This submit was initially printed in July 2023. We’ve up to date it to coincide with “Intercourse and the Metropolis” coming to Netflix April 1.
Seasons change, and so do cities. One factor that doesn’t? Followers’ enduring love for “Intercourse and the Metropolis,” the HBO comedy that premiered in 1998.
Endlessly spoofed but in addition deeply, earnestly cherished by thousands and thousands, the groundbreaking collection wrapped its unique six-season, 94-episode run in 2004, with a not-terrible, not-great 2008 characteristic movie and a really horrible sequel following in 2010. In 2021, spinoff collection “And Simply Like That” — with out Kim Cattrall’s iconic Samantha Jones — premiered on Max (née HBO Max). A second season of “And Simply Like That” started airing in June 2023, following the misadventures of a 50-something Carrie, Charlotte, and Miranda. The spinoff present has acquired blended critiques from followers and critics — the much less mentioned about Che Diaz, the higher — however loads nonetheless can’t avoid their favourite ladies, even in any case this time.
Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, and Kim Cattrall, the unique run racked up seven Emmys, together with a win for Finest Comedy Sequence in addition to particular person wins for Parker and Nixon.
In honor of Season 2 of “AJLT” and the unique’s twenty fifth anniversary, we couldn’t assist however surprise… what are the easiest installments to rewatch? Under, IndieWire’s picks for the highest 20 “Intercourse and the Metropolis” episodes.
Samantha Bergeson and Mark Peikert contributed to this checklist.
20. “Valley of the 20Something Guys” (Season 1, Episode 4)
What Occurs: We’ve bought our first huge Large episode! Carrie and Large circle round one another whereas making an attempt to possibly, lastly, arrange an precise date. In the meantime, the women discover the professionals and cons of relationship youthful males.
Why It’s Nice: Nicely, to begin with, that is the one the place Charlotte (Charlotte!) asks the women behind a cab for recommendation about anal intercourse. This sort of simple chat put “Intercourse and the Metropolis” on the map (“It’s not TV…it’s HBO!”) and was in all probability the primary actual buzzy second of the unique run. Carrie and Large’s white-hot chemistry can be on show. (Woman, he’s so unhealthy for you and by no means going to get higher.) Mainly, that is the episode to observe whenever you’re indoctrinating somebody new into the “SATC” cult. Hop within the cab, it’s time to dish. —ES
Finest Line: “Sir, we’re speaking up the butt. A cigarette is so as.”
19. “They Shoot Single Folks, Don’t They? (Season 2, Episode 4)
What Occurs: The drive-by heard ‘around the world: When a pal of Stanford’s invitations Carrie to be on the quilt of New York Magazine (certain!) for an article titled “Single and Fabulous!” she takes an all-time washed-up unhealthy picture that they use. This terrible incident makes all 4 ladies query their life selections and surprise if they need to accept “eh” relationships somewhat than being….alone.
Why It’s Nice: A traditional episode that confronted the age-old strain ladies really feel to calm down and get married, this episode let the core 4 check out settling in several methods — Miranda with a man who couldn’t give her an orgasm, Charlotte with a dude useful round the home — and understand they’re higher off alone. It’s touching, humorous, and, dare we are saying, even somewhat empowering. Plus: In one in every of his earliest roles, Bradley Cooper exhibits up for a quick cameo as a scorching younger man Carrie nearly sleeps with to validate herself — earlier than ditching him on the road. —ES
Finest Line: “They mentioned single and fabulous exclamation level! They didn’t say single and fabulous query mark. That query mark is hostile!”
18. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Inform (Season 3, Episode 12)”
What Occurs: Within the days main as much as Charlotte’s marriage ceremony, Carrie offers along with her guilt over dishonest on Aidan with Large. Miranda pretends to be a stewardess so she will have a date to Charlotte’s marriage ceremony to Trey, and Samantha is offended she needs to be a bridesmaid.
