S02.E05: Trick or Treat

[Rebecca berkowit]

7 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

This made me think of the Hulu show Reboot.  It was about a show that was rebooting a show from the early augts and some of the writers were from the original series and some of their ideas were not right for the new show.  

So you might be onto something.

OMG, I loved that show!  I love Rachel Bloom in anything!  I’d still watch a show written by 50-something people, with 50-something references, but maybe they are chasing younger viewers.  It doesn’t work to mix the older and younger styles of writing, though, you get the worst of both.  Also, it’s one thing to think “wouldn’t it be great to have Carrie be a widow,” but that doesn’t work if the writer is not writing from his or her own experience.  The idea should come from the writer’s life, not just from the writer’s mind.  Maybe it’s hard to find writers in their 50’s who are dating and/or windowed and/or non-binary and/or experiencing a late in life change in sexual orientation.  That’s a heavy lift.  

[Lola82]

Carrie/writers missed a great opportunity to dress up as a witch.

 

[Asp Burger]

2 hours ago, zamp33 said:

Carrie is now morphing into Seinfeld territory - like when Jerry constantly found some type of flaw with all of his girlfriends. (including Kristin Davis).

Ha ha. And Seinfeld's recurring cast included an unfunny standup comedian too. Che is the new Banya! Now they just need to have Che say, "That's gold, Miranda. Gold!" 

[Miss Bones]

21 hours ago, Mrsmaul2021 said:

I'm sorry but I think Rock is the dumbest damn name i have ever heard and I would refuse to call my child this. 

I agree!  One of the "Real Housewives" has a daughter named SLATE!  I just cannot make sense of it. 

[Rebecca berkowit]

On 7/14/2023 at 11:15 AM, Miss Bones said:

I agree!  One of the "Real Housewives" has a daughter named SLATE!  I just cannot make sense of it. 

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[DoubleUTeeEff]

I reaaally dislike how even in 2023 the message is always,

Women: Lower your expectations

and never

Men: Be a better person

The bar for men is buried 6 feet under ground at this point. I get that the dating pools shrinks as you get older but I don't think anyone should settle for something that they're really not into if they don't want. It's better to be single and content than coupled but miserable.

George was A) generally flaky B) had a "life partner" who had to nag him to meet deadlines and send in his work and C) basically just didn't have his shit together and at a time in his life when he absolutely should. This kind of guy is basically a child that you have to take care of and Carrie was someone who never even wanted kids. So why should she sign up for one now at this stage of her life especially?

[Alice Mudgarden]

17 minutes ago, DoubleUTeeEff said:

It's better to be single and content than coupled but miserable.

As a singleton turning 41 this year, this has always been my mindset.  It's never been in my DNA to be in a relationship with whomever just to avoid being single. I'd love to meet someone I could really have a life with and sometimes it makes me sad, but for me it's ultimately about the person. I'd be way unhappier if I picked any old guy just to have someone.

[slowpoked]

After the thrill of her sexual awakening, I don’t see what else Miranda sees in Che. They may be the most selfish person Miranda has ever dated - only thinks about themselves, Miranda don’t do this or that, Miranda do this or that. The relationship is according to their rules alone.
 

I mean, in two seasons, what sweet thing has Che done FOR Miranda (and no, finger-banging her in Carrie’s kitchen doesn’t count)? I just don’t buy this pairing, because it’s just lacking romance and tenderness. This has been a one-sided relationship where all Miranda does is give and all Che does is take. And another reason why I freaking hate that they destroyed Miranda’s character this way, because old school Miranda will never be in  a relationship this selfish.

Edited July 14, 2023 by slowpoked

[amarante]

Viagra was introduced in 1998 which coincided with the show.

As I recall there was Samantha who started going out with a rich geezer who used Viagra. The sex was okay but she fled when she got a look at his flaccid tush.

 I think the original was lightning in a bottle which captured a certain gestalt of urban women in their 30's - and those a bit older or younger could still identify with it. Even when slapstick there was somewhat of an emotional truth.

This new version just lacks much emotional truth - what may have been understandable or endearing in a 30 year old just lacks any kind of emotional resonance in women who are in their fifties - especially since the women as originally written and played weren't complete idiots

Carrie dealing with grief last season at least had some element of emotional truth. Carrie rejecting a very eligible man because he was working long hours for a project with a deadline two days away was ludicrous. 

Nothing I can add to Che/Miranda that hasn't been addressed

Seema aka Samantha doesn't work. She had promise last season but seems to be relegated to a cartoon character. It is probably the reason why Kim Cattral wanted no part of a shit show in which she would again play the cartoonishly sexual Samantha. 

