Often panned by critics for representing a false sense of reality, The L Word isn’t as throwaway as it may seem. The stereotypical characters (and the attractive actresses that inhabit them) do detract from the show’s overall depth but, when it comes down to it, these protests are more politically motivated than anything else.
Essentially, people feel it their duty to be offended by the shallow storylines of a lesbian drama, waving their politically correct flags to show just how forward-thinking they are. A nice sentiment, but a little narrow-minded. So what if Hollywood is offering up a stylised version of reality that’s glossier than most magazines, and not representative of the lives of real lesbians? It’s Tinseltown. Fantasy is their business.
Promoters of The L Word are also guilty of jumping on this PC bandwagon, as they tout it as a breakthrough program. We should all get off our high horses and accept The L Word for what it really offers: entertainment.
Minh Nguyen
