Yes, I know everyone is talking about the Sex and the City reboot, including all of the curve balls that were lobbed our way last Thursday when the stylish ladies of Manhattan resumed their rightful HBO home on our big screens. There is already so much to unpack, and we’re only two episodes in.
If you haven’t heard what happens to BIG, I’ll assume you live in the middle of nowhere where Wi-Fi doesn’t exist. I want to talk about Miranda’s “my hair color no longer defines me” Hobbs. Raise your hand if your sober radar went off not once, not twice, but three times by the time we got to the end of episode two. I mean, statistically, one of the fab four or one of their immediate friends or family members were bound to be an alcoholic, right?
Let me set the stage. Back in 2006, I spent the last months of my drinking career alone in an empty apartment in North Seattle, with only a big screen TV, DVD player, and a bed making a spreadsheet of how many sexual partners each of the Manhattan ladies had done the horizontal boogie within all episodes of each combined. I still have every season of my Sex and the City fabulously designed clear DVD sets somewhere in storage in my parent’s garage. This was a little game of solitaire I played by myself while chugging back my vodka straight out of the bottle. I didn’t even bother to make the sticky sweet cosmopolitan that was the unspoken 5th friend in the show. Most nights, I blacked out.
And Just Like That, It’s 11:00 AM Somewhere…
Miranda Hobbs (played by Cynthia Nixon) sets the stage by showing up without her fiery red haircut, talking about her sex-crazed teenager and the new chapter she is about to begin. She’s left her cushy corporate law career to be returning to academia to study human rights. Ok, Miranda, we see you. When she pops into a neighborhood bar at 10:45 am to quiet her nerves on the way to her first day of class, I honestly didn’t think much of it. Alcohol has always had a main storyline in the show. She’s just killing some time while trying to sweet talk the bartender to serve her, despite the fact he’s made it clear the bar isn’t even open yet.
And Just Like That, Mommy Wine Culture = Full Bottle of Wine in Purse at Lilly’s Piano Recital
But then Miranda shows up to Lilly’s (Charlotte’s oldest daughter) swanky Manhattan recital with a purse full of wine. Ding! Ding! Ba-da-ding! I don’t need to read about this on a post-it to know what’s going on. I know all about carrying an oversized handbag to secretly hide and transport an entire bottle of booze into a venue. It may be close to the end of 2021, but this isn’t a new trick. Many of us Gen X moms have been doing this before the internet started selling handbags that encourage women to hide their mommy juice.
Carrie and even the newest friend, Lisa Todd Wexley (played by the gorgeous Nicole Ari Parker), seemed thrilled by Miranda’s secret stash as a way to pass the time listening to some bad Mozart. Seems innocent enough, right? However, my sober, spidey senses are now on high alert.
And Just Like That…Big’s Funeral
In episode two, cleverly coined Little Black Dress, Miranda is back at the bar, insisting firmly on a drink. She goes into a whole song and dance about how her family has provided the alcohol and to skip the wine in case there isn’t enough to go around and pour her a glass of the hard stuff. Pronto. Doesn’t the bartender know she has a speech to give? I remember that feeling of desperation when I couldn’t get a drink in my hand fast enough.
Each of these three incidents is pretty trivial. The legal profession is commonly known to have an increased risk for alcohol abuse disorders. So, when you combine Miranda’s career and these three incidents, they start to paint an interesting storyline. Miranda’s behavior reinforces and even normalizes that women turn to alcohol to cope with stressful situations. I know that’s how I used to imbibe. Happy? Drink. Sad? Drink. Bored? Drink. Nervous? Drink. Any feeling at all? Drink.
The thing about alcoholism is that it frequently hides in plain sight. Will that be the case for Miranda? I find it more likely she’s an alcoholic than the fact that she doesn’t and won’t listen to podcasts. Who doesn’t love a good podcast? Is this the same woman who was addicted to her cell phone in a cabin in the woods on her honeymoon? I’m not buying the anti-podcast bullshit. Honestly, I’m struggling in general with how they have so far painted these gals, who were so cutting edge in the 90s, to be so out of touch in this new series, but I’ll save that rant for The Mindful Binge podcast I’m producing with Sober Curator Lane Kennedy.
And Just Like That…
…the ladies of Sex in the City have us once again wrapped around their well-manicured fingers. Thankfully there are a few things we can depend on. The fashion will be interesting, the shoes will be iconic, and we’ll always be getting glimpses of Carrie’s bra straps. I’m excited to see how they fold in new characters to evolve and modernize with the times. And, if I never have to see Miranda’s son Brady having sex again, it will still be too soon.
And just like that, you’ll find me every Thursday night, glued to my big screen, sipping an alcohol-free cosmopolitan and cheering on these women in the new season of their lives. I think this time around; I’ll skip the spreadsheets. It turns out Sober in the City works pretty well for me, one day at a time.
Sober in the City
Does all this Sex and the City talk have you craving a cosmo? The fabulous Nik Popkow, Founder of Tonix Mocktails, will show you how to mix up an alcohol-free version to make you feel oh so fancy and still sober for your Thursday night “And Just Like That” Me-Parties!
Here’s What You Need:
- 2 oz. @damrakgin
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 1/2 oz. @sexyafspirits Triple Sexy
- 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
- With a Lemon Twist
Since Cosmos are typically a Vodka cocktail, Nik selected the Damrak 0.0 for its super light body and flavor with a touch of citrus.
And of COURSE, SEXY AF SPIRITS!! That can’t be overlooked! Pull out your fancy glassware and fluffy slippers; Thursday nights just became your new BFF!
HAPPY EVERY HOUR:Sex & The City Trends Teetotaler (Wines) & The Sober Community Cheers! Does It Taste Great? Abso-f*cking-lutely! Make sure to check out this fun post from Sober Curator Kate Vitela, from her monthly column Walk Your Talk because she’s the sober bee’s knee’s.
Resources are available
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
