The Power of Samantha
In the summer of 1998, the world became indoctrinated into one of the most elite, empowered, and influential friend groups of the early 2000s. Based on the book by Candace Bushnell, “Sex and the City” featured four dynamic women candidly exploring love, friendship, independence, and the unapologetic celebration of female sexuality. The show challenged societal norms - openly discussing topics often considered taboo on television. With its witty dialogue, fashionable flair, and relatable humor, "Sex and the City" not only became a pop culture sensation but prognosticated the future of sexuality in the new age.
From its creation to the reruns, the thrill of Sex and the City has always been palpable: “I remember when the first episode aired, having read the book, me and my girlfriends couldn’t wait to watch it, we all sat around drinking wine and watching the short 20 minutes of unadulterated fun. It felt special - powerful. It felt feminine. I still get that feeling now when I watch it. Yes, the drama of it all is good, but it's much more about the camaraderie. We all have a little piece of us within each character – there aren’t that many TV shows like that anymore.” (Professor, 58, based in New York)
Arguably the raunchiest of the four, Samantha Jones was the ultimate feminist; with a “man-eater” approach to sex and career politics, she left no room for apologies or external criticism. Rejecting societal expectations, she viewed the world through a lens that categorized individuals based on their prowess in bed rather than conforming to conventional labels. So, when approached by a gay couple to engage in a threesome, there was no hesitation – only flattery. Encapsulated in Samantha's philosophy is the belief that the future of sexuality is not bound by labels but defined by individual expression.
“Wake up. It’s 2000. The new millennium won’t be about sexual labels; it’ll be about sexual expression. It won’t matter if you’re sleeping with men or women. It’ll be about sleeping with individuals. Soon, everyone will be pansexual. It won’t matter if you’re gay or straight.”
The idea of a pansexual future, where rigid labels do not confine individuals but are free to explore connections with others based on personal attraction and desire, is not only a powerful concept but an accurate one.
The show is composed of astute prophetic statements – withstanding the test of time and liberating women from whatever patriarchal BS prevents us from talking about our bodies and sexual desires – and ridiculous, uncomfortable ones that age the show itself (to quote Carrie in season 3: “I'm not even sure bisexuality exists, I think it's just a layover on the way at to gaytown”)
So why should we continue to watch an undoubtedly dated show on sexuality, fashion, and friendship? Because of its contribution, Sex and the City has facilitated many dialogues regarding female sexuality and continues to raise thought-provoking questions about our progress as a society. “It wasn’t shocking for me the way I assume it was for my mom when she first watched it – but it definitely still felt relevant. Even if we as a society have become more tolerant of female sexuality, doesn’t mean it isn’t shameful. Samantha calls it like it is – her power might be emulated from sex, but she lives her life for herself: no one else.” (College student, age 21, based in Philly)
“I was surprised when my daughters began watching the show. I always thought it would feel outdated to them. I mean, I still love it; I'm rewatching old episodes now and even the new reboot (which does not hold up). But for them, there is so much more content nowadays as blunt as Sex and the City used to be – but they love it. We watch it together; I think for them, they watch it because of its dated antics. It feels special. Vintage, maybe.” (Mother, aged 55, based in New York City) If Samantha can be more modern than most current-day politicians, why ignore her confidence and wisdom because they were produced a little earlier than we expect? Does that negate the power of her point – or only exemplify it?
While over twenty years have passed since the pilot, the truth of the female experience remains strong: “I love it, I feel in the conversation – seeing a bit of myself in every character, relating to the tales of awkward sexual encounters, laughing at every joke. Plus, it’s iconic: the clothing, humor, culture. It’s the female experience.” (College student, age 23, based in Toronto)
In its essence, the allure of "Sex and the City" lies in its ability to provoke thought and foster debates on society's progress regarding (female) sexuality. With her uncanny progressive instincts, Samantha Jones challenges us to appreciate the show's wisdom, confident that a message ahead of its time is not diminished by the passage of time.