It could have been a far more interesting thread if Charlotte went back to work - albeit at a gallery where her social connections would be an important part of her being hired. 

[Yogisbooboo64]

On 7/13/2023 at 4:25 PM, DoubleUTeeEff said:

I liked how Charlotte was able to talk Harry down at Rock's photo shoot.

Love them together, this is what a marriage looks like!

I wouldn't call my child Rock either, I feel the person that said this previously.

I see you Anthony, we going to have to invite you to the cookout with your dancing skills!  Wish Mario would shave the beard though, it looks painted on.

Mariska Hargitay, you’se a lucky heiffa, yo man is FOINE!!  His ‘friend’ was a straight up dick, I was cracking up at how Carrie got out of the bed to leave.

For me, once a man mentions ED, the thrill is gone….nothing makes my girls deflate quicker than a man who has to pump-pump-pa-pump his peen!  Loved Seema finishing herself off, even turning up the noise a bit while he whined.

Wish I could’ve produced a smidge of give-a-fuck for Che but didn’t.  They were treating Miranduh how she used to treat Steve, like when they got annoyed with her bumping into the chair as she got ready to leave the apartment in the morning.  And was I the only one who thought Miranduh’s ‘eat shit’ speech was for the viewers who dare to not like Cheranduh?

Like Che, please stop making Nya happen….she just doesn’t fit.

[Hanahope]

2 hours ago, DoubleUTeeEff said:

I reaaally dislike how even in 2023 the message is always,

Women: Lower your expectations

and never

Men: Be a better person

I felt the same for Seema.  Its 2023 men, you should know how to give a woman an orgasm and for many (maybe most) its not just penetrative sex.  men need to and really should know how to pleasure women and then do it.  women should not "have to resort" to a vibrator afterwards, and certainly should not be scolded for it if they do.  

[RedDelicious]

2 hours ago, DoubleUTeeEff said:

I reaaally dislike how even in 2023 the message is always,

Women: Lower your expectations

and never

Men: Be a better person

The bar for men is buried 6 feet under ground at this point. I get that the dating pools shrinks as you get older but I don't think anyone should settle for something that they're really not into if they don't want. It's better to be single and content than coupled but miserable.

George was A) generally flaky B) had a "life partner" who had to nag him to meet deadlines and send in his work and C) basically just didn't have his shit together and at a time in his life when he absolutely should. This kind of guy is basically a child that you have to take care of and Carrie was someone who never even wanted kids. So why should she sign up for one now at this stage of her life especially?

I get what you're saying and I agree with the level of the bar and societal expectations, but I didn't see George that way. I saw a nice enough guy who just had his wrist broken in a bike accident that Carrie caused, who was mostly out of it because he was on opioid pain medication. I didn't think they were going to be lights, camera, relationship. She could have at least tried it out for a couple of dates until his wrist healed and he was off the meds, if not for the soul purpose of delivering eye candy to us as viewers.

ETA: The other thing is he didn't ask her to come over when he was in that condition. He didn't ask her to take care of him. She just showed up on her own and it went from there.

I mean Percocet made my sister hallucinate and ask to return to the hospital so the doctor could reverse the surgery she'd just had. That stuff has a really wacky effect on people.

I thought the FaceTime scene on the bed was pretty funny 😁

Edited July 14, 2023 by RedDelicious

[slowpoked]

Carrie giving up on George because he’s up against a deadline reminds me of Carrie giving up on Petrovsky and Paris because she’s been to all the museums and ate all the croissants in all the cafes in TWO WEEKS!!!

[RedDelicious]

Oh, one more thing before I go 😊 Miranda starting her day by saying f*ck into the bathroom mirror is me every morning. I’m glad we could connect on that one thing.

[T Summer]

 

3 hours ago, Lola82 said:

Carrie/writers missed a great opportunity to dress up as a witch.

 

Do you ever find yourself saying  Amok! Amok! Amok! for no reason? ... or is it  just    me?

 

[Rebecca berkowit]

2 hours ago, Hanahope said:

I felt the same for Seema.  Its 2023 men, you should know how to give a woman an orgasm and for many (maybe most) its not just penetrative sex.  men need to and really should know how to pleasure women and then do it.  women should not "have to resort" to a vibrator afterwards, and certainly should not be scolded for it if they do.  

