HBO 'Sex': That was the way to treat a single lady

Fans are going to feel the void after 'Sex and the City' is gone.
By TERRY MORROW
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Ladies, it's been extraordinary.
During its six seasons, "Sex and the City" has proved to be the most insightful series produced about the modern single life.
Television rarely writes to the single audience with this sort of depth, understanding, compassion and honesty.
When television bothers to spotlight singles at all, it's usually in superficial terms. TV singles are often the aimless ones, blindly wandering through life, void of responsibility or meaningful problems.
The main purpose is to find that special someone.
Television never showed what would happen if that never happened. On the tube, finding someone was always the conclusion.
There have been a few exceptions. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" more than 25 years ago explored an idyllic single life of one person -- career woman Mary Richards. But given the era, Mary's main battle came as she struggled to maintain her independence long enough to find a man.
Beyond the stereotype
Unlike any series before it, "Sex" went beyond the stereotype of the carefree single lifestyle. It was the eyes through which we could see what being single really means in a world ruled by couples.
It can be fun.
It can be freeing.
It can be lonely.
And it can be scary.
Carrie's on-again, off-again relationship with Big or Miranda's reluctance to stick with Steve were the popcorn stories. But "Sex" has always been much more than that.
"Sex" had its truer moments in smaller ways. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) was just self-centered enough to make her identifiable, creating a character that was a creative risk but well worth getting to know.
After choking on her food, Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) briefly pondered if she'd die alone, in her apartment, perhaps her body being there for days before anyone would think to check on her.
Embracing life as a party
Samantha (Kim Cattrall) had no such pity parties. Even when faced with cancer, aging and the onset of menopause, she always kept a singular focus. Life was her party, and she wasn't going to miss it.
On many levels, "Sex" broke new ground, but it did it on a more subtle level than it has been given credit for. Its ending (airing 9 tonight on HBO) will leave a huge void.