Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I was conscious of “the true L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of demonstrate that defined a generation people in one single means or some other. At that time the tv series broadcast, I becamen’t interested. It had nothing at all to do with my personal assertion of my personal bisexual identity and everything regarding the fact that I happened to be nevertheless pissed at Chaiken for carrying out
my personal girl Jenny Schecter
thus very, extremely completely wrong during the season finale associated with the initial “The L Word.”
Quickly forward a decade as soon as the homosexual movie stars aligned for me and that I discovered myself bingeing all three months in one single week. Lots of elements added to the involuntary decision. One: I became in your home stretch of edits for my personal 2nd queer YA unique in 2021 and I desperately needed head candy. Two: Showtime struck right up my personal email with a 30-day free trial, evidently for any year of “Billions,” a show I have never ever seen. Three: Well, I Found Myself interested.
In older times, I was a dedicated fan of “The Hills,” MTV’s entirely ridiculous, entirely addictive reality crisis about rather, hetero 20-somethings located in Los Angeles. “The Real L Word” possessed exactly the same sun-drenched, sweet feeling of escapism â only way, method,
way
gayer â plus with an increase of dogs and, starting in season two, a tremendously lovable kitty. Sure, absolutely mess: phony drama which is clearly staged by manufacturers, many very real yelling in extremely crowded clubs, and really, Romi. Nevertheless, “The Real L keyword” had many good stuff that held myself enjoying till the actual conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge homosexual wedding ceremony, instantly Googling what everyone’s up to today, and soon after my faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â not to mention dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to
that snappy motif song
. Here is what I unexpectedly adored:
Strong Coupling
Jill and Nikki are adorable while they squabble over a chandelier and planning a marriage which wasn’t legal at that time but ended up being necessary for all of them on your own degree. Kacy and Cori retain the idea of an infant just who might not happen, while never ever wavering within love and assistance for one another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to balance work, sex, while the care of three lovable children â certainly one of whom had special needs. We completely loved the storylines of those three lovers navigating lesbian life in a straight globe with each other. (and I also was actually firmly group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually harmful!)
Cute Smashing
At the beginning of period three, I found myselfn’t positive the way I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose method of doing polyamory was not precisely reasonable to the woman companion, Allie. When Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all bets were down. Once they kissed from the grass, it actually was precious. Once they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it had been cuter. When Lauren could not keep away from Kiyomi’s home of brand new York City for example more moment? Cutest.
Moments With Mothers
Appear, we are in
quarantine
and that I miss my
mommy
. This might explain exactly why it rained-on my face each and every time a loving mama figure made an appearance. Whether it was actually Jill screaming happily whenever the woman mother made a shock day at help this lady pick a marriage gown, Kacy’s mother satisfying her child for meal and consoling the woman about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s garden Connecticut event, I found myself chaos, y’all. Why don’t we not forget Francine coming-out to the woman ultra-glam mother Yoko, who immediately responded “I adore love such you,” and Sadjah’s mommy Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for living their unique truth.
”
I simply think it really is beautiful individually all to stand right up for the legal rights and fight for just what you really, certainly trust,” she states.
Genuine, Real Time Bisexuality!
Would I adore just how Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Never. But as a bi myself, i will be hungry for just about any and all sorts of representation of my folks in the mass media (Spoiler: nevertheless maybe not lots!). Right now, we’ll get what I can get, and I think it is heartening to see Romi with men into the program’s third period, also the ensuing conversations of how bi/queer/pansexual women frequently think omitted from the homosexual society overall. It really is rare i came across Romi relatable, but I relished this type of subject that still isn’t mentioned sufficient.
Claire. Enough said.
Oh, Claire. She left the woman completely gorgeous girl Vivian in New York to “begin a asian lesbian website” in LA â and shack with ex Francine (imagine how good that finally any moved). She blithely turned down an internship with “But I’m a Cheerleader” movie director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire was the undeniable
king.
This coming year two major member was as sloppy as her â80s rock star-esque golden-haired shag, basically
just
what you would like in reality TV. Aren’t getting me personally completely wrong, I was a fan of the quieter times in “the true L keyword,” but Claire introduced the sheer dramz, and that I was actually here for this. (additionally, I spent my youth maybe not far from the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Actually The Method In Which We Live
Bringing it returning to “The L term” motif song we loved: There however aren’t most programs, motion pictures, etc. about queer females
existing
(chatting, laughing, loving, breathing, etc.). Even though I was frustrated with Whitney’s pre-engagement player ways, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining as well severe too quickly and reading the millionth version of “what exactly’s with you and so-and-so,” we relished spending some time with queer women in different phases of these resides, just calculating situations around. I can’t say We skip the days when unscripted programs reigned over the airwaves, but “The Real L keyword” ended up being really worth watching, not only for any club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), but also for the top lady-loving lesbian energy.
Incentive: no body dies in a pool.