Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer girl, I was aware of “the true L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off from the demonstrate that defined a generation of us within one means or any other. During the time the program aired, I wasn’t curious. It had nothing in connection with my personal assertion of my bisexual identification and everything regarding the fact I became nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for carrying out
my girl Jenny Schecter
therefore extremely, really incorrect in the season finale of this original “The L term.”
Fast onward a decade after gay performers aimed for me and I also found myself personally bingeing all three months in one single few days. Lots of aspects added to this unconscious decision. One: I was in the home stretch of edits for my second queer YA novel in 2021 and I also seriously required mind candy. Two: Showtime hit upwards my inbox with a 30-day free trial, evidently for the year of “Billions,” a show You will find never ever watched. Three: Well, I Became curious.
Back in the day, I happened to be a dedicated follower of “The Hills,” MTV’s thoroughly ridiculous, entirely addicting fact crisis about fairly, hetero 20-somethings staying in LA. “The Real L Word” possessed exactly the same sun-drenched, sugary feeling of escapism â only way, means,
way
gayer â plus with more canines and, beginning in period two, a very adorable kitty. Yes, there is mess: artificial drama that is demonstrably staged by producers, countless real screaming in really packed clubs, and really, Romi. Nevertheless, “the true L Word” had most nutrients that kept myself seeing till ab muscles end of Whitney and Sara’s huge gay wedding, instantly Googling exactly what everybody’s to nowadays, and following my personal faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â as well as dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to
that catchy motif tune
. This is what we unexpectedly adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki are adorable because they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a wedding that wasn’t appropriate during the time but ended up being essential for them on an individual level. Kacy and Cori keep the idea of a baby which might or might not appear, while never ever wavering inside their really love and help for 1 another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to stabilize work, intercourse, as well as the care of three adorable young ones â certainly one of whom had unique needs. We completely enjoyed the storylines of those three partners navigating lesbian existence in a straight world with each other. (And I was actually securely group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was unsafe!)
Sweet Crushing
At the start of period three, I happened to ben’t yes the way I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose method of practicing polyamory was not exactly fair to the woman lover, Allie. When Kiyomi found enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all bets happened to be off. Whenever they kissed on grass, it had been cute. Whenever they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. Once Lauren couldn’t steer clear of Kiyomi’s house of brand new York City for example even more min? Cutest.
Times With Moms
Look, we’re in
quarantine
and that I neglect my personal
mommy
. This may clarify why it rained-on my face each time a warm mother figure showed up. Whether or not it was actually Jill yelling joyfully when the woman mom made a shock day at help their choose a marriage outfit, Kacy’s mommy fulfilling the woman child for lunch and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s lawn Connecticut Wedding, I found myself a mess, y’all. Why don’t we keep in mind Francine coming out to her ultra-glam mom Yoko, which instantly reacted “i really like love much you,” and Sadjah’s mommy Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for living their fact.
”
I just believe that it really is gorgeous individually all to stand right up for your liberties and fight for what you really, undoubtedly rely on,” she states.
Genuine, Live Bisexuality!
Do Everyone loves the way in which Chaiken handles bisexual figures and storylines? Not always. But as a bi myself personally, i’m starving for any and all sorts of representation of my folks in the mass media (Spoiler: nonetheless maybe not much!). Nowadays, we’ll get what I may, and I also think it is heartening to see Romi with boyfriends in the tv show’s 3rd period, plus the causing discussions of just how bi/queer/pansexual females usually believe omitted from homosexual neighborhood all together. It really is rare i came across Romi relatable, but We relished this type of topic that still isn’t talked about enough.
Claire. Adequate stated.
Oh, Claire. She left the woman positively attractive girlfriend Vivian in nyc to “start a lesbian website” in Los Angeles â and shack with ex Francine (guess how well that last any moved). She blithely refused an internship with “But I’m a Cheerleader” director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in groups. Claire was the undisputed
queen.
This season two primary user ended up being as messy as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque golden-haired shag, which will be
just
what you want the truth is TV. Aren’t getting me wrong, I was keen on the quieter moments in “The Real L Word,” but Claire introduced the pure dramz, and I ended up being right here because of it. (In addition, we grew up perhaps not definately not the woman hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is The Manner In Which We Live
Bringing it back to “The L term” motif track most of us appreciated: There nevertheless are not many shows, films, etc. about queer ladies
current
(chatting, laughing, enjoying, breathing, etc.). Even if I was sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement player means, Sajdah and Chanel getting too major too fast and reading the millionth variation of “just what’s with you and so-and-so,” I relished spending time with queer women in numerous stages regarding everyday lives, only figuring situations away. I can’t say We skip the days whenever unscripted programs controlled the airwaves, but “the true L term” ended up being well worth enjoying, not just your club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), however for the major lady-loving lesbian energy.
Bonus: not one person dies in a swimming pool.