L-FILMS, TV-SERIES reviews
Ici tout commence6/16/2021 Ici tout commence (Here Everything Begins) (Telfrance & Mi2, FRA, 2020-) I have watched plenty of soap operas in the past two decades (from Home and Away to Neighbors, from Verboten Liebe and Hand aufs Herz to Guiding Light, All My Children and Bold and Beautiful). I recently came across the new French soap opera Ici tout commence which presents an unexpected love story between older women, Claire Guinot (Catherine Marchal 54) and Olivia Listrac (Virginie Caliari 44), both cuisine chefs and both past 40 years old. It is even more surprising since it is a love story between two (seemingly) straight women who discover an attraction for each other through their common interests and love for teaching, cooking, and food. Namely, Claire is a former director of the prestigious Auguste Armand gastronomy institute in the Camargue where she still teaches and Olivia has her own restaurant with a star in Avignone too. As it happened Olivia came to teach a course at the Institue every year for fifteen years in a row and Claire thought Olivia has been such a great teacher so far that she convinced the principal to hire her permanently. Through the mutual decision to make a vegan menu for the double-A course, Claire and Olivia share their passion for food and discover their attraction for each other. Of course, a bonus that added to all that was, Claire's offering her home to Olivia until she finds something permanent and suitable for herself. Claire's son Louis had some doubts regarding Olivia's moving in with them at first but when Claire and Olivia had one night a diner with Louis and his girlfriend, Elodie it became pretty obvious that Claire and Olivia get along really well as they might be attracted to each other as his girlfriend noticed as well. Louis discards Olodie's observation by saying that her mom isn't lesbian because she never dated a woman. To this Elodie's replied that only because his mother dated men doesn't mean she can't be attracted to a woman. Indeed, Claire at one point suddenly gets an urge to kiss Olivia which totally confuses her and makes her think it is better to distance herself from Olivia. Olivia is confused at Claire's behavior too and asks her if she did anything wrong and insists that Claire talk about 'her problem with her. Claire reassures her that she doesn't want her to move out and makes an excuse by saying she is tired. Claire confides about her feelings towards Olivia to her colleague who gives an explanation We get also a hint what stereotypes makes someone a lesbian when Olivia talks about people previously assuming she was lesbian because she is a successful, independent, single, and chef leading a team without men. However, all that doesn't mean anything because Claire and Olivia kiss (I wanted kiss to be more passionate though) and confess their attraction towards each other! Claire tells Olivia that for her all started the previous week but suspects that she has been attracted towards her for a long time since she has always thought of Olivia how amazing she been and for Olivia – she just needed a day to clear things for herself by admitting that she felt attraction towards Claire as well. It is refreshing and also daring that screenwriters presented a strong, independent, and successful older woman who was never in love with another woman before and thus may be making a point that female's sexuality is fluid? However, saying that female sexuality is fluid doesn't explain anything because the question remains why a woman over 50 years old previously dating only men suddenly feels same-sex attraction. It might be better going in the direction that a dangerous incident (Claire almost choked to death and Olivia saved her) from which Olivia came as her rescuer evoked sudden emotions and attraction previously unknown to Claire. Professionals who save people's lives report people falling in love with them all the time (from doctors, firefighters to policeman) but on the other hand, an explanation that she has probably been attracted to Olivia for a long time until that incident but it hasn't fully realized that is also plausible. So what makes an attraction towards someone? Common interests, admiration for each other, and proximity adds to happiness. As Claire says: 'I haven't been so happy with anyone for years as I have been with you as for the past week'. As the story unfolds each week I will give important updates to their beautiful love. We still have to see their many passionate kisses and sex scene of course! 17.6. 2021 I am a tiny bit disappointed: Claire was the one who declared the attraction towards Olivia and now it seems that Olivia is much more passionate about Claire. I expected more passion and physical intimacy from Claire but overall they are really cute discovering each other in intimate way. 20.6.2021 The story between Claire and Olivia has been unfolding in the right way. They told about their relationship to Louis albeit not because they were ready to declare it to the whole world yet but because Louis and especially his girlfriend Elodie already concluded they are a couple by themselves. Claire did right by being honest with Louis right away although Louis's reaction shows that people are far from being accepting of a lesbian (homosexual) relationship since Louis is mad at Claire by bringing people's prejudice and judgemental attitude towards him. 24.-25.6.2021 After Claire and Olivia finally talked to Louis about their relationship he didn't take it well and said he would move out if Claire didn't break up with Olivia. Claire told him that her intimate life concerns her and only her. 27.6.2021 Louis decided to live with Elodie as a protest of Claire dating Olivia while Claire chose Olivia and asked her to move in with her. Olivia accepted the invitation. 5.7.2021 Olivia moved in with Claire while Louis moved in with Eloidie. Olivia and Claire are happily in love. 10.7.2021 Louis tries to break up Claire's relationship with Olivia again but fails. This shows Claire is determined that relationship with Olivia works out and is certain of her love. We still haven't gotten a proper sex scene between Claire and Olivia though. 22.7.2021 No new updates because there are no-one. It seems that love story between Claire and Olivia is somehow finished. 1.10.2021 I didn't write for a while because until two weeks ago there was no news, however, finally, there have been some scenes between them on the show. It seems Claire and Olivia are doing fine but Louis has been still homophobic. He wanted to hurt his mother by giving an interview in which all his cooking credits were ascribed to his father which couldn't be true because in reality his father didn't like and care about him and was solely raised by his mother. He said those things because he is still jealous of Claire's relation with Olivia and because his mother firmly told him she won't break up with Olivia. Claire got a fantastic offer to create a menu for some Japanese restaurant and decided to go albeit reluctantly because of what happened between Olivia and Louis in the past but Olivia is really happy for Claire and encourages her to go. I really wish the director/screenwriters would show more romantic and sexual moments between the two. After all, they are in love and admire each other very much!
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