Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I found myself aware of «The Real L keyword,» Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off on the demonstrate that defined a generation people in one means or some other. At that time the tv series broadcast, I happened to ben’t interested. It had nothing at all to do with my personal denial of my bisexual identity and every little thing to do with the fact that I found myself still pissed at Chaiken for doing


my personal girl Jenny Schecter


therefore very, extremely completely wrong in the period finale from the initial «The L term.»

Fast forward 10 years if the homosexual movie stars aligned in my situation and I discovered myself bingeing all three periods in a single week. Many elements added to the unconscious choice. One: I happened to be in the home stretching of edits for my personal second queer YA book in 2021 and that I anxiously needed brain candy. Two: Showtime struck up my inbox with a 30-day free trial offer, fundamentally for the new season of «massive amounts,» a show You will find never ever observed. Three: Really, I Happened To Be interested.

Back in the day, I found myself a devoted follower of «The Hills,» MTV’s utterly ridiculous, thoroughly addictive fact crisis about rather, hetero 20-somethings living in LA. «the true L term» had the same sun-drenched, sweet sense of escapism — best way, means,



method



gayer — plus with additional canines and, beginning in period two, a really adorable kitty. Sure, there is mess: artificial crisis that’s obviously staged by producers, plenty of very real shouting in extremely packed organizations, and well, Romi. Nevertheless, «the true L keyword» had a lot of good things that kept me watching till the end of Whitney and Sara’s big gay wedding, instantly Googling what everyone’s up to today, and soon after my faves on Insta (


hi, Kacy!


) — not forgetting dorkily moving around my apartment to


that catchy theme tune


. This is what I unexpectedly adored:

Good Coupling

Jill and Nikki tend to be lovable while they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a wedding that has beenn’t appropriate during the time but ended up being important for them on your own amount. Kacy and Cori retain the concept of a child exactly who may appear, while never ever wavering within really love and 3somer support for 1 another. Tracy and Stamie figure out how to stabilize work, gender, therefore the proper care of three adorable kids — certainly who had unique needs. I completely adored the storylines of these three couples navigating lesbian existence in a straight globe with each other. (and that I ended up being securely group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually hazardous!)

Pretty Smashing

At the outset of season three, I wasn’t sure the way I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose way of practicing polyamory was not precisely fair to her companion, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all wagers happened to be off. Once they kissed in the garden, it actually was sexy. When they shyly gazed at the other person and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. When Lauren cannot steer clear of Kiyomi’s house of New York City for starters a lot more moment? Cutest.

Minutes With Mothers

Hunt, we’re in
quarantine
and I skip my
mommy
. This could clarify exactly why it rained-on my face every time an enjoying mama figure came out. Whether or not it had been Jill yelling gladly when the woman mommy made a surprise day at assist their pick a marriage dress, Kacy’s mom satisfying the woman child for meal and consoling the woman about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s garden Connecticut Wedding, I found myself in pretty bad shape, y’all. Let’s keep in mind Francine coming out to her ultra-glam mom Yoko, exactly who straight away reacted «I love love plenty you,» and Sadjah’s mom Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their particular truth.


»


I just believe it’s stunning for your needs all to face upwards for the liberties and battle for just what you truly, certainly trust,» she says.

Genuine, Real Time Bisexuality!

Would I favor ways Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Not always. But as a bi myself personally, i’m starving for any and all sorts of representation of my personal folks in the media (Spoiler: nevertheless maybe not lots!). Nowadays, I’ll take everything I can get, and I also found it heartening to see Romi with boyfriends in the program’s third period, also the causing discussions of how bi/queer/pansexual females often believe excluded from homosexual area as a whole. Its uncommon i discovered Romi relatable, but We relished this topic that ‘s stilln’t discussed adequate.

Claire. Enough said.

Oh, Claire. She remaining the woman definitely attractive girl Vivian in ny to «begin a lesbian website» in LA — and shack up with ex Francine (guess how well that last one went). She blithely turned-down an internship with «But I’m a Cheerleader» manager and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in groups. Claire had been the undisputed



king.



In 2010 two main member had been as unpleasant as her ‘80s rock and roll star-esque gothic shag, and is



exactly



what you need actually TV. Don’t get myself incorrect, I happened to be keen on the quieter times in «the actual L keyword,» but Claire brought the pure dramz, and that I had been right here because of it. (Also, I spent my youth perhaps not far from her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)

This Is The Manner In Which We Live

Bringing it back into «The L Word» motif tune we all appreciated: There however are not countless programs, motion pictures, etc. about queer ladies



existing



(speaking, laughing, loving, inhaling, etc.). Even if I was frustrated with Whitney’s pre-engagement user steps, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining also severe too fast and reading the millionth variation of «so what’s with you and so-and-so,» we relished spending time with queer feamales in numerous stages of the schedules, only figuring circumstances on. I can not say I skip the days when unscripted shows reigned over the airwaves, but «the true L Word» had been worth seeing, not simply when it comes down to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but for the top lady-loving lesbian fuel.

Bonus: No one dies in a swimming pool.