Why It’s Nice: Oh, this was by no means going to work. Carrie’s guilt eats her alive, and she or he lastly tells Aidan she was dishonest on him proper after he’s so sort to her pals. In a sensible transfer, the present truly punishes her (briefly, not less than) and has Aidan break up along with her moments earlier than Charlotte’s huge marriage ceremony. In the meantime, Charlotte’s about-to-be-husband Trey can’t get it up, an all-timer reveal that jump-starts enjoyable Charlotte plots for an entire different season. This can be a heartbreaking one, particularly for Aidan followers, however it’s additionally very sharp, pushing the entire concept of “likable” TV feminine protagonists ahead. Carrie is commonly a monster, however we are able to’t cease watching. —ES
Finest Line: “Is it a lot to ask that you just don’t put on your gown up round your See You Subsequent Tuesday?” “Oh my God! Was {that a} ‘Schoolhouse Rock’ I missed?”
17. “The Good Battle” (Season 4, Episode 13)
What Occurs: Aidan strikes in, and he and Carrie have points combining their stuff (metaphor alert!). Miranda goes on a date whereas pregnant, and Samantha and Richard get collectively.
Why It’s Nice: There’s Enjoyable “Intercourse and the Metropolis” and there’s Actual S*it “Intercourse and the Metropolis.” “The Good Battle” is the true shit, coping with the way you mix your life with somebody in addition to different sensible, real-life questions: Is it OK to have intercourse with another person whenever you’re pregnant with one other’s guys child? Simply how terrible an concept is it for Samantha to get entangled along with her boss? Aidan followers will level to the candy ending of the episode as a traditional Good Man second, however for my cash, the perfect scene is the awkward feast from hell at Charlotte’s. Trey’s horrible, no good, very unhealthy concept of giving his infertile spouse a cardboard child stays Kyle MacLachlan’s Trey at his absolute best — which is the very worst. —ES
Finest Line: “How would you’re feeling if I gave you a cardboard cutout of an enormous, flaccid penis? It’s not so humorous now, is it?”
16. “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” (Season 2, Episode 1)
What Occurs: Carrie has simply damaged up with Large (for the primary time) and rebounds with a scorching new New York Yankee — earlier than operating into Large and realizing transferring on is tougher than she thought. In the meantime, Charlotte’s new boyfriend can’t cease touching his balls. (This present guidelines.)
Why It’s Nice: An all-time nice ending fakeout earns this one a spot on our checklist. Miranda snaps when Carrie received’t cease speaking about her breakup with Large, solely to later discover herself humiliated when she hides on the road after recognizing her personal years-ago ex-boyfriend. When Carrie has a breakdown on the road over how a lot she misses Large, she locations a name: “I do know issues are actually bizarre with us proper now. However I actually want to speak. Are you able to….will you meet me at our place in quarter-hour?”
There, on the diner, isn’t Large. It’s Miranda. The true huge love story of the present. —ES
Finest Line: “There we have been: two single ladies out in town with our ball gamers.”
15. “The Child Bathe,” Season 1, Episode 10
What Occurs: Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte attend a child bathe.
Why It’s Nice: One of many few episodes that give us a glimpse into the women’ youthful selves, “The Child Bathe” finds them touring to (gasp!) the suburbs for an outdated membership pal’s child bathe. There, they grapple with questions that also linger at present about being a girl on the planet and what that entails, weighing their very own disappointment with the obvious happiness of wives and moms… a happiness that’s solely floor, as we uncover when Laney exhibits as much as flash Samantha’s celebration. —MP
Finest Line: “You see an indication. It says ‘two-headed snake.’ You pull over. Wild Laney is having a child bathe. You pull over.”
14. “The Actual Me,” Season 4, Episode 2
What Occurs: Carrie is requested to mannequin in a runway present, the place Stanford and Anthony have their meet-not-so-cute. Oh, and Carrie falls on her face carrying sequin panties and a trench coat.
Why It’s Nice: Carrie has a second of humility (and utter devastation) as she’s fairly actually knocked down a couple of pegs. Regardless of being a “actual particular person” within the runway present subsequent to precise fashions, she remains to be mortified falling face first in entrance of fashionistas. But Carrie selecting herself again up once more is the crux of the collection itself: Regardless of what number of occasions vogue, journalism, New York, males, and sure, even generally pals, let Carrie down, there’s nothing stopping her from rising above it. —SB
Finest Line: “Oh my god, she’s vogue roadkill!”
