Another Reason I Love 'P-Valley': The Discussion Groups!

Full disclosure, I was VERY behind on 'P-Valley' for a VERY long time and am finally catching up just in time for the finale.

Look, we didn't have the Princess TV room set up for a long time, but now we do!

We got a pink daybed with skeletal sheets and very fluffy pillows. I got a coffee table that I can full with stuffies if I want to, but haven't yet, because it feels like a jail and I don't want them to be sad.

Of course, one of the first things I did was get caught up on the Valley, baby. Also, yeah, I'm sorry. You're probably gonna have to deal with my evolving digital art for a while. I have been doing little else, unless adventuring... or watching 'P-Valley'. 

Before I gush about how good Season 2 is, I have a confession to make:

I pretty much already know what happens. 

And that's because I stayed in all my 'P-Valley' discussion groups even though I'm not current on the show. I just love the groups that much, y'all. 

Let me tell you why. 

Now, when I first discovered 'P-Valley', very few other people had watched it, but those of us who had were, like, rabid passionate fans. As we should be - this show is that good and that important. 

The groups reflected that. 

The discussions were detailed looks inside the show with thoughtful commentary about each episode that I was altogether too shy to participate in. 

Something changed with the second season, though. During the two years-ish between the two seasons, the groups were filled with memes and remembrances. You know, the groups were just stuffed to the brim with love for Chucalissa. 

When Season 2 began, I stayed current for the first two or three episodes, because we were still living Hotel Lyfe at that time and I told myself I was gonna participate in the groups this season. 

So, I did. And nothing happened. Like, I dunno, my brain was afraid that I'd get laughed out of the groups or something. But I was not. 

There *were* laughs, though. But only when I made jokes. 

One of the things I love most about the group is that it is one of the most accepting places I've found on the Internet. 

P-Valley deals with some sensitive topics like domestic violence and LGBTQ+ in marginalized communities, but when these topics are brought up in the group, they are treated with grace - even if the original post is someone obviously trying to get a rise out of the group. 

It's extremely difficult for me to give a solid example without spoiling the show and my ultimate goal is to get as many people to watch this work of art as possible. 

But when someone is trying to sensationalize a storyline, the group is patient and explains the importance of the scene or what the creators are trying to convey - they don't give into the drama. The manufactured Internet drama, at least.  

For example, there is a sexy storyline between two people that you wouldn't expect to be attracted to each other. Both characters are larger than life personalities, one is obviously comfortable in who they are and unafraid to show it to the world. The other is stuck in shell built by society, not allowing a masculine presenting dood to be vulnerable and soft and be open about who he loves. 

There are even posts that ask things like, "Did you notice this [totally obvious plot point]? I think that might come into play later."

But I didn't realize this until recently watching the new episodes, is that these "plot points" are 100% obvious to the viewer. Like, not subtle, not nuanced, the showrunners are in-your-face SHOWING YOU something that's gonna be important later. 

My brain wants to be like, "Did we WATCH the same show?!" but of course I don't post that, because there have been tens of posts agreeing with them and saying, "yes, they are right! there is something there!" and gently expanding on other things they might not have noticed. 

Conversations about this could easily evolve into name-calling, but they rarely, if ever, do. Instead there are hundreds of comments of acceptance, which much feel very validating for those who are watching the show in secret silence wishing they could feel as free of the characters. 

The power of therapy is openly discussed and the ways it could help these characters - and themselves. 

Every single poster (that has the guts to post) seems utterly comfortable in themselves and I feel like by simply observing, I've learned a lot about myself. 

It feels good to be a part of groups like this. (I am in a similar group for Waffle House employees that I adore. Shh, don't tell them I am not an employee, please. I just observe and do not interact.)

In my 'P-Valley' groups, I feel free making the most ridiculous jokes, knowing they will be well-received. If they aren't, or, if they are misunderstood, there is an army of people ready to explain it to them, gently, so that they can laugh along (that is if I am not there to do it myself.)

This feels unusual in community like this, because they are often based on one-up-ing and outsmarting. Like, they are invested