It Was One L of a Show… Thanks for a Great Six Seasons Ladies

Lesbians everywhere are sad this week. The L Word is coming to an end and, even though we have known this day was coming for a while now, it just doesn’t seem right. It’s definitely far too soon to say goodbye.

When Showtime premiered its new series about a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles, fans and critics alike called it “groundbreaking” – and it truly was. Finally there was a representation of our community – albeit a Hollywood version – and it was immensely appreciated. When Jenny Schecter found herself exposed to all-girl parties, same-sex couples, and a lifestyle she had never before seen, many viewers found themselves on a journey right along with her.

The first season of the show was exciting, hilarious, cool, and highly entertaining. Immediately, Ilene Chaiken’s creation earned fans from all walks of life. The seasons that followed had their ups and downs – Jenny confused us, plot lines annoyed us, characters we loved left us for no apparent reason – but the show was still our show and we adored it no matter what. Now, after six seasons, the original charm of the show is officially back and it we are nowhere near done enjoying it.

Ideally, The L Word wouldn’t have finished until a new show about lesbians emerged (we still aren’t too sure what the Leisha Hailey in jail deal is all about). Regardless, now that it’s ending all we can do is look back and remember the good times, the many reasons why this show was so important, and just hope that it made enough of an impression to forever change the entertainment world.

To the creators of The L Word we say thank you. Thank you for Shane, Alice, Bette, Tina, Dana, Kit, Max, and even Jenny. Thank you for bringing us lesbian moms, strap on sex, drag kings, transgender issues, and many other things that had not been adequately represented ever before on TV. Thank you for giving countless girls the courage to come out, providing us with a reason to get together with our friends on Sundays, making us laugh, and causing us to cry (although we are still very angry about what you did to Dana). Thank you for showing the straight community what we’re like – and doing it in a way that made regular viewers out of our co-workers, friends, and mothers. Thank you for doing what had never been done before and doing it so well for as long as you did.

The L Word will be missed.