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leightum

Leighton & Alicia + hands

leightum

1.05 | 2.10

ajmichalka

LEIGHTON & ALICIA in The Sex Lives of College Girls S01E05

thundergrace

For the record, both Alicia's and Tatum's reactions/feelings about Leighton not being out are valid.

Alicia not wanting to be pulled back into the closet by someone so fiercely closeted that they blew up at her for posting a picture they weren't even in, wherein they were afraid someone would recognize something that belonged to them - like that paranoid and afraid - is understandable. Like that's triggering and it would feel regressive to be with someone like that if you've come out already. And let's recall Leighton wasn't out to anyone yet and her internalized homophobia was at its peak. Alicia was right.

Tatum telling Leighton there's no timeline in coming out and not applying the pressure on her to do so (to her family) or making her feel bad was wonderful. Then again, I'd expect as much cause as she pointed out, they literally only just started dating. Tatum was right.

Leighton is out at school now. She's out to her friends now. She can openly date girls. Tatum doesn't have to feel like Leighton's dirty little secret or completely cut off from her social life. This is a very different relationship that does not compare to what Alicia experienced and it's not fair to compare the two, especially to shame Alicia.

dontpercievememe

A few post finale thoughts...

I think we were all projecting a version of Tatum onto her that we really wanted her to be, but that’s not who she is. We didn’t want to take it for it’s face value because the chemistry was so insanely good. But in the end, she isn’t right for the person Leighton is becoming.

I personally think that she needs an Alicia. Someone who can meet her at her level, and sees the person she is today. Sees her growth. Someone stubborn and persistent and passionate like she is, but in a way that brings out the best in her.

Now, I don’t think we can absolve Alicia of the way she handled their breakup. She dated someone deeply closeted, knowingly. That is not to say she didn’t have valid feelings regarding their dynamic. Leighton shouldn’t have felt pressured to come out and Alicia shouldn’t have to be made to feel like she was being hidden. The timing wasn’t right, but maybe it is now.

Leighton is happy. Renee Rapp is kissing women on TV. It’s a win folks. Give them a chance.

attackoneyebrows

life is too short to spend it on things that don’t bring you happiness.

svenni-le

Leighton & Alicia - Parallels

1x05-1x06/2x10

padmaddean

Leighton & Alicia

The Sex Lives of College Girls s01e09

appleciders

thundergrace

I know the girlies found that blonde twincest shit hot (can't relate, though I do love Gracie and did like Tatum) but you simply aren't here for Leighton and her growth if you're mad about her not being with someone who represented the worst parts of herself. Tatum was a mirror in more ways than one and Leighton didn't like what she saw staring back.

This was perfect. This was about character development.

Everything about Leighton's story so far and Alicia and Tatum's parts in it has made sense, and I will never not show appreciation for queer characters -especially lesbians- being written with care.

Thank you, writers. This has been wonderful. She's wonderful.

Note: while this breakup didn't come out of nowhere, in my opinion, and should have been completely expected, I will concede that all that happened with Leighton in the last episode would've been better fleshed out over a few episodes. This issue with pacing could be bad writing, but I honestly haven't seen a show worth watching these last few years that hasn't struggled with pacing these short ass seasons.