Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I became conscious of "The Real L Word," Ilene Chaiken's 2010-12 spin-off of the reveal that described a generation of us in one single way or another. At the time the tv show broadcast, I found myselfn't curious. It had nothing in connection with my denial of my bisexual identity and every thing to do with the reality that I became nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for carrying out
my personal girl Jenny Schecter
therefore really, very wrong in period finale with the original "The L Word."
Fast onward a decade if the homosexual movie stars lined up for me and I found myself personally bingeing all three periods in a single few days. Many elements contributed to the unconscious decision. One: I found myself in the house stretch of edits for my personal 2nd queer YA book in 2021 and I also seriously required brain sweets. Two: Showtime hit upwards my personal email with a 30-day trial offer, evidently for all the year of "massive amounts," a show You will find never viewed. Three: Well, I Found Myself interested.
Back in the day, I was a faithful follower of "The Hills," MTV's thoroughly ridiculous, entirely addictive real life drama about pretty, hetero 20-somethings residing in LA. "the true L Word" had the exact same sun-drenched, sugary feeling of escapism â best way, method,
way
gayer â plus with increased puppies and, beginning in season two, a tremendously adorable kitty. Sure, there's mess: phony drama that's demonstrably staged by manufacturers, most very real shouting in really crowded clubs, and well, Romi. Nevertheless, "the true L Word" had a lot of good stuff that held me personally enjoying till the actual conclusion of Whitney and Sara's huge gay wedding ceremony, instantly Googling what every person's to nowadays, and soon after my faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â and additionally dorkily dancing around my apartment to
that snappy theme song
. This is what I all of a sudden adored:
Good Coupling
Jill and Nikki are lovable because they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding that wasn't legal during the time but ended up being important for them on an individual degree. Kacy and Cori retain the concept of an infant which might or might not appear, while never ever wavering within their really love and service for example another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to stabilize work, gender, therefore the proper care of three lovable children â certainly whom had unique requirements. I thoroughly adored the storylines among these three partners navigating lesbian existence in a straight globe collectively. (And I had been firmly group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually dangerous!)
Sweet Smashing
At the outset of period three, I happened to ben't sure how I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of exercising polyamory wasn't exactly fair to her partner, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all wagers happened to be down. Whenever they kissed regarding the lawn, it absolutely was sweet. Whenever they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. And when Lauren could not keep away from Kiyomi's house of New York City for starters more min? Cutest.
Moments With Mothers
Seem, we are in
quarantine
and that I neglect my personal
mommy
. This may describe the reason why it rained on my personal face anytime a loving mother figure made an appearance. Whether it ended up being Jill yelling happily when the woman mommy made a surprise trip to help their choose a wedding outfit, Kacy's mommy satisfying the woman daughter for meal and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney's granny witnessing Whitney's garden Connecticut event, I was chaos, y'all. Why don't we not forget Francine coming-out to the woman ultra-glam mommy Yoko, whom right away reacted "i enjoy love so much you," and Sadjah's mama Sarita praising Sadjah's Vote for Equality peers for residing their own fact.
"
I simply think that it really is stunning individually all to stand upwards to suit your rights and fight for just what you really, certainly trust," she states.
Actual, Real Time Bisexuality!
Would i really like ways Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Never. But as a bi my self, i will be hungry for almost any and all representation of my folks in the media (Spoiler: however not a large amount!). Nowadays, I'll take what I may, and I think it is heartening observe Romi with men in the show's next season, in addition to the ensuing talks of how bi/queer/pansexual females usually believe excluded from the homosexual neighborhood all together. It really is unusual i discovered Romi relatable, but We relished this particular subject that still isn't talked about enough.
Claire. Enough mentioned.
Oh, Claire. She kept the woman positively attractive gf Vivian in New York to "start a try this mature lesbians website" in Los Angeles â and shack with ex Francine (guess how well that last any went). She blithely turned down an internship with "But i am a Cheerleader" manager and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire had been the undeniable
queen.
This coming year two primary member was because sloppy as the woman â80s rock star-esque blonde shag, that is
precisely
what you need in fact television. Do not get me completely wrong, I was keen on the quieter moments in "The Real L Word," but Claire introduced the sheer dramz, and I was actually here because of it. (In addition, we was raised maybe not far from her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Basically The Manner In Which We Live
Bringing it back again to "The L keyword" theme song all of us loved: There still aren't many programs, films, etc. about queer women
existing
(chatting, chuckling, adoring, inhaling, etc.). Even if I found myself frustrated with Whitney's pre-engagement member ways, Sajdah and Chanel getting too significant too fast and reading the millionth difference of "what exactly's with both you and so-and-so," I relished spending time with queer ladies in different phases regarding life, simply figuring circumstances
Bonus: No one dies in a swimming pool.
