Here’s something I actually enjoyed reading in the aforementioned Toronto Metro (available online for the next two weeks in PDF format) — though I actually haven’t watched the show since Season 2, and don’t know if the conclusion is valid or not. Not behind an lj-cut tag because, well, I believe this deserves greater exposure.
Reproduced here without written permission. Download a copy of the freely-available source material (March 23rd issue) if this bothers you.
Sex and stupidity
Character Carrie losing herself at series’ endSqueak! Squeal! Hop! Clap-clap-clappity-clap!
And with that particular display of glee, Carrie Bradshaw and the people who write her began the betrayal of a character viewers have come to love over the past six years.
In the penultimate episode of Sex And The City, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie ventured to Paris to join her sexy, older artist sugar daddy, Alexsandr Petrovsky (Mikhail Baryshnikov) for the opening of his new show and an unspecified length of time thereafter.
Arriving in Paris, Carrie is so overwhelmed with glee that she goes through the whole little-girl excited routine/Snoopy dance of joy. However, as we soon learn, all is not well in Carrie-land, because — oh, the horror! — people in France speak, you know, French.
After making a good argument in the prior episode, during a fight with Miranda, that, yes, sometimes chucking your career and following your heart is the right thing to do as long as you do it with your eyes wide open and ready to face the consequences, the characters of Carrie does a turn-around and asks viewers to lend their sympathy as she changes her mind. After just one week of suffering abroad.
This character, who has preached for years that women can take control of their lives, be strong and independent while wearing stilettos and push-up bras, go to bed with whomever they please, have exciting careers and grit their teeth, pull themselves together and take it like a (wo)man when they have to pay the steep price of heartache, childlessness, sickness, loneliness and grief; Carrie reverts to a sulking little girl.
She’s upset at the language barrier. She’s upset her friends are far away. And, most tellingly, she’s upset that her guy has a grown-up life with grown-up responsibilities that include, oh perish the thought, work, which keeps him away from reading her mind to suss out what she wants done for her.
When Carrie loses a necklace and Alexsandr gifts her with a diamond replacement, her sulking stops for about 45 seconds, but when (interesting and, it appears, friendly) acquaintances of Alexsandr appear, the broody mood strikes again.
Look at me! Look at me! I’m dressed in Dior. I’m showered in gifts. I have excellent sex on a regular basis. And I’m soooo depressed. The city of friggin’ lights is at my Manolo’ed feet, but I, a seemingly intelligent woman in my late 30s, am incapable of putting it to any use. Because, contrary to what I’ve told you and shown you throughout the show, I AM A HELPLESS GIRL IN NEED OF RESCUING.
Unless you’ve been boarding under a boulder for the last month, you’ll know that rescue isn’t far away. The Big man on the Big white horse is on his way.
Carrie, wake up, redeem yourself and spare us a stupid ending for a smart girl.
The article is tagged only as “Torstar New Service.” I’d like to buy the author a drink of their choice. And maybe have a good night out on the town together. :)
that was totally my opinion of the episode, as evidenced by my snide comments that pissed off my roomate! it’s so true!!!
How’s next Thursday night for the Last Temptation of Christ screening?
thanks for the invite!! but
1. i dont want to see it again
2. no social engagements for spice until after school is over – april 14th.
i look forward to discussing it with you over Lj, though.
s
After making a good argument in the prior episode, during a fight with Miranda, that, yes, sometimes chucking your career and following your heart is the right thing to do as long as you do it with your eyes wide open and ready to face the consequences, the characters of Carrie does a turn-around and asks viewers to lend their sympathy as she changes her mind. After just one week of suffering abroad.
This character, who has preached for years that women can take control of their lives, be strong and independent while wearing stilettos and push-up bras, go to bed with whomever they please, have exciting careers and grit their teeth, pull themselves together and take it like a (wo)man when they have to pay the steep price of heartache, childlessness, sickness, loneliness and grief; Carrie reverts to a sulking little girl.
She’s upset at the language barrier. She’s upset her friends are far away. And, most tellingly, she’s upset that her guy has a grown-up life with grown-up responsibilities that include, oh perish the thought, work, which keeps him away from reading her mind to suss out what she wants done for her.
Pretty much sums up everything I’ve always thought was completely wrong with SatC and the kind of people (I know male and female both) who worship it.
http://www.livejournal.com/users/mackys/35567.html
-Ben
Or, one could interpret it as “Happiness doesn’t come from diamond necklaces and fancy clothes and expensive shoes and living in Paris and a man with lots of money but no time for you. Happiness comes from being with people who love you.”
ok cool…thought you hadn’t seen it…
:)
As I said, I tuned out a long time ago…even thought of selling my DVDs of the first two seasons.
Really, in the end, if they wanted to make your point, wouldn’t she purge herself of her necklaces and clothes and fancy shoes?
*ponders* In any case, the intention of the writers may be between these two interpretations. But there are clearly people out there who will see what this particular writer is criticizing, and not your summary. In evidence is the tenor of many previous episodes, like Ben’s stated in his “ha ha – only serious” critique linked to above. Nice, neat issues that usually tie up in an hour, or perhaps in a few episodes. That’s the nature of today’s North American serial television shows about interpersonal relationships, and it’s a shame. There’s a potential to tell a much more compelling story, and in general it’s completely flubbed. (If there are exceptions to this rule, let me know. I want to see those shows.)
Sadly, this is what I’ve come to expect from most TV viewers, and most members of modern society — an inherent desire for escapism. I argue that, unless it’s called out explicitly, the conclusion you draw will be lost on those who are looking for, expect, and are receiving a fairy tale ending. And, I’ll contend, they are the ones who need their assumptions challenged the most.
Didn’t know you wrote for them — very cool, and I love the style of writing. :)
Lemme know if you need a guest essay on, well, anything you know I tend to do. :P
Well, people are stupid. :)
Really, in the end, if they wanted to make your point, wouldn’t she purge herself of her necklaces and clothes and fancy shoes?
Not necessarily. She’s not a Buddhist. :) I understand the things that make me happy, but I also understand that material things bring pleasure. I don’t need a 50″ DLP television to be happy, but I do enjoy it. The trick is recognizing when one gets substituted for the other – that is the path to an unhappy but wealthy life.
And I agree with your other points. Watching the last episode with two women, both seemed quite intent on the fairy-tale ending. I, on the other hand, watched it and didn’t really care enough to analyze it until reading your post today. :)
I wish. It’s just that I’m bored enough to steal their HTML and re-edit it for a joke.
As much as I hate television, I absolutely abhor Sex and the City for the exact reason described in your post.
At least there is something decent on television these days: CSI. I’ll always appreciate intellectual drama that isn’t based around something as cliche as sex, relationships, and “god I wish I had that characters’ life” bullshit.
I saw the episode, and have to call bullshit on part of the review.
If the author disapproves of the moving-to-Paris for the relationship, and the “Big” guy rescuing her fine. I agree that that part is disappointing.
But Carrie’s character, while fazed by the language barrier, etc, was beginning to make positive adjustments, meeting her own social circle , and acting independant.
It was then that the neurosis of the boyfriend (Baryshnikov) started acting up, and he fucked up her social plans by being clingy. She isn’t acting pouty and despairing about it, she’s going out and socializing. The boyfriend screws it up though.
I haven’t seen any of the other seasons, just the last 6-7 eps.
Perhaps my reason for having to say “no, get it right” is my own experience of having felt socially lost with no friends, and screwing up my courage and going out and meeting new people. The Torstar critic is entitled to her review, but shouldn’t steamroll portions of the story to draw it in her vision.