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Meera Atkinson 
Sex and the City burst onto our TV screens in 1998 and we had never seen anything quite like it. It was about four beautiful, successful female friends living in the heart of New York City — the centre of their universe along with sex, clothes, shoes and each other.
Unpack the issues...
With witty, risqué writing and glamour galore, SATC spurred many a discussion and style trend (though thankfully Carrie’s ‘big flower’ failed to take off in Australia), made the Cosmopolitan the cocktail of choice for every 30-something wannabe and ignited heated debate about whether the show was an example of post-feminist girl power or a regrettable regression for the sisterhood. Rev Glenda Blakefield, associate general secretary of the Uniting Church Assembly, believes the show disempowers women by promoting mass consumerism rather than exploring deeper values. She says the women “put so much focus on superficial things they don’t get in touch with what they can offer. It devalues the idea of the human person valued in the image of God". But publicist Karen Edwards has a more positive spin on the show.“As a Christian feminist I admire the willingness by the show’s creators to explore a range of issues in the context of the 21st Century woman,” she says. Karen also likes the bond between the women. “Proverbs 24:26 says, ‘An honest answer is the sign of true friendship’. The four friends disappoint each other and yet they never fail to support one another through honesty and loyalty.” So, what are the arguments for and against? On the for side, SATC showed single women living independently, prospering financially and socially. They explored their options and sexuality with a self-determination and self-possession unimaginable for their mothers and grandmothers. They each had impressive careers, prioritised their friendships, and had a whole lot of fun.  On the downside, the girls were, how shall we say it, a bit shallow. They had highs and lows and personal revelations. Occasionally they faced dramatic challenges, such as Samantha’s battle with breast cancer. The show was not without its moving moments, but there wasn’t much soul searching in their dark nights of the soul and there was precious little treading of spiritual paths in those pricey Manolo Blahnik’s. Samantha’s surprising attendance at church in one series and WASP (white anglo-saxon princess) Charlotte’s conversion to Judaism — for a man no less — were notable exceptions.
Every episode began with Carrie, as columnist at work, posing a meaningful question. But though they may have been the questions in many a gal’s mind they were not the BIG questions. No “What’s the purpose of life?” or “Why am I here?” for our Carrie. Viewed by millions around the world, Sex and the City was the winner of 8 Golden Globes with another 36 award wins and 125 nominations aside before its demise in 2004. With a devoted following even years later and a wildly anticipated movie version currently screening in Australian cinemas, whatever your views on Sex and the City one thing is clear: it made triumphant television — the kind that gives people plenty to gossip about; the kind that reassures us we’re not alone in finding relationships tricky or needing the support and companionship of friends; the kind that offers welcome escapism, most especially perhaps from those nagging big questions.
Unpack the issues... Is Sex and the City progressive or regressive in terms of gender politics? How does a Christian view of sexuality empower Women? Does focusing on material wealth necessarily distract a person from a spiritual life?
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