Sadly, many men do not know this.  It is apparently not taught in schools. And I think it’s getting worse, with the general lack of sex education and increasing popularity of porn.  That would be an interesting episode, to see these women getting back into the dating pool and having sex with younger men who only know what to do from porn.  I hear that’s what happens now.  

Edited July 14, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[shipmate]

First, if you’ve never watched the Americans, get on it! Really, really excellent drama. I laughed out loud at Harry doing his best Matthew Rhys impersonation.

This was by far my favorite episode of the season to date. Definitely felt closer to the original series than all of the other ones so far. 

[bluegirl147]

20 minutes ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

Sadly, many men do not know this.  It is apparently not taught in schools. And I think it’s getting worse, with the general lack of sex education and increasing popularity of porn.  That would be an interesting episode, to see these women getting back into the dating pool and having sex with younger men who only know what to do from porn.  I hear that’s what happens now.  

There was a book written about this.  There is entire generation of men who's introduction to sex is porn so they think what they see is how to have sex which is all about the man's pleasure.  And there is an entire generation of women who are being told by men that is right way to have sex. 

When I was having sex in my 40s I found men in their 30s were the best partners.  They were old enough to know what to do and young enough to be able to do it.

[Rebecca berkowit]

Quote

Quote

 

 

THIS JUST IN- New article in the Atlantic quitting from an interview with one of the writers about how Che is SUPPOSED to be annoying, and not supposed to be an accurate or pleasant portrayal of a queer person.  This most recent episode was supposed to “humanize” Che as Che is confronted with the focus group, and how annoying and unrepresentative. they find the character.  It’s an interesting read.  May be paywalled, but you may get one free:

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/07/and-just-like-that-che-diaz-character/674703/

Edited July 15, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[Sailorgirl26]

2 hours ago, T Summer said:

 

Do you ever find yourself saying  Amok! Amok! Amok! for no reason? ... or is it  just    me?

 

It is absofuckinglutely NOT just you. 

My friends and I often randomly text it to each other out of the blue. 

[T Summer]

1 minute ago, Sailorgirl26 said:

It is absofuckinglutely NOT just you. 

My friends and I often randomly text it to each other out of the blue. 

Thank you! I feel much better now, because I didn't get many of the references this episode elicited. IDK about The Americans, I didn't know who Makiska Hargitay was married to, I've never seen  30 Rock, don't know who Molly Dodd is.

I do know who Helen Gurly Brown is, though.

[Lethallyfab]

3 hours ago, amarante said:

As I recall there was Samantha who started going out with a rich geezer who used Viagra. The sex was okay but she fled when she got a look at his flaccid tush.

There was also an episode where she dated a doctor who used Viagra strictly for recreational purposes and then she tried it and became addicted to it, to the point where he just wrote her a prescription for it so she would stop going nuts.

Paywall, so…, but if Che is *supposed* to be annoying, then the writers are succeeding admirably.  This is like a reverse ‘Breaking Bad’ - audience: oh, Walter is so cool - Writers: okay, but he’s literally a monster — no, but he’s such a bad-ass - again, literally a monster.  
 

Writers: Che is so bad-ass!

Audience: Literally no.

Writers: they’re so edgy!  They push the envelope so much.

Audience: I literally have butter knives in my cutlery drawer that are sharper than Che’s “wit.”

[bluegirl147]

24 minutes ago, T Summer said:

Now there this a whole new thing a whole lot more sinister than ineptitude out there in the ethos. Have you heard some of these manosphere, red pilled nuts talk? They're like get yours, the woman is there to serve and  F 'em!

 

Thank God I'm  married to a wonderful man!

When I did online dating there were men who would send me messages that wanted to meet up for a blow job. Men I had never met before.  I always wondered if they ever sent a message to a woman who would agree to that.

25 minutes ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

THIS JUST IN- New article in the Atlantic quitting from an interview with one of the writers about how Che is SUPPOSED to be annoying, and not supposed to be an accurate or pleasant portrayal of a queer person.  This most recent episode was supposed to “humanize” Che as Che is confronted with the focus group, and how annoying and unrepresentative. they find the character.  It’s an interesting read.  May be paywalled, but you may get one free:

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/07/and-just-like-that-che-diaz-character/674703/

So after MPK and Cynthia Nixon and Sara Ramirez chiding the audience for.just.not.getting.it we are supposed to believe they intentionally wrote Che to be problematic.  Yeah I'm not buying that.

[Rebecca berkowit]

12 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

When I did online dating there were men who would send me messages that wanted to meet up for a blow job. Men I had never met before.  I always wondered if they ever sent a message to a woman who would agree to that.

