The L Word: Generation Q (2019)

Watchseries; I'm on the fence about this reboot -- 5 stars? 8 stars? It was better than 1 star, but not up to the level of 10. I gave it 7 mainly because I was seduced and couldn't say "no," but 6 is probably closer to my true feelings.

The Good:

1. Nice to see several of my favorite characters return to reprise their roles from the original, along with some engaging newcomers, especially Dani (Arienne Mandi) and Nat (Stephanie Allynne).

2. Let's admit it -- Generation Q is a really nighttime soap set in an atypical milieu. It's not that far from the original in it's absurd story lines, it's just that the original had more finesse. If you're expecting an objective view of the lesbian scene, then move on. Plus the story lines aren't that far off from those in the original series, so let's not fault the producers for that. Enjoy the ride for what it is.

3. Despite it's flaws, each week I kept looking forward to the next chapter and wished there were at least two more episodes this season.

The Bad:

1. Unlike most of the lesbian and gay couples that I know, there are no long-term, stable relationships shown here. This was true of the original series, too. There are no hardcore butches, either. You know, girrrls who sport crew cuts and wear chain draped leather jackets and Doc Martins. While I can relate to several of the characters, in my experience most of them represent the social exception, not the social rule. On the other hand, that's what makes drama dramatic, n'est pas?

2. There were some truly annoying new characters -- mainly Finley (Jacqueline Toboni) and Jose (Freddy Miyares). Were they one (or two)-dimensional or what? Perhaps it's not their fault. As Jessica Rabbit famously said, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." (See Bad Rap Number 3, below)

As for the acting, a lot of it seemed under-rehearsed or perhaps the product of one or two takes. I have to blame the directors for many of the cringe-worthy performances or for settling for whatever the actors gave them, but it could just have been questionable casting.

About the casting, I wonder how many better or more experienced actors didn't audition or turned down offers because of the frequent graphic sexuality -- deep kisses, lot of gratuitous nude scenes, and mucho faux sex. In the original, Jennifer Beals as Bette was never exposed past her underwear or she discreetly covered her breasts when she was shown naked in bed with a lover (true, too, of Marlee Matlin, Cybill Shepherd, Jane Lynch, and other A-listers). So, clearly she had enough star power to draw her own lines, while newcomers had to accept what they were offered -- it's better than waiting tables forever.

For the record, I don't have a problem with sex scenes, graphic or not, but they need to make sense in the context of the story. There was something about the graphic sexuality in the original L-Word that seemed more right, especially in the early Jenny Schecter story line when she's finding her voice as a writer.

3. Much of the dialogue has real issues. When I can sit on the couch and practically mouth the next lines word-for-word before the characters speak them, there's something's wrong. Many of the conflicts between characters were so cliched, that I could barely wait for the next scene -- Bette vs. her lovers, Danni vs. Sophie, Alice vs. Nat and Gigi, MIcah vs. Jose, and so on down the hellish verbal rabbit hole.

I'm on the fence about this reboot -- 5 stars? 8 stars? It was better than 1 star, but not up to the level of 10. I gave it 7 mainly because I was seduced and couldn't say "no," but 6 is probably closer to my true feelings.

The Good:

1. Nice to see several of my favorite characters return to reprise their roles from the original, along with some engaging newcomers, especially Dani (Arienne Mandi) and Nat (Stephanie Allynne).

2. Let's admit it -- Generation Q is a really nighttime soap set in an atypical milieu. It's not that far from the original in it's absurd story lines, it's just that the original had more finesse. If you're expecting an objective view of the lesbian scene, then move on. Plus the story lines aren't that far off from those in the original series, so let's not fault the producers for that. Enjoy the ride for what it is.

3. Despite it's flaws, each week I kept looking forward to the next chapter and wished there were at least two more episodes this season.

The Bad:

1. Unlike most of the lesbian and gay couples that I know, there are no long-term, stable relationships shown here. This was true of the original series, too. There are no hardcore butches, either. You know, girrrls who sport crew cuts and wear chain draped leather jackets and Doc Martins. While I can relate to several of the characters, in my experience most of them represent the social exception, not the social rule. On the other hand, that's what makes drama dramatic, n'est pas?

2. There were some truly annoying new characters -- mainly Finley (Jacqueline Toboni) and Jose (Freddy Miyares). Were they one (or two)-dimensional or what? Perhaps it's not their fault. As Jessica Rabbit famously said, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." (See Bad Rap Number 3, below)

As for the acting, a lot of it seemed under-rehearsed or perhaps the product of one or two takes. I have to blame the directors for many of the cringe-worthy performances or for settling for whatever the actors gave them, but it could just have been questionable casting.

