Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer woman, I was aware of «the actual L keyword,» Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of the demonstrate that identified a generation folks in a single way or some other. At the time the tv series aired, I becamen’t curious. It had nothing to do with my personal denial of my personal bisexual identity and everything to do with that I found myself nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for performing
my personal girl Jenny Schecter
so extremely, really completely wrong within the season finale of the initial «The L keyword.»
Quickly ahead 10 years whenever gay stars aligned personally and I also discovered me bingeing all three times in one week. A lot of facets provided to this unconscious decision. One: I was in the house stretch of edits for my next queer YA book in 2021 and I desperately required mind candy. Two: Showtime struck right up my inbox with a 30-day free trial offer, ostensibly for your year of «Billions,» a show We have never ever viewed. Three: Really, I Found Myself inquisitive.
Back in the day, I found myself a devoted fan of «The Hills,» MTV’s entirely ridiculous, entirely addicting truth drama about pretty, hetero 20-somethings residing in Los Angeles. «the actual L term» held the same sun-drenched, sweet feeling of escapism â only way, method,
method
gayer â plus with more puppies and, starting in season two, an extremely adorable kitty. Sure, there’s mess: fake crisis that is clearly staged by manufacturers, many real yelling in really packed clubs, and really, Romi. That said, «the actual L keyword» had most nutrients that held myself enjoying till the end of Whitney and Sara’s huge homosexual wedding, immediately Googling just what every person’s doing today, and after my faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â not to mention dorkily moving around my apartment to
that snappy motif tune
. This is what I all of a sudden adored:
Strong Coupling
Jill and Nikki tend to be lovable as they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding that wasn’t legal at that time but had been very important to them on a personal level. Kacy and Cori hold on to the thought of a baby who might or might not appear, while never ever wavering inside their love and service for starters another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to balance work, gender, in addition to care of three lovable kids â one of who had special requirements. I completely appreciated the storylines of these three lovers navigating lesbian life in a straight world together. (and that I was completely Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing ended up being risky!)
Sweet Smashing
At the outset of season three, I happened to ben’t certain how I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of training polyamory wasn’t just reasonable to her companion, Allie. When Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all bets were off. Once they kissed regarding the garden, it had been sweet. When they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. Once Lauren could not keep away from Kiyomi’s residence of the latest York City for 1 even more min? Cutest.
Times With Mothers
Check, we are in
quarantine
and that I skip my
mommy
. This could describe exactly why it rained-on my face anytime a loving mother figure showed up. Whether it ended up being Jill yelling cheerfully whenever the woman mom made a surprise visit to assist their pick a marriage gown, Kacy’s mummy satisfying the woman girl for meal and consoling her about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s garden Connecticut Wedding, I was chaos, y’all. Let’s keep in mind Francine coming-out to her ultra-glam mommy Yoko, whom instantly reacted «Everyone loves love really you,» and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for living their unique fact.
»
I recently think that it really is gorgeous for you personally all to stand up to suit your liberties and battle for what you truly, really trust,» she claims.
Real, Alive Bisexuality!
Would I like the way in which Chaiken manages bisexual figures and storylines? Not necessarily. But as a bi me, i will be hungry for any and all representation of my personal folks in the news (Spoiler: however maybe not a whole lot!). At this time, I’ll just take the things I will get, and that I think it is heartening to see Romi with men from inside the tv show’s next season, in addition to the ensuing conversations of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual women frequently think excluded through the gay area as a whole. Its rare I found Romi relatable, but I relished this subject that ‘s stilln’t discussed sufficient.
Claire. Adequate stated.
Oh, Claire. She remaining her completely gorgeous gf Vivian in New York to «start a lesbian web site» in Los Angeles â and shack up with ex Francine (estimate how well that finally one went). She blithely rejected an internship with «But I’m a Cheerleader» manager and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire was the undeniable
queen.
In 2010 two major user was since unpleasant as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque blonde shag, which can be
precisely
what you would like actually television. Aren’t getting me personally wrong, I happened to be a fan of the quieter minutes in «the true L term,» but Claire introduced the pure dramz, and I also had been here for it. (In addition, I grew up not far from the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Actually The Way That We Live
Bringing it back again to «The L Word» motif tune we loved: There nevertheless are not most programs, flicks, etc. about queer ladies
present
(talking, chuckling, enjoying, inhaling, etc.). Even if I found myself sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement player techniques, Sajdah and Chanel getting also severe too fast and hearing the millionth difference of «what exactly’s up with you and so-and-so,» we relished spending some time with queer feamales in different stages regarding resides, only figuring things aside. I can not state I skip the times whenever unscripted shows dominated the airwaves, but «The Real L Word» ended up being really worth enjoying, not just when it comes to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), however for the top lady-loving lesbian electricity.
Bonus: no body dies in a swimming pool.