In the “Sex in the City” prequel, “The Carrie Diaries,” Anna Sophia Robb plays a 16 year old Carrie Bradshaw in 1984. The show premiered on The CW at 8 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2013.
In the series, Carrie is going through a high school phase in which she is falling in love with not only a boy from her school, but with Manhattan as well. She lives in the suburbs of the city, but when her mother passes away, her father believes an internship in NYC would help his daughter get her mind off of her troubles.
The “Sex in the City” fans may notice that there are some details that don’t quite match up. In “The Carrie Diaries,” she lives with her loving father (Matt Letscher), whereas “Sex in the City” portrays Carrie as a girl whose father abandoned her. Also, this Carrie is only 16, yet the “Sex in the City” Carrie first moved to Manhattan at age 20.
The pilot episode starts out with Carrie and her rebel sister Dorrit (Stefania Owen) fighting over their late mother’s purse. At school, Carrie— Like grown-up Carrie— meets up with her group of four friends; Mouse (Ellen Wong), Maggie (Katie Findlay), and Walt (Brendan Dooling). She falls for Sebastian (Austin Butler), a charming new guy whom Carrie already knew from her swim club. Carrie’s enemy, Donna LaDonna (Chloe Bridges), becomes jealous of the history that these two share. Donna becomes interested in Sebastian in response to Carrie’s feelings for him.
During Carrie’s first day in Manhattan at her law firm internship, Larissa (Freema Agyeman), an editor at Interview magazine, sees Carrie. She tells Carrie that she must have her purse for a photo shoot. Once they are more acquainted with one another, Larissa brings Carrie to a night out with her friends, proving in Carrie’s mind that the city is just how she dreamed it would be. Unfortunately, Carrie must head home so her father will not worry. It is no surprise that, while on her way home, Carrie sees Sebastian with Donna; however, she is not phased, which shocks even herself.
“Carrie Diaries” has the potential to be an entertaining show. At times, the scenes can be considered part of a comical drama, yet they can be emotional and moving the next moment. The range of emotions the viewer experiences while watching “The Carrie Diaries” makes the show a must see.
