Jose here to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the end of Sex and the City. That's right, this weekend marked a whole decade since that last time we tuned in to HBO for a new episode. In the ten years since it went off the air, the show has inspired a myriad of copycats that ranged from the terrible (hello Lipstick Jungle) to the wonderful (hi Girls), as well as more think pieces than you can shake a stick at. And while the popularity of the Cosmopolitan as a drink of choice, has completely dwindled (what are successful women drinking nowadayas?), elements of the show's lingo and their bits of wisdom ("he's just not that into you") have become part of our daily life.
I am very aware that many people out there absolutely loathe the show but as a teenager I dreamt of nothing more than moving to NYC and pursuing a writing career like Carrie Bradshaw. I also dreamt of quitting cigarettes, finding a wonderful apartment and a great man to go with it. During the decade the show's been off the air I made some of those dreams come true and the following Top Ten is a celebration for those who, like me, found their inner "fabulous" because of this show.
READ THE TOP TEN SEX AND THE CITY AFTER THE JUMP!
10. Episode: “Change of a Dress” S04E15
Why is it so good?: That Badgley Mischka strapless gown Carrie wears in the last scene as Aidan breaks up with her. The rest of the episode isn’t half bad either, with Samantha realizing she might’ve caught monogamy (“now it’s airborne”) and Charlotte having a breakdown during “Tea for Two”.
Best Line:
CARRIE: I am yours. There is no one else. I love you. But I can't marry you to make you trust me, Aidan.”
9. Episode: “Splat!” S06E18
Why is it so good?: After the sudden death of party girl Lexi Featherston (Kristen Johnston) Carrie realizes it might just be time to leave NYC for Paris. When Miranda confesses she doesn’t like Petrovsky all hell breaks loose in a way we wouldn’t see until their fight in the first movie four years later.
Best Line:
LEXI: I’m so bored I could die”
8. Episode: “The Agony and the “Ex”-tacy” S04E01
Why is it so good?: The last scene in the diner where the girls decide they will be each other’s soul mates. It sounds corny but it gets me every time and I’ve formed similar pacts with my friends in more than one occasion. Also...
Best Line:
SAMANTHA: I masturbated to my priest... Friar Fuck!
CHARLOTTE: You have a priest?
7. Episode: “Sex and the Country” S04E09
Why is it so good?: Samantha in overalls milks a cow and then proceeds to hit on the studly farmer (“Anything else around here need milking?”) only to realize he’s as clingy as men in the city.
Best Line:
Squirrels are just rats with cuter outfits”
6. Episode: “An American Girl in Paris Part Deux” S06E20
Why is it so good?: It’s the last one and despite it complying to all the clichés (Carrie returns from Paris and ends up with Big) it still feels like one of the all time great TV endings.
Best Line:
CARRIE: I am someone who is looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love.”
5. Episode: "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?" S02E04
Why is it so good?: This.
Best Line:
SAMANTHA: “Is he really that bad in bed?”
MIRANDA: “No, he's just, he's a guy. They can re-build a jet engine but when it comes to a woman, what's the big mystery? It's my clitoris, not the Sphinx”.
4. Episode: “Escape from New York” S03E13
Why is it so good?: Leave it to Los Angeles to breathe new life into Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. With cameos by the Matthew McConaughey (who would go on to star with SJP in the rom-com classic Failure to Launch) and Buffy herself playing a PR overachiever, it’s probably the most star-studded ep in the show.
Best Line:
SAMANTHA: I'm not going to die in this tin can, I have a date with a dildo”.
3. Episode: “Cock a Doodle Doo!” S03E18
Why is it so good?: Samantha’s battle with the “Up My Ass” players, Carrie’s own battle with crowing cocks and Charlotte’s sad realization that she might not be “desirable” make for one of the show’s absolute funniest episodes.
Best Line:
SAMANTHA: “I'm paying a fortune to live in a neighbourhood that's trendy by day and trannie by night”
2. Episode: “Ex and the City” S02E18
Why is it so good? If this had been Mr. Big’s last appearance in the show, it would’ve been one of the most beautiful sendoffs ever. It obviously wasn’t, but having the girls pay tribute to Babs and Bob was worth it.
Best Line:
CARRIE: “Your girl is lovely, Hubbell”.
MR BIG: “I don't get it”
CARRIE: “And you never did.”
1. Episode: “The Real Me” S04E02
Why is it so good?: Sometimes everyone’s standard favorite is their favorite for a reason...from hilarious cameos by Alan Cumming and Margaret Cho, to Heidi Klum and Kevyn Aucoin, to Samantha’s flawless nude pictures and Charlotte’s depressed vagina, this is the show’s version of “comfort food”. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen this episode by now...and each and every time I feel like it's the very first time.
Best Line:
STANFORD: Oh my god, she’s fashion roadkill”
It's your turn dear reader. Do you miss this show as much as I do? If so, what would you rank as your own favorite episodes?