Oh boy, we are at it again with The L Word! This revival series, Gen Q, is attempting to fix some of The L Word’s tragic mistakes from the past. It starts off well — the Q in Gen Q is for queer, so already we have some more awareness on the show.
This season does go a long way to address more inclusion but still lacks accurate bi representation. SPOILER alert ahead! If you want to know more about how the Unicorn Scale works, here's a quick reminder.
What I Liked:
Wow! Talk about a complete 180 from the original show. As a blooming bi in the early 2000s, The L Word (2004-2009) was an essential part of my sexual awakening. However, the show was notoriously transphobic, biphobic, and Oi Vey with that opening song! But we all still loved it for its sizzling girl-on-girl action and campy hilarity.
Gen Q goes a long way to address these mistakes of the past. First, bisexuality is not bashed on this season as it was in the original, and thank God for that. While no one actually uses the term bisexual or pansexual, we see a way more compassionate and understanding Alice (Leisha Hailey) — the token bi of the previous L Word. In fact, Alice even dips her toe into the world of polyamory. The L Word indeed has changed.
It is also worth mentioning that Gen Q has improved a lot of its representation. There are now four trans characters and actors — Leo Sheng, Brian Michael Smith, Jamie Clayton, and Sophie Giannamore — each playing fleshed-out and multidimensional characters. That was a huge problem in the first series. The sole trans character of the original, Max, boiled down to a very sad trope. Furthermore, we have a much better representation of women of color with fabulous actresses Jillian Mercado, Jordan Hull, Lex Scott Davis, Rosanny Zayas, and Arienne Mandi. And, of course, we can always rely on The L Word for some spicy sex scenes between these lovely women. That was one of my favorite parts of this season. The sex scenes felt really intimate and true to life. There’s even a mind-blowing threesome scene that is guaranteed to delight.
The L Word stays true to its roots in the sense we still get high drama and those location shots of L.A. It’s wildly fun revisiting the characters of the past. Shane is still up to her old tricks, guaranteed to entertain. Alice is living her dreams as a talk show host and is happily partnered with the gorgeous Nat. And, of course, Bette brings it with her sizzling top energy. It’s a delightful revisit.
What I Didn't Like:
Argh, what do we have to do to get some bi representation on L Word already?! Gen Q doesn’t use the word bisexual. It’s a little frustrating, but perhaps next season, there will be some hope! They are showing promise with this vast cast of characters, and we may have some more bi conversations yet.
Unfortunately, Gen Q doesn’t address the previous series' penchant for infidelity and unhealthy relationships. In fact, it continues it. Maybe this is due to the dramatic nature of the show, but we have two love triangles in one season and a ton of miscommunication between these characters. The series starts giving us the hope that the former L Word characters have made some significant growth but devolves rapidly into chaos by the end of the season.
Stylistically, while the production value of this revival is so much higher, the writing leaves something to be desired. The campiness, and with it the trademark absurdity of the original series, is gone. The show feels very modern with the problems many current shows face — it looks almost too perfect, too polished. Gen Q also faces narrative problems. The story isn’t consistent. There are long stretches where nothing noteworthy happens, and then three huge shifts will happen in one episode. There is a lack of smooth narrative flow. This culminates in a maddening series finale. I won’t get into too much detail here but good God, take a deep breath and mentally prepare.
The Rating:
All in all, The L Word: Gen Q gets three unicorns. There is some great growth in this revival, and it delivers important queer content. The show still has its problems, but all in all, it’s worth a watch. Catching up with our old favorite characters and the still-steamy sex scenes make this series a fun revisit. If you’re planning to watch or have already watched The L Word: Gen Q, I recommend the podcast “To L and Back.” This autostraddle podcast recaps each episode of the L Word, including Gen Q. It even brings two Gen Z representatives to share their perspectives. It is a great way to celebrate — and lament — the new show.
What’s holding me back from granting that last unicorn? The lack of bi-representation! Sure, we still get the lovable Alice, but not a whisper is uttered regarding her bisexuality. And the finale, which you will see, is enough to make anyone want to pull their hair out.
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