The 1990's and early 2000's drama series Sex and the City was never worried about pushing the boundaries with various storylines. Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York Goldenblatt, and Miranda Hobbes are undeniably friends, but they're very complex characters. Sometimes, their differing personalities clash.
As the series ages, there are some elements of the show that might puzzle today's viewers. Were the four women that close after all? They have fundamental differences that make it hard to believe they were actually best friends. Unfortunately, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) aren't really "best friends" once you take a closer look at their friendship.
When Charlotte Was Judgmental Over Carrie's Marriage
Friends are supposed to support one another, no matter what. But that's not always the case for Charlotte and Carrie. By the time of Sex and the City 2, Charlotte has everything she could have possibly dreamed of: a loving husband and two daughters. However, she struggles to be a mother and realizes it wasn't what she thought it would be.
It seems Charlotte decided to take out her stress on Carrie's marriage decisions with Mr. Big, including when they decided to "take a break." She's not very supportive and she ultimately hurts Carrie's feelings. However, in the end, Charlotte finally comes around to the idea and understands why it's necessary for Carrie and Mr. Big to spend some time apart.
When Charlotte Was Angry Over Carrie Being Brady's Godmother
Overall, most viewers can agree that Charlotte is usually a great friend. She's understanding and loyal. However, she has her moments when she allows her emotions to get the better of her. This happens when Carrie tells her than Miranda asked her to be her son's (Brady) godmother.
Of course, Charlotte is disappointed that she wasn't asked to be Brady's godmother. She tells Carrie that they are no longer talking, which is completely unfair to Carrie. However, just like every other time on the show, the friends makeup and all is well again in New York City.
When Carrie Downplayed Charlotte's Engagement
During the show's sixth season, Charlotte gets engaged to Harry. Of course, she's overjoyed to share the news with her friends. What woman wouldn't want to celebrate with her best friends? She couldn't wait to tell them about the proposal, show them her engagement ring, and talk about her wedding plans.
But like she so often does on the show, Carrie turns the conversation around to her recent dumping. She covers Jack Berge's pathetic Post-in Note -- "I'm sorry, I can't, don't hate me" -- right over Charlotte's engagement ring. She furiously says, "Paper covers rock." Way to kill the joy, Carrie.
When Carrie Was Mad Over Money
The women of Sex and the City lead glamorous lives. How can they afford all of this? Well, money becomes an issue a few times for Carrie. She often cares more about shoes than anything else, so she sometimes needs to be bailed out.
However, Carrie legitimately refuses to talk to Charlotte after she doesn't offer Carrie any money. How is that fair to Charlotte? She's not your bank, Carrie. She doesn't have to pay Carrie and help her out of her money problems. This is one of the few times when fans weren't rooting for Carrie.
Carrie Laughs At Charlotte's Traditional Values
Charlotte is the most traditional friend of the group of women on the show. She expects men to be like Prince Charming. She often struggles to express what she really wants in a relationship, and she has a traditional view of the family.
She's different from everyone else in the group. Because of this, she is often at the receiving end of jokes or insults, including from Carrie. She laughs at Charlotte's values and sometimes calls her a "prude." Does that sound like a good friend to you? No, we didn't think so.
Charlotte Is Sometimes Hypocritical
When Carrie can't afford the down payment to buy her new apartment, Samantha and Miranda quickly offer to loan her the money. However, Charlotte looks the other way. She tells Carrie, "It's not my responsibility to fix your finances. You're a 35-year-old woman. You need to learn to stand on your own."
This is a bit hypocritical because Charlotte inherited her money from her wealthy parents. She also inherited a Park Avenue apartment, a Tiffany & Co. diamond ring, and more money from her ex-husband. She's rude to Carrie about not handling her money properly when Charlotte can't relate to the situation.
Carrie Is A Bit Selfish
Throughout the course of the show, Carrie is selfish. She thinks about herself or how different situations will affect her. Her friends, especially Charlotte, don't hesitate to call her out on this behavior. In the season three episode "Drama Queens," Charlotte brings Carrie to the opera.
While there, Carrie spots Mr. Big and his wife, Natasha. He also notices her. Carrie decides the best course of action is to fake being sick and ditch Charlotte at the opera, even though Charlotte wanted Carrie to be there for her since her original date backfired on her. Charlotte needed Carrie, but Carrie only thought of herself.
Charlotte Can Be Judgmental
Because Charlotte has traditional views, she can sometimes be judgmental towards her friends. For example, she almost calls Samantha a slut for her frivolous sex life. When Carrie tells her when and where she lost her virginity, Charlotte has a judgmental look on her face, even though she was having sex with her boyfriend and future husband, Trey, practically everywhere.
Charlotte acts like Little Miss Goodie Two-Shoes when she's really not that much better than the rest of them. She didn't have to look judgmental when Carrie was confessing a secret to her. Friends don't behave that way.
Carrie Ditches Her Friends For Guys
To many viewers, Carrie is the least popular character on Sex and the City. That shouldn't be the case since she's primarily the main character. However, she makes several questionable decisions, including ditching her friends for men.
Carrie abandons the most important rule of friendship: never ditch your friends for a relationship. She does this countless times throughout the series and Charlotte is often the one receiving the lies and excuses. Carrie even ditches Charlotte when she's blindfolded inside a department store and needs her help. Get it together, Carrie!
Carrie Wasn't As Helpful To Her Friends
Carrie is often receiving help from her friends. She turns conversations around to her troubles, which could be frustrating if you're her friend. Because she needs help, you would think she would be just as eager to help her friends, no matter what.
When Charlotte asks Carrie to help her pick out new lingerie, Carrie isn't keen on offering her opinions and support. Carrie is a sex columnist. If there's anyone who should offer advice on lingerie, it should be Carrie. But she wasn't the best of help to Charlotte, who probably felt disappointed with her friend.