Building Bridges

A true crime thriller with Lily Gladstone, Riley Keough and Archie Panjabi? Yeah, I’m gonna be watching that. Based on a real 1997 disappearance and death of a Canadian high school student, the trailer is taut and leans into the “Mean Girls: The Murderers” premise. Reminds me a little of “Thirteen,” but again with more murder.

My Weekend Crush

[Click to Embiggen the Queer Ladies Saying GTFO]

I’ve decided that my aesthetic for 2017 is going to be Queer Women Calmly Dismissing Dudes Who Can’t Take a Fucking Hint. Like, ladies, we have all been there. We have all endured this exact same situation. We have all been interrupted when we are just trying to enjoy each other’s company. Yes, all queer women. In fact, all women – period. But you know what, in this Grab ‘Em By The Pussy Age we have to be even more resolute in standing our ground. Men who are not invited into our spaces need to get the fuck out. So, dudes, you are officially on notice. Speak when spoken to. Interject when invited. But do not assume your presence is exactly what’s missing whenever a woman, two women, a group of women are sitting somewhere. Because, in fact, in almost every instance the exact opposite it true. Yes, dudes. Really. Happy weekend, all – but especially all you ladies.

Gender Fuck Thursday

Does the real fear of our country falling under the neo-fascist rule of a racist, sexist short-fingered vulgarian got you down? Then how about some beautiful women of color in black-and-white to cheer you up? Oh, also they’re in various forms of so-called menswear. Why? Because irony is damn beautiful. You’re welcome, America. Now get the hell out there and vote. Oh, and Ted Cruz is just as bad. Shudder.

Viola Davis

Still catching up on HTGAWM Season 2. Question: Does it get gayer?

Gina Rodriguez

She is so damn delightful and I feel so damn guilty for being so damn behind on “Jane the Virgin.”

Janelle Monae

Every time I see Janelle in a suit my heart grows three sizes.

Archie Panjabi

I’m so excited Archie is finally getting her own series.

Angela Bassett

I don’t know why Angela keeps showing up in “American Horror Story,” since she is always so terribly underused. But bless her for continuing to do her very damn best with what she is given.

Lucy Liu

“Elementary” continues to be wonderful. That is all.

Zendaya

I think I am too old to fully understand who Zendaya is.

Janet Jackson

We should all follow Janet’s lead and sip copious amounts of tea throughout this entire insane election cycle.

Another Good Fall

That sound you heard yesterday morning? Just me squealing with delight at the news that I’ll be able to (professionally) stare at Gillian Anderson’s beautiful face for hours on ends again thanks to “The Fall” being renewed for a third season. Those in the know know that the BBC series is one of the most unapologetically feminist shows on television. Gillian’s DSI Stella Gibson is complex in the ways real women are complex yet also allowed to be smart, sexual and give zero shits about what anyone else thinks in a way real – and fictional – women often aren’t. Naturally, I’m curious where the series will go now that Stella (spoiler alert) quite literally has her man in her damn lap. And, clearly, I’m anxious to see if Dr. Reed Smith finally gets on the damn elevator. But mostly I’m just excited to have such a good show with such a great female character back on my television.

So here’s to more unwavering feminism…


…undeniable sexual chemistry…


…and general Stella Gibson badassery for another season.


p.s. If you haven’t watched, and want to know a little what it’s all about you can cruise over and check out my The Fall Recaps over at AfterEllen for the past season. Both seasons are currently streaming on Netflix so, you know, get on that.

Falling Up

Finally, the wait is (maybe, possibly) over. The return date for “The Fall” has been announced by BBC One, which means we get to see more of Gillian Anderson being absolutely amazing. Well, we will once Netflix picks it up for streaming, at least (grumble, kicks rocks, British get everything first, grumbles). Those who watched the first season are no doubt ready for more of this cat-and-mouse detective v. serial killer series. Those who did not watch should catch up because it was only five episodes and what are you waiting for already?

