Are You A Charlotte? — “When 40 Seemed Old...”

Podcast: Are You A Charlotte?
Host: Kristin Davis (with Allison and Easton)
Episode: S3E8 Recap — "The Big Time"
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Are You A Charlotte? dives into Season 3, Episode 8 ("The Big Time") of Sex and the City. Kristin Davis, joined by producer Easton and co-host Allison, explores the cultural landscape of relationships, shifting attitudes toward marriage, women’s health, and friendship—both as depicted in the episode and in today’s world. The conversation weaves personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes tidbits, and larger social commentary, all while recapping the episode’s key storylines and their relevance 25 years later.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Generational Shifts in Relationships

[04:08–08:08]

• The crew discusses a viral article pondering “Is having a boyfriend now embarrassing?” and shifting views on relationships across generations.
• Allison highlights the pressure women used to feel about marriage, with generational gaps creating new attitudes:

  "Now, that's not—that's like a free-for-all. Which I think is as it should be, you know?" [05:37, Allison]

• Social media adds new pressures ("Instagram official" etc.), making relationships appear glossier than reality.

Memorable Quote

• Easton: "As a man, I will lead the march of that—you know, other than, like, reaching things on a high shelf." [04:20]

2. Relationship Power Dynamics & Societal Expectations

[08:08–13:04]

• The group unpacks how relationship benefits can skew toward men, particularly noting continued societal biases.
• Easton shares a story: his wife couldn’t get a response from a venue until he—using the same email—was answered immediately:

  "That was the first time I had ever really seen that. And I was like, this happens every day all around me. And it's so sad." [08:38, Easton]

• Allison counters with a powerful personal anecdote defending the value both partners bring, especially in times of crisis (i.e. supporting a friend with cancer).

Notable Quote

• Allison: "You're in it together, you know, you're in life together. And that's the beautiful thing, right?" [11:51]

3. Motherhood, Economics & Emotional Labor

[12:14–13:04]

• Allison calls out the economic consequences women shoulder, particularly with motherhood:

  "Especially when you become a mother, your economics get totally wrecked… for the women. Because that's how the system is set up." [12:35, Allison]

• Articles questioning boyfriend value reflect real, often-overlooked, gendered burdens.

4. Miranda & Steve’s Crossroads: Baby or Breakup?

[14:30–28:29]

• Recap and dissection of Miranda and Steve’s storyline—Steve’s childish charm and push for a baby, Miranda’s career focus, and their emotional mismatch.
• Easton and Allison note how believable David Eigenberg is as Steve, playing the endearing man-child perfectly:

  “He really is so believable… like, he's so open and honest and adorable, but then just one second later, he goes too far and he's annoying, you know what I'm saying?” [15:12, Allison]

• The “puppy as starter baby” arc:
  • Steve’s manipulation to get a puppy, ignoring Miranda’s clear signals, culminates in a breakup.
  • Miranda’s frustration and mixed emotions are highlighted:

    “She shakes him so hard. It really made me laugh. ... She basically just gets up and breaks up with him in the middle of the night.” [26:51, Allison]

Memorable Moments

• Easton: (on Steve’s Scooby-Doo mix-up) “No, it is not Steve...There’s no ghosts!” [21:22]
• The emotional realism:

  “She has been trying for a long time.” [27:35, Allison]

5. Fertility, Menopause, and Breaking Taboos

[28:29–35:15]

• The episode introduces menopause to Samantha’s story—surprisingly early in the series.
• The podcasters reflect on how groundbreaking and awkward the ‘bathroom tampon scene’ felt to shoot:

  "Is it supposed to be funny or is it supposed to be awkward? I guess it's just supposed to be awkward." [30:11, Allison]

• Discussion expands to personal and cultural experiences with menopause, the pressures of the ticking biological clock, and the importance of normalizing these conversations:

  "We were ahead of our time, people. Ahead of our time, man." [28:50, Allison]

