Hello - So glad to find a space with others who have become absorbed in this program!

For me, SL's delivery of Helen's story (I've just begun Series 2) has raised emotions that years later are more powerful than I knew. The tension she conveys, the pleading facial expressions, the timing, all bring up how it felt to rationalize my way through my struggle with overwhelming desire for years before letting go.

With Bad Girls, I don't want to make the mistake that I've made with other movies/tv scenes that initially blew me away. That is, to replay scenes so many times that they lose their effect. The fabulous thing about the structure of a TV series is that it's possible to draw out the story by watching it -- though painfully -- little by little, to savor those moments.

And all this from a 40-year-old woman with a partner of 17 years and two kids!

Can anyone identify with how I'm feeling?

Hi rivergal, welcome to the board.


Don't worry. No matter how many times you watch BG scenes, they're still as great :)

I think you'll find a lot of people here who feel as strong an identification with Helen (or Nikki, or both) as you're feeling right now. The characters are so wonderful and complex and alive that it's really easy to relate to them in a very deep way.

And I know what you mean about worrying about overexposure to their scenes. I consider myself a test case for this phenomenon, and it definitely happens. But then I found that I'd gain a new appreciation for scenes I had seen a zillion times when I watched them again in the context of the entire episode. But there is something wonderful about savoring this relationship, rather than gorging on it. I was a gorger, but I wish I had been a savorer. :)

Welcome rivergal.
Like abzug, I gorged on BG. The only thing I regret about BG is the fact that I would never be able to watch it for a first time ever again. I so totally binged on S1-3, was locked away in my room for days until the very last "to be continued" scene... and that's more or less when the gorging started (all over again). But I find it helps unlock so much more when an episode is (re-)viewed through the debating eye... ;)

As a heavy-duty savorer (so?!) I guess I'll weigh in for the non-gorgey side: I still have this fear, & haven't watched every scene 1000x, but nevertheless think this is one of the rare performances that allows multiple viewings, as close as you like. In fact, that's one of the show's continuing & very real pleasures, for me. If I didn't think it could hold up to that kind of viewing, I wouldn't be here.

And if you ever decide to go trolling around through the Archives, as the now-infamous "Muppet Wing" began way back when, the first 3 or 4 pages start off with one sort of embarrassed, scuffily-footed wench after the next saying--well, actually, you know what? Go read it. It'll make you feel oddly at home. (I sure hope it's still there--someone was preserving all the Muppet wing stuff during the crash, I know that...!) And welcome. You really are among people who understand! :)

Hi there rivergirl..........yes I can most definetly identify with how you are feeling as I was exactly the same........only I was a 50 year old in a marriage of 25 years with 2 kids.......the relationship between N/H made me realise what was sadly lacking in my own life and what I had been for years craving........sure you can read books and find yourself absorbed and daydreaming, but to actually see it unfold before you visually was a real eye opener.....I was a gorger, almost to the point of obsession.....infact I spent days and many nights that ran into days sitting in front of the tv watching the first 3 series..........it was almost like an addiction......my family laughed and thought I was just crazy, they even watched it with me once to see what held me so captivated..........of course whilst they enjoyed it they didn't see what it held for me........

Then I began to write fan fic.......but it was in reality my own feelings woven into each story. I was actually putting myself in the senarios I was creating......eventually it all became too much and I knew I had to do something about it...........drastically..........let's just say that now I am in a wonderful and loving relationship with a woman and have been for the past 3 yrs.........we have made a home and life for ourselves that cannot be compared to anything I have ever known before.........

So don't feel alone .there are a few more "OUT" there now with similiar stories.....

Amazing isn't it that a series such as this can have very real life changing experiences for so many of us.

Take care
us :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

For me seeing Desert Hearts when I was 19 (25 times in the theater) was the "a-ha" moment that began my journey of coming out. And my obsession with that movie at the time still has no comparison!

The Helen-Nikki story recaptures that, hmmmmmm, rapturous? dizzying? feeling that was so wonderful and all consuming.

So I'm in Connecticut, in the U.S.. Sounds like members of this site cover the globe!

Best...

Yes from all over the globe :)

Welcome rivergal!

