I was putting the finishing touches on this article when I heard that the L Word was being cancelled. I’d liked the series—most of my ideas about how to improve the show involved introducing more diversity. I wanted to see some working class issues explored. I wanted at least one character that was not super-skinny, and I would have appreciated the presence and discussion of some body issues. What I wanted most, though, was a real butch character—big and strong, with short hair and an attitude. I wanted a shot of reality thrown into the mix. My original article was academic—respectable for sure, but not that much fun.
When I heard that the show would only be coming back for eight more episodes, suddenly all of my opinions became irrelevant. I am sure the producers know exactly what is going to happen in the last season; they are probably already shooting. So even if my ideas had been good, any changes I suggested would now be pointless.
I was upset for about a minute and then I thought, well, why don’t I do a tribute to the show? After all, the airing of this series was an historical event—it was the first show of its kind. So I started thinking about what made the L Word so remarkable and groundbreaking. Was it a glimpse into lesbian reality? Yes. Did it relaunch actresses’ careers? Yes. Did it show powerful women and shatter stereotypes? Sure did.
But what was really arresting about the show? What kept gay (and straight) people tuning in for the last five years? Then it hit me. It’s the sex. It’s women fucking other women on TV. It’s women doing things to each other onscreen—things that I do and have had done to me. Of course, the show is amazing on many levels, but for me and everyone else I know, it was the sex that kept us gripped to our seats.
So, screw the theoretical deconstruction of the show. I want to celebrate all the juicy, hot sex the gals have given us over the years. In my last tribute to the L Word, I humbly give you my Top Three Sex Scenes of All Time (and one sex scene I wish they would have done!).
