'Sex And The City' Can Help You Prepare For A Date

Sex And The City has always been the show I revisit when I'm in need of relationship advice. While the series contained more than one horror story when it came to dating, it also featured some of the most inspiring love stories in TV history. Fellow Carrie Bradshaw aficionados will agree that, while her choices weren't always solid when it came to picking boyfriends (you remember Berger, right?), she embraced the world of dating in the best way, and never gave up hope on finding love. Here are just some of the Sex And The City episodes you should watch before a date.

Whether you need outfit inspiration, or some extra courage to get back out into the scary world of dating, Sex And The City has the best advice around. From finding the perfect pair of shoes to wear on a night out to analyzing the weird and wonderful quirks of the person you might be seeing, Carrie and her besties will help prepare you for any situation. The show is also an important reminder that a bad date is never the end of the world. There are plenty more potential partners out there who will appreciate you for who you are, so never give up.

1. "Valley Of The Twenty-Something Guys" (Season 1, Episode 4)

You'll probably remember this episode for two very important reasons. It's the first time that Carrie and Big try to arrange meeting for drinks, and it also co-stars the one and only Timothy Olyphant. Carrie hooks up with Olyphant's character Sam, but, in the harsh light of day, realizes that he lives a less than perfect lifestyle — he has roommates, no toilet paper, and there's a scandalous lack of coffee in his apartment. It's a perfect reminder that some things aren't worth compromising on when it comes to romance. Not every person you meet has longterm relationship potential.

2. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (Season 1, Episode 12)

Carrie meets Mr Big's mom, only to be introduced as his friend. This makes her realize that Big isn't as serious about their relationship as she is, so she breaks up with him. You may not think a break-up episode is pre-date material, but it teaches us an important lesson. Sometimes, it's better to make the scary choice and break-up with someone who isn't right for us than to continue with a relationship that isn't working.

3. "The Freak Show" (Season 2, Episode 3)

In this episode, Carrie goes on a blind date, so it's the perfect thing to watch if you've been set up, too. It also explores the darker side of dating, and the paranoia and uncertainty that can sometimes go hand in hand with meeting new people.

4. "The Man, The Myth, The Viagra" (Season 2, Episode 8)

This is an important episode, because Miranda meets Steve for the first time. Their chemistry is evident from their first interaction in the bar where he works, and it's a cute reminder that you can meet people anywhere.

5. "Games People Play" (Season 2, Episode 13)

Carrie doesn't like the diagnosis her therapist gives her — that she's addicted to dating men that are wrong for her. In reaction to that, Carrie starts dating a fellow patient, played by Jon Bon Jovi. Clearly, we all have a little work to do on ourselves, but it doesn't necessarily mean we have to quit dating while we do it.

6. "The F*ck Buddy" (Season 2, Episode 14)

Charlotte starts booking in dates with different guys on the same night. Obviously, her schedule is a little crazy, but it'll inspire you to start making some plans of your own.

7. "Where There's Smoke..." (Season 3, Episode 1)

Season 3 marks an important moment for Charlotte. She decides to start searching for her Prince Charming, so that she can get married as soon as possible. This episode also features the best night ever, as the girls go to Staten Island. It'll show you that, whether a date goes well or not, your friends will always be there for you at the end of the night.

8. "No Ifs, Ands, Or Butts" (Season 3, Episode 5)

Since this is the episode when Carrie meets Aidan for the first time, it has to be on this list. It's not all smooth sailing though; he doesn't approve of Carrie's smoking, and so she has to make a tough decision if she wants to carry on seeing him. Sometimes, first dates are when we find out about a person's dealbreakers.

9. "The Agony And The 'Ex'-Tacy" (Season 4, Episode 1)

Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha decide that they are soulmates. Relationships don't always last, but friendships are forever. It's an important point to remember when you're heading on a date: your friends will be there to hear all about it, good and bad.

10. "Ghost Town" (Season 4, Episode 5)

Any episode that brings Aidan back is OK by me. Carrie goes to the opening of Steve and Aidan's new bar Scout, and the reason you should watch this episode before a date is because Aidan is dreamy. End of story.

11. "The Good Fight" (Season 4, Episode 13)

Carrie agrees to make some space in her closet for Aidan's stuff when he moves in, showing that relationships require a lot of compromise. Plus, Miranda goes on her first date since finding out she's pregnant, showing that anyone can date at any time in their lives.

12. "I Heart NY" (Season 4, Episode 18)

Big announces that he's moving to California, so Carrie plans the perfect date to send him off. It doesn't quite go to plan though, since Miranda goes into labor. And, of course, friends come first.

13. "Anchors Away" (Season 5, Episode 1)

At the start of Season 5, Carrie realizes that she's in a relationship with New York City. Men may come and go, but the city that she loves is always there for her. Great choice.

14. "The Big Journey" (Season 5, Episode 7)

I love this episode, because Charlotte sleeps with Harry for the first time. She doesn't expect to find herself attracted to him, and their unlikely connection is beyond cute. It really teaches you not to push away a chance at love just because it seems unlikely at first.

15. "Great Sexpectations" (Season 6, Episode 2)

This is the perfect episode to watch before a date, because it examines what happens when the chemistry on a date is amazing, and yet, when you try to take it further, it fizzles out. Also, Samantha meets Smith Jerrod. Yes, please.

16. "Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little" (Season 6, Episode 4)

This episode inspired He's Just Not That Into You . What more do you need to know?

17. "An American Girl In Paris (Part Deux)" (Season 6, Episode 20)

I never need an excuse to watch the finale of Sex And The City . It's the perfect end to the show, since each of our four favorite characters find love, and realize what's important in their lives. What could be more positive than that?

Sex And The City is endlessly re-watch-able, and will inspire you to date as much as possible.

Image: HBO