It’s always a total bugger if you create a TV show AFTER another show with similar a subject matter had already aired and known to the world. Regardless, yours will be seen as a latecomer, a copy of the “original”, no matter how hard you try to distance yourself from the show that already aired way before yours did. I know, it’s a giant pain in the backside especially when you know that your show is decidedly a different one. Yes, I’m talking about BBC 3’s long-awaited lesbian-oriented drama, “Lip Service” and its unfortunate comparison with US’ “The L Word.”
Yes, it’s unfortunate because I totally hated “The L Word” for its poorly written scripts, its exploitative, male-pandering sex scenes, its over-the-top, unconvincing, unrealistic plots and subplots, its self-indulgent patronising social education, the list goes on. I mean, Season 1 was just about the only season out of the 5 that was palpable with more realistic and believable storylines, albeit even lesbians working in Hollywood were (and still are!) possessed to tell the stereotypical, obligatory lesbian couple = baby storyline. It’s like the obligatory shower scene in every horror movie! But as it turned out, the baby storyline was appropriate for the Bette/Tina characters. Apart from the utterly horrifying almost-Ménage à trois rubbish, Season 1, I must say, was exciting, interesting, captivating (Thanks to the incomparable Jennifer Beals!) and I was totally looking forward to Season 2.
But then, something changed. As if Ilene Chaiken woke up one morning and suddenly decided that she should toss out all the good that Season 1 brought to the show and create havoc! Hence, began the character assassinations, the loopiness, the “WTF!” moments. By mid-Season 2, I decided that I’d never ever watch the show ever again. And thank God I didn’t ‘coz Season 2 wasn’t the worst of it, apparently! I blame it on the show’s creator, Ilene Chaiken, a smart, intelligent person who, alas, sold us out by pandering to the male-dominated straight studio executives in order to obtain mainstream status. But it’s no surprise since we’re talking about Hollywood.
Anyway, that was “The Fucking L Word.” Last year, when I first heard that there would be a British lesbian TV drama in the works, created and written by Harriet Braun, whose brilliant writing I enjoyed in the critically acclaimed drama series, “Mistresses,” and produced by Kudos Production, THE company that churned out cool shows like “Spooks,” “Hustle,” “Life on Mars,” and “Ashes to Ashes”!!! I was over the moon. Since then, I waited in anticipation for the eventual arrival of “Lip Service” on BBC3! Of ‘coz people who previewed the 1st episode before it aired on the telly couldn’t helped but immediately compared it to “The L Word” ‘coz hey both shows are about lesbians! So they MUST be the same! I didn’t buy that because I knew Harriet Braun’s writing would bring intelligence, realism and drama to the show with clever, witty dialogue. I actually felt a little insulted about the comparison of the 2 shows because Ilene Chaiken is no writer (she may be a very good producer but producers are NOT writers). Harriet Braun is; and frigging good at it, I must say!
I also saw the main cast of characters. They looked normal, real, the circle of friends included straight men. Instantly, I saw realism, relatability and inclusion. Hey, that’s how it is in the real world. Then after watching the trailers, it just confirmed my belief that “Lip Service” was going to be a show with its own merits instead of a shadow of “The L Word.” The exterior and interior look and design, the group dynamics, the handheld scenes, made the show and its characters more grounded, real, relatable, and believable. The best thing? It’s in Glasgow, Scotland! The British weather – aww, so romantic with the greyness, the rain, the gloominess, the cold…ahhhhh.. And my assumption was correct after watching the 1st episode. I was very happy with it, in general. A couple of campy scenes with Frankie to show just how fucked up of a person she is, so for that purpose, were appropriate, applicable. Some said it was an attempt to “shock” viewers, to make it edgier and more controversial. Oh, whatever. For me, the 1st episode truly set the stage, managed to give viewers a general idea of who each character was, which was necessary. In addition, Braun even managed to put in a mystery, a secret…. It was great! The dialogue was spot-on, the chemistry among the characters was utterly natural. I believed the group dynamics because I’ve seen it in real life.
So after the 1st episode, I’ve already made up my mind about the characters. Here’s what I think of:
Frankie: Bad news, through and through. Whoever gets involved with her risks losing her integrity altogether. She needs to straighten herself out first before dragging another person down with her and her utterly damaged soul! The 1st thing that popped into my head when I saw her on-screen was, “Jesus! Have you ever heard of a shower or a bath, love?!” This ruffled, dirty, grungy, cigarette-smelling look ain’t working for me, regardless of what age bracket I’m in! Whatever happened to clean and tidy, smart-looking, eh?
Cat: Poor woman. Still hung up with Frankie who left her cold without a word….for 2 fucking years! No explanation, nothing. She even left her ex-girlfriend because of Frankie! What a waste! I hope her admittance to roomie, Tess, about her being too old to date fuck-ups, applies to Frankie as well. Cat’s very uptight, self-deprecating, clumsy, which creates mini crises and comedy around her, which I really enjoy watching! Plus, she’s interested in a copper – a cool, calm, smart-looking woman! Yay! Now, let’s just hope Frankie doesn’t spoil everything for Cat and Sam since we know Cat still hasn’t gotten over Frankie…. *Sigh*
Tess: Cat’s roomie. A total airhead who creates comedy around her. She’s unsure about herself, dumped by her girlfriend of 5 years who actually cheated on her while they were still together! She’s determined to embrace her newly annointed singlehood, getting ready to dive into the world of dating and pulling girls. Tess is funny. I like watching her because she’s the comic of the show. I cannot wait to see where her new life takes her especially after hooking up with a gorgeous TV celebrity!
Sam: THE cool, quiet, calm, smartly dressed copper, a Detective Sergeant, who fancies Cat. She’s very serious when it comes to relationships. I hope she doesn’t take any of Cat’s shit, like her fickle-mindedness about Frankie. I have a feeling that her heart will be broken by Cat. I hope NOT… But she and Cat have such great chemistry! I am looking forward to a good ending with these 2! And, thank you, Harriet Braun, for writing in a COPPER who’s a lezzer! YES! Finally! And yes, Sam IS my favourite character of the show! It’s just a pity she’s not one of the main characters. But I’ll take anything. Heather Peace AND Sam are both COOL! 🙂
The others, I really don’t care about. But I’m a little worried about Cat’s brother, Ed, who’s secretly in love with Tess. I’d go utterly mad if somehow, Tess and Ed hook up sexually!!! I mean, that’s what we expect to see on a US show because let’s face it, in the US, lesbians secretly long to have sex with straight men, you see (yes, you, Lisa Chlodenko, I’m talking to you!). So, Harriet Braun, please do not betray us! It’s very common for lesbians to have best friends who are straight men, and not uncommon when some do have crushes on their lezzer mates. But nothing ever happens. At least not in my world!
So, all in all, “Lip Service” is a great TV drama who happens to evolve around lesbians! It’s groundbreaking, it’s the best lesbian-oriented TV drama yet. It’s Britain’s “Queer As Folk” for lesbians! Yup, I said it! For me, I’m like, “The L…” what?? Bring on more “Lip Service”!
Now let’s see what happens with the rest of the Series – we’ve got 5 episodes left.
Say, BBC, time to commission the 2nd series, eh?
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