So what is The L word? Apart from it being a newsworthy, critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking lesbian drama produced by Showtime, the L word ought to mean something.
The L word for me would be…LIVE. And LOVE.
I went to The L word website on Showtime earlier and stumbled upon what would be the greatest shock of my life (at least for today, I think). By early 2009, the provocative series will return for its sixth (gasp) and final (by now I have passed out) season.
I feel nostalgic about this. No, actually, I feel like a tragedy is about to befall me. I have been following the show since the year 2004 and have been witness to the drastic and graceful transformation of TV drama. Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word brought to life some of the most intricate characters ever seen on television, and possibly – the most beautiful women we will ever see in this universe.
The L word for me would be…LIVE. And LOVE.
I went to The L word website on Showtime earlier and stumbled upon what would be the greatest shock of my life (at least for today, I think). By early 2009, the provocative series will return for its sixth (gasp) and final (by now I have passed out) season.
I feel nostalgic about this. No, actually, I feel like a tragedy is about to befall me. I have been following the show since the year 2004 and have been witness to the drastic and graceful transformation of TV drama. Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of The L Word brought to life some of the most intricate characters ever seen on television, and possibly – the most beautiful women we will ever see in this universe.
Personally, what I love about The L Word is the fact that the individuals and their stories – their histories – are all very raw and complex. It tells us in our face that nothing is ever easy. I suppose, more than anything, this proves true for us who are called ‘lesbians’ or ‘gays.’
Up to this moment, I do not understand why people would have to be called by names other than that which their parents gave them. I cannot fathom why there always has to be a label, why there should be a name for every single thing on earth…classifying people, more so, discriminating them. Whoever said that we have to be divided by all these terminologies? Whoever said that certain kinds of people are to be called bisexuals, transsexuals, lesbians, straights? Labels are for clothes and for filing. They are most certainly not for human beings. It is one thing for a person to admit ‘who’ or ‘what’ she really is, it’s quite another to call her by a different name that would suggest she’s beyond being ‘normal.’ At this point, any hopeful person would like to believe that people would have changed. Or believe that eventually, people would change and would no longer feel that it is necessary to typecast others. I hope I won’t ever see humanity’s appalling tailspin.
Before I go back to the very reason why I wrote this, let me just share something with all of you - this is from a book called 'What God Wants' (by N. D. Walsch) - probably one of the most 'dangerous' books I have ever read - all because a lot many people would always have their notion of what God wants. And some of them would as far as insinuating that it is the truth and the only truth you should acknowledge. This book is different, however, and the approach of the author embraces various facets and levels of some of the most talked about topics, for one:
On Homosexuality:
'Humans will understand that there is no form and no manner in which the expression of love that is pure and true is inappropriate.'
The L Word is termed as a ‘lesbian’ drama…not because it seeks to typecast itself, but all because it is proud of its beginning and its reason – to shed light on the different struggles of women in life and in love – perhaps it wouldn’t make much of an impact because it doesn’t really depict the lives of all women, but nevertheless, The L Word provoked the status quo.
Two of my favorite characters on the show are Bette Porter and Tina Kennard, portrayed by Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman, respectively. When the show opened, we see Bette and Tina trying to get pregnant (in vitro fertilization) after being together for 7 years. The manner in which both their lives unfolded was extraordinarily intense. Within the next four to five years, I saw them break up because Bette had an affair with a carpenter by the name Candice (the incident itself wasn’t sweet at all, it blasted what was left of my ailing heart), Tina concealed her pregnancy, Bette lost her post in the California Arts Center and lost her father, Tina moved on with a guy named Henry after giving birth to baby Angelica, Bette became the Dean of Arts in California University and where she met resident artist Jodi Lerner (played by Marlee Matlin) who she will soon drop after realizing that Tina will always be the one.
Okay, I did not just give you a synopsis, did I? I don’t suppose I can write a précis about Bette and Tina’s life together. For those of you who have not seen the show, I am a proud owner of fake DVDs for all five seasons – courtesy of the Quiapo flea market – so just give me a buzz if you’d ever be curious to see what I am talking about.
All the actresses in the series created not just characters, but icons – all of which paved way in changing cultural perceptions of the gay and lesbian communities, both on and off screen.
