feelin' good
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I am a HUGE "Sex and the City" fan. I don't think there's a single TV series that I've watched, literally, every episode of. So exactly what is it that makes the show so damn appealing? (Other than the obvious focus on sexual issues, hot men, and designer clothing)I've narrowed it down to a few points. First of all, it's a classic "Beauty and the Beast" story. We have Belle (Carrie) who is well-educated, spunky, and has her own views and opinions about everything. Now, Belle's name means Beauty, but her looks aren't her main "thing" as is with, say, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, or Cinderella--each of whom doesn't really have much else going for her (sorry, girls). Carrie also isn't ever really described as being beautiful for, well, kinda obvious reasons; instead, the word used is "fabulous."
***The word "fabulous" not to be confused with "nice," "sweet," "cool," etc---phrases used to describe less-than-pretty girls who aren't complete bitches or psychos. "Fabulous" is a more ambiguous term that describes more personality and fashion sense than physical beauty. Which is probably what makes it the best term for Carrie***
There's also the fantasy of the perfect guy "coming around," like the Prince Charming who must be turned into a Beast to learn his lesson. There's nothing really wrong with Mr. Big (as Matthew McConaughey's character points out), but he's an ingeniously flawed character. Now, this plays into every woman's ego: it's not that I'm not good enough...he's just too dumb to see it. Mix it in with pride and vanity, and voila...the BEAST. Also, he leaves his beautiful wife to be with Carrie, who, like the average woman, isn't really known for having goddess-level looks. Let the trumpets sound! Victory for the common woman! There's hope after all!
I think another major point that makes "Sex and the City" so appealing for me is the concept of "rational irrationality" or "sympathetic irrationality." We don't like Carrie because she's rational, despite her insightful column, but because we can relate to her episodes of irrationality. For someone who has all the answers and can pick the issues to the bare bones, even Carrie has difficulties sorting out the parts of her life that don't really make sense. It doesn't make sense that she gets together with Big time after time; it doesn't make sense that she has $40 thousand dollars in shoes but no money to pay the rent; and most importantly, it doesn't make sense that she frequently sabotages her relationships, say, with Aiden. But we get it. She gets herself into situations that we can relate to--even though we also don't understand why--and through that, our lives seem a little more rational because there's someone who also gets it.
I think watching "Sex and the City" should be a prerequisite for every guy who wants to enter into a meaningful relationship and doesn't want to be surprised by episodes of "psycho irrationality." I think most women are perfectly aware of when they're being irrational, but relationships aren't built on logic anyway (see the trained justification of irrationality? Guys, you'll have to break past this, so beware).
Still, the main reason I think "Sex and the City" speaks out to me is how even though Carrie raises important questions every episode, she never answers them. At least, not in the way that guys would expect. When woman ask questions, we dont' really want answers, we want sympathy. Which is what "Sex and the City" gives us. After every question, we see scenarios in which other women grapple with the same problems, but it's never really solved (and if it is, there's really no concrete reason why). It's not like a home improvement show: leaky faucet? Here're the tools and instructions.
But don't get me wrong. I'm not delighting in the female "human condition," nor am I saying that it's something we can't help. Sometimes I wish I could be more rational and calm and do things by the rules, but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. I need the drama. But I also need the sympathy after I start shit. Does that make sense? Probably not, but for those of you who do get it, I'm betting you can't tell me why; you just relate, and that's more than enough for me.
posted by Tiffany @ 3:12 PM
1 Comments:
salon column-esque. i approve.
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