13. “La Douleur Exquise!” Season 2, Episode 12
What Occurs: Carrie discovers that Large goes to Paris and has no intention of inviting her, whereas Charlotte indulges a foot fetishist at no cost footwear, Miranda finally ends up having a whole lot of intercourse in public, and Samantha takes the women to an S&M membership.
Why It’s Nice: The B plots listed here are a window into why “Intercourse and the Metropolis” resonated a lot on the time: Girls have been merely not publicly discussing fetishes or kinks in the way in which this episode does. Nevertheless it deserves its place on this checklist as a result of it’s the primary unrepairable crack in Carrie and Large’s relationship. What does it imply when the person you’re with makes plans that don’t embrace you? On this case, a couple of extra years of heartbreak earlier than they get it proper. —MP
Finest Line: “Did I actually love Large, or was I hooked on the ache, the beautiful ache, of wanting somebody so unattainable?”
12. “An American Woman in Paris,” Season 6, Episodes 19-20
What Occurs: The core 4’s storylines are wrapped up in satisfying and shocking methods, culminating in Carrie and Large’s reunion.
Why It’s Nice: Ignore that Carrie runs out of issues to do in Paris in, oh, a couple of days. (Significantly, the timeline right here is mindless.) The collection finale is a becoming conclusion to our quartet’s tales, with everybody getting their model of a contented ending that feels grounded in actuality in methods the later seasons didn’t at all times. Carrie and Large find yourself collectively, after all, however their reunion is the apotheosis of their relationship: Candy, transferring, and slapstick. Samantha and Smith Jerrod discover a option to transfer ahead collectively, Charlotte will get the household she’s at all times needed, and Miranda realizes that she understands love in a deeper method than once we first met her. Bonus factors for Carrie’s passionate declaration of who she is and what she desires as she breaks up with Petrovsky. —MP
Finest Line: “Go get our woman.”
11. “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” Season 4, Episode 11
What Occurs: Miranda discovers she’s pregnant with Steve’s child and thinks she desires to have an abortion; Charlotte learns she has only a 15 p.c probability of conceiving a child with husband Trey (Kyle MacLachlan).
Why It’s Nice: A TV character contemplating abortion remains to be a comparatively uncommon prevalence, much more so 20 years in the past. However on this simple, sensible, and unflinching installment, the writers are courageous sufficient to indicate a wide range of reactions to being pregnant information, in addition to every of the ladies’s sophisticated (or not-so-complicated) responses. The episode is an ode to friendship and help and the form of Large Episode that modifications every thing. We’re having a child! —ES
Finest Line: “And identical to that, three aunts have been born.”
10. “I Love a Charade,” Season 5, Episode 8
What Occurs: When the women attend the marriage of Bitsy von Muffling (Julie Halston) and Bobby High-quality (Nathan Lane) within the Hamptons, might we now have recognized that Bitsy would nonetheless be of their lives 20 years later? Even cash would have been on Jack Berger and Carrie nonetheless going sturdy (since he was the perfect man she dated, don’t battle me, they have been completely matched) after he’s reintroduced as a newly single man who flees Carrie’s “emotionally slutty” confessions. In the meantime, Charlotte realizes she has emotions for Harry, Miranda realizes she’s in love with Steve, and Samantha realizes that demanding to remain at an ex’s Hamptons home would possibly lead to a cantaloupe going by way of a plate glass window.
Why It’s Nice: “Za za zu” strains the viewers’s threshold for puns all through, however a melancholy hangs over this midsummer night time’s dream. Nobody is sad by episode’s finish, however there’s a way of setting issues up for the following (and closing) season. By the point everyone seems to be dancing to “Is That All There Is?” (a really darkish marriage ceremony music), the quartet has realized one thing deep about what they need and want. It additionally feels just like the final episode the place the stakes haven’t been raised when it comes to their long-term happiness. —MP
Finest Line: “Possibly we must always exit on a date earlier than we break up.”
9. “What Goes Round Comes Round,” Season 3, Episode 17
What Occurs: Carrie takes a mistaken flip south of Houston Avenue and fairly actually loses her course, solely to get her Manolo Blahniks stolen at gunpoint after an icy run-in with a now-separated Natasha. Sam meets her sexual match in an NYU pupil sadly named Sam Jones, Charlotte involves phrases with the demise of her marriage with Trey, and Miranda will get method too drunk attempting to maintain up with a date she’s satisfied is just too scorching for her.