When The L Word culminates, I know that nothing will ever be the same. Not only because there won’t be anything to look forward to every year, but because I am unsure if there would ever be another show as rebellious and as thought provoking as The L Word have been. Nevertheless, this generation is lucky – for we were allowed to take a look at the less than perfect lives of other women – their frustrations, their pains, their glory, their agony, their inner struggles and romantic entanglements – it bears the truth that all of us are interconnected, that our lives aren’t too different. That gender does not and will not exclude anyone from life’s beatings and surprises.
The L Word is a testament to so many things – to the actresses, writers, directors and producers whose passion is seething it all translated impeccably on all episodes, who are not petrified to challenge the norm, the capacity of these people to create what possibly could be the best show to hit the tube.
I would like to end this by quoting Jennifer Beals’ character, Bette, when she was asked by her father about what she’d tell God when they finally meet.
‘I am your creation and I am proud.’
Up to this moment, I do not understand why people would have to be called by names other than that which their parents gave them. I cannot fathom why there always has to be a label, why there should be a name for every single thing on earth…classifying people, more so, discriminating them. Whoever said that we have to be divided by all these terminologies? Whoever said that certain kinds of people are to be called bisexuals, transsexuals, lesbians, straights? Labels are for clothes and for filing. They are most certainly not for human beings. It is one thing for a person to admit ‘who’ or ‘what’ she really is, it’s quite another to call her by a different name that would suggest she’s beyond being ‘normal.’ At this point, any hopeful person would like to believe that people would have changed. Or believe that eventually, people would change and would no longer feel that it is necessary to typecast others. I hope I won’t ever see humanity’s appalling tailspin.
Before I go back to the very reason why I wrote this, let me just share something with all of you - this is from a book called 'What God Wants' (by N. D. Walsch) - probably one of the most 'dangerous' books I have ever read - all because a lot many people would always have their notion of what God wants. And some of them would as far as insinuating that it is the truth and the only truth you should acknowledge. This book is different, however, and the approach of the author embraces various facets and levels of some of the most talked about topics, for one:
On Homosexuality:
'Humans will understand that there is no form and no manner in which the expression of love that is pure and true is inappropriate.'
The L Word is termed as a ‘lesbian’ drama…not because it seeks to typecast itself, but all because it is proud of its beginning and its reason – to shed light on the different struggles of women in life and in love – perhaps it wouldn’t make much of an impact because it doesn’t really depict the lives of all women, but nevertheless, The L Word provoked the status quo.
Two of my favorite characters on the show are Bette Porter and Tina Kennard, portrayed by Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman, respectively. When the show opened, we see Bette and Tina trying to get pregnant (in vitro fertilization) after being together for 7 years. The manner in which both their lives unfolded was extraordinarily intense. Within the next four to five years, I saw them break up because Bette had an affair with a carpenter by the name Candice (the incident itself wasn’t sweet at all, it blasted what was left of my ailing heart), Tina concealed her pregnancy, Bette lost her post in the California Arts Center and lost her father, Tina moved on with a guy named Henry after giving birth to baby Angelica, Bette became the Dean of Arts in California University and where she met resident artist Jodi Lerner (played by Marlee Matlin) who she will soon drop after realizing that Tina will always be the one.
Okay, I did not just give you a synopsis, did I? I don’t suppose I can write a précis about Bette and Tina’s life together. For those of you who have not seen the show, I am a proud owner of fake DVDs for all five seasons – courtesy of the Quiapo flea market – so just give me a buzz if you’d ever be curious to see what I am talking about.
All the actresses in the series created not just characters, but icons – all of which paved way in changing cultural perceptions of the gay and lesbian communities, both on and off screen.
When The L Word culminates, I know that nothing will ever be the same. Not only because there won’t be anything to look forward to every year, but because I am unsure if there would ever be another show as rebellious and as thought provoking as The L Word have been. Nevertheless, this generation is lucky – for we were allowed to take a look at the less than perfect lives of other women – their frustrations, their pains, their glory, their agony, their inner struggles and romantic entanglements – it bears the truth that all of us are interconnected, that our lives aren’t too different. That gender does not and will not exclude anyone from life’s beatings and surprises.
The L Word is a testament to so many things – to the actresses, writers, directors and producers whose passion is seething it all translated impeccably on all episodes, who are not petrified to challenge the norm, the capacity of these people to create what possibly could be the best show to hit the tube.
I would like to end this by quoting Jennifer Beals’ character, Bette, when she was asked by her father about what she’d tell God when they finally meet.
‘I am your creation and I am proud.’
1 comments:
I know this show! Ara made me watch this a few years ago. na-shock nga ako nung una eh hehehe
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