THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The final eight episodes of HBO's deliciously fun Sex and The City series air started Jan. 4. It's been a sweet ride so far: six multiple Emmy-nominated/winning seasons featuring the unpredictable frisky antics of Manhattan ladies Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), a columnist; Samantha (Kim Catrall), insatiably saucy PR exec; hopeless romantic Charlotte (Kristin Davis); and neurotic corporate lawyer Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). All four were nominated for the next Golden Globes.

When we last saw the gang during summer 2003 (the final season airs in two batches), Carrie met and was being courted by 50-something artist Aleksandr Petrovsky (Mikhael Barishnikov), a suave ladies man and hip nightlife scenester. Miranda has dumped boyfriend Robert (Blair Underwood), a strapping physician/neighbor, and gotten back together with Steve (David Eigenberg), the father of their one-year-old son, Brady. Samantha is still involved with sensitive, hunky but possibly too young actor, Jason (Smith Jerrod). And Charlotte had converted to Judiaism, married her former divorce lawyer Harry (Evan Handler), and miscarried.

The first two new episodes of the final batch, 'Let There Be Light,' and 'The Ick Factor,' offer more of what made this half-hour episodic series a hit: clever, zingy banter, saucy situations, and a generous handful of small epiphanies. Carrie ponders her involvement with Aleksandr, whose past history of romancing ladies suggests she's just next in a never-ending succession. Charlotte and Harry begin their lives as a married couple and seek for a greater meaning in this world. Miranda and Steve must negotiate living in the same building with outwardly bitter Robert. And Samantha learns a few things regarding her needs in men and physical attributes.

Unfortunately, recurring gay character Stanford (Willi Garson) is essentially absent from these two episodes, although queeny wedding planner Anthony (Mario Cantone) shares a funny whilst probing scene with Charlotte. 'Imagine being blind, not able to see a day like today—can you think of anything worse?' Charlotte muses during a walk in the park. 'Stonewashed jeans with a matching jacket,' Anthony proffers.

As for the big question: what sort of finale are we in for? A big blowout? An unsentimental business-as-usual closure that leaves some loose ends? Well, two characters are married by the end of 'Ick,' and another two settling into their respective relationships. The seeds are definitely planted for what could be a Terms of Endearment-esque climax to the series, but I honestly hope they don't go that way. Happily, five seasons have been compiled on DVD so you can always get re-sexed up (remember when Sonia Braga taught Samantha the joys of lesbian squirting orgasms?). Season Five, just released, includes 'Behind the Seams,' a featurette on costume designer Patricia Field, and several commentaries by exec producer Michael Patrick King. Plus Strangers With Candy's delightfully warped Amy Sedaris guests as a book publisher in three episodes.