It’s rather telling that the biggest concern seems to be with the fantasy vs. reality aspect of SatC. A show or movie does not have to be “realistic” to accurately convey sincerely moving emotional truths; in fact, an element of the fantastic makes these truths more accessible to some people (hey, you mentioned the X-Files, right?). Methinks some of the “experts” doth protest too much about reality/fantasy because their fears of how SatC “demystifies and normalizes what goes on in women’s lives in a more than snickering way” run far deeper than anyone wants to admit.

I’m guessing that this tool hasn’t actually seen the show. It is ALL ABOUT the complex emotional processes that go on under the surface of sexual relations.
Seriously, that is the entire point of the show. The main character, Carrie, makes her living writing about those complexities, using her friends’ stories as illustrative examples of the dilemnas of the dating scene; each episode represents another of her weekly columns on the subject- what do people want from each other, why, how do they get it, what do they do when it doesn’t work out, etc.

but I looooooved the X-Files!!

The fact that this chick married a Mormon who forbade her from watching ANYTHING FOR ANY REASON and this article pretty much makes that sound quite all right, is really revolting. I still get shocked by the stuff that’s validated on major media networks sometimes.