The S Word

Solidarity! (The word is solidarity. Or strike. Or both!) As with past writer’s strikes, I’m all-in with Team Writers, duh. I’ll never be even remotely in with Team Corporate Profits. Like, I’m the person rooting for the killer whales to bring about the end of Late Stage Capitalism. (Go, Orcas, go!) It’s been fun to watch all the famous folks stopping by the show their solidarity with the writers (well, if serious labor disputes with greedy corporate overlords who don’t want to share in the profits with the very people who create the profits through their work and creativity can be called fun… Don’t get me started).

Last month,, “Abbott Elementary” writer and queer filmmaker Brittani Nichols shared photos of “The L Word” strike day. And, lemme tell ya, their signs did NOT disappoint. Joining the picket line were Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig, Rosanny Zayas, Jillian Mercado, Leo Sheng, Stephanie Allynne and THEE Ilene Chaiken. Yes, and I even loved Ilene’s sign.

As much as we love to hate it, it was the true end of an era to see TLW:GQ be amongst the many, many Cancel Your Gays victims this season — though, huzzah for the maybe??? return of “Warrior Nun,” maybe?. I don’t have similar hopes for the reboot (a reboot of a reboot, yeah, probably not for another 10 years when they could do a “Golden Girls”-style reboot). But it’s still nice to see them bring the lesbian strike appropriate word play and those old L feelings back. Shane on you, indeed.

Pre-L: Lapse in Judgment

Let’s do the minor time jumps again. Like, you know, by two weeks. Sorry for that little Rocky Horror innuendo, I was just preparing you for your final episode of the first season of “The L Word: Generation Q.” I will say I have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of this show this season. Though, I hate to say it but the finale is a little uneven. Especially the first half. They tried to stuff a whole lotta lot into it. Like a lot. So much. And over the span of what I think is only three days in the show’s universe. Like I said, a lot. But this episode also has moments of profound grace and intoxicating warmth that, well, dammit if they don’t feel almost sublime. And it circles back nicely to touchpoints from the near and more distant past because in this L Word universe continuity is actually a thing. At least, you know, that’s how I saw it. And now onto the final Pre-L of the season. I will miss them, that’s for sure.

1) Meet the press.


2) Did I tell you how there used to be watch parties at lesbians bars about our show? No, really, big parties. Huge.


3) Don’t you hate it when the hors d’oeuvres pass you by.


4) When you have flashbacks to Election Night 2016.


5) Nobody regrets buying a full-body pillow is all I’m saying.


6) Lesbians Can’t Sit in Chairs, Part II.


7) Lesbians Sitting, But Not in Chairs, Part I.


8) I’m not aboard the Sinley Train. But, you know, y’all do y’all.


9) How gay is it to admit that I own this exact bra, but in gray?


10) Cute boys, cute boys, whatcha gonna do. Whatcha gonna do when this episode comes for you.


11) When you think it’s Postmates, but it’s your ex instead.


12) Me every single time I read the news.


13) Roxane – and I cannot emphasize this enough – Gay!


14) Dammit, does no one screen the audience members?


15) The hostess is all of us being proud of Bette’s new positive life choices. And that dress.


16) Lesbians Sitting, But Not in Chairs, Part II.


17) Lesbian’s best friend.

Pre-L: Lose It All

*clears throat*

*rips shirt*

*musters best Stanley Kowalski energy*

TINA! TINAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Well, now, that was unexpected. And, now I see why they didn’t release last weekend’s screeners. I must say, so far “The L Word: Generation Q” has walked a tricky line between providing fan service and advancing these character’s storylines pretty darn well.

And I must also admit that my little gay heart defintely skipped a beat when Tina Kennard showed up on Bette’s doorstep right when she needed her most. And, I will further admit that that same heart filled white Tibette shipper love seeing Bette and Tina and Angie all snuggled in bed together.



Dammit, nostalgia is a hell of a drug.

But now, onward. With just two episodes left we shall see how everything shakes out. Though, speaking of news that’s good for one’s heart, it is especially great news to hear that TLW:GQ got picked up for an even longer 10-episode second season. More gay ladies being gay together, making good gay decisions, making bad gay decisions and generally just living their super duper gay lives on television is pretty much always a good thing.



And with that, onto the Pre-L. Can you believe there is only more after this? Yep, just one more.



1) Gonna wash those wedding doubts right outta your hair.


2) Sobbing in the hallway outside a hospital room? Dude, too soon. TOO SOON.


3) For the last time, I’m sorry about that whole tractor/sign fiasco.


4) The first time Shane has ever been confused by female sexual organs.


5) When you realize you’re in a thrupple with your current girlfriend’s ex-wife.


6) More reasons to not trust your parents with smartphones.


7) Look, if this whole mayor thing doesn’t work out, Bette could still star in her own cooking show called “Porter’s House.”


8) Isn’t it pretty to think so?


9) Further proof lesbians have no idea how to sit in chairs.


10) Do you think Jennifer will like my tribute to “Flashdance?”


11) Not the ex-wives I was hoping to find in bed, but whatever.


12) Do either of you still have Tasha’s number?


13) Come on, did Dawn Denbo write this campaign ad?


14) Of course Alpha Bette & Alpha Bette Jr. drink their whisky neat. Of course.


15) Big kiss off to you!

Pre-L: Labels

And we’re back. This is my last sceeners for the time being, so we’ll see if the last three are released. Big gay fingers crossed. Speaking of big gay thing, this episode is filled with big gay drama. So may exes! So many vices! All these bad choices! Oh, show, how we missed your lesbian drama. Per usual, spoilery and possibly NSFWy. And, proceed.

1) When you’re pretty sure the baby isn’t yours.


2) When your whole relationship hinges on where each partner falls on the idea of cake for breakfast.


3) When you’re running for mayor but still get stuck in the carpool lane.


4) Everyone Hates Talking on the Phone, Part I.


5) When your wedding is being ruined by Late Stage Capitalism.


6) Everyone Hates Talking on the Phone, Part II.


7) I’m legit still not sure if this is a shared couch.


8) Bette Porter driving a Tesla is the most Bette Porter move ever.


9) Dammit, now I have to learn how to spell thrupple.


10) Cue “Everybody Hurts” and sway gently to the intergenerational bonding.


11) Look, we have to both believe we can grow past our self-destructive tendencies and find committed, lasting happiness.


12) When you see those same self-destructive tendencies rearing up in others.


13) Uncle Shane knows best.


14) The bad decisions are coming from inside the bar.


15) Everyone Hates Talking on the Phone, Part III.