'The Carrie Diaries' pilot: Teen soap

But based on the pilot, that may not be warranted (yet). Yeah, there's some dirty talk to establish its bona fides (this is about Carrie, after all). And the implied bargain with viewers is that story lines shaped by teen hormonal compulsions will not be ignored, either. But the pilot at least suggests that this coming-of-age story may be more about a search for identity and how loss -- including the loss of virginity -- can complicate or sidetrack that search. "I lost my virginity to a different 'man' -- MANhattan," confesses city-lovestruck Carrie to her diary. Sure, a cringeworthy line, but better than what you could imagine the alternative might be for a 15-year-old named Carrie Bradshaw. Meanwhile, Robb does radiate a youthful innocence -- understandable since Mr. Big is still years in the future.

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