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Even creator Ilene Chaiken herselfopenly regrets the series conclusion.
But first, we had to do a deep dive into the intricacies of the originalL Word.
When was the last time you watched the original series?Oh, wow.
When we were preparing, we started to go over old episodes.
Somebody said, Oh, you know, Bette would never do that.
And I said, Yeah, actually, I would!
I remember that, too.
I feel like its in my DNA now.
Does the original series hold up on rewatch?
These womens friendships were so potent and joyful.
And that was really the broader appeal of the show theLstood for love as well as lesbians.
The minute you asked me that question, I just started smiling.
We just laughed so hard.
We always had a terrific time.
And it was a joy.
When we went off the air was right when Twitter was starting.
Why would I do that?
It doesnt make any sense.
Why wouldnt I send somebody an email?[Laughs.]
But woe to the person who disregards Kara Swishers advice.
This is a big question, but how did the show change your life?Oh my gosh.
In so many ways.
First and foremost, it brought into my life a group of friends who are like family to me.
Ilene, Kate, and Leisha are really like my family.
Up until that time, I was really like a hermit.
By virtue of being in proximity to these extraordinary people, theyve helped me find my voice.
And one more body who has a little bit of a platform.
So I got on a plane and went.
I dont know that I couldve done that without [theL Wordcommunity].
I hadnt seen that modeled in my own life.
I mean, sometimes she just doesnt learn the lesson.
Its like, shes on this never-ending wheel, like a hamster.
She just keeps repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
What I love about her is that shes actually very big-hearted and unapologetic about her agency and her will.
What reminds you the most of yourself?Our vulnerability.
Has playing her changed you on a personality level?It really laid a pathway for me.
I cant answer that question.
I always felt like Bette was too good for Tina, to be honest with you.
]Ohhhh my God.
You just pissed off a whole bunch of people.
Somewhere, a band of them is very upset with you.
I have to live my truth.
I dont think you need it necessarily to do the story.
I feel like sex scenes without story are porn.
And sex scenes are really sold by the degree of intimacy which is relayed.
We had an amazing crew and great directors.
We talked through every single scene.
A love scene is a scene with a beginning, middle, and end.
The characters want something.
They want something from someone else, they want something for themselves.
So youre choreographing things to tell the story.
Not to just be like, Heres some sex for everybody.
The story is the grand altar.
So how do you serve it?
Which character do you feel the most similar to in real life?I have no idea!
I just feel so much myself.
What do they want to tell you?It depends.
They confide in you.
And its a different kind of fan.
Have you seen theBette Porter Gallery Instagram?[Laughs.]
That seems like a must-see.
Im gonna write it down.
Its a lot of lesbian memes and news and gossip.
That would be cool.Id like that.
Thatd be really neat.
We had such great art on the show.
Lets talk about season six.
Youve alluded to the fact that you and Ilene didnt agree about its direction.Yeah, that made me mental.
But in the pilot, without getting spoiler-y, Jennys death is referenced.
So you guys didnt erase season six entirely.Yes, yes.
But also, Ilenes not our showrunner anymore.
Our new one [Marja-Lewis Ryan] gets to take the reins.
We have to deal with Jennys death.
We want to rewrite history, but we cant.
I always thought Tina killed her.
She pushed her off the ledge!
]Oh my God.
Can we talk about the clothes from the original series?
They were extremely … of a time.
Theres so many things.
Theres a beautiful vest that ties in the back.
And theres this crisscrossing.
Any time theres a cuff link, Im really happy.
[Costume designer] Cynthia [Ann Summers] did an amazing job.
You havePose, which you never would have had beforeThe L Wordwas on.
The conversation has definitely broadened.
Queer characters are much less likely to be the serial killer or some other nefarious character.
Theres so many stories to tell.
Tell me about the initial conversations about the reboot.
So we start saying, What if, what if?
And we approached Ilene and she was very much into the idea.
She was busy onEmpirebut still completely game.
And then the 2016 elections happened and we realized we had to do something.
We realized were storytellers.
Everything in life, really, is based on a narrative.
Its important to add our own narrative because visibility helps give agency to the community.
And it helps us open our imagination not only to what is but what could be.
Did you talk about the criticisms that people had about the initial series?
The lexicon is changing, and its extremely exciting.
Its what should be happening.
Whats exciting is this new generation is refusing to be identified by anyone other than themselves.
Perhaps well again do it imperfectly, but I think well come much, much closer.
But I was in wardrobe fittings early on and I wasnt feeling it.
But it really wasnt until I got back my power suit and my cuff links.
The moment I put the cuff links on, I went, Ahhh, now I can breathe.
I feel incredibly old-fashioned and so uncool.
By far, the most uncool person on set.
By a long shot.
She roasts you for your music?Yeah, I stay with her sometimes.
I have my playlist with artists that I wont name because I dont want to make them feel bad.
And shes like, Really?
Shes also a DJ, so she has very elevated and knowledgeable music selection.
And I apparently dont.
But I still love a good banjo.
Shes so smart and so funny.
She has a very astute eye for story.
Id have to really think about that.
I dont know if one has been introduced yet who Id date.
!Oh, gosh, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Shes nothing but trouble.
She really hasnt learned.Its really unbelievable.
But fun to play!
Fun to play somebody whos a hot mess, for sure.
And by hot, I mean, fetid.
We can agree to disagree.
Okay, a few non-spoiler-y questions about the pilot:Where is Alices tribal tattoo?
Its gone.A lot can happen to people in ten years.
Lots of things happen!
Will we ever getjustice for Dana?What do you mean by justice?
Will we get a retcon and learn she actually survived breast cancer?[Laughs.]
Do not hold your breath for that.
Generally when people die, unless its magical realism, they do not come back.
Im sorry to be so harsh.
Well, thank you for chatting.
Im very excited to figure out where Kit is.
Because it would be really fun to do a revisit.
Theres so many things I want to talk to you about, but I cant.
