Every Outfit – Episode 240: On Sex and the City: Critical Condition

Hosts: Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garrone
Date: September 26, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode, Chelsea and Lauren conduct their monthly rewatch of a classic Sex and the City episode—Season 5’s “Critical Condition.” With Lauren suggesting the episode for its parallels to her own life, the hosts dissect the plot, character arcs, fashion, and social commentary, sprinkled with their signature sharp humor and personal anecdotes. The conversation traverses motherhood struggles, fashion memories, the culture of criticism, and what it means to be single amidst shifting friendship dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[01:24] Why “Critical Condition”?

• Lauren’s pick: Feels personally connected due to parallels in her life.

• Summary (via IMDb):

  • “Miranda feels a double failure as neither motherhood nor professional life can get her full attention and her neighbors give her dirty looks about her screaming baby. Samantha feels her own problems, such as a broken vibrator, are no less important.”

• Chelsea’s take: “One woman's baby is another woman's Hitachi magic wand.” [02:06]

• The hosts note the clash and overlap of different “crises”—motherhood vs. the single-woman's problems.

[02:15] Carrie’s Unbearableness and Comeuppance

• Carrie’s Obsessions: Awaiting her New York Times book review, she’s incapable of enjoying the moment (e.g., at Marcus/Stanford’s boyfriend's Broadway revue).
• Lauren: “This episode might be Carrie at her most unbearable.” [03:12]
• Carrie gets called out throughout the episode, receiving multiple figurative “slaps” for her narcissism.

[03:31] The Real vs. Fictional Worldbuilding

• Discussion of Machiko Kakutani, the real New York Times critic featured as herself.

  • Chelsea: “I think half of the people that watch this probably don't realize that that's a real woman.” [03:31]

• Comparison of real and fictional characters in the SATC universe.

• Playful moment: “Nina Katz is not the booker at Saturday Night Live. That's just a Sex and the City thing. Machiko Kakutani, however, actually the book critic for the New York Times.” [04:12]

[05:04] The Infamous “Face”: Nina Katz and Carrie

• Carrie meets Nina Katz, Aidan’s post-breakup girlfriend, whose harsh facial reaction lives “rent free” in Carrie’s mind.

  • Lauren: “That is a face of, like, you up, Aiden? Real good.” [06:02]
  • Chelsea reflects on breakups and how damage extends to everyone involved.

[07:43] Miranda’s Maternal Breakdown

• Miranda’s struggles with new motherhood depicted realistically—overwhelmed, underslept, feeling unattractive, clothing smelling like baby barf.

  • Lauren channels Miranda: “Sometimes your baby won't shut the fuck up… If he was 35, this is when we would break up.” [07:59]

• Cynthia Nixon (Miranda) was actually pregnant during filming, adding realism.

• Fashion Note: Hosts dissect everyone’s brunch outfits, with a nod to Samantha’s “fluorescent pink off-the-shoulder Leonard top” and Carrie’s major “Junun Watanabe, asymmetric top or tunic.”

[12:09] Charlotte’s Divorce & Goldenblatt’s Debut

• Introduction of divorce lawyer Matthew Bloom, and first appearance of Harry Goldenblatt.

• Charlotte’s goals: securing Trey’s apartment.

• The hosts reflect on the foreshadowing in using “Goldenblatt” as a name and the casting of Evan Handler.

  • Lauren: “At the time, you never thought that this was going to be Charlotte's love interest. Especially because he is introduced in the grossest way possible... he’s a bit of a brood.” [17:07]
  • Hilarious moment: Blueberry bagels are evil—referencing a real-life Cynthia Nixon bagel scandal.

[13:38] Changing Friend Group Dynamics After Motherhood

• Carrie as the only non-mom: Without Samantha, Carrie stands alone as the childless friend, a theme revisited in both SATC and And Just Like That.
• Lauren quotes Samantha's wisdom: “If I worried about what every bitch in New York was saying about me, I would never leave the house.” [13:51]
  • Chelsea: “I'm gonna find an Etsy vendor to needlepoint Samantha's beautiful words on a pillow.” [14:09]

[21:07] Samantha’s Broken Vibrator

• Classic Samantha storyline: Her Sharper Image “neck massager” (obvious Hitachi Magic Wand surrogate) breaks.

• Comic highlight: The struggle of caring about supposedly trivial problems while your friends become parents.

  • Lauren: “If your friend has a baby, are you allowed to care about the same stupid bullshit that you did before? And the answer is yes…” [22:22]

• Behind the scenes: Insight into writer Alexa Jung (wrote only this episode; veteran of Friends).

