Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer woman, I found myself familiar with “The Real L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off for the show that described a generation people in one method or some other. At the time the tv show aired, I becamen’t curious. It had nothing in connection with my denial of my bisexual identification and everything related to that I happened to be nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for doing
my personal woman Jenny Schecter
thus very, really incorrect within the season finale from the initial “The L Word.”
Quickly onward 10 years whenever homosexual performers aimed for my situation and that I discovered my self bingeing all three times in one week. A lot of factors provided to this involuntary choice. One: I became in your home stretch of edits for my 2nd queer YA unique out in 2021 and I frantically needed brain candy. Two: Showtime hit upwards my inbox with a 30-day free trial offer, fundamentally for your new season of “massive amounts,” a show We have never observed. Three: Well, I Became curious.
Back in the day, I happened to be a dedicated follower of “The Hills,” MTV’s entirely ridiculous, thoroughly addicting fact drama about rather, hetero 20-somethings residing in LA. “the actual L phrase” possessed exactly the same sun-drenched, sweet sense of escapism â best way, method,
method
gayer â plus with increased puppies and, starting in season two, a tremendously lovable kitty. Yes, there is mess: phony drama which is demonstrably staged by producers, countless very real yelling in very crowded clubs, and really, Romi. That said, “the true L keyword” had a lot of nutrients that held me personally viewing till the actual conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge gay wedding, immediately Googling just what every person’s to these days, and following my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â not forgetting dorkily dancing around my apartment to
that appealing theme tune
. Here’s what we unexpectedly adored:
Good Coupling
Jill and Nikki are lovable because they squabble over a chandelier and planning a marriage that wasn’t legal at that time but had been very important to them on an individual degree. Kacy and Cori retain the idea of an infant whom might not appear, while never ever wavering in their love and service for just one another. Tracy and Stamie work out how to stabilize work, sex, additionally the proper care of three lovable children â among who had unique needs. I carefully appreciated the storylines among these three partners navigating lesbian existence in a straight world with each other. (And I was completely Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing had been dangerous!)
Cute Smashing
At the outset of period three, I found myselfn’t positive the way I thought about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose way of training polyamory was not precisely reasonable to her lover, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all bets had been off. When they kissed about yard, it had been precious. If they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. And when Lauren cannot avoid Kiyomi’s home of New York City for example a lot more min? Cutest.
Minutes With Mothers
Look, we’re in
quarantine
and I miss my
mommy
. This may clarify why it rained on my personal face every time a warm mama figure came out. Whether or not it was Jill shouting happily when the woman mother made a shock day at assist their pick a wedding dress, Kacy’s mommy meeting her daughter for meal and consoling the woman about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s granny witnessing Whitney’s garden Connecticut event, I found myself in pretty bad shape, y’all. Let’s not forget Francine being released to the woman ultra-glam mommy Yoko, exactly who instantly responded “Everyone loves love a great deal you,” and Sadjah’s mummy Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their particular fact.
”
I recently think that it is gorgeous individually all to stand up for the legal rights and battle for just what you truly, certainly rely on,” she claims.
Actual, Alive Bisexuality!
Carry out I love the way in which Chaiken handles bisexual characters and storylines? Never. But as a bi myself personally, i will be eager for just about any and all representation of my people in the media (Spoiler: nevertheless maybe not a large amount!). Nowadays, we’ll get the things I can get, and I think it is heartening observe Romi with men from inside the tv series’s 3rd season, in addition to the ensuing talks of just how bi/queer/pansexual ladies typically feel omitted from the gay area as a whole. Its rare I found Romi relatable, but We relished this specific topic that ‘s stilln’t mentioned adequate.
Claire. Enough mentioned.
Oh, Claire. She remaining the woman absolutely attractive gf Vivian in nyc to “start a black lesbian website” in Los Angeles â and shack up with ex Francine (guess how good that final one moved). She blithely refused an internship with “But i am a Cheerleader” director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in groups. Claire was the undisputed
queen.
This season two main member was as messy as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque gothic shag, and that is
just
what you want in reality television. Do not get me completely wrong, I happened to be keen on the quieter times in “the actual L Word,” but Claire introduced the pure dramz, and I had been here because of it. (In addition, I grew up maybe not not even close to the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
Here Is The Method In Which We Live
Bringing it back once again to “The L Word” motif track we all cherished: There nonetheless aren’t some shows, movies, etc. about queer females
current
(chatting, laughing, loving, breathing, etc.). Even when I found myself sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement user steps, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining also really serious too fast and hearing the millionth version of “just what exactly’s with both you and so-and-so,” we relished spending some time with queer women in different stages of their resides, just calculating situations away. I can’t state I miss out the times when unscripted programs dominated the airwaves, but “The Real L keyword” ended up being worth viewing, not simply when it comes to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but also for the top lady-loving lesbian energy.
Bonus: nobody dies in a swimming pool.