Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer woman, I happened to be aware of «The Real L keyword,» Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of this demonstrate that described a generation folks in one method or any other. During the time the program aired, I becamen’t curious. It had nothing to do with my denial of my bisexual identity and every thing related to the truth that I found myself nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for performing
my woman Jenny Schecter
therefore really, extremely incorrect in season finale of original «The L Word.»
Quickly ahead ten years once the gay stars aimed for me personally and that I discovered my self bingeing all three periods in a single few days. Many factors contributed to this unconscious decision. One: I was in the house stretching of edits for my next queer YA novel in 2021 and that I frantically needed brain chocolate. Two: Showtime hit upwards my personal email with a 30-day free trial, ostensibly for your year of «Billions,» a show You will find never seen. Three: Well, I Became fascinated.
Back in the day, I became a devoted lover of «The Hills,» MTV’s utterly absurd, utterly addicting real life drama about very, hetero 20-somethings surviving in LA. «the actual L Word» had exactly the same sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism â best possible way, way,
means
gayer â plus with more puppies and, starting in period two, a really lovable kitty. Yes, there is mess: phony drama that is clearly staged by producers, plenty of real shouting in really crowded clubs, and well, Romi. Nevertheless, «The Real L term» had plenty of nutrients that kept myself enjoying till ab muscles end of Whitney and Sara’s large homosexual wedding ceremony, straight away Googling exactly what everybody’s as much as these days, and after my faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and undoubtedly dorkily moving around my apartment to
that snappy theme tune
. Some tips about what I all of a sudden adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki are lovable while they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding that wasn’t appropriate during the time but had been essential all of them on a personal degree. Kacy and Cori hold on to the thought of a child just who may or may not appear, while never ever wavering in their really love and help for just one another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to stabilize work, intercourse, and also the proper care of three adorable children â one of whom had special needs. We carefully liked the storylines of those three couples navigating lesbian existence in a straight world together. (and I also ended up being completely group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually harmful!)
Sweet Smashing
At the outset of period three, I happened to ben’t positive the way I thought about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of training polyamory was not exactly fair to her lover, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi found enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all wagers happened to be down. When they kissed on the garden, it actually was adorable. Whenever they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. When Lauren couldn’t avoid Kiyomi’s house of brand new York City for starters more minute? Cutest.
Moments With Mothers
Hunt, we are in
quarantine
and I neglect my personal
mommy
. This may clarify precisely why it rained-on my face whenever a warm mummy figure showed up. Whether it was Jill screaming joyfully when the woman mom made a surprise trip to assist their choose a wedding gown, Kacy’s mommy meeting the woman child for meal and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney’s granny witnessing Whitney’s yard Connecticut event, I became chaos, y’all. Let us remember Francine coming-out to her ultra-glam mommy Yoko, which straight away responded «I adore love really you,» and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality colleagues for residing their particular fact.
»
I simply believe that it is beautiful for you all to stand right up for your rights and battle for just what you truly, genuinely believe in,» she says.
Actual, Live Bisexuality!
Would i really like the way in which Chaiken deals with bisexual characters and storylines? Not at all times. But as a bi my self, Im starving regarding and all sorts of representation of my personal people in the media (Spoiler: nevertheless perhaps not loads!). Right now, I’ll get what I can get, and I also found it heartening observe Romi with boyfriends into the show’s 3rd period, along with the causing discussions of just how bi/queer/pansexual ladies frequently believe excluded through the gay neighborhood in general. It really is uncommon i came across Romi relatable, but We relished this particular subject that still isn’t discussed adequate.
Claire. Adequate said.
Oh, Claire. She left her positively attractive gf Vivian in ny to «start a asian lesbian website» in Los Angeles â and shack with ex Francine (guess how well that last one went). She blithely refused an internship with «But I’m a Cheerleader» movie director and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in groups. Claire ended up being the undeniable
queen.
This year two main player was actually as disorganized as her â80s rock star-esque gothic shag, which will be
just
what you need actually television. Aren’t getting me completely wrong, I became keen on the quieter minutes in «the actual L term,» but Claire introduced the sheer dramz, and I also had been here because of it. (additionally, I was raised maybe not far from her hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Basically The Way That We Live
Bringing it back to «The L Word» theme song we cherished: There however aren’t plenty of programs, films, etc. about queer women
present
(talking, chuckling, enjoying, inhaling, etc.). Even if I found myself sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement member techniques, Sajdah and Chanel getting too serious too quickly and reading the millionth difference of «so what’s with you and so-and-so,» we relished spending time with queer ladies in different phases of the everyday lives, only calculating circumstances down. I cannot state We miss out the days whenever unscripted programs ruled the airwaves, but «the actual L keyword» was really worth enjoying, not only for the club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), but also for the big lady-loving lesbian electricity.
Incentive: No one dies in a swimming pool.