Welcome rivergal,

This board is definitely international. That's what I really loved about it when I found it. People here are very friendly.

We are bloody addicted to Helen and Nikki. Because of the great writing and great acting, I never get tired of watching these characters. It also doesn't hurt that Simone and Mandana are gorgeous yeah?


cheers,


Brenda (Texas)

Hi there rivergal,

Welcome to the board.

It is indeed International.

Cheers Chris. New Zealand

Hi rivergal,

Welcome to the board. :)

Cass

I was inspired to share my Bad Girls story a bit here...I am a borderline "hater" of tv. Sure, I watched my share of Must See TV in college, couln't miss Friends or E.R, and I own the dvd collections of Lost and Sex in the City to name a few, but lately, if it's not sports, news, travel or cooking, I tune it out! My partner was excited to begin watching Bad Girls when Logo on demand got around to showing it. I had my nose in a book as she watched the first three or four eps. She was hooked, I was reading or sleeping!

And then, Nikki started to give Helen those eyes, and I was sold!! :wub: Those eyes along with that Scottish accent, forget it! I bought the first three seasons from Amazon UK, and we gorged. I am still gorging, and am happy to have found a place where these characters are still alive, and people who share my obsession. I have been steering clear of the Muppet Wing, but might have to peek in for a look!

Moony in Michigan,
5mins

Hi rivergal,

It was reading your introduction that prompted me to stop lurking in the fanfic.

Using your scale my vital statistics are 38, 15, 2. I have a lot to be thankful for really, life isn't unhappy but then comes along storyline like H&N or Kerry in ER, or Sugar Rush or Tipping the Velvet and I'm off again wanting to put my wellies on!

Its not so much lack of courage than opportunity, as I have tried a few times, its just I always fall for the nice straight girls! So I console myself with Charlotte Mew's 'On the road to the sea' lamet that "I who make women smile could not make you...." and eventually come back in from the cold.

Im sad to say I definitely gorged on H&N, my partner can't figure out why we are on the second video player and its always the rewind key that gets broken? (Thats not quite true its the third but he hasn't found the other one in the loft yet!) LOL!

I'll try to keep my posts down a bit, its just exciting being able to talk freely.

x

Welcome Rivergal! :)

Lúcia from Brazil

Hi! I'm lanny and I've recently come to know the phenomenom that is Bad Girls. I just started getting the LOGO network and happened upon a mini marathon of BG that was showing the end of series 2. When I saw the characters of Nikki and Helen for the first time, I was hooked. My god... Simone Lahbib!! The facial expressions, the scottish brogue...the eyes! I only wish I had been able to watch this when it was originally aired and been part of the buzz that was happening at that time. Although almost 9 years later, it still seems fresh and new. I am so glad to have found a site where others are as into it as I am. Somehow it's sad to know that the actors have moved beyond these characters when they are still so exciting for us to be a part of for the first time. I am definitely a gorger. I can't help it. It makes me feel good to relive their story over and over. I haven't gotten sick of it yet and it still has the same effect every time. The Nikki/Helen storyline is simply the best lesbian story I have ever seen in any tv show or movie. I am going to order series 1-3 from amazon, but for now I am watching the epis online.

By the way, I am from Ohio (originally from Canada) and have been with my wife for 10 years (married for almost 4).

Pleasure to meet you all!

welcome aboard lanny

This is the place to be to obsess over Helen and Nikki. Have a good time joining in on the discussions.


cheers,

Brenda :hug2

It's so strange, I'm not a newcomer to these boards or to BG but I really feel compelled to post on this thread.

I first watched BG when it first hit the screens in the UK, I think almost 9 years ago now. I was 14 years old. I mostly hate TV, but this show changed my life! It pushed me into my career, my volunteer work, my current relationship, and into the arms of some amazing friends. I'm in the middle of watching series 2 again, and I haven't seen it for at least 6 years. Everything just comes flooding back! I can remember what music I was listening to, the fanfic I was writing, even the weather! I guess that's what happens when something has an impact on you. I'd really recommend saving it and not gorging on the episodes, because for me, BG (initially) captured something really special and important, and I can now re-watch it feeling genuine echoes of those weeks waiting desperately for a tuesday night. :)

*feeling nostalgic*