Summary

• Sex and the City provided emotional moments that made viewers laugh and cry, creating a strong connection with the main characters.
• The show tackled tough topics and showcased dramatic scenes that became iconic moments in television history.
• From heartbreak to and forgiveness, the friendships depicted in Sex and the City were a constant source of strength for the characters.

Sex and the City is an iconic show that shaped generations of women in the 2000s by making fans laugh and cry together with the four main characters: Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda. Based on Candace Bushnell's column and book anthology of the same name, HBO's critically acclaimed series focused on the lives of the four women as they explore themselves, advance careers, and build relationships. Their friendship was the only constant in their busy, ever-changing lives, and it helped them get through the tough times. The show brought viewers to tears on numerous occasions, both extremely sad and incredibly happy ones.

From Carrie getting left at the altar and Samantha finding out about her cancer to Miranda and Steve reconciling and Charlotte getting married, Sex and the City gave its audience plenty of sob-worthy opportunities over the course of six seasons and two movies. The hit show didn't always provide the best examples for women to follow, especially in retrospect, but it did pump up the drama in a way that was fascinating, fresh, and relevant to viewers back then. Some Sex and the City scenes turned out to be so emotional that they went down in television history as epic culture-changing moments.

15 Carrie Tells Aidan About Her Affair With Big

Season 3, Episode 12: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

In Sex and the City season 3, episode 12, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Carrie finally comes clean to Aidan about her affair with Mr. Big. Her timing couldn't be worse, as she chooses to tell him the bad news right before they are supposed to head out to Charlotte and Trey's wedding. Aidan later shows up at the event to get the details of Carrie's betrayal, and after he learns that Big had been married, and they had slept more than once, a teary-eyed Aidan breaks up with Carrie — unfortunately, not for good.

14 Charlotte & Harry Briefly Break Up

Season 6, Episode 4: "Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little"

Sex and the City's final season cranks up the drama a notch, and Charlotte and Harry are among those who fall victim to it. In season 6, episode 4, "Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little," the happy couple have a big argument stemming from Harry's lack of appreciation of Charlotte's Shabbat dinner efforts. Charlotte ends up insinuating that she is too good for Harry, which prompts him to end their relationship. They did make up eventually, but seeing them hurt each other like that was too much to bear.

13 Carrie s Miranda At Her Mother's Funeral

Season 4, Episode 8: "My Motherboard, My Self."

Sex and the City season 4, episode 8, "My Motherboard, My Self," is such an underrated episode that really showcases the best side of friendship between women. Miranda's mother unexpectedly dies, and she is not ready to deal with any of what follows, although she tries her best. When Miranda's rough exterior finally gives in because she has to walk by her mother's casket all by herself, Carrie goes over to her as a sign of , ensuring viewers would break down in tears, too.

12 Charlotte Has A Miscarriage

Season 6, Episode 12: "One"

Throughout Sex and the City, the only thing Charlotte wanted was to be happily married and have a family, which is the exact reason why season 6, episode 12, "One," where Charlotte has a miscarriage shortly after she discovers that she is pregnant is hard to watch. Charlotte's quiet grief for her unborn child, followed by her fierce decision to be there for Brady's birthday party, is an unexpectedly raw moment in the show. It is impossible not to sympathize with Charlotte.

11 Smith Shaves His Head For Samantha

Season 6, Episode 16: "Out Of The Frying Pan"

One of Sex and the City's most shocking storylines is Samantha's cancer diagnosis, as it is the opposite of what to expect from a lighthearted sex-positive show. In season 6, episode 16, "Out of the Frying Pan," Samantha's hair starts falling out because of chemotherapy, so she decides to skip Smith's movie premiere and shave her head instead. However, the minute she begins the procedure, Smith stumbles upon her in the bathroom. In a touching moment of solidarity, he shaves his head to his girlfriend, and the two rock their new hairstyles at the premiere. It's too bad Smith and Samantha break up in the end.

10 Big Announces His Engagement To Carrie

Season 2, Episode 18: "Ex And The City"

Carrie and Mr. Big's relationship is both one of the highlights of Sex and the City and one of the most frustrating storylines in the show. After parting ways for the first time because Big moved to Paris, Carrie has a run-in with him and learns that he now has a brand new 26-year-old girlfriend. In season 2, episode 18, "Ex and the City," she goes to a casual dinner with Big where he, the man who had presumably sworn off marriage, tells her that he was actually engaged. Carrie can't deal with the news, and neither can viewers.

9 Miranda & Steve Meet At The Brooklyn Bridge

Sex And The City (2008)

The first Sex and the City movie had to create some drama to keep things going, and that's how Steve's out-of-character affair was born. Steve and Miranda's marriage takes a grave turn when Steve confesses he had cheated on Miranda, and it seems like the show's favorite couple is coming to a devastating end. Thankfully, Miranda finds forgiveness in her heart and gives Steve another chance in a heartfelt scene on the Brooklyn Bridge, making the viewers' hearts melt. If only And Just Like That... hadn't ruined Steve and Miranda.

8 Samantha Cheats On Smith

Season 6, Episode 13: "Let There Be Light"

Sex and the City season 6, episode 13, "Let There Be Light," introduces trying times for Samantha and Smith. Samantha makes it clear that she isn't the girlfriend type, and she quickly falls back into her old ways when she arrives at a party hosted by her ex-fling, Richard. Samantha cheats on Smith with Richard and regrets it almost immediately, but her kindhearted boyfriend lets it slide and manages to forgive Samantha. The whole episode is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.

7 Trey Shows Up For The Photo Shoot

Season 4, Episode 14: All That Glitters"

Trey and Charlotte are a case of good people who aren't good for each other. After hitting a huge roadblock in their marriage, the two decide to call it quits and separate for good. Despite their split, in Sex and the City season 4, episode 14, "All That Glitters," Trey does the sweetest thing possible by showing up for the House & Garden photo shoot anyway because it is important to Charlotte. Even though they don't work out as a couple, Trey and Charlotte genuinely care for each other.

6 Carrie & Big Fight Before Paris

Season 6, Episode 19: "An American Girl In Paris (Part Une)"

In Sex and the City season 6, Carrie meets charming Russian artist Aleksandr Petrovsky. When she starts falling for him, she tries to cut Mr. Big out of her life so that he won't destroy her happiness once again. Aleksandr invites Carrie to Paris, and she accepts, which means the end of the New York era for the girls. Realizing that Carrie is the one for him, Big attempts to stop Carrie from going, and she completely blows up at him. Even though their happy ending is nigh, Carrie and Big's fight scene gives viewers goosebumps.