Why It’s Nice: Any episode that lands Carrie and Natasha uncomfortably in the identical room is an iconic one. In “What Goes Round Comes Round,” she’s satisfied she has an open-and-shut case of karmic retribution after getting her strappy sandals stolen and falling down the steps out of a school dorm celebration. However this penultimate Season 3 episode gave us The Newspaper Costume, with Carrie, resigned to by no means having closure with Natasha after her complete Large affair mess, slo-mo strutting on the street, musing on the universe’s hell of a humorousness. —RL
Finest Line: “Not solely have you ever ruined my marriage, you’ve ruined my lunch.”
8. “No Ifs, ands or Butts,” Season 3, Episode 5
What Occurs: Carrie meets furnishings designer Aidan Shaw for the primary time and should resolve whether or not she ought to hand over smoking for him. In the meantime, Charlotte is caught with a foul kisser, Miranda doesn’t take Steve’s extra blue-collar aspirations critically now that they’re dwelling collectively, and Sam finds herself relationship a Black man a lot to the chagrin of his possessive restaurateur sister.
Why It’s Nice: The racial politics involving Sam and the report govt and the methods through which the women sexualize him are queasy by at present’s requirements. However “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts” — directed by IndieWire favourite filmmaker Nicole Holofcener! — is a superb introduction to Carrie and Aidan’s charmingly mismatched chemistry. She’s a smoker who makes use of her oven for storage, and he’s a country, healthful Paul Bunyan kind (as Large will later describe him) with a canine and a cabin upstate. This episode can be in regards to the caveats we now have to both settle for or transfer on from within the early days of a relationship. —RL
Finest Line: “You realize I can’t deal with onerous information earlier than midday.”
7. “I Coronary heart NY,” Season 4, Episode 18
What Occurs: Carrie plans the proper closing night time for Large after he tells her he’s transferring to Napa, California, since he’s uninterested in the Large Apple. Samantha goes undercover to catch the love of her life Richard dishonest, whereas Miranda goes into labor…and ruins Carrie’s Large date night time.
Why It’s Nice: Carrie’s dedication to giving Large the perfect goodbye is among the many reminders that that is the daybreak of a brand new period — Samantha wanting a relationship, Miranda changing into a mom, and even Charlotte seeking to date once more after separating from Trey. But it’s Large leaving Carrie with a airplane ticket and his favourite report in an empty house that reminds us why Carrie and Large are without end meant to be — distance doesn’t matter when it’s a timeless love story. —SB
Finest Line: “In the event you’re drained, you are taking a nap-a, you don’t transfer to Napa!”
6. “A Lady’s Proper to Sneakers,” Season 6 Episode 9
What Occurs: Carrie’s footwear are stolen at a child bathe, and she or he is shamed by host Kyra (Tatum O’Neil!) for the way a lot they value. In the meantime, Miranda meets her Scorching New Neighbor (Blair Underwood).
Why It’s Nice: Give it up for single women! Not everybody can relate to purchasing $485 footwear (and that was the 2004 value!), however most single ladies can relate to the sensation of being judged for a life-style that doesn’t embrace marriage and youngsters. When Carrie calls up Kyra to tell her that she’s getting married….to herself, it was each foolish and a radical TV second. It was a type of statements that viewers could have thought to themselves as they purchased yet one more marriage ceremony or child reward, however to see it onscreen, properly, it’s no surprise that “I’m registered at Manolo Blahnik” delights to today. —ES
Finest Line: “I’m getting married…to myself! I’m registered at Manolo Blahnik.”
5. “The Man, The Delusion, The Viagra,” Season 2, Episode 8
What Occurs: Carrie desires Large to get to know her pals higher; Miranda meets and sleeps with Steve; Samantha goes house with a senior citizen.
