Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I became aware of « the actual L Word, » Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off associated with the reveal that identified a generation folks in a single means or any other. During the time the program broadcast, I wasn’t curious. It had nothing at all to do with my assertion of my bisexual identity and every thing to do with that I was nevertheless pissed at Chaiken for performing
my personal girl Jenny Schecter
therefore extremely, really completely wrong in period finale regarding the initial « The L Word. »
Quickly ahead 10 years once the gay performers aligned personally and I found my self bingeing all three times within one few days. Lots of facets provided to this involuntary choice. One: I happened to be in the home stretch of edits for my 2nd queer YA unique out in 2021 and that I frantically required brain chocolate. Two: Showtime hit upwards my personal email with a 30-day free trial, basically for all the year of « massive amounts, » a show You will find never seen. Three: Really, I Found Myself wondering.
Back in the day, I found myself a faithful enthusiast of « The Hills, » MTV’s entirely absurd, thoroughly addictive fact drama about very, hetero 20-somethings residing in Los Angeles. « The Real L phrase » possessed the exact same sun-drenched, sugary feeling of escapism â best possible way, method,
way
gayer â plus with more puppies and, starting in season two, a very adorable kitty. Certain, there is mess: fake crisis that is clearly staged by manufacturers, countless very real screaming in really crowded groups, and really, Romi. Nevertheless, « The Real L term » had a lot of good things that held me personally enjoying till the actual conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge homosexual marriage, straight away Googling exactly what every person’s doing these days, and soon after my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and of course dorkily moving around my personal apartment to
that catchy motif track
. Here is what we all of a sudden adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki are adorable because they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding which wasn’t appropriate at the time but had been very important to them on a personal amount. Kacy and Cori keep the thought of a child exactly who may or may not happen, while never wavering inside their love and assistance for example another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to stabilize work, intercourse, while the proper care of three adorable young ones â one of whom had special needs. I completely adored the storylines of these three couples navigating lesbian existence in a straight world together. (And I ended up being completely Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing had been unsafe!)
Cute Crushing
At the outset of period three, I becamen’t yes the way I thought about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of exercising polyamory wasn’t exactly reasonable to her companion, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all wagers happened to be off. When they kissed throughout the garden, it absolutely was pretty. When they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it had been cuter. And when Lauren could not avoid Kiyomi’s house of New York City for just one even more minute? Cutest.
Minutes With Moms
Look, we’re in
quarantine
and I also miss my personal
mommy
. This could describe the reason why it rained on my personal face each time an enjoying mama figure appeared. Whether or not it had been Jill shouting gladly whenever her mommy made a surprise trip to assist this lady pick a wedding outfit, Kacy’s mummy fulfilling the woman girl for lunch and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s garden Connecticut Wedding, I found myself a mess, y’all. Let us not forget Francine developing to the woman ultra-glam mother Yoko, who straight away reacted « i enjoy love a great deal you, » and Sadjah’s mama Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their own fact.
»
I recently believe that it really is gorgeous for you personally all to stand up for your rights and fight for just what you truly, truly have confidence in, » she states.
Real, Live Bisexuality!
Would Everyone loves the way in which Chaiken deals with bisexual characters and storylines? Not at all times. But as a bi my self, i will be hungry for any and all sorts of representation of my folks in the media (Spoiler: still maybe not a large amount!). Now, we’ll get the thing I can get, and I think it is heartening to see Romi with boyfriends when you look at the tv series’s third season, plus the ensuing discussions of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual women usually believe omitted from gay neighborhood overall. It is unusual i discovered Romi relatable, but I relished this topic that is stilln’t mentioned adequate.
Claire. Adequate stated.
Oh, Claire. She left the woman definitely attractive girlfriend Vivian in nyc to « start a lesbian internet site » in LA â and shack up with ex Francine (estimate how well that final any moved). She blithely rejected an internship with « But i am a Cheerleader » director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in clubs. Claire was the undisputed
king.
In 2010 two primary member was because messy as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque golden-haired shag, that will be
just
what you need in actuality TV. Do not get me personally completely wrong, I found myself a fan of the quieter moments in « The Real L keyword, » but Claire brought the sheer dramz, and I had been here for this. (additionally, I spent my youth perhaps not far from the woman home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Actually The Manner In Which We Live
Bringing it back to « The L Word » motif song we all appreciated: There still are not most programs, movies, etc. about queer women
existing
(speaking, laughing, loving, breathing, etc.). Even though I became sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement user steps, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining also severe too quickly and hearing the millionth version of « so what’s up with you and so-and-so, » I relished spending some time with queer ladies in various phases of these resides, merely figuring circumstances on. I cannot say We skip the times when unscripted programs dominated the airwaves, but « the true L Word » was really worth viewing, not simply when it comes down to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but for the big lady-loving lesbian energy.
Incentive: no-one dies in a pool.