About the casting, I wonder how many better or more experienced actors didn't audition or turned down offers because of the frequent graphic sexuality -- deep kisses, lot of gratuitous nude scenes, and mucho faux sex. In the original, Jennifer Beals as Bette was never exposed past her underwear or she discreetly covered her breasts when she was shown naked in bed with a lover (true, too, of Marlee Matlin, Cybill Shepherd, Jane Lynch, and other A-listers). So, clearly she had enough star power to draw her own lines, while newcomers had to accept what they were offered -- it's better than waiting tables forever.

For the record, I don't have a problem with sex scenes, graphic or not, but they need to make sense in the context of the story. There was something about the graphic sexuality in the original L-Word that seemed more right, especially in the early Jenny Schecter story line when she's finding her voice as a writer.

3. Much of the dialogue has real issues. When I can sit on the couch and practically mouth the next lines word-for-word before the characters speak them, there's something's wrong. Many of the conflicts between characters were so cliched, that I could barely wait for the next scene -- Bette vs. her lovers, Danni vs. Sophie, Alice vs. Nat and Gigi, MIcah vs. Jose, and so on down the hellish verbal rabbit hole.

The L Word: Generation Q watchseries. I am apart of the original L Word phenomina and I watched every season and was sad to see it go! Generation Q had not disappointed. I love these ladies. Great show. Looking forward to the new season, fingers crossed...

I was so eager to keep up with Kit, Helena, Tina, Tasha, etc... and they seemed to vanish in fresh air. I am not able to follow the plot, nor I feel connected to the new characters. I forced myself to watch episode two to see if there was a little more connection. Nope! I didn't happen I'm done with this show.

This show was created with little to no consideration for the original fan base. The writing and directing is horrible. The acting is bland and the chemistry is not the same with the 3 OG's. In my opinion, the show needs more of the original cast members back. I just don't see the purpose of rebooting a show just to destroy the legacy of the original. Which leaves me to question, why did we need this reboot?

Loved it! Fantastic having Shane, Alice and Bette back together, my heart is so happy! Didn't think I was going to take to the new generation so quickly, but I already adore each and every one of them and am super excited to watch this season infold.

Review after 2 epis:

The new showrunner, Maria Lewis Ryan has sorely missed the mark with Gen Q. If I were watching this show separate from the original, I wld just find it boring and underwhelming; I'd rather watch Lost Girl, Wynonna, Orphan Black, Sense8 which are way more interesting even Work in Progress which is fabulous and has found a way to portray new queer culture just via plotline.

The reboot is no longer oddly even a lesbian-centric show. It's about random things happening to people that just happen to be gay but cld just as easily be hetero and I get that's the truth in real life: gay people do all the same things straight people do - have jobs, friends, families, lovers, hobbies, passions, etc. But this is supposed to be entertainment and the whole point of bringing back the show was because they said that one gay character on a show isn't enough and they were filling a void that no other show took up after the OG went off the air and they are yet to fill that void. But..there is a BIG difference between being straight and being gay; it's why we have gay pride not straight pride. The gay spots and girl parties in NYC look nothing like what my straight friends do when they go out. The original showed that. So far Q hasn't (where's the fun too?). I get that the original L Word was like gay 101 and this isn't the original but shouldn't there be some connection to the original beyond Bette, Alice and Shane at least in tone. This new iteration barely talks abt gayness/being a lesbian and what that's like.

Additionally...We have no idea why the newbies are even friends. We've heard very little about any of the missing original cast and they're dragging out plot lines like why Bette is running for mayor and what has Shane so down (I won't spoil it). There's no lesbian meetup spot like the planet and I get all those places have closed in LA but create one (which I think Shane is going to do). But even Bette, Shane and Alice are disjointed in this new iteration. Alice is still fabulous but what is her s/l really? Her purpose? Finley is so F'in annoying and a poor excuse for a human being let alone a supposed Shane 2.0. She's merely a caricature. She acts dumb and immature and is a moocher and awkward with women which is a real waste of Jacqueline Toboni's acting prowess because normally I love her.

Overall, you know that when the best s/l on a supposedly lesbian show is about a trans gay man, Micah, then there's a problem. Why even call it the L Word? Again, I get that it can't be dyke 101 like the original but they could at least discuss the new wave of queerness facing the community.

I hope to be proven wrong and that the 6 epis remaining leave me loving the show but IDK if that'll happen. It seems like they are trying to be overly diverse and so the diversity gets lost. It's trying to be everything and portray everyone and a show just can't be expected to do that.

The end of the original 2-hour pilot did two things. 1) Left me wanting more; and 2) was the catalyst for my coming out. So far 2 episodes into the reboot and it has done and wld not have done either of those things for me. We waited 10 years for The L Word to come back but not in this form. It's a real shame.