The later seasons got so bad and boring that it is a peasant surprise to revisit season one of this Sex and the City for guys. Looking back its striking how they got the different characterisations so right, and cast the leads so well: Jimmy Cagney-like Eric (feisty, short, loyal); head in the clouds Vince (talented, a bit lazy, reliant on friends to look after him and tell him the truth); likeable leech Turtle (simplistic, funny); and tormented Drama. It's the guys who give this heart but Drama who gives it depth because he makes it clear how fleeting fame and even work is in the industry - one or two wrong choices and it all goes away. Being a star is a tricky balancing act... and when the show forgot this in later seasons it really hurt.
Of course there is Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold - a lot sleazier in this season that he would later become (which was a lot more interesting character wise... that he was faithful to his wife) but still the same angry ruthless person, and his conflict with Eric is again something that would unfortunately be forgotten.
The women have no more depth than the men on Sex in the City but make good eye candy; the writing is sharp, the plot twists fun, it has a good over all arc (setting up Queen's Boulevard), and it remains enjoyable escapist TV.
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