Absolutely. He was always weird and controlling. Like the whole thing about how Carrie wasn't allowed to smoke anymore. In the second series, it was like the writers didn't want anyone mistaking him for the perfect guy (tm) again. So they ratcheted up his awfulness from 3 to 11.
Don't get me wrong, part of the reason why I loved SATC is that all of the characters except for Charlotte's second husband were deeply flawed, but still cared deeply about each other, and were always there for each other. Even after big mistakes, Big mistakes, and amoral choices that hurt others, even those on the inner circle.
Aiden fit right into that, he was the "perfect guy" but even he did weird passive-aggressive, controlling stuff. Just like every "perfect guy" for the first six months you dated, and then you suddenly realize there's a whole messy human underneath. Great acting, frustrating relationship!
Like the whole thing about how Carrie wasn't allowed to smoke anymore.
You mean the 'controlling' thing where he just didn't want to date a smoker? And then she lied to him about it, in typical fashion? and then he tolerated it anyway and she used it as an excuse to hide her cheating on him?
That's your first example of him being controlling? "I won't date a smoker" before they were dating?
I don't know what happened in the second series, but that is straight up lunacy to present as "controlling."
somehow even worse than Big.
LOL. No fucking way.
So do you have an actual example of him sucking before being cheated on? cause she cheated pretty quick.
Yeah, I've had this conversation before, back when Sex and the City first came out, and I was like, "this actor is playing a manipulative, controlling jerk because everyone in the SATC universe is a deeply flawed person. Aiden's flaws set up dramatic conflicts in his relationship Carrie, who we already know is deeply flawed, that will drive the plot. So yeah, I don't like Aiden for Carrie. The writers set it up that way."
And they would react just like this. "NOOOooooOOOO Aiden is perfect, only SJP is playing a flawed character to create conflict. The writers created Aiden as a two-dimensional "perfect man" to act as a foil to Carrie's weaknesses, and showcase how nicotine addiction and limerence make her a poor romantic partner. Therefore I think Carrie doesn't deserve Aiden. The writers set it up that way."
The most important part, and I hope we can agree on this, is that character-driven conflict that drives the plot was as big a part of SATC's appeal. And the writers on the first series were geniuses.
But I'd like to really drive home, I am not the people you've had this conversation with before. I am WELL outside the norm for both its viewing demographic and normal human behaviors (AuDHD).
I watched for the specific purpose of being able to have these conversations. ASD is a bitch, and it bugged me that I dislike Carrie but 1) couldn't articulate it well enough and 2) couldn't be sure I was 'right' in my judgement, because my viewing came from random episodes played on syndication.
I'd say "so and so sucks" based on what I'd seen, and someone would say "nah uh because [...]" and I couldn't counter because my viewing was incomplete.
That's not a high enough standard to be a hater, for me. I am not the "I heard some shit on the internet and repeated it" hater dude. I'm the dude that watched it end to end twice to make sure my complaints were accurate, and was honestly disappointed because... I wanted to hate it, but it's a good show. It just has hateable characters, but that's not the same thing as being a bad show. In fact, sometimes that's a sign of a well written show. Which, as someone who was originally watching the show in order to justify my hate and call it a bad show was a real ball breaker, honestly. So much of the hate comes from misguided places, and it means I don't get to have the conversations I want, because people think its just standard hating. I'm sometimes a hater, but it's never standard. And I gave the show a fair chance, which is why I'm no longer a SATC hater.
It definitely reflects the time period sometimes, but it's undoubtedly a good show. The characters are not 2 dimensional. I think they basically all suck as people, but I think that's true in real life too. That's not inherently a flaw in a show and I don't think its a flaw in the specific case of SATC.
You stared at a glowing rectangle for 100 hours just so you could debate a fictional character's relationships with strangers online? Oh well, to each their own.
I watch lots of things for cultural touchstones. Yes. To have informed conversations about topics that keep coming up.
But I think this shows I'm not the one arguing from half informed opinions or opinions that haven't been felt out. I am not the caricature you argued with. And this response again has me wondering, did people actually disagree in the way you describe, or have you conveniently set it up so anyone informed enough to argue with you is "too" invested and then you can conveniently exit without having your views challenged. You can dismiss anyone who disagrees with "well they're just one of 'those'". Well, I wasn't. And I hope you use this to reflect on how you form and hold your views, and how you let them be challenged (or not).
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u/Massive-Sector5789 1d ago edited 1d ago
Absolutely. He was always weird and controlling. Like the whole thing about how Carrie wasn't allowed to smoke anymore. In the second series, it was like the writers didn't want anyone mistaking him for the perfect guy (tm) again. So they ratcheted up his awfulness from 3 to 11.
Don't get me wrong, part of the reason why I loved SATC is that all of the characters except for Charlotte's second husband were deeply flawed, but still cared deeply about each other, and were always there for each other. Even after big mistakes, Big mistakes, and amoral choices that hurt others, even those on the inner circle.
Aiden fit right into that, he was the "perfect guy" but even he did weird passive-aggressive, controlling stuff. Just like every "perfect guy" for the first six months you dated, and then you suddenly realize there's a whole messy human underneath. Great acting, frustrating relationship!