So after MPK and Cynthia Nixon and Sara Ramirez chiding the audience for.just.not.getting.it we are supposed to believe they intentionally wrote Che to be problematic.  Yeah I'm not buying that.

There is a quote, FROM A WRITER, that Che is “the kind of person who can turn a coffee order into a lecture on colonialism.”  That’s true.  Didn’t think it was intentional.  They say Che has now been confronted with the queer community’s (well, the one focus group person) reaction to this and may change because of it.  I still do not understand why they think the reaction from one queer person would sabotage Che’s whole sense of self.  It’s a big community, and Che is not new to it!  But this seems to be a projection of the writers’ own shock at the reaction from queer viewers who hate the character.  Apparently they weren’t expecting this.   (I think Che is an equal-opportunity offender).  I guess they were expecting to really capture the zeitgeist.  But now they’re saying Che is a deliberate attempt by the writers to LOOK LIKE someone who is trying to capture the zeitgeist.  Sure.  (Then why are you so shocked at the reaction, when presumably it is one you intended?)  Also, in future episodes Che grows closer to Carrie and Miranda examines her sexuality and what she has done to Steve.  That’s what it says.  

Edited July 15, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[Sailorgirl26]

23 minutes ago, T Summer said:

Thank you! I feel much better now, because I didn't get many of the references this episode elicited. IDK about The Americans, I didn't know who Makiska Hargitay was married to, I've never seen  30 Rock, don't know who Molly Dodd is.

I do know who Helen Gurly Brown is, though.

The Americans is fantastic and well worth the time to watch. I do know who HGB is.

I'm with you on Molly Dodd --no clue and 30 Rock--never watched, no desire to. 

[ruby24]

Can't wait for Miranda to "examine" her sexuality and discover she's always been a lesbian but we all never knew it. Amazing. Especially from a person who dated how many men her entire adult life and only married when she was what, close to 40? And even confronted people thinking she was gay and rejected it?

I'm sorry but it's a complete retcon. 

I'm sorry the old show refused to acknowledge bisexuality and fluid sexuality with anyone other than Samantha, but this is what we saw. If Miranda was an angry person because of her confused sexuality (or subconscious rejection of the truth of it, which is what I think they're going to end up saying), it just doesn't jibe with what we saw onscreen. They would have needed to hint at it at least some of the time.

[slowpoked]

I just realized, that Miranda tiptoeing out of their room at 5 in the morning so as not to disturb Che, but ended up bumping the chair, hurting herself, and Che got extremely pissed is the perfect symbolism for their relationship - Miranda having to be extra careful not to piss them off, and even with her best intentions, ends up pissing them anyway.

[greekmom]

8 hours ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

But why were the mattresses wrapped in plastic?  I know they SAID they were used, but they were wrapped in plastic.  They didn’t look used.  

I thought that the bed frames were used but the mattresses were new.

I also thought that Miranda went and made Brady breakfast due to guilt more than anything.  She feels major guilty about things with Che.

[Rebecca berkowit]

9 minutes ago, greekmom said:

I thought that the bed frames were used but the mattresses were new.

I also thought that Miranda went and made Brady breakfast due to guilt more than anything.  She feels major guilty about things with Che.

They WERE new.  But, in the dialogue they kept having Carrie trying to talk Miranda out of buying a used mattress, and talking about how gross used mattresses were.  The dialogue implied they were used mattresses.  They were clearly not.    Makes.  No.  Sense.  This show is so lazy.  Did the set designers not read the script, where it talked about USED mattresses?   It bothers me, sorry.  

[ahpny]

19 hours ago, Yeah No said:

About the bike lane - sure Carrie shouldn't have been standing there, but that doesn't matter - a pedestrian always takes precedence as far as yielding goes in NYC.  There is an order of preference but it's the same thing if a pedestrian is crossing against the light at an intersection - sure, they shouldn't be there, but the traffic still has to slow down and let them pass (and my NYC limo. driving husband confirmed that).

This is wrong. Carrie illegally standing there does matter. Jaywalking is a crime. There is no "all vehicles must yield to any pedestrian any time anywhere" rule in NYC or New York State. There may a be duty to avoid an accident when you can, even if when caused by someone breaking the law, but he did try and stop so he met that burden. Indeed, by doing so, he succeeded in not injuring her at all and instead broke his own wrist. She is fully at fault and indeed could have been liable for his injuries had he sued her, as she herself acknowledged.

[WendyCR72]

I visited Twitter last night to gauge reaction to this season elsewhere.

And one poster asked if Che and Miranda could buy a Peloton like Big did.