[24:28] Miranda’s Neighbor Confrontation: Racial Subtext & City Living

• Miranda is confronted by another mom in her building, highlighting feelings of isolation and the challenges of making mom friends in NYC.
• Chelsea observes: “There is a bit of a racial element to it… not uncommon for white people to move into a predominantly black or Latino neighborhood and then just not talk to any of their neighbors.” [24:49]

[26:06] 2002 Newsstand Nostalgia

• Carrie gets her NYT rave: The MacGuffin propelling much of the plot.
• Hosts nerd out over the magazine covers visible: Jennifer Lopez on Elle, Ashley Judd on Vogue, Sarah Michelle Gellar on InStyle, Johnny Knoxville on Details, Mademoiselle and Yahoo! Internet Life.
• Chelsea: “That era of Details, honestly made me pretty sad when they turned it into a men's magazine.” [27:13]

[29:29] “Are Men Disposable?” – Literary Critique and Personal Insecurity

• Carrie spirals after reading the phrase “where single women rule and men are disposable” in her NYT review.
• Deep dive into Carrie’s processing of guilt over Aidan, questioning whether she “disposed” of him, and, by extension, her treatment of men.
• Lauren: “Is this the first time that Carrie… has contemplated that perhaps men are disposable?” [29:40]
• Miranda’s Sleeplessness: Juggles job, mom guilt, and lack of support, leading to a blowup with Carrie.

[33:08] Why Do We Believe the Worst About Ourselves?

• Big philosophical moment: The girls discuss why negative comments sting more than positives.
  • “Why is it that we only seem to believe the negative things people say about us, no matter how much evidence there is to the contrary... why do we believe our worst reviews?” [33:12]
• Lauren and Chelsea link this to their own podcasting experience and the climate of online criticism.

[35:25] City Bakery & Lost New York

• Bittersweet reminiscence of City Bakery (and old Union Square in general) as Lauren and Chelsea reflect on now-closed NYC institutions.

[37:06] The “Samantha” in Our Lives

• **Lauren realizes her mother is her “Samantha”—the glamorous, busy woman too booked for baby duty.

  • Lauren (on her mom): “No can do. I have Pilates. And then I have to go get a facial. I gotta get my nails done… Grandma has priorities.” [38:22]

[40:14] Carrie’s Paranoia & Nina Katz: The NYC Gossip Web

• Carrie meets a Vogue acquaintance and learns Nina Katz has connections at SNL and Vogue—heightening her anxiety about her reputation.
• Chelsea: “Although no one gives a shit at Saturday Night Live. That's where she's being delusional. Like, who's she telling that to that would care?” [41:38]

[41:56] Samantha at the Sharper Image: Retail Comedy Gold

• Samantha tries to return the “neck massager.”
  • “What's wrong with it?”
    “It failed to get me off. It has a warranty and it just stopped. Made the saddest little sound.”—Samantha [43:31]
  • “Perhaps you wore it out.” “Well, honey, it wouldn't be the first one.” [43:33]
• The hosts praise this peak Samantha moment and riff on the retail scene’s camp.

[44:52] Miranda Gets Help from the Mom Community

• Neighbor Kendall brings over a vibrating chair (a pseudo-vibrator nod)
• Discussion on how non-moms sometimes don't “get it,” but experience with sick pets can be similar.
• Lauren: “If you don't have a child, but you've taken care of a sick dog, that's exactly what having an infant is like.” [47:19]

[48:29] Samantha Steps Up

• Samantha offers Miranda her hair appointment, watches the baby—“Here I am, Mary fucking Poppins.” [49:09]
• Carrie’s repeated self-absorption called out yet again as she obsesses over SNL gossip.

[54:06] Carrie Grills Steve About Aidan

• Steve reveals Aidan was “in bed for a month” after the breakup. Carrie is shocked, further fueling her guilt spiral.
  • “Being in bed for a month is really bad. As many depressive episodes as I have had, I have never been in bed for a month of my life over anything.”—Chelsea [55:15]
• Classic SATC pattern: Carrie self-flagellates, then stalks Nina Katz at the Village Square Market.

[58:34] Carrie Stalks Nina Katz, Stanford Snaps

• Carrie, in an iconic green Juicy Couture dress and “giant fake Birkin,” drags Stanford on a “stalking mission.”
• Stanford, finally exhausted:
  “I've listened to you talk about Aiden for what, 10 blocks and two years? And I've been a wonderful audience. And I ask you about my Marcus and all I get is nice?” [60:12]
• The hosts agree: It's one of the rare moments when Carrie is truly called out for her self-centeredness.

