Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I happened to be aware of “The Real L keyword,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off for the reveal that identified a generation of us in one single means or another. At the time the tv show aired, I becamen’t interested. It had nothing at all to do with my assertion of my personal bisexual identity and every thing to do with the reality that I happened to be nonetheless pissed at Chaiken for performing
my personal girl Jenny Schecter
thus very, extremely incorrect within the period finale on the original “The L Word.”
Fast forward a decade whenever the homosexual stars lined up for me personally and that I found my self bingeing all three conditions in one single week. A lot of factors contributed to this unconscious choice. One: I found myself in the home stretching of edits for my personal next queer YA novel out in 2021 and that I anxiously needed brain chocolate. Two: Showtime hit upwards my email with a 30-day free trial, fundamentally when it comes down to new season of “Billions,” a show i’ve never ever seen. Three: Really, I Happened To Be interested.
Back in the day, I was a dedicated enthusiast of “The Hills,” MTV’s thoroughly absurd, thoroughly addictive reality drama about quite, hetero 20-somethings staying in LA. “the actual L Word” held exactly the same sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism â best possible way, method,
method
gayer â plus with more dogs and, beginning in period two, a tremendously adorable kitty. Certain, absolutely mess: fake drama which is plainly staged by manufacturers, many real yelling in really packed clubs, and really, Romi. Nevertheless, “the true L keyword” had a lot of good things that held myself viewing till the conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s large homosexual marriage, immediately Googling just what everyone’s to today, and after my faves on Insta (
hi, Kacy!
) â not to mention dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to
that snappy theme tune
. Here is what we unexpectedly adored:
Solid Coupling
Jill and Nikki tend to be adorable while they squabble over a chandelier and planning a marriage that wasn’t legal during the time but ended up being very important to all of them on a personal degree. Kacy and Cori hold on to the idea of a child just who might not appear, while never wavering within really love and assistance for 1 another. Tracy and Stamie learn how to balance work, sex, additionally the proper care of three lovable young ones â among who had special requirements. I carefully cherished the storylines of the three couples navigating lesbian existence in a straight globe collectively. (and that I was securely Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing ended up being hazardous!)
Sweet Smashing
At the outset of period three, I happened to ben’t sure the way I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of doing polyamory wasn’t precisely fair to the woman lover, Allie. When Kiyomi found enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all wagers happened to be down. If they kissed from the grass, it had been lovable. If they shyly gazed at one another and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. Once Lauren could not avoid Kiyomi’s home of the latest York City for one even more minute? Cutest.
Times With Mothers
Hunt, we’re in
quarantine
and I also skip my
mommy
. This might describe precisely why it rained on my personal face anytime an enjoying mummy figure showed up. Whether or not it was Jill yelling happily when the woman mom made a shock visit to assist the girl choose a wedding dress, Kacy’s mama satisfying her daughter for meal and consoling her about child Charlie, or Whitney’s grandma witnessing Whitney’s backyard Connecticut event, I happened to be chaos, y’all. Let us not forget Francine coming-out to her ultra-glam mother Yoko, exactly who instantly responded “I love love so much you,” and Sadjah’s mom Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their unique reality.
”
I recently think that it is stunning available all to face up for your liberties and battle for what you truly, certainly have confidence in,” she claims.
Actual, Alive Bisexuality!
Carry out I favor how Chaiken deals with bisexual characters and storylines? Not always. But as a bi my self, Im eager for almost any and all sorts of representation of my people in the mass media (Spoiler: nevertheless not lots!). At this time, I’ll take everything I will get, and I also found it heartening observe Romi with men inside program’s third season, as well as the causing talks of just how bi/queer/pansexual women usually feel omitted through the gay society in general. It’s uncommon i came across Romi relatable, but We relished this subject that ‘s stilln’t discussed adequate.
Claire. Adequate mentioned.
Oh, Claire. She remaining the woman definitely gorgeous sweetheart Vivian in nyc to “begin a lesbian web site” in Los Angeles â and shack with ex Francine (estimate how good that finally any went). She blithely turned down an internship with “But i am a Cheerleader” director and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in clubs. Claire was actually the undeniable
queen.
This year two main member had been as dirty as the woman â80s rock and roll star-esque blonde shag, that is
precisely
what you need in reality TV. Don’t get myself incorrect, I happened to be a fan of the quieter minutes in “the true L term,” but Claire delivered the sheer dramz, and I also had been here for this. (additionally, I was raised perhaps not definately not her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for fellow weirdo Midwesterners!)
This Is Basically The Method In Which We Live
Bringing it back into “The L keyword” motif track everyone liked: There however are not a lot of shows, films, etc. about queer females
present
(speaking, chuckling, enjoying, breathing, etc.). Even when I became sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement player ways, Sajdah and Chanel acquiring also major too fast and reading the millionth variation of “just what’s up with both you and so-and-so,” I relished hanging out with queer feamales in various phases of their physical lives, just figuring situations away. I can not state I miss the days whenever unscripted shows ruled the airwaves, but “the true L term” was worth enjoying, not only when it comes down to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), but also for the top lady-loving lesbian energy.
Bonus: nobody dies in a swimming pool.