much. I was emotionally slutty."
In 2019, no one wants to hear the word "slut" or "slutty" (even if someone is talking about themselves). It's just so uncool to use this term, particularly in light of the "Me Too" movement.
Timeless: Miranda's Hilarious Comment About Weddings
In the 12th episode of season three, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Charlotte says, "Carrie, you're right, you have to tell him. But not before the wedding, it's supposed to be my week." Miranda responds, "It's your day. You get a day."
This is a hilarious comment about brides and weddings and is another reason that although some parts of the show have aged poorly, there are many parts of Sex and the City that are timeless. So many people have experiences of being Maids of Honors or bridesmaids and wondering why the bride is acting like the world revolves around her. In all the years since this show went off the air, that hasn't changed, so this scene is relatable.