Besides starring the luminous (but seriously, how has she gotten even more beautiful with age?) Gillian as the dogged detective, the series also features Archie Panjabi as a medical examiner and Niamh McGrady as a lesbian police constable. So many wonderful female roles – and also that dude who is going to be in “Fifty Shades of Grey.” It is hard to tell much about the second season from the very short trailer, but they are definitely playing up the sexual menace. I’m rather meh on that aspect. But hopefully that is just a way to lure in the BDSM-lite lovers who want to see what else Christian Grey has been up to.

Next Fall

One of the worst things about being so emotionally invested in television is the waiting. Waiting for a good show. Waiting for that thing you’ve been waiting for to happen to actually happen. Waiting for that good show to come back so more stuff you’ve been waiting for to happen can happen. And, in the advent of binge watching (does anyone call it marathoning anymore, or is that too early 2000s?), the waiting gets even more excruciating because you can watch a whole season in one damn day and then have to wait 365 more to see a new one. (OBNOXIOUS FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS, I KNOW.) Anyway, this long string of words about waiting is really just a long-winded way of saying, damn, am I excited to wait for new episodes of “The Fall” is almost over.

The crime drama was as methodical as it was riveting. It’s hard to do both, but this series managed its slow burn in such a way it was impossible to look away. Also, it doesn’t hurt that Gillian Anderson is everything you want in a female character – smart, complex, gorgeous. And then there’s Archie Panjabi, too. So we have two smart women sharing the screen doing smart things together on screen. Also, there’s this little (totally unconfirmed and probably untrue) rumor that Gillian’s police investigator Stella and Archie’s medical pathologist have a “sexual encounter” in the second season. Again, THIS IS PROBABLY NOT TRUE. In fact it is probably just a wishful lie someone made up in a fever dreams. But, goodness, what a dream.

Anyway, I would imagine there will be a lot more attention paid to the return of “The Fall” because of the presence of Jamie Dornan and his involvement in “Fifty Shades of Isn’t It Nice Being a Lesbian So We Don’t Have To Care About This Grey.” Which, I have to say, is a good thing. Because this cat-and-mouse serial killer drama is worth it. Plus, can you really blame the guy? Haven’t we all not-so-secretly wanted to watch Gillian sleep? OK, in a slightly less creepy way, hopefully.



p.s. Yes! The cute lesbian cop! How could I forget her. Seriously, watch this show.

Tank Top Kalinda

Hello, hello. I was going to wrassle up some lovely ladies in tank tops for my extremely, extremely late posting today (I just can’t party all weekend like I used to, kittens). But instead I stumbled upon one Kalinda Sharma in a tank top and had to write about it instead. TVline.com has an exclusive clip of Kalinda and someone I will call and old friend together in the finale tonight. The clip won’t embed, but be aware that it is VERY SPOILERY. In fact, everthing that follows from here on out in this post is VERY SPOILERY. So, you’ve been warned.

[CLICK TO WATCH THE CLIP AND THEN COME BACK QUICKLY TO CHAT]

Right, so, first things first. That was hot. Also a) Kalinda needs to wear less high-necked tops and show those girls off more because daaaayum and b) I would watch an entire hour of nothing but Archie Panjabi kissing women’s backs – I really would.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a regular “The Good Wife” watcher, which I know I should probably be because it’s a quality grown-up show. So here are a few of my more-than-likely ill-informed thoughts on the matter.

First, while I will take my primetimes hook-ups between female characters on American television almost any way I can get them, I’m always a little disappointed when they’re part of some sort of downward trajectory/shame spiral/reckless period for a character. The perfect example of this is when Thirteen on “House” had her hooking up with hotties phase (when she was also clubbing and drugging, for an episode). Was it hot? Yes. Was there a built-in even if not explicitly intended message that sleeping around with women is reckless. Yes. And given Kalinda’s current fallout with Alicia, I would say she at very least isn’t in the best place emotionally. But, again, I could be off base on this.

Second, I am glad to see however that the realization that she is having yet another affair and potentially hurting another relationship is sinking in. So that seems like growth. And it also suggests that had the lady with the bed head been single, none of this would be a problem and many, many more back kisses would be happening.

