The Gay Girl’s Guide to TV and Movies: What to Watch

Danielle Brooks as Taystee in Orange is the New Black, Screencap via Netflix

Shows you should be cautious about.

2016 was a hard year for lesbian characters on TV so this is the category that’s controversial and tricky. These are the shows that probably have a scene or two you want to avoid, usually involving a queer character death. Okay, they’re all involving a queer character death. But the story before that scene was EVERYTHING and worth watching.

Person of Interest

What episode to be cautious about: Season 5 Episode 10

Root and Shaw in Person of Interest. You could probably say that these two started off as enemies but over the season, their relationships grew into something so much more. Their love story is definitely worth watching even if it ends with a traumatic scene. Watch up until season 5 episode 10 and you’ll be good to go. Pretend they lived happily ever after together.

The 100

What episode to be cautious about: Season 3 Episode 7

This one hits hard. I fell in love with this show while binging the first two seasons on netflix. I wasn’t expecting Clarke (the lead) to fall in love with the commander of the ground (Lexa) but that was a pleasant surprise. By the end of the second season, you could tell that these two would be endgame. Then, tragedy struck and by the end of 307, Lexa had been killed off. Their story sizzles so you should definitely watch it but once Clarke and Lexa sleep together, don’t hold you breath for their story going any further.

Wentworth

What episode to be cautious about: Season 4 Episode 12

This is a great show because it’s pretty much just all girls who are into girls. I guess what else is there to do when you’re stuck in jail with a bunch of other women. Watch it for comedic relief of lesbian stereotypes but don’t get too excited about the love stories that begin between them because by the end of the fourth season, one of them won’t last.

Orange is the New Black

What episode to be cautious about: Season 4 Episode 12

Yet another lesbian death on yet another female jail show. Like Wentworth, by the end of the fourth season, tragedy takes the life of a lesbian. But nevertheless, the show is pretty funny and is absolutely worth a binge watch. Just be cautious about it.