Carrie and her posse venture across the river to Staten Island for the New York City Fire Department's "Calendar Contest." It's not long before Samantha locks eyes with her dream hunk, Ricky, and even less time before she finds out just how hot he is. But on a surprise visit to the firehouse, Samantha's red-hot fantasy is shattered when she encounters a back room of average men eating popcorn in front of the TV and even worse, when her romp with Ricky is cut short by a real fire, leaving her naked and aghast. Meanwhile, Bill Kelley, an older local politician, makes the moves on Carrie, but doesn't get very far. Drunk on the ferry ride home, Charlotte declares that this is the year she will get married. Rehashing the night over brunch, Charlotte blurts out that the reason firemen are so hot is because they fulfill women's fantasy of being rescued. But Miranda refuses to be rescued, and when her doctor says she needs someone to take her home after her laser vision surgery, she tries to manage on her own. Steve insists, showing Miranda that being rescued isn't always a sign of weakness. Charlotte goes on a date with Arthur, her latest prince charming. But after Arthur gets into a few fist fights, Charlotte realizes he's a bully, not a prince. Politician Bill campaigns for Carrie's attention, and eventually she gives in to a coat room kiss, but not more...

A laid back Sunday brunch is ruined when Carrie sees Big and Natasha's wedding announcement in the New York Times. Twenty five, tall, beautiful, and married, Natasha brings out Carrie's worst insecurities. When Carrie bumps into Natasha in the dressing room of a clothing boutique, Carrie wonders: Are there women in New York City who live for the sole purpose of making other women feel bad about themselves? To relieve some stress, Samantha takes the girls out for a day at the spa. Charlotte however, can't seem to let go of her body image issues and get naked in the steam room. Samantha gets a tip that Kevin, one of the massage therapists, performs sexual favors, but when he doesn't deliver, Samantha makes her own move and grabs his crotch. The spa bans Samantha, but she gets Kevin fired. Charlotte returns to the spa and nervously bares it all; she's validated when another woman compliments her breasts. Meanwhile, Miranda's new Ukranian housekeeper takes cleaning up Miranda's life too far -- with lectures about marriage and herbal teas. When she replaces the vibrator in Miranda's "goodie drawer" with a statue of the Virgin Mary, Miranda puts her in her place. Carrie tries to impress Natasha by looking fabulous at a high society luncheon. But it's all for naught because Natasha doesn't show up. After trying too hard and buying clothes she couldn't really afford, Carrie feels like a loser -- until she gets Natasha's thank you note featuring an embarrassing spelling error.