Watch TV with Paul Flynn
FOLLOWERS OF brilliant single-mom sitcom Better Things will have noticed an ongoing storyline whereby straight Sam is wooed by a lesbian colleague. Meanwhile, over in Coronation Street, Tracy Barlow has recently copped off with the hot local sapphic solicitor. In Bombshell, Margot Robbie’s Fox News cub reporter gets wasted and ends up in bed with a closeted workmate. While all riveting, plausible plots in their own right, they add up to a dispiriting collective screen story: that lesbianism is something to be tried on for size.
When the audacious, slick and soapy LA lesbian drama The L Word debuted in 2004, it enjoyed five years trumpeting the message that lesbianism is for life, not something that happens after parties. Its sequel has been smartly named The L Word: Generation Q to keep abreast of the times. Old favourites Bette, now a robust candidate for LA mayoralty, Alice, a snazzy daytime TV show host and Shane, the ultimate rock-star hairdresser who’d slept her way through town, are back, back, back! There is, alas, no Jenny Schecter, for reasons that fans will understand only too well.
There are neat 2020s touches added to the original brilliant premise of a bunch of lesbian friends circumnavigating life, love and friendship. Lizzo bursts out of the soundtrack, pronouns casually extend to ‘they’, the US opioid crisis is invoked and a touch of Goop-speak sneaks in. But they are all handled with unapologetic queerness, staying faithful to true L Word principles.
When Alice is discussing a potential item for a show at a production meeting, she casually reminds her younger researchers, ‘I did vaginal rejuvenation ’04.’ It’s a smart line. Then the killer, ‘Have vaginas changed since then?’ The L Word was always Samesex And The City, without any simpering Charlottes. The introduction of Generation Q comes in the form of housemates Dani and Sophie, plagued by commitment issues to soak up the gay marriage story strand, and Bette’s teen, pot-vaping daughter Angie, who has a blue Billie Eilish fleck in her hair.
As ever, The L Word is flashy, funny and chic. It plays games on itself, weaving stories around the issues of the day without ever thumping them home. So welcome back, you most excellent women. We’ve missed you. Begins Tuesday 4 Feb, 10pm, Sky Atlantic