LOL!

So, yeah, this season seems consistent as far as audience reaction to Che and Che/Miranda goes. (They also recognized the meta focus group crap and called BS.) So, if the meta Che focus group was supposed to soften the audience as far as the character goes, the writers failed yet again.

[ChattyCathyLA]

Anyone else picking up on the issues that Che and Miranda are currently having (different schedules, different activities, etc.) are mirroring what Miranda experienced with Steve in the beginning? Remember when he was loudly watching cartoons while Miranda was trying to concentrate while preparing a legal brief?  Compare that with Che getting stoned loudly with friends in the next room while Miranda is trying to sleep?  

I still think the hot black doctor for the Nicks was the guy for her and she would still be married to him.  More and more I feel that Che is nothing more than a mid life crisis crutch for Miranda, who made her formerly grey hair red for the second season, but it was never mentioned in the show.  Carrie is also less grey and more golden blonde now.

Oh … and it was NO accident to see Steve with a pretty hot “dad bod” working out with the punching bag in the morning.  Miranda may be pansexual now, but she’s not blind! 

[sadie]

I’m 55 and I didn't realize going to a bar, meeting some random guy and taking him home and sleeping with him was still a thing? All I could think was “are these women crazy”. In todays world that is just so crazy dangerous and both women are lucky they didn’t get raped or assaulted. The fact that the show tried to play it off as sexually empowering was disturbing to me.

Che, oh Che. I’m sorry but a 45 year old that still spends their nights getting stoned, playing video games and partying until 4am is beyond for me. Miranda calling Che a “night owl” made Che’s behavior sound much less infantile than how it read to me. And I dated an asshole once that did things like Che acting bothered they were accidentally woken up, if I coughed in the middle of the night he would sigh loudly to express his disgust that I woke him up. He was an asshole, Che is an asshole and it has NOTHING to do with them being binary.

And The Americans is in my top 5 favorite shows of all time! The costumes were amazing and I would have totally gotten it if I had seen them at a party. 

[Asp Burger]

3 hours ago, ChattyCathyLA said:

More and more I feel that Che is nothing more than a mid life crisis crutch for Miranda, who made her formerly grey hair red for the second season, but it was never mentioned in the show.  

She reverted to red at the very end of the first season's finale. She and Brady had a conversation about it. She asked if he was ever going to comment on her hair, and he said he liked it but wondered happened to her "gray pride." She said it's still there; she just liked the idea of changing it up again. Then he said she was just copying his look, and she said she had it first. It stayed in my mind because it was one of the nicer Brady scenes.

Edited July 15, 2023 by Asp Burger

[bluegirl147]

30 minutes ago, Asp Burger said:

She reverted to red at the very end of the first season's finale. She and Brady had a conversation about it. She asked if he was ever going to comment on her hair, and he said he liked it but wondered happened to her "gray pride." She said it's still there; she just liked the idea of changing it up again. Then he said she was just copying his look, and she said she had it first. It stayed in my mind because it was one of the nicer Brady scenes.

 

Miranda is almost tolerable when she is not in scenes with Che or talking about Che.

Edited July 15, 2023 by bluegirl147

[EtheltoTillie]

I’d been feeling that the strong anti Che and Miranda talk was so overwhelming it seemed homophobic or transphobic. But now they are being forced to backpedal with apologetics. So maybe not. Whatever, it’s hit a nerve!  

[Trillian]

20 hours ago, slowpoked said:

And another reason why I freaking hate that they destroyed Miranda’s character this way, because old school Miranda will never be in  a relationship this selfish.

You mean the Miranda who spent a whole episode telling herself and others “he’s just not that into you”?

I miss that Miranda. 

Edited July 15, 2023 by Trillian

[amarante]

5 hours ago, sadie said:

I’m 55 and I didn't realize going to a bar, meeting some random guy and taking him home and sleeping with him was still a thing? All I could think was “are these women crazy”. In todays world that is just so crazy dangerous and both women are lucky they didn’t get raped or assaulted. The fact that the show tried to play it off as sexually empowering was disturbing to me.. 

I thought they would be mistaken for aging hookers. That is where high end escorts trawl for out of town hookups. 

[Rebecca berkowit]

1 hour ago, amarante said:

I thought they would be mistaken for aging hookers. That is where high end escorts trawl for out of town hookups. 

