Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I found myself alert to “the actual L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of reveal that described a generation of us in one single method or any other. At the time the show broadcast, I happened to ben’t curious. It had nothing at all to do with my denial of my personal bisexual identity and everything regarding that I found myself nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for doing
my girl Jenny Schecter
therefore very, very incorrect within the season finale associated with initial “The L Word.”
Quickly forward a decade when the gay stars lined up personally and I found me bingeing all three conditions in a single few days. Numerous elements added to this unconscious decision. One: I became in the house stretching of edits for my personal next queer YA novel in 2021 and I also frantically needed mind candy. Two: Showtime hit up my personal email with a 30-day free trial offer, basically for new season of “massive amounts,” a show We have never ever observed. Three: Well, I was fascinated.
In older times, I became a devoted lover of “The Hills,” MTV’s utterly ridiculous, utterly addictive real life drama about rather, hetero 20-somethings residing LA. “the actual L phrase” possessed the exact same sun-drenched, sugary feeling of escapism â best possible way, way,
way
gayer â plus with an increase of canines and, beginning in season two, a rather lovable kitty. Positive, there’s mess: phony drama that is clearly staged by producers, some very real yelling in really packed clubs, and well, Romi. Having said that, “the actual L term” had some good things that held me viewing till the actual conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s large homosexual wedding ceremony, immediately Googling exactly what every person’s to nowadays, and after my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and of course dorkily moving around my apartment to
that snappy theme song
. This is what I all of a sudden adored:
Strong Coupling
Jill and Nikki tend to be lovable while they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a wedding that has beenn’t legal at that time but was important for them on your own degree. Kacy and Cori keep the concept of a baby which might not happen, while never ever wavering in their really love and assistance for one another. Tracy and Stamie learn how to balance work, gender, therefore the care of three lovable young ones â certainly who had unique requirements. We thoroughly liked the storylines among these three partners navigating lesbian life in a straight globe collectively. (And I had been solidly Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing had been risky!)
Cute Smashing
At the beginning of period three, I found myselfn’t positive how I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose way of practicing polyamory wasn’t exactly fair to the woman spouse, Allie. When Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all wagers were down. Once they kissed in the grass, it had been pretty. Once they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it had been cuter. As soon as Lauren couldn’t avoid Kiyomi’s house of the latest York City for one a lot more min? Cutest.
Moments With Moms
Look, we are in
quarantine
and that I skip my personal
mommy
. This could clarify exactly why it rained on my face every time a loving mama figure came out. Whether it was Jill yelling joyfully whenever her mother made a shock visit to help this lady choose a marriage outfit, Kacy’s mother satisfying her girl for meal and consoling her about infant Charlie, or Whitney’s granny witnessing Whitney’s lawn Connecticut Wedding, I found myself a mess, y’all. Let us not forget Francine being released to her ultra-glam mommy Yoko, which immediately reacted “Everyone loves love plenty you,” and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality colleagues for living their unique reality.
”
I just believe it really is breathtaking for you personally all to stand upwards for the rights and fight for just what you truly, certainly have confidence in,” she states.
Actual, Real Time Bisexuality!
Carry out I like just how Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Not always. But as a bi me, I am hungry for any and all representation of my personal people in the media (Spoiler: still perhaps not much!). Now, I’ll take what I could possibly get, and I think it is heartening observe Romi with boyfriends in program’s next season, in addition to the causing conversations of just how bi/queer/pansexual women usually think omitted from gay neighborhood in general. It’s unusual I found Romi relatable, but We relished this specific topic that is stilln’t mentioned enough.
Claire. Adequate said.
Oh, Claire. She remaining her completely attractive girlfriend Vivian in nyc to “begin a lesbian website” in LA â and shack up with ex Francine (guess how well that finally one moved). She blithely rejected an internship with “But I’m a Cheerleader” manager and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in groups. Claire had been the undeniable
king.
This season two main player ended up being because messy as her â80s rock star-esque blonde shag, that’s
just
what you want in fact television. Don’t get me personally completely wrong, I was keen on the quieter times in “the true L term,” but Claire brought the absolute dramz, and that I was right here for it. (Also, we grew up maybe not definately not her hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
Here Is The Method In Which We Live
Bringing it to “The L Word” theme track all of us loved: There nevertheless are not lots of programs, films, etc. about queer women
present
(chatting, laughing, adoring, inhaling, etc.). Even if I happened to be sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement player steps, Sajdah and Chanel getting also really serious too quickly and reading the millionth difference of “just what’s with both you and so-and-so,” I relished spending time with queer women in different stages of the life, merely calculating situations
Bonus: No one dies in a pool.