Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I was aware of „the actual L keyword,“ Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of this show that defined a generation folks in one single method or another. At the time the tv show aired, I found myselfn’t interested. It had nothing in connection with my personal denial of my personal bisexual identification and every little thing to do with that I was still pissed at Chaiken for carrying out


my personal lady Jenny Schecter


thus extremely, very incorrect when you look at the season finale of this original „The L term.“

Quickly ahead a decade once the homosexual movie stars aimed for me and that I found my self bingeing all three times in a single few days. Lots of elements added to this unconscious decision. One: I happened to be at home stretch of edits for my 2nd queer YA novel in 2021 and I seriously required mind candy. Two: Showtime struck upwards my inbox with a 30-day free trial, basically for new season of „Billions,“ a show You will find never ever watched. Three: Really, I Became interesting.

Back in the day, I happened to be a faithful lover of „The Hills,“ MTV’s utterly absurd, entirely addictive reality drama about rather, hetero 20-somethings surviving in Los Angeles. „the actual L phrase“ held equivalent sun-drenched, sweet sense of escapism — best way, means,



means



gayer — plus with increased puppies and, starting in season two, a really lovable kitty. Sure, there’s mess: fake drama which is clearly staged by manufacturers, many real shouting in very congested organizations, and well, Romi. That said, „the actual L term“ had many good things that held me personally viewing till the actual end of Whitney and Sara’s big gay wedding, right away Googling exactly what every person’s up to nowadays, and following my personal faves on Insta (


hi, Kacy!


) — and additionally dorkily dancing around my apartment to


that catchy theme track


. This is what we all of a sudden adored:

Good Coupling

Jill and Nikki tend to be adorable as they squabble over a chandelier and preparing a marriage that wasn’t appropriate at that time but was necessary for all of them on your own degree. Kacy and Cori keep the thought of a baby which might or might not happen, while never wavering within love and support for 1 another. Tracy and Stamie work out how to balance work, intercourse, and the proper care of three lovable kids — certainly whom had special requirements. I thoroughly loved the storylines of those three partners navigating lesbian life in a straight world together. (and that I was actually solidly group Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually dangerous!)

Cute Crushing

At the start of period three, I found myselfn’t yes the way I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of exercising polyamory was not just fair to her companion, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all bets were off. If they kissed from the garden, it actually was lovely. When they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. As soon as Lauren cannot avoid Kiyomi’s house of the latest York City for just one even more moment? Cutest.

Times With Mothers

Have a look, we are in
quarantine
and that I miss my personal
mommy
. This might describe exactly why it rained-on my personal face everytime a loving mama figure appeared. Whether or not it was actually Jill screaming cheerfully whenever the woman mother made a shock visit to assist her select a wedding gown, Kacy’s mother satisfying her child for meal and consoling the woman about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandmother witnessing Whitney’s lawn Connecticut event, I found myself chaos, y’all. Why don’t we not forget Francine coming out to the woman ultra-glam mom Yoko, which straight away responded „i really like love a great deal you,“ and Sadjah’s mommy Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for living their fact.


“


I just believe it’s beautiful individually all to stand upwards for your legal rights and battle for what you really, genuinely trust,“ she claims.

Genuine, Live Bisexuality!

Carry out I love the way Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Never. But as a bi my self, Im eager for any and all representation of my personal people in the news (Spoiler: nonetheless not alot!). Now, we’ll simply take everything I will get, and that I think it is heartening to see Romi with men within the tv series’s third season, in addition to the ensuing talks of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual women usually feel excluded from the homosexual community as one. It’s unusual I found Romi relatable, but I relished this topic that continues to ben’t talked about enough.

Claire. Enough mentioned.

Oh, Claire. She kept her positively gorgeous gf Vivian in New York to „start a lesbian site“ in Los Angeles — and shack up with ex Francine (guess how good that finally any moved). She blithely rejected an internship with „But I’m a Cheerleader“ director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she’d drunkenly scream in clubs. Claire had been the undisputed



queen.



This season two primary user was actually because disorganized as the woman ‘80s rock and roll star-esque golden-haired shag, which is



just



what you want actually TV. Aren’t getting me wrong, I was keen on the quieter times in „The Real L keyword,“ but Claire brought the sheer dramz, and I was right here because of it. (In addition, we was raised perhaps not not even close to her hometown of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)

This Is Basically The Method In Which We Live

Bringing it returning to „The L term“ theme track most of us appreciated: There still aren’t most shows, flicks, etc. about queer females



present



(talking, laughing, loving, breathing, etc.). Even though I found myself sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement player steps, Sajdah and Chanel acquiring as well severe too quickly and hearing the millionth variation of „so what’s with both you and so-and-so,“ I relished hanging out with queer ladies in different stages regarding everyday lives, only figuring situations around. I can’t say We miss the days whenever unscripted programs dominated the airwaves, but „the true L Word“ had been well worth viewing, not just when it comes to club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (bad Somer), but for the major lady-loving lesbian fuel.

Added bonus: no body dies in a pool.