Yeah, I was also pretty shocked that they went home with the guys.  Especially Nya, but even Seema.   I thought by suggesting the nice hotel, they were indicating  they wanted to meet rich, successful men.  Why set out to meet someone like that just to sleep with?   I guess Seema was trying to have a relationship with hers, but relationships don’t usually start from zero like that.  Is this episode another example of writing these women like gay men?  Or maybe this is behavior that was fun for younger women in the late 90’s?  Even on the original show, did they do this stuff?  (Other than Samantha).  

And I’m not liking how Carrie/SJP always positions herself as the normal one who doesn’t behave like that and instead meets men in a cute way and goes on dates.  It’s a little like she’s being judgmental of the others, just sitting there watching them hook up.  I know she’s kind of the narrator, and she’s a widow and perhaps not ready, but why go along to the hotel, then?  It comes across like she thinks she is better than they are.  Was she always like that?  SJP was quoted in the recent New Yorker article as saying she doesn’t approve of some of the characters’ behavior on the show.  (Even though she makes money off it.).  
 

 I know SJP never does nude scenes, so I guess that limits things for her character.  Neither does Seema, apparently, who has sex and uses a vibrator under the covers and with a complete nightgown on.  If they’re making her the new Samantha, she should have nude scenes in her contract like KC did.  

Edited July 15, 2023 by Rebecca berkowit

[T Summer]

8 hours ago, ChattyCathyLA said:

Anyone else picking up on the issues that Che and Miranda are currently having (different schedules, different activities, etc.) are mirroring what Miranda experienced with Steve in the beginning? Remember when he was loudly watching cartoons while Miranda was trying to concentrate while preparing a legal brief?  Compare that with Che getting stoned loudly with friends in the next room while Miranda is trying to sleep? 

Yes, you're right we noticed we already had that story line with Steve.

...and last week's on ageism w/ Carrie feeling old because Enid numbered her among retirees had been done  when Samantha got a Mirabella magazine subscription and thought she'd missed her cycle.

...and now Miranda is shopping for a bed in an antique mart. On the old show she stated she didn't want to date a man divorced with a kid just like she didn't buy vintage clothes and hated antiques.

 Charlotte showed her doctor husband Trey an implantable  penis pump when he continued to suffer  E.D. AJLT had Seema bedding a man with E.D. who on his first visit to her home and bedroom opens a  case and pulls out something that looks more suited to jumping a car, with a big ol' gauge on it and as he stamps his feet excitedly he proceeds to pump up!

 Samantha was gifted  a strap on by Maria which was literally a double strap belt that held a phallus shaped object. This mess  had Miranda struggling with a complicated  mass of leather straps that fit over both shoulders  and over her  torso, which was quite ridiculous looking before you even got to the business end.

...because of course it makes sense  that 20+ years on  sexual aids would get bigger and more cumbersome  with copious straps and hoses and such. 🙄This is what they're doing in 2023, sight gags?

These  typists seem  barely acquainted with the source material, yet  they're determined to recycle old elements of the show.

 

The biggest snafu of all was Miranda tried to see if she could have a relationship with a woman when the higher ups at her law firm had sized her up as gay... "nope, definetely straight!" she said.

Samantha had a relationship with a woman. Even Charlotte tried to hang with the gay, skiing, art collecting gals until they didn't want her in the click unless she was actually gay. The question of whether the character Miranda was gay was settled a long time ago.

Yes, some people change and come out later in life but this particular character Miranda blowing up her whole life in the manner she did over a bad comic not even in her age cohort....  who didn't  return her calls for months??? It also meant dropping her human rights  law degree she was working on. It just doesn't seem like something that character: the most staid, careful, reflective one of the bunch  would do. If she had an epiphany at almost 60, everything we know about Miranda says she would have handled it differently.

 

[Rebecca berkowit]

13 minutes ago, T Summer said:

Yes, you're right we noticed we already had that story line with Steve.

...and last week's on ageism w/ Carrie feeling old because Enid numbered her among retirees had been done  when Samantha got a Mirabella magazine subscription and thought she'd missed her cycle.

...and now Miranda is shopping for a bed in an antique mart. On the old show she stated she didn't want to date a man divorced with a kid just like she didn't buy vintage clothes and hated antiques.

 Charlotte showed her doctor husband Trey an implantable  penis pump when he continued to suffer  E.D. AJLT had Seema bedding a man with E.D. who on his first visit to her home and bedroom opens a  case and pulls out something that looks more suited to jumping a car, with a big ol' gauge on it and as he stamps his feet excitedly he proceeds to pump up!