“The Good Wife” is a rich and textured show, and I appreciate the slow burn they’ve done while revealing Kalinda’s sexuality. And I also appreciate that as a bisexual character the liking ladies part of her personality isn’t just told in stories about her past or random dangerous hook-ups, as they have mostly with Thirteen.

Man, I wish Jill Flint wasn’t on “Royal Pains” so they could bring Lana back. Now that was some smoking, available, shame-free hotness right there. And, I am not kidding, I could watch Archie kiss women’s backs forever.

The Good Detective

Kalinda, Kalinda, Kalinda. She has been a naughty girl, hasn’t she? I’m not a regular “The Good Wife” watcher, this I freely admit. But I have caught it on occasion and I do try to keep up with the exploits of my favorite international woman of mystery/baseball bat wielder/sexy boot strutter, Kalinda Sharma. News came earlier this week that Kalinda may be headed for a brief flirtation with a female nurse (played by former “Women’s Murder Club” and Angie Harmon co-star Aubrey Dollar). So, then, by my informal count that would be three lady conquests on her books so far. That’s not Shane speed, but it’s not bad either.

Kalinda’s private life has been just that, private on purpose. She’s secretive to a fault and the guessing game was a bit of the fun at first. Is she, isn’t she? She controlled its release like a slow-drip coffee filter. Of course now with recent developments, it looks like information is threatening to foam out like an overactive espresso machine instead. (Yes, I realize I’m taking this coffee metaphor too far. It’s early. I need some.) Granted this current Big-shell (See what I did there? No, seriously, I need coffee) has nothing to do with her past same-sexual relations. But I do like that the series doesn’t seem to be just dropping Kalinda’s complex sexuality now that new meaty subplot has arisen. From my limited exposure, the show seems to be doing a good job portraying her bisexuality as not just something titillating to draw in ratings. Nor are her relationships props to attract male attention. Sure, she’s also using them for information, silence, whathaveyou. But she kind of uses everyone for information, silence, whathaveyou. So they’re consistent.

And, heavens, is it sexy. Archie Panjabi can wear the hell out of stiletto leather boot. She’s a mix of restraint and aggression, all carefully controlled bold moves. Yum. Whether it’s the big-time FBI lady Lana or broken-hearted ex Donna, her chemistry is pretty potent with female co-stars. And, again, by “potent” I mean “sexy as hell.”

Kalinda, Kalinda, Kalinda. How come I never get job offers that last one?

p.s. Though, here’s a tip. If you’re YouTubing for more of the lovely Ms. Panjabi kissing the ladies, don’t make my mistake and watch her full appearance in the British series “Personal Affairs.” Yes, she has an affair with a woman. But don’t get sucked into the whole story like I did last night, causing me to need coffee. Spoiler Alert: Things don’t end well. Just watch the kiss and call it a day. Trust me.
p.p.s. Did you notice the blonde with her arms crossed? Yeah, that’s our Frankie. All roads, fictitious or otherwise, really do lead to Rome. And by “Rome,” of course, I mean “lesbianism.”

My Weekend Crush

I don’t watch “The Good Wife” on a regular basis. I’m more about watching the front end of the law (crime procedurals) than the back end (legal dramas). But I have caught the show on occasion and marveled at the cool, calm and calculating customer that is Kalinda. Those knee-high boots, those mini skirts, those leather jackets. Yum. Her mystery and sexual ambiguity only adds to her allure. Is she, isn’t she? Well, after this week I’d say she definitely is. Also, let’s be honest, that kiss was fucking hot.

The revelations about her past with Donna (played by my eternal favorite Lili “Joe Lies” Taylor) pealed back an interesting layer to the Kalinda mystique to show us something we’ve almost never seen on her. Panic. Beneath those immaculately arched eyebrows flashed panic at revealing something, losing control. Fascinating stuff. And it was all expertly played by Archie Panjabi, who should have a hell of an Emmy clip reel to submit while going for the repeat. It’s not often you see someone who can be elegant, inscrutable and bad-ass all at once. But she pulls it off with style to spare. Just whatever you do, don’t let her near your car. Happy weekend, all.