Inside the ‘Sex and The City’ Scene That Got Sarah Jessica Parker a Tetanus Shot

Sex and the City is one of the most popular television shows of all time, a series that launched Sarah Jessica Parker to international stardom. The show not only launched two big-budget feature films, a prequel series, and an upcoming sequel series, but a merchandising empire that is still going strong to this day.

Sex and the City spawned many colorful tales of behind-the-scenes fun, but one notorious scene in the show’s third season actually ended up going south, ultimately requiring Sarah Jessica Parker to get a tetanus shot.

‘Sex and the City’ debuted on HBO in 1998

Sex and the City debuted on the HBO network in 1998. The series is based on the bestselling book by author Candace Bushnell, which was released just one year before the show’s premiere.

Sex and the City centered around neurotic New York columnist Carrie Bradshaw, and her work as a writer, as well as her misadventures with dating and romantic relationships. Carrie Bradshaw’s three best friends were primary players as well, with Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha all becoming fan favorites.

Together, the four women worked to dispel dating myths, laying bare the often harsh realities that come with life as a single woman in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Sex and the City received a slew of honors and awards, with special honors going to Parker’s work as Carrie Bradshaw.

Ultimately, it was Carrie’s story that was the central focus of the show, with her on-again-off-again romance with the notorious Mr. Big providing the lion’s share of drama. 

Carrie Bradshaw’s romantic drama with Mr. Big was the main focus of the show

In the first season of Sex and the City, Carrie crosses paths with a high-powered executive whom she dubs Mr. Big. The two embark on a torrid affair that ends in short order when the two are unable to reconcile their lifestyles.

Over the seasons that followed, viewers watched Carrie and Mr. Big go back and forth, getting involved time after time, only to break it off again.

By the end of the series, Carrie and Mr. Big realize that they are meant to be together — and in spite of all their ups and downs, when Big shows up for Carrie in Paris, every fan found a tear in their eye. The scenes between Carrie and Mr. Big provided much of the emotional weight of the series, with one scene in the third season becoming particularly memorable — as much for the drama onscreen as for the story behind the scenes. 

Which Carrie Bradshaw scene made Sarah Jessica Parker get a tetanus shot?

The season three finale episode of Sex and the City features Carrie meeting up with Mr. Big at a charming restaurant that sits directly on the lake. Carrie, intent on remaining aloof and cool during her meeting with Big, quickly finds the day going south when Big tries to kiss her. In an attempt to avoid him, Carrie ducks and throws both of them off balance. Carrie and Big fall into the dirty harbor water. 

According to Insider.com, Parker cut her foot when she fell into the water. As a safety precaution, she decided to get a tetanus shot to avoid any serious illness. Fortunately, the rest of the scene was able to be filmed without incident.