[61:17] Nina Katz with Heather Graham – The Face Off

• Nina, with Heather Graham (noted as celebrity cameo), dismisses Carrie.
  • “Carrie, one more time and I'm gonna think you're stalking me. It's like she literally is. She knew where you were going to be because you overheard your conversation, and now she's stalking you.” [62:11]
• Key lesson: Carrie realizes she’s her own worst critic—“The truth is, at any given moment, someone somewhere could be making a face about you, but it's the reviews you give yourself that matter.” [63:48]

[64:21] Samantha Saves the Day

• Miranda returns from the salon; Samantha has used the new vibrator to calm the baby, much to Miranda's nervous amusement.

  • “That better be brand new.”—Miranda
  • Chelsea: “I love when Samantha saves the day.” [64:42]

[65:55] Closing “Exit Survey” & MVPs

• Manolos Rating: Both hosts rate it 9 out of 10 for its dense storytelling and emotional beats.
• Best Dressed: Charlotte (her divorce scene Chanel suit).
• MVP: Samantha—going above and beyond as a friend.
• Who gets voted off?
  • Lauren: The campy Vogue editor (“chained to the hem of Anna Wintour”)
  • Chelsea: “Kerry. She needs to touch grass. She couldn't even enjoy her review in the New York Times.” [66:53]
• Trigger moments: Carrie’s bold choice to eat cherries in a white dress; Miranda receiving “the look” from fellow moms.
• Hot takes: The mothers in Miranda’s building are unsympathetic because Miranda may not have been a good neighbor herself.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauren: “One woman's baby is another woman's Hitachi magic wand.” [02:06]
• Samantha (via Lauren): “If I worried about what every bitch in New York was saying about me, I would never leave the house.” [13:51]
• Chelsea: “Samantha's vibrator is from Sharper Image, which also sold a lot of vibrators.” [23:24]
• Samantha at Sharper Image:
  • "No, it's a vibrator."
  • "What's wrong with it?"
  • "It failed to get me off. It has a warranty and it just stopped. Made the saddest little sound. Perhaps you wore it out. Well, honey, it wouldn't be the first one." [43:31]
• Standford: “I've listened to you talk about Aiden for what, 10 blocks and two years? And I've been a wonderful audience. And I ask you about my Marcus and all I get is nice?” [60:12]
• Carrie's realization: “At any given moment, someone somewhere could be making a face about you, but it's the reviews you give yourself that matter.” [63:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:24] Episode introduction—Why “Critical Condition”
• [03:31] Machiko Kakutani & Real vs. Fictional SATC
• [05:04] Nina Katz’s “face”
• [07:43] Miranda’s new-mom struggles
• [12:09] Charlotte’s divorce and first Harry Goldenblatt appearance
• [13:38] Motherhood changing friend dynamics; Samantha’s wisdom
• [21:07] Samantha’s broken vibrator plotline
• [24:28] Miranda’s neighbor confrontation
• [26:06] Magazine newsstand nostalgia
• [29:29] Carrie's spiral over her NYT review
• [33:08] Believing the worst about oneself
• [35:25] City Bakery / Union Square nostalgia
• [40:14] Carrie’s gossip paranoia
• [41:56] Samantha at Sharper Image
• [44:52] Miranda gets help; “having a pet = parenthood?”
• [48:29] Samantha steps up for Miranda
• [54:06] Carrie interrogates Steve about Aidan
• [58:34] Carrie finally confronts Nina Katz
• [64:21] Samantha saves the day (vibrator soothes baby)
• [65:55] Exit survey: Manolos, MVPs, best dressed, triggers, hot takes

Tone & Style

• Voice: Biting, witty, hyper-referential, affectionate roast of SATC and themselves.
• Tone: Candid, irreverent, playful but reflective, with moments of both high camp and insight.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t heard this episode, expect a rapid-fire blend of fashion analysis, 2000s nostalgia, inside-baseball Sex and the City trivia, and genuine reflection on femininity, aging, parenthood, and pop culture. The hosts’ long friendship and shared history with the material allow them to balance sharp critique with heartfelt appreciation—especially when it comes to the show’s fictional friendships and iconic fashion.

Their take: “Critical Condition” shines for its dense plotting and realism—every character gets their due, friendships are tested and affirmed, and, as always, Samantha Jones runs away with the MVP trophy.

Skip to:

• [13:51] for Samantha’s most iconic quote
• [26:06] for pure magazine cover nostalgia
• [43:31] for Samantha vs. the Sharper Image
• [60:12] for the ultimate Stanford boundary-setting moment
• [66:05] for friendship MVPs and best-dressed superlatives

Bottom Line:
Still funny. Still sharp. Still obsessed—the perfect pod episode for SATC fans or anyone nostalgic for the era of big cookies, even bigger Birkins, and Samantha’s even bigger energy.