 Samantha was gifted  a strap on by Maria which was literally a double strap belt that held a phallus shaped object. This mess  had Miranda struggling with a complicated  mass of leather straps that fit over both shoulders  and over her  torso, which was quite ridiculous looking before you even got to the business end.

...because of course it makes sense  that 20+ years on  sexual aids would get bigger and more cumbersome  with copious straps and hoses and such. 🙄This is what they're doing in 2023, sight gags?

These  typists seem  barely acquainted with the source material, yet  they're determined to recycle old elements of the show.

 

The biggest snafu of all was Miranda tried to see if she could have a relationship with a woman when the higher ups at her law firm had sized her up as gay... "nope, definetely straight!" she said.

Samantha had a relationship with a woman. Even Charlotte tried to hang with the gay, skiing, art collecting gals until they didn't want her in the click unless she was actually gay. The question of whether the character Miranda was gay was settled a long time ago.

Yes, some people change and come out later in life but this particular character Miranda blowing up her whole life in the manner she did over a bad comic not even in her age cohort....  who didn't  return her calls for months??? It also meant dropping her human rights  law degree she was working on. It just doesn't seem like something that character: the most staid, careful, reflective one of the bunch  would do. If she had an epiphany at almost 60, everything we know about Miranda says she would have handled it differently.

 

This is absolutely brilliant!  I didn’t realize there were so many parallels/rehashes.  So they took Miranda, a character who had been established as definitely not into women  (to the point of not wanting to kiss a man after he performed oral sex on her), and made her definitely into having sex with someone who is not a man,  just because Cynthia Nixon came out as gay?

[T Summer]

3 minutes ago, Rebecca berkowit said:

 So they took Miranda, a character who had been established as definitely not into women  (to the point of not wanting to kiss a man after he performed oral sex on her), and made her definitely into having sex with someone who is not a man,  just because Cynthia Nixon came out as gay?

Another good point. The typists should go back and watch.

 

Their assignment? Come up with new material!  And please God don't have Carrie and Aiden make a go of it for a third time!

[DrivingSideways]

I do think this season is much better than last season, however, in my circle, no one is watching it.  The few that tried were immediately turned off in the first 2 eps by Cheranda.  These are queer people, so it's not a case of homophobia.

The new show has made me actively hate Cynthia Nixon, who used to be my favorite.  I feel like she was the loudest voice behind the new direction of this show.  Kim Cattrall might have been smarter to have not done the cameo and just be completely unassociated with this mess.

I thought I read last year that many of the new writers were specifically hired to be young and in touch with the latest mores.  But the way these episodes are written are like someone found an old script from 1990, dusted it off and put it into production.

Last year everyone was so elderly they could barely move, now Steve is a workout God and Carrie is embarrassed to be seen with a walker?  Makes no sense.  Seema's scene with her vibrator felt like a complete rip off of a Samantha scene.  

I think the biggest problem is that these episodes are so long.  I would have loved 45 minute extended versions of old SATC eps.  But 45 minutes of AJLT is a chore.

I do think Carrie is funny, but she is boring, and in the background.  If I didn't know any better, I would assume the show centered around Miranda.

I had no clue LTW's husband was from Hamilton.  So her insistence that he dress up as one of the founding fathers in bed was just strange and seemed slightly problematic.

The Americans was such an odd reference to pull, is someone in this production associated with that show?  

[txhorns79]

On 7/14/2023 at 5:19 PM, slowpoked said:

Carrie giving up on George because he’s up against a deadline reminds me of Carrie giving up on Petrovsky and Paris because she’s been to all the museums and ate all the croissants in all the cafes in TWO WEEKS!!!

I think Carrie gave up on George because he had no boundaries with his business partner, and she didn't see the relationship as worth continuing.  I figured after this project, there would be others and she didn't like what she was seeing when he was in work mode.

 

2 hours ago, T Summer said:

The question of whether the character Miranda was gay was settled a long time ago.

I think even people who decades ago declared they weren't interested in women, can still explore their sexuality later in life.  I can see why it would be a surprise to those close to them, but it does happen.   

[TVbitch]

Miranda's been acting like a desperate, bumbling dope, and Che like a self-centered teenager. If I were either of them, I would dump the other. Meanwhile Carries is tossing 'em back left and right. How dare that guy not take cabs and have a close relationship with his business parter! See ya, loser! And the last guy wanted MORE than Thursdays! Hit the road, pal! 🙄 

To be fair, even gorgeous Matthew Rhys could not make that particular wig look good in the Americans. 🤣

[Rebecca berkowit]

30 minutes ago, TVbitch said:

Miranda's been acting like a desperate, bumbling dope, and Che like a self-centered teenager. If I were either of them, I would dump the other. Meanwhile Carries is tossing 'em back left and right. How dare that guy not take cabs and have a close relationship with his business parter! See ya, loser! And the last guy wanted MORE than Thursdays! Hit the road, pal! 🙄 

To be fair, even gorgeous Matthew Rhys could not make that particular wig look good in the Americans. 🤣

It was strange that Charlotte was just dressed as regular 80’s Elizabeth Jennings while Harry was dressed as Philip Jennings IN DISGUISE.  

