What I NEED From Transparent Season 3
By Matilda Douglas-Henry
The power of Jill Soloway’s extraordinary Amazon series Transparent cannot be denied. The show has a rapturous following, and rightly so. Telling the story of a privileged Los Angeles family’s navigation of queerness – sparked by the patriarch coming out as trans – Transparent is a moving, provocative, and at times harrowing viewing experience, that extends far beyond the well-worn ‘SHOCK HORROR, A FAMILY MEMBER IS UNKNOWINGLY QUEER’ tropes that we are so used to in the media. The inherent narcissism that lies deep within Sarah, Josh and Ali Pfefferman create characters that are remarkably real. I suppose it’s kind of ironic how much you end up empathising with them, but the insecurities they’re dealing with resonate so profoundly that all I want to do is have a sleepover with them where I can brush their hair, cook them dinner and tell them everything is going to be okay.
Transparent is exceptional beyond the fictional Pfefferman world, too. Perhaps the most crucial reason why the show is so searingly honest is because Soloway’s own father came out as trans when he was in his eighties. This served as a catalyst for Soloway’s own queer journey, where she separated from her husband and hooked up with deeply sexy queer poet legend, Eileen Myles (for those who know the show, does this sound familiar? Soloway’s own personal life is a fusion of Sarah and Ali’s main narrative arcs over the two seasons).
The Transparent set is progressive in its own right, with majority of the crewmembers being trans. Considering the narrative is so inherently queer, Soloway did not want straight or cisgendered people dominating the environment. While one would hope we’re living in a society where a primarily trans workplace is common, the safe space facilitated by Soloway’s production company (Topple, AKA TOPPLE THE PATRIARCHY FUCK YES) is ground-breaking. Hopefully she has encouraged people in the industry that this is the way to make amazing television.
The much-anticipated third season will be available soon. Here is a list of what I really hope we get to see.
A romantic partner for Maura
When season two wrapped up last year, leaving me in a heaving quivering mess on the couch (all the Berlin flashbacks utterly destroyed me), Maura’s emotional and sexual connection with Vicky (played by a cowboy hat-toting Anjelica Huston) was so new that it was really hard to gauge whether their motel tryst was a one-time thing, or whether it could develop into something more meaningful. I’m leaning towards the latter, as I reckon it’s pretty unlikely for Anjelica Bloody Huston to make a fleeting appearance over two episodes. Either way, Maura needs to redefine her toxic relationship with her ex-wife Shelly once and for all. It’d be so good to see her dating someone who appreciates all the beauty she has to offer.
Sarah nailing life again
Last season saw a pretty rough trot for Sarah, the oldest Pfefferman sibling. When trying to break free of her dreary husband Len, she ends up being bound by the same boring, monogamous constraints in her relationship with Tammy. Much to Sarah’s relief they split up, but she ultimately spirals into a pretty depressing void of hooking up with weird, inappropriate doctors and moving into a soulless apartment. By the end of the season she was kind of getting it together – particularly due to her realisation that is really turned on by Dominance and Submission dynamics. It’d be great to see this storyline extended in season three, with Sarah embracing all the facets of her sexuality and feeling comfortable with who she is again.
Endless amounts of Raquel
Ah, Raquel. Played so beautifully by the utterly charming Kathryn Hahn, I would seriously question anyone’s judgement who doesn’t straight-up adore Transparent’s resident rabbi and Josh Pfefferman’s ex-fiancée. Watching the relationship between Raquel and Josh slowly dissolve onscreen was one of the most heartbreaking elements of the show (and that is saying something, for there are SO many). I feel for Raquel. I love her and I want her to stick around, but I am really not keen for her and Josh to reunite. Considering both Ali and Sarah were going on quite separate spiritual journeys by the end of last season, perhaps Raquel should come on-board as their Jewish guidance counsellor. I think they would make a beautiful trio of BFF’s too.
Ali to get her heart broken
Things have been running a little too smoothly for Ali. As the most petulant of the Pfefferman offspring, it was nice to see how much she evolved in season two – especially when she realised that she was actually queer and totally into her best friend Syd (although who wouldn’t be into Carrie Brownstein?). Yet Ali and Syd’s eventual breakup didn’t even seem to be on her radar, as she was in romantic pursuit of her academic idol, the feminist poet Leslie Mackinaw. The season finale gave Ali an ultimatum – she could either be Leslie’s student, or her lover. Her decision remains unknown, but it seems likely that in this context Ali will choose intellect over sex. She needs to meet someone in season three who really challenges her – who she gives everything to, but they end up breaking her heart. This would be a great way for her character to go on yet another beautiful queer journey.
Caitlyn Jenner’s alleged involvement to be revealed
Apparently Caitlyn Jenner is in the third season of Transparent, and I am positively exploding with questions. Will she be a new friend of Maura’s that sticks around, or will she be playing herself and make a cameo appearance in just one episode? Will there be an interrogation of some of her problematic values, or will she be heralded as a pioneer of trans rights? It remains a mystery.
But come September 24, all will be revealed, because that’s when Transparent season three drops. I can only pray for more Indigo Girls singalongs, an episode devoted exclusively to Raquel, and a way for Hari Nef’s character to become immortal and return to our screens, AKA our hearts.