Hello. My name is Deborah and I am one of those people who didn’t like the way that cult TV show, Sex and the City ended. I’ve been over it for about eight years now, but was reminded of the fact last night when yet another old fave TV show finished its run by wrapping up the storyline and tying a pretty little bow around it.

Like most single women of a certain *ahem* age, I LOVED Sex and the City (SATC). My friends and I could all relate to at least one of the characters, or even aspects of several. Fab clothes, apartments, a neverending stream of men and outings at hot venues aside. From the get-go the show was a fist-pumping tribute to single women everywhere. Sort of.

It occurred to me every so often that the entire premise of the show was – in fact – that three of our four stars (salaciously slutty Samantha aside) were all about finding a partner. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the show wasn’t empowering for we fairer sex. Indeed I appreciated the ‘take-control’ attitude of all four women throughout their ups and downs. But sometimes even the smattering of ‘it’s okay to be alone’ rants in between breakups was a bit nauseating given that the gal would be back in that saddle the very next minute. It was solely for that reason that I found the show’s climax a bit, well, anticlimactic.

There they were. All partnered up. And in love. ‘And they all lived happily ever after.’ (I’m reminded of my recent fairytale post!) Plus… I wasn’t. I expect other real life women who’d happily partnered up during the show’s run were rooting (not literally) for the gals to join what-Bridget-Jones-called the smug marrieds, but not me. I almost felt like the girls had ‘sold out’. But then I remembered… you know… that it was a TV show and I had to get a grip!

Of course at that point we didn’t know that there would be a movie or two coming out to further test their relationship mettle. (When I say ‘or two’ I’m undecided whether SATC 2 should actually count!)

Which (finally) brings me to my point. A few years ago I discovered Entourage. Without cable / pay television, I wasn’t exposed to the show when it first started, but once I discovered the DVDs there was no stopping me. I bought the first six seasons as soon as they were available. Season 7 I borrowed and must confess I haven’t yet bought (my adoration wavering a little. Fickle creature that I am!).

But with the release of Season 8 on DVD I queued at my local Blockbuster to book a copy when available.

It came in mid-week which was a tad perplexing. I don’t borrow DVDs much anymore and it’s usually a weekend thing. But I was relieved* to discover the Season only included 8 x 25(ish) minute episodes.

*I say relieved because I am ridiculously anal about late fees / overdue library books or DVDs. I NEVER return something late. Indeed, in the past when I’ve intended to return a DVD after work and my bus is delayed causing me to miss the 6pm return time, I’ll ring to let them know I’ll be 10 minutes late. Yes… I’m THAT person!

Anyhoo, back to Vincent Chase and the boys. The series itself was fine. I paced myself so watched four episodes a night – returning it an entire day early!!! I wasn’t as enthralled / entranced / smitten as I was in the early days. Whether my tastes have changed, or the series isn’t as impressive I don’t quite know. But, it was okay. Except for the last episode.

Like the SATC wrap-up, Entourage finished with everybody kinda living ‘happily ever after’. Because I don’t want to issue a spoiler alert, I won’t go into detail, but… for me some of the decisions made in the final episode were just a bit too ‘pat’ and unrealistic. It also felt hugely rushed and haphazard.

I should admit at this point, I’m all for a happy ending and like a bit of closure. I find myself angsting over things when I’m confused after the final credits (Twin Peaks and The Sopranos come to mind – with minimal thought!); but for me there is a limit to something’s twee-ness.

So again, it was like we needed to wrap the eight years of the show and tie it in a pretty little bow. As if we can’t take uncertainty. Or don’t want to leave anything unsaid. Of course, this is fine for me to say in retrospect. If the show hadn’t ended as it did, I might have been left with a sense of sadness or loss. But as it happens, we’ll never know.

Am I being too harsh?
Do you prefer a happy ending?