Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer woman, I was familiar with “the actual L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off associated with show that described a generation people in a single way or other. During the time the tv series broadcast, I happened to ben’t curious. It had nothing at all to do with my assertion of my bisexual identity and every little thing related to that I found myself nevertheless pissed at Chaiken for doing
my woman Jenny Schecter
thus extremely, really completely wrong when you look at the period finale for the original “The L keyword.”
Quickly onward 10 years when the gay performers aligned for me personally and I also discovered myself personally bingeing all three seasons within one few days. Lots of elements provided to this involuntary decision. One: I became at home stretch of edits for my personal second queer YA novel call at 2021 and that I frantically needed brain sweets. Two: Showtime struck upwards my email with a 30-day trial offer, fundamentally for new season of “massive amounts,” a show I have never ever watched. Three: Well, I Happened To Be interesting.
Back in the day, I happened to be a dedicated enthusiast of “The Hills,” MTV’s thoroughly ridiculous, thoroughly addictive truth crisis about quite, hetero 20-somethings surviving in LA. “the true L phrase” held equivalent sun-drenched, sweet feeling of escapism â best possible way, way,
means
gayer â plus with additional puppies and, starting in season two, a very lovable kitty. Positive, absolutely mess: artificial drama that’s clearly staged by manufacturers, many genuine screaming in really congested organizations, and really, Romi. That said, “The Real L keyword” had lots of good stuff that held me personally seeing till ab muscles conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge homosexual marriage, right away Googling just what everybody’s doing nowadays, and following my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and of course dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to
that catchy theme track
. Here’s what we unexpectedly adored:
Strong Coupling
Jill and Nikki tend to be adorable while they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a marriage that has beenn’t appropriate at that time but ended up being essential all of them on a personal level. Kacy and Cori hold on to the concept of an infant just who may happen, while never wavering in their really love and assistance for starters another. Tracy and Stamie learn how to balance work, sex, additionally the care of three adorable kids â one of who had unique requirements. I thoroughly loved the storylines of these three partners navigating lesbian existence in a straight globe with each other. (and that I was solidly group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing had been unsafe!)
Cute Smashing
At the beginning of period three, I found myselfn’t sure the way I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose method of training polyamory wasn’t precisely fair to the woman companion, Allie. When Kiyomi found enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all bets happened to be down. Whenever they kissed from the lawn, it absolutely was sweet. If they shyly gazed at one another and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. Once Lauren cannot stay away from Kiyomi’s home of the latest York City for example a lot more min? Cutest.
Times With Mothers
Look, we are in
quarantine
and that I neglect my personal
mommy
. This could clarify exactly why it rained-on my face whenever a loving mom figure appeared. Whether it ended up being Jill screaming gladly whenever her mommy made a surprise trip to assist her select a wedding outfit, Kacy’s mummy satisfying the woman daughter for lunch and consoling her about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s yard Connecticut Wedding, I happened to be a mess, y’all. Let’s remember Francine developing to the woman ultra-glam mother Yoko, whom right away responded “I favor love plenty you,” and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their particular fact.
”
I just think it is breathtaking for your family all to stand right up for your liberties and battle for what you really, genuinely have confidence in,” she says.
Actual, Alive Bisexuality!
Would i enjoy the way in which Chaiken manages bisexual figures and storylines? Never. But as a bi me, I am eager for almost any and all sorts of representation of my personal folks in the mass media (Spoiler: nonetheless perhaps not many!). Nowadays, we’ll simply take everything I can get, and I think it is heartening to see Romi with men within the tv series’s third period, and the causing conversations of how bi/queer/pansexual females frequently believe excluded from homosexual area as a whole. It really is unusual I found Romi relatable, but I relished this type of subject that is stilln’t discussed adequate.
Claire. Enough said.
Oh, Claire. She kept the woman absolutely attractive gf Vivian in ny to “start a older mature lesbian website here” in LA â and shack up with ex Francine (estimate how good that last any went). She blithely turned down an internship with “But i am a Cheerleader” director and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in clubs. Claire was actually the undisputed
queen.
This season two main member ended up being as dirty as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque golden-haired shag, in fact it is
just
what you want in fact television. Do not get me personally completely wrong, I happened to be keen on the quieter moments in “the true L Word,” but Claire brought the pure dramz, and I also had been right here for it. (additionally, we was raised not far from the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is The Method In Which We Live
Bringing it back again to “The L term” motif song we-all cherished: There nonetheless are not plenty of programs, films, etc. about queer ladies
existing
(speaking, laughing, enjoying, inhaling, etc.). Even if I became sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement user techniques, Sajdah and Chanel getting as well severe too fast and reading the millionth variation of “what exactly’s with you and so-and-so,” we relished spending time with queer women in different phases of these physical lives, just figuring circumstances down. I cannot state I skip the days whenever unscripted shows reigned over the airwaves, but “the actual L keyword” was actually worth seeing, not only for any club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but for the major lady-loving lesbian power.
Bonus: nobody dies in a pool.