Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer woman, I was aware of “the actual L keyword,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off in the reveal that described a generation people in one single means or other. At that time the tv show broadcast, I found myselfn’t curious. It had nothing at all to do with my personal denial of my personal bisexual identification and everything related to the point that I was nevertheless pissed at Chaiken for doing
my woman Jenny Schecter
so really, extremely wrong into the period finale with the original “The L keyword.”
Quickly ahead ten years once the gay stars aimed for my situation and that I found myself personally bingeing all three conditions in a single week. Numerous elements provided to the involuntary choice. One: I happened to be in your home stretch of edits for my personal second queer YA novel out in 2021 and that I seriously needed head sweets. Two: Showtime struck right up my email with a 30-day free trial, basically for the year of “massive amounts,” a show We have never watched. Three: Really, I was curious.
Back in the day, I found myself a dedicated enthusiast of “The Hills,” MTV’s thoroughly ridiculous, utterly addictive reality crisis about rather, hetero 20-somethings residing LA. “the true L Word” possessed equivalent sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism â only way, means,
method
gayer â plus with canines and, starting in period two, a tremendously adorable kitty. Yes, there is mess: fake crisis which is demonstrably staged by manufacturers, countless real shouting in extremely packed clubs, and really, Romi. That said, “The Real L term” had most good things that kept me watching till the very conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge gay wedding, immediately Googling just what everyone’s as much as nowadays, and after my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â not forgetting dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to
that snappy theme tune
. Here is what I unexpectedly adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki are lovable because they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a wedding that has beenn’t appropriate at that time but had been essential for all of them on a personal amount. Kacy and Cori hold on to the concept of an infant whom may happen, while never wavering within their love and support for example another. Tracy and Stamie work out how to balance work, intercourse, while the proper care of three lovable young ones â among whom had special requirements. We thoroughly loved the storylines of the three couples navigating lesbian life in a straight world collectively. (and that I was firmly Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was dangerous!)
Pretty Crushing
At the outset of period three, I happened to ben’t sure the way I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose way of doing polyamory was not precisely fair to her lover, Allie. When Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all wagers had been off. When they kissed on yard, it had been lovely. If they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. So when Lauren cannot steer clear of Kiyomi’s house of brand new York City for one a lot more minute? Cutest.
Times With Moms
Have a look, we’re in
quarantine
and that I neglect my
mommy
. This may describe why it rained on my personal face everytime an enjoying mama figure came out. Whether or not it had been Jill yelling joyfully whenever the woman mother made a surprise visit to assist her pick a wedding outfit, Kacy’s mother fulfilling her daughter for meal and consoling her about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s granny witnessing Whitney’s lawn Connecticut Wedding, I happened to be in pretty bad shape, y’all. Let’s remember Francine coming-out to the woman ultra-glam mommy Yoko, whom right away responded “i enjoy love plenty you,” and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality colleagues for residing their particular reality.
”
I simply genuinely believe that it really is beautiful available all to stand up for the legal rights and fight for just what you truly, undoubtedly rely on,” she says.
Actual, Alive Bisexuality!
Carry out i really like just how Chaiken deals with bisexual figures and storylines? Never. But as a bi me, Im eager for any and all representation of my personal people in the media (Spoiler: still perhaps not a great deal!). At this time, we’ll take the things I get, and that I found it heartening observe Romi with men in the show’s next season, plus the ensuing discussions of how bi/queer/pansexual ladies usually feel excluded through the homosexual area as one. It’s rare i discovered Romi relatable, but We relished this topic that still isn’t mentioned enough.
Claire. Adequate said.
Oh, Claire. She left the woman positively attractive girl Vivian in New York to “begin a lesbian web site” in LA â and shack up with ex Francine (imagine how good that finally any went). She blithely turned down an internship with “But i am a Cheerleader” movie director and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire had been the undeniable
queen.
This season two major user had been because dirty as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque golden-haired shag, and is
exactly
what you want actually television. Do not get myself completely wrong, I happened to be a fan of the quieter minutes in “the actual L term,” but Claire brought the absolute dramz, and I ended up being right here because of it. (Also, I spent my youth not not even close to her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Actually The Manner In Which We Live
Bringing it to “The L term” motif song we adored: There nonetheless are not lots of shows, motion pictures, etc. about queer women
present
(talking, laughing, enjoying, inhaling, etc.). Even though I became sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement member methods, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining as well significant too fast and reading the millionth variation of “what exactly’s with you and so-and-so,” we relished spending some time with queer feamales in various stages of the life, just figuring things . I can not say We miss out the days when unscripted shows reigned over the airwaves, but “the true L keyword” was really worth viewing, not just for all the club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), but also for the major lady-loving lesbian power.
Bonus: no body dies in a swimming pool.