A Shortened Season Makes For Additional Special Features, But Can That Save This DVD?

I have a strange and large addiction to Sex and the City. So you see, I was very disappointed when Season 5 made its debut on HBO. The previous season had so many wonderful ups and downs; I wondered what direction the writers would take the characters. I soon realized that this particular season wasn’t going to be like the previous seasons which made it disappointing to many fans.

Sex and the City is comprised of four single New York City women, who are on the endless search for love, companionship and yes, good sex. In Season 4, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) refused to marry Aidan throwing all she has ever coveted out the window. Season 5 found her lamenting about her crumbled relationships and wondering if she will be single forever. It also turned out to be a medley of the women making unorthodox (stupid) decisions, for instance Samantha (Kim Catrall) takes back her cheating lover Richard, Carrie and the girls bicker over menial issues, and the character Jack Berger (Ron Livingston) is introduced as a love interest for Carrie. The problem is, the two characters have as much chemistry as limp spaghetti, and so their attraction and subsequent dating comes off forced and completely fake.

Season 5 was also the season that there were only eight episodes because of the pregnancy of Sarah Jessica Parker. She is obviously pregnant throughout every episode and it was quite interesting to see how the costume designers dealt with her expanding belly. Since Sex and They City is a fashionista’s video bible, the show was able to maintain its foothold in the fashion arena and still hide SJP’s pregnancy.

Now, on to the whole number of episodes controversy that seems to be all over SATC fan sites. Many loyal fans were very angry that the season was cut short, and the DVD was released at the same price as previous seasons. Yes, there are fewer episodes but there are more special features other than the simple audio commentaries. Maybe the price should be cheaper, but in general I think all DVD sets should be cheaper; most prices border on outrageous.

Hands down the best episode of Season 5 is Luck Be an Old Lady and while nothing dramatic happens it shows how failed relationships and self doubt begin to seriously affect the women. Charlotte gets referred to as an Old Maid and then shows what the power of a slutty dress can do. Samantha breaks up with Richard for good, after admitting to herself that she cannot ever fully trust him again. Carrie wonders why people gamble on love and Miranda has a hilarious scene where she tells off two obnoxious gamblers.

So I’ll be the first to admit that Season 5 wasn’t the best season of SATC. While the writers made a few blunders, it was nice to see the return of Mr. Big and watch Miranda embrace her role as the mother who happens to be a corporate attorney instead of the opposite. With the shows impending cancellation, this will be the final season of SATC, when the show rolls out the final 8 episodes. Although this season will live in infamy a true SATC fan will stick through it and remember that most televisions shows make a few blunders before the very end.

Disk 1
Anchors Away
During the annual Fleet Week Carrie wonders is she has already experienced her two greatest loves and is doomed to be lonely forever. Samantha is still angry over Richard’s infidelity and makes sure that his whole neighborhood knows it. At a party with some sailors each of the women flirt but Carrie goes home alone feeling that New York City is her boyfriend and that she has to be ok with being alone for the time being.

Unoriginal Sin
During breakfast Samantha reveals to the girls that she and Richard patched up their relationship. Worried about being fired because her column has been too boring, Carrie avoids her editor, but he tracks her down and reveals that a publishing house wants to make her columns into a book. Miranda decides to have Brady baptized and asks Carrie to be the godmother although Carrie protests that Charlotte would be a better match.

Guest appearance by James Remar as Richard Wright

Luck Be An Old Lady
To celebrate Charlotte’s 36th birthday, the girls travel to Atlantic City. Carrie is determined to spend some quality time with her friends but they all seem to want to do different things. Samantha seems sure that Richard will cheat on her again so she watches his every move. Charlotte feels she is turning into an old maid and gets a slutty Atlantic City makeover.

Guest Starring James Remar as Richard Wright

Cover Girl
When Carrie visits Samantha at her office, she accidentally walks in on her during an intimate moment with the Fed Ex guy. Samantha decides to oversee Carrie’s wardrobe choices for the cover of her book. Carrie realizes that Samantha’s choices are much too risqué for her. Things get tense for Samantha and Carrie as Samantha accuses Carrie of being judgmental and Carrie insists that Samantha’s taste in clothing is not for her. Meanwhile Miranda joins Weight Watchers to lose the baby fat and gains a boyfriend in the process.