[T Summer]

1 hour ago, txhorns79 said:

I think even people who decades ago declared they weren't interested in women, can still explore their sexuality later in life.  I can see why it would be a surprise to those close to them, but it does happen.   

Yes, and the rest of my post said as much.

 

I have no problem with Miranda discovering she's anything  that she hasn't been  previously. Any way she wants to live, love, express herself is fine by me! An entire personality / identity transplant? I have a problem with.

and I think, the rest of the audience feels similarly. From what I read and hear, anyway.

My problem is these writers have no clue about her personality  traits , the way Miranda moves through life  and what's important to her. The Miranda we know wouldn't have undertaken a specialized Human Rights Law degree and then have dropped it unless some  earth shaking thing like someone ill or dying in the family occurred. As it would have been something she cared deeply about doing to undertake it in the first place. IIRC wasn't that when Che wasn't even returning her calls or texts or anything? Whether it was or wasn't, Che hadn't given Miranda any reason to make such a  leap... quite the opposite.

Also if Miranda cares about making Brady breakfast now and she cared about how he was faring through his first break a short while ago, then of course she would've cared about her son during all those months there was zero mention of him when she was following Che like some  groupie.

Remember Miranda kind of didn't like Petrovsky but her major objection was to Carrie uprooting herself from a city, apartment, social scene and friend group she adored   to follow him  after knowing him just a couple of months.

...because that's how Miranda thinks.

Miranda wouldn't be in a relationship so lopsided; one where she had to subdue  so much of herself and give up her  own pursuits. Just does not fit the character.

Edited July 16, 2023 by T Summer
highlighted correct part of quote

[WendyCR72]

13 hours ago, sadie said:

I’m 55 and I didn't realize going to a bar, meeting some random guy and taking him home and sleeping with him was still a thing?

To be fair, you also just described Miranda and Steve's beginning. (Okay, Steve was the bartender, not a patron, but still.) I realize that was more an exception, but until recently, that actually turned into something significant.

I will agree it is still risky. But as this whole series [and SATC, where it all began!] is glamorized fantasy, I don't expect a lot of consequences to be shown.

[txhorns79]

1 hour ago, T Summer said:

The Miranda we know wouldn't have undertaken a specialized Human Rights Law degree and then have dropped it unless some  earth shaking thing like someone ill or dying in the family occurred.

Isn't she back in school now?  Did she drop the degree or did she just not take that internship?  I think I just see it differently.  It's been a long time since the original series aired.  I don't agree with all the choices the writers have made, but at least for me, I'm not all that bothered by Miranda.  I think she made a lot of bold decisions last season, and now she seems to realize they weren't all great ones.  That's at least what I took away from her comment about her costume being the disaster that was her life. 

[Rebecca berkowit]

16 minutes ago, txhorns79 said:

Isn't she back in school now?  Did she drop the degree or did she just not take that internship?  I think I just see it differently.  It's been a long time since the original series aired.  I don't agree with all the choices the writers have made, but at least for me, I'm not all that bothered by Miranda.  I think she made a lot of bold decisions last season, and now she seems to realize they weren't all great ones.  That's at least what I took away from her comment about her costume being the disaster that was her life. 

She seems to be going to class.  I think that Miranda discovering a different sexual orientation as an older person would be interesting.  Certainly it happens.  There’s no reason she should be stuck as the person she was so sure of in the older episodes, people change.  But I just don’t think they’re doing that very well, they’re mostly focusing on this instant relationship with Che, and Miranda is just suddenly not acting like herself, with no explanation or gradual evolution for the character.   Also, it’s hard to forget that the relationship itself was suggested by Cynthia Nixon because of her own attraction to Che and the idea of them together.  She thought it would be hot.  That makes it seem less authentic for the character, I think.  It’s interesting, because Cynthia herself went through such a change in orientation late in life.  It would be so interesting for her to tell the writers what she was feeling and how that unfolded, and give them something to work with there for Miranda. I think the fans would respond to that better than to this new all-in romance.