Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer girl, I became aware of "the actual L Word," Ilene Chaiken's 2010-12 spin-off associated with show that described a generation people in one way or any other. At that time the program broadcast, I happened to ben't interested. It had nothing to do with my personal denial of my bisexual identification and every thing related to the fact I became still pissed at Chaiken for performing
my girl Jenny Schecter
so really, very wrong when you look at the season finale of initial "The L Word."
Quickly ahead 10 years when the homosexual stars aligned personally and that I found my self bingeing all three times in a single few days. Many facets added for this unconscious decision. One: I happened to be in the house extend of edits for my personal 2nd queer YA novel call at 2021 and I also desperately required head sweets. Two: Showtime struck upwards my personal inbox with a 30-day free trial, fundamentally for all the year of "massive amounts," a show You will find never seen. Three: Well, I Happened To Be curious.
In older times, I was a devoted follower of "The Hills," MTV's utterly absurd, thoroughly addictive truth drama about quite, hetero 20-somethings located in LA. "The Real L Word" possessed exactly the same sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism â best way, way,
method
gayer â plus with more canines and, beginning in period two, a tremendously lovable kitty. Sure, there is mess: artificial drama that's demonstrably staged by producers, many genuine yelling in extremely packed groups, and well, Romi. Nevertheless, "The Real L keyword" had a lot of good stuff that held me personally viewing till the actual end of Whitney and Sara's big homosexual wedding ceremony, straight away Googling what everybody's to today, and soon after my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and additionally dorkily moving around my personal apartment to
that appealing theme tune
. Some tips about what I all of a sudden adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki are adorable while they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a marriage that wasn't appropriate during the time but had been very important to all of them on your own amount. Kacy and Cori hold on to the idea of a baby whom might not appear, while never ever wavering within really love and assistance for example another. Tracy and Stamie work out how to stabilize work, gender, therefore the proper care of three adorable children â certainly one of whom had unique requirements. I carefully liked the storylines of these three couples navigating lesbian existence in a straight globe together. (and I also ended up being solidly Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was harmful!)
Pretty Smashing
At the beginning of period three, I wasn't certain the way I thought about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of doing polyamory was not precisely 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. Whenever they kissed regarding garden, it actually was precious. Once they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it actually was cuter. As soon as Lauren cannot avoid Kiyomi's house of brand new York City for 1 even more min? Cutest.
Moments With Mothers
Seem, we're in
quarantine
and that I neglect my personal
mommy
. This might clarify precisely why it rained on my personal face each and every time an enjoying mama figure made an appearance. Whether or not it was actually Jill shouting gladly when her mommy made a surprise visit to assist the girl pick a marriage dress, Kacy's mama satisfying the woman daughter for lunch and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney's grandma witnessing Whitney's backyard Connecticut Wedding, I found myself a mess, y'all. Let us remember Francine being released to the woman ultra-glam mommy Yoko, exactly who right away reacted "I adore love really you," and Sadjah's mother Sarita praising Sadjah's Vote for Equality peers for residing their own fact.
"
I simply believe its beautiful obtainable all to stand up to suit your legal rights and battle for just what you really, truly believe in," she states.
Real, Real Time Bisexuality!
Carry out I like how Chaiken manages bisexual figures and storylines? Not necessarily. But as a bi my self, I am eager for any and all representation of my folks in the news (Spoiler: however maybe not a large number!). Right now, we'll get the thing I can get, and I also think it is heartening observe Romi with men inside the tv show's 3rd season, along with the ensuing talks of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual females frequently believe excluded from the gay society overall. It really is uncommon i discovered Romi relatable, but I relished this type of topic that is stilln't discussed sufficient.
Claire. Adequate stated.
Oh, Claire. She remaining the woman positively gorgeous sweetheart Vivian in New York to "begin a lesbian internet site" in Los Angeles â and shack with ex Francine (guess how good that finally any went). She blithely refused an internship with "But i am a Cheerleader" manager and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire was the undisputed
queen.
This coming year two major user was actually since messy as the woman â80s rock star-esque blond shag, basically
just
what you need in fact TV. Aren't getting myself completely wrong, I found myself a fan of the quieter times in "the true L keyword," but Claire brought the absolute dramz, and that I was actually right here because of it. (additionally, we spent my youth maybe not not even close to the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is The Way That We Live
Bringing it to "The L keyword" motif tune all of us appreciated: There nonetheless aren't lots of programs, flicks, etc. about queer females
current
(speaking, laughing, loving, inhaling, etc.). Even though I became sick and tired of Whitney's pre-engagement player ways, Sajdah and Chanel getting too significant too quickly and hearing the millionth variation of "just what exactly's up with you and so-and-so," I relished hanging out with queer women in numerous phases of their everyday lives, just calculating situations around. I can not say We miss the days whenever unscripted shows ruled the airwaves, but "The Real L Word" was actually worth watching, not just when it comes down to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but for the big lady-loving lesbian fuel.
Added bonus: nobody dies in a pool.