On Sunday, December 22, The L Word: Generation Q aired its third episode: “Lost Love.” While this week’s episode didn’t feel quite as melodramatic as the last, it certainly had its high points and is starting to distinguish itself from the original series.
If there’s one thing that this episode proved, it’s that the writers are desperately trying to make the show current. This week’s episode featured Megan Rapinoe playing herself as a guest on Alice’s talk show, and it made me fangirl almost as much as Sophie and Finley did from behind stage. Rapinoe told her coming out story, and when asked for advice on what she would say to her younger self, she stated: “You’re a big lesbian. It’s wonderful and . . . it gets better. And you get yourself out into the light.” The scene ended with Alice and Megan pronouncing each other their respective celebrity crushes and included a teaser that the two of them would next discuss equal pay in sports and Rapinoe’s partnership with Time’s Up.
While Rapinoe fit in perfectly, I wish the two of them discussed these political issues. But other storylines in this episode covered politics, which makes the show stand out from its predecessor. In the current era of the dying gay bar, Shane buys the space that used to be “The Planet” and decides to turn it back into a lesbian hotspot. In addition, Bette struggles with her political position on education; after Dani points out the hypocrisy in supporting public schools but sending her daughter Angie to private school, Bette decides to enroll Angie in public school. At first, the inclusion of a current political issue felt a little unnatural, especially given that the original series was not especially political. But if any of the characters were going to become woke and powerful, it makes sense that Bette would be the one.
Bette seems to not only have evolved politically, but also grown into her role as a mother. When Angie gets suspended from school after she punches a girl who called Bette a slut, Bette comes in like super mom with an inspirational talk and reminds Angie: “The rules are different for you, and you know that.” This stands in stark contrast to Alice, who on episode two called Shane for emergency parenting help and then let Nat’s son throw up in a Crock-Pot. In this episode in particular, it’s also clear that Alice has not grown as much as Bette. When Nat complains that she doesn’t have any friends since her divorce with Gigi, Alice decides that Nat and Gigi should spend more time together. Oh, Alice. While you and Bette somehow managed to be friends even after dating, it doesn’t always work out that way. After a night watching Bette’s mayoral debate, Gigi and Nat really connect, and Alice is left out of the conversation completely.
Other storylines in this episode progressed quite nicely, though some of them erred on the side of being too stereotypical. For example, Finley is struggling to reconcile her Catholic religion with her sexuality, and while that is a reality for many people, it’s a storyline that has often been used in the media to fuel the misconception that people of faith do not accept LGBTQ people. But part of what makes this storyline unique is that when Finley finally goes to church, she realizes she’s already slept with the priest! With that said, the show is making strides towards differentiating itself from the original, and I’m excited to see where it goes next.
Becca’s Rankings. Please let us know what you think in the comments!
Sexiest Scene: Shane and Lena making out (and more) in the bar Shane bought.
Most OMG-Moment: Tina fell in love with someone else and left Bette!
Best Cultural Reference: Megan Rapinoe.
Funniest Moment: Rebecca the priest telling Finley that she has an open relationship with Jesus.
How We Know We’re (Almost) in 2020: Sophie asking Alexa to stop playing music.
Who will sleep together next? Even though they haven’t gotten a lot of screen time together, I’m hoping for Bette and Felicity.
Which couple are you rooting for? Finley and Rebecca, all the way. It seems like Rebecca is really helping Finley process some of her internalized homophobia, and I’m here for it.