Why It’s Nice: In the event you’re on the lookout for “SATC” at its most romantic, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher contender than this early charmer. Carrie is in full delusion that Large has modified, and strident Miranda makes use of that as an excuse each to sleep with a goofy bartender after which — when he’d wish to proceed to see her — to push him away. By the top of the episode, Large has proven as much as meet Carrie’s pals (within the rain!), and Miranda decides to present it an actual go together with Steve. All collectively now: Awww. —ES
Finest Line: “And identical to that, Miranda left Denial.”
4. “Working with Scissors,” Season 3, Episode 11
What Occurs: Carrie admits to Miranda that she’s having an affair with Large despite the fact that he’s married to Natasha and she or he’s relationship Aidan. Natasha comes house early from the Hamptons to seek out Carrie in her house and chases her down the steps, solely to fall and break her tooth.
Why It’s Nice: Certain, Miranda is stalked by an grownup man dressed as a sandwich who repeatedly says “Eat me” and Samantha should face her fears and get an HIV check. However “Working With Scissors” lives as much as its title, actually, with essentially the most horrific confrontation in all probability in TV historical past. Natasha falling down the steps after catching Carrie in her house will not be solely cringe however heartbreaking — and humanizes the proper 20something Natasha as Carrie is pressured to see the lady she has grow to be. —SB
Finest Line: “We’re so over, we want a brand new phrase for over.”
3. “The Put up-It At all times Sticks Twice,” Season 6, Episode 7
What Occurs: After being abruptly dumped by Berger through the titular Put up-it, Carrie drags the opposite three to Mattress, the place she melts down and nearly will get arrested for smoking pot on the road.
Why It’s Nice: That Put up-it is among the most instantly recognizable moments from all the collection (shoutout to the PA, whose handwriting will be seen on a number of notes from males all through the seasons), however with regards to coping with the ravages of relationship, nothing might be extra relatable than a wounded and tipsy Carrie delivering a tirade geared toward Berger’s pals earlier than fleeing the membership. —MP
Finest Line: “New York Metropolis is a superb place to be engaged … And it’s a good higher place to be enraged.”
2. “My Motherboard, My Self,” Season 4, Episode 8
What Occurs: Miranda’s mom dies unexpectedly and Samantha loses her orgasm. Plus, Carrie’s laptop crashes and she or he learns a priceless lesson about counting on others.
Why It’s Nice: Oh man, this one actually sneaks up on you. Carrie is pondering potential home bliss with Aidan (they exchanged keys!), however she struggles with letting him absolutely into her life. Reducing straight to the guts of the matter, this emotional episode unpacks what help actually appears like and why we’re generally afraid of it. When Carrie’s laptop breaks down (“Is everybody else backing up?”), she should wrestle along with her personal independence in opposition to Aidan’s want to be a workforce. (Man, he was actually not the man for her.) Miranda, in the meantime, breaks down in a becoming room whereas shopping for a bra, probably the most quietly devastating moments the present ever produced. Some viewers (this one) nonetheless can’t watch the funeral scene the place Carrie helps Miranda and Steve and Aidan quietly present as much as help them with out tearing up. —ES
Finest Line: “Once I RSVP for a celebration I make it my enterprise to return.”
1. “Ex and the Metropolis,” Season 2, Episode 18
What Occurs: Carrie finds out (unceremoniously over a boozy lunch) that Large is engaged to Natasha — only one episode after Carrie, scantly clad in her greatest hoedown-themed wears, projectile vomits into the Atlantic Ocean after operating into the 2 of them at a Hamptons celebration. “Ex and the Metropolis” facilities across the ladies attempting to beat their fears: Carrie going through the bitter music of Natasha (“What a bullshit title!”) and Large’s over-the-top engagement celebration on the Plaza; Charlotte getting actually again on the horse after parting methods with one in her childhood; Miranda contemplating whether or not Steve would possibly even have been proper for her regardless of their class variations; and Sam attempting to mount a horse of her personal, care of “Mr. Too Large’s” generously sized penis.
Why It’s Nice: An all-time “SATC” scene finds the women at a bar adjoining to the Plaza, crying into their cosmos over the lyrics to Barbra Streisand’s “The Manner We Had been,” with Carrie realizing she is in actual fact a Katie woman (“c-c-c-curly!”) and that Hubbell’s (i.e. Large) woman is, additionally, in actual fact, pretty. —RL
Finest Line: “I miss James.”