Ever since the 1998 airing of HBO's original series "Sex and the City," women across the country have pondered Carrie Bradshaw's rhetorical question: "Can four women be each other's soulmates and men just be great guys to have fun with?" The answer is still yes, according to these four singles living in Manhattan.

After viewing Sunday's sixth season premiere of "Sex and the City," I was unsure if I approved or not. First we have the beloved columnist Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), who opens up the episode hesitantly approaching a newly developed relationship with writer Jack Berger (Ron Livingston), with who she connected with at the conclusion of the fifth season.

This makes it a clean slate for the hopeless romantic who, for quite some time, could not make up her mind up about who her leading man was - the mysterious and unattainable Mr. Big (Chris North) or charming and fun-loving Aidan Shaw (John Corbett).

Speaking of Aidan, could the ex-fiance's appearance with his newborn son Tate have been any more random and shocking? At first glance, I thought Carrie was imagining Aidan's presence in her path because of her almost freak run-in with Jack. But nope, Aidan had appeared. He's married and has apparently moved on.

This puts to rest thoughts Carrie and Aiden could end up together. I know many fans are pro-Aidan, but did you really expect them to hook up a third time? For now it's up to Jack, and soon she'll be tempted by a yet-to-be-cast European artist to keep a handle on her heart. Unless Mr. Big returns to the screen again - which you know he will - even if he is smoking cigars in his Californian vineyard.

One woman who isn't afraid to take the plunge into marriage again is ex-art dealer and idealist Charlotte York (Kristin Davis). After Charlotte's seemingly perfect husband Trey MacDougal (Kyle MacLachlan) admitted he didn't want to look further into having a baby, Charlotte reluctantly ended the marriage. She starts off this season letting her guard down with her divorce attorney Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler), who she never thought she would have feelings for.

Unfortunately, after Charlotte owned up to her feelings, Harry dropped the bomb that he could only be serious with someone who is Jewish - and it looks like the idealist will consider converting to Judaism. OK, so Harry may not have the striking looks and pleasant manners of Trey, but when he told Charlotte they could look into adopting children because of her problem with becoming pregnant, you couldn't help but love the guy.

Now on to my favorite character: the stubborn and witty Miranda Hobbes, played by the gorgeous redhead Cynthia Nixon. Nixon plays her part as the self-confident and intelligent New York corporate lawyer, whose only flaw may be in letting the "right" guy in her life (ahem, Steve Brady).

Last season Miranda dealt with the responsibilities of the newest addition to life, newborn Brady Hobbes, who she had with aforementioned Steve (David Eigenberg). Now she is dealing with recurring feelings for Steve, who she has convinced herself for the past few years she doesn't belong with. According to Entertainment Weekly, Miranda falls for an opposite-of-Steve guy this season, after Steve tells her he isn't in love with her anymore.

Last but not least, we can't forget about savvy publicist Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), who prides herself in having as much sex as possible with a diverse and large group of men. After the public relations exec was unable to tame cheating hotel magnate Richard Wright (James Remar) last season, it appears as if she is back in the swing of things when it comes to having random and occasional sex and refusing to settle down.

The Emmy-winning "Sex and the City" is off to a promising and entertaining start with the first half of episodes kicking off this summer and the second half next January. Stay tuned as these four amazing women step into their Manolo Blahniks and their fabulous single lives.

Lindsay Weiskittel is The State News film critic. She can be reached at weiskitt@msu.edu.