Guest starring Amy Sedaris and Molly Shannon as Carrie’s publishers

Disk 2
Plus One Is the Loneliest Number
Carrie book launch party leaves her yearning for a plus one or in other words a hot date. She meets fellow author Jack Berger at her publisher’s office and after sharing a strawberry shake and a spark, she is saddened to learn that he already has a girlfriend. Samantha acts as her publicist to the event but before she goes to the party, she goes in for her monthly Botox shots. Instead of getting Botox though her doctor talks her into getting a chemical peal that has disastrous results.

In other happenings, Bunny (Charlotte’s ex mother in law) shows up at Charlotte’s apartment and tells Charlotte that the apartment is no longer hers. Charlotte then enlists in a powerful divorce attorney to retain the apartment that Trey gave her upon their separation. Miranda also fails to mention that she has given birth since the last time she had a date with Walker, a man she had amazing sex with a year before.

Guest appearances include Amy Sedaris as Carrie’s publisher, Ron Livingston as Jack Berger and Candice Bergman as Carrie’s Vogue editor and Issac Mizrahi.


Critical Condition
While at a Broadway review with Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson) Carrie runs into Nina Katz, the girl who went out with Aidan right after he and Carrie broke up. When Nina realizes who Carrie is she grimaces causing Carrie to wonder just what she knows about the breakup between her and Aidan. Miranda on the other side deals with baby Brady whose constant crying is driving Miranda nuts. When her neighbor offers an olive branch and help for Brady, Miranda realizes that maybe a mother needs other friends who know what she is experiencing.

Guest appearances by Heather Graham as herself

The Big Journey
Carrie heads to San Francisco for her book tour on a train with Samantha, and after a few hours the two realize that a train isn’t as mysterious and glamorous as they think. When they finally arrive in SF to meet up with Mr. Big a huge pimple and a low book turnout may prevent her from going through with the date. Charlotte finalizes her divorce and sleeps with her divorce attorney and although there is extreme chemistry she isn’t sure that they are meant for each other.

Guest appearances by Molly Shannon as Carrie’s publisher

I Love a Charade
When Bobby Fine, an old friend of Carries announced his impending marriage, the girls can’t believe it’s to a woman. Carrie just assumed her was gay and although she still has serious doubts, she wishes Bobby luck and snags an invite to the Hamptons wedding. Samantha decides to give Richard a call and asks him to use his house for a huge Hampton’s festivity that he himself is not invited to. While in the Hampton’s Carrie runs into Jack Berger who reveals that he has broken up with his girlfriend.

Guest appearance from Ron Livingston as Jack Berger


Special Features

Behind the Scenes With Costume Designer Patricia Fields
Patricia Fields begins this section of the special features in the gallery of Roberto Cavalli. She quickly explains the process for outfitting the actresses for each episode. The time is taken for shopping, and then altering the costumes about two weeks before actual filming begins. In the Roberto Cavalli showroom, Fields works with a designer to get the perfect outfits for the wedding scenes in I love a Charade. The showroom is also filled with past outfits that were used in the show.

Fields then goes through each of the characters and discusses what the inspiration is for each of the characters personal style. Charlotte is the quintessential American girl and Fields loves to put her in fifties dresses or skirts. Carrie is more eclectic and Fields mixes vintage pieces with designer ones. These outfits are incredibly expensive Fields explains as she pulls out outfits from Burberry, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Richard Tyler.

Interactive Trivia Game
This section of the special features allows you to test your knowledge on Season 5 of SATC. It’s cute and whimsical, with upbeat music and offers three possible answers to each of the 10 questions. When the correct answer is chosen, the player will her a pinging sound and a scene that answers the particular question is automatically played. It’s not rocket science but fun for a diehard SATC fan like myself.

©2004
Tiffy0380