Sex and the City followed the sexual and romantic exploits of three single women in their thirties, and one in her forties, in the city that never sleeps. The show was famous for its blend of romantic drama and raunchy comedy, reflected in its many unforgettable storylines.
Not everything was fun and games for the show's women, though. Sex and the City featured its fair share of drama throughout its six-season run, including many surprising events that left audiences shocked. From unexpected deaths to out-of-the-blue proposals, these stories took everyone by surprise.
Carrie Cheating On Aidan With Big
Carrie's relationship with Big was pretty toxic. He was emotionally detached and unwilling to commit, and she became overly desperate and refused to accept him for who he was. The two date twice and end their relationship on very bad both times, which is why fans were stunned when Carrie began an affair with him in season three.
Both Carrie and Big were in committed relationships at the time; she was with Aidan, and he had recently married Natasha. The affair went on for too long, with Carrie refusing to own up to her responsibility, excusing it by saying it was a "force stronger than her." Considering how badly Big treated her, it was surprising and more than a little frustrating that she willingly went back for more.
Natasha Breaking Her Tooth
The end of the affair comes when Natasha discovers Carrie in her apartment. She confronts the embarrassed columnist, who tries to flee via the back door. Natasha pursues her down the stairs but trips and hits her face, breaking her front tooth.
The accident was shocking and surprisingly realistic; indeed, Natasha's bloodied face is an image that fans of the show won't ever forget. Her fall was so sudden that fans didn't see it coming, especially because they thought it would be Carrie who got hurt if Natasha discovered the affair.
Aidan Taking Carrie Back
Carrie and Aidan had a fan-favorite storyline in Sex and the City. Their first romance seemed perfect until Carrie cheated on him with Big. He ended things, and fans saw Carrie move on rather quickly. However, after stumbling upon him six months later, Carrie decides she wants him back and pursues him again, and the two end up back together.
Fans didn't expect Aidan to forgive Carrie, especially because her betrayal devastated him. Even more surprising was his absurdly understanding and patient behavior for her antics, which included staying in with Big and even inviting him to Aidan's country house on a weekend getaway. Carrie was very selfish, but Aidan was close to a doormat when dating her.
Charlotte Marrying Trey
Charlotte York was the show's resident romantic. She was in love with the very idea of love and pursued an idealized version of romance, refusing to settle for anything less. Charlotte had such a fixated image in her head that she once dumps a guy because he likes a china pattern she deems ugly.
By season three, Charlotte is desperate to get married. When she meets Trey, he sweeps her off her feet, and because he fits her ideal prototype - handsome, rich, and from a respectable family - she jumps into the chance to marry him. Fans knew about Charlotte's desire to marry, but seeing her get engaged after only weeks of dating was one of the most unexpected things the character ever did. Everyone could see the marriage wouldn't work, and sure enough, they'd divorced by season five.
Berger Dumping Carrie Via Post-It
Carrie had her fair share of bad flings throughout Sex and the City, but Jack Berger seemed like the perfect guy for her, at least at first. Alas, he turned out to be overly insecure and threatened by her success as a writer. Fans could tell the relationship wouldn't last, but hardly anyone anticipated how it would end.
Berger cowardly leaves Carrie in the middle of the night, excusing himself with a Post-It that read, "I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me." It's a brutal and outright disgusting way to end the relationship, and fans couldn't believe he didn't even have the courtesy to say goodbye face-to-face.
Samantha Falling For Smith
For five seasons, Samantha Jones put the sex in the city. She was the most progressive of the four, a self-described "trysexual" who went against conventionality. Samantha was the strongest, proudest, and most confident of the group, becoming an instant fan-favorite among audiences.
Samantha's carefree attitude made audiences think she would never settle down, especially after the whole debacle with Richard. But season six introduced Smith Jerrod, a struggling actor who turned out to be exactly what she needed. Samantha and Smith may be one of Sex and the City's most relatable couples, but their relationship took fans by surprise; no one expected Samantha to become monogamous because she made it very clear she was happy by herself. And while the relationship was very sweet, it ultimately felt like a betrayal to the character.
Charlotte Falling For Harry
As previously mentioned, Charlotte had a very specific idea of who her knight in shining armor should be. When her marriage to Trey ends, she meets her divorce lawyer, Harry Goldenblatt, and the two begin a strictly sexual relationship. However, they end up falling in love, eventually marrying in season six.
Charlotte is arguably the character who changes the most throughout the show. She learns to see beyond appearances and accepts that the "perfect" love doesn't exist. By abandoning her preconceived notions, Charlotte ends up finding what she always wanted: a family. Fans never expected her to end with someone like Harry, but the couple became a fan favorite, and remain so to this day.
Samantha's Cancer Storyline
Samantha was always the most group's most daring member, so fans expected the funniest storylines from her. In season six, she reveals she wants to have a boob job, but her plans change when the doctors find a lump in her breast, which turns out to be cancer.
The storyline was unexpected and dramatic, adding another layer of complexity to the show's most compelling character. Samantha overcomes the illness in the end, and the show deals with the issue in a respectful and heartfelt manner. The storyline also features some of the sweetest friendship scenes in Sex and the City, as Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte Samantha through the ordeal.
Miranda's Pregnancy
One of the most unexpected developments came during season four when Miranda becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with Steve. The news of her pregnancy arrives at a sensitive time, as Charlotte is desperately trying to have a baby with Trey. Miranda briefly considers having an abortion but ultimately decides to keep the baby.
Fans expected Charlotte, the most maternal of the foursome, to be the first to become a mother. However, the show subverted the audience's expectations and sent Miranda on a wonderful journey through motherhood. It was a sweet and near-perfect storyline, as fans saw Miranda lower her defenses, tone down her cynicism, and make room in her hectic life for her baby.
Lexi Featherston's Death
Having a character utter the words "I'm so bored I could die" before their actual death is peak absurdism. But that's exactly what Sex and the City did with Lexi Featherston, one of the show's most memorable guests, played by television icon Kirsten Johnston.
The episode, unsubtly named "Splat!", focuses on Lexi's death, a genuinely shocking moment in the series that still sends jaws to the floor to this day. The accident contributes to Carrie's decision to leave New York, setting the stage for the two-part series finale, "An American Girl In Paris."