• Kristin shares real-life experiences with menopause, echoing the candidness of Sex and the City’s scripts:

  “When it finally hit me, I was like, what the fuck? Like what?... It is actually like someone has just thrown a bucket of water at you.” [35:01–35:03, Kristin Davis]

Notable Quote

• Allison: “You do not want to lose your hormones. Like, you gotta pack those hormones in a special place if you're traveling.” [33:49]

6. Charlotte and Trey’s Wholesome Courtship

[39:29–43:13]

• Charlotte’s storyline is examined as a contrast to the others: her gentler “games” with Trey and the sweetness of their mutual respect.
• The hosts find the Charlotte/Trey dynamic charming instead of contrived, with Charlotte—often unexpectedly—leading the pace.
• Playful banter about “kissing with extras” and choosing deliberate intimacy over rushing:

  “I don't think there's anything wrong with getting to know somebody before you jump in bed with them.” [41:01, Allison]

• Easton shares his own slow-dating philosophy:

  “I always wanted an emotional connection before I did that.” [42:05, Easton]

7. Game-Changing Writing & Enduring Relevance

[45:16–47:17]

• The group marvels at the deftness of Season 3’s writing in planting story seeds for later payoff.
• Sex and the City’s serialized storytelling is described as ahead of its time, balancing long arcs with episodic accessibility.

  "They weave everything in and so well done. Really gonna pay off.” [45:41, Allison] “Why we can, 25 years later, talk about the theme and have it still be interesting.” [46:49, Allison]

• Fond reflections on the impact, with Kristin expressing gratitude:

  “I never would have dreamt in a million hundred years that we would be here discussing the themes and the characters and the relationships. It's cuckoo. But I love it. It's such a gift.” [46:59, Allison]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “As a man, I will lead the march of that—you know, other than, like, reaching things on a high shelf.” — Easton [04:20]
• "Now, that's not—that's like a free-for-all. Which I think is as it should be, you know?" — Allison [05:37]
• "That was the first time I had ever really seen that. And I was like, this happens every day all around me. And it's so sad." — Easton [08:38]
• "You're in it together, you know, you're in life together. And that's the beautiful thing, right?" — Allison [11:51]
• “He really is so believable…like, he's so open and honest and adorable, but then just one second later, he goes too far and he's annoying, you know what I'm saying?” — Allison (on Steve) [15:12]
• “Is it supposed to be funny or is it supposed to be awkward? I guess it’s just supposed to be awkward.” — Allison (on the bathroom scene) [30:11]
• “You do not want to lose your hormones. Like, you gotta pack those hormones in a special place if you're traveling. …If you lose those hormones…I mean, it goes south quick, man. I mean, quick.” — Kristin Davis [33:49]
• "I always wanted an emotional connection before I did that." — Easton [42:05]
• "They weave everything in and so well done. Really gonna pay off.” — Allison [45:41]
• “It’s such a gift.” — Allison [46:59]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:44] Show Begins – Welcome, Recap Scope
• [04:08–08:08] Generational attitudes toward relationships & marriage
• [08:08–13:04] Gendered dynamics and social media pressures
• [14:30–28:29] Miranda & Steve: dogs, babies, breakups
• [28:29–35:15] Samantha’s menopause arc, feminine aging taboos
• [39:29–43:13] Charlotte/Trey’s relationship pacing, emotional connection
• [45:16–47:17] Reflection on writing; long-arc storytelling and the show’s legacy

Closing Thoughts

• The episode blends nostalgia, humor, and modern commentary, using Sex and the City’s storylines as a springboard to discuss how conversations about gender, relationships, and women’s health have evolved—and stayed relevant.
• The hosts’ chemistry, authentic industry insights, and personal perspectives make this recap poignant and entertaining for longtime fans as well as new listeners.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a deep-dive recap, key themes, standout quotes, and a sense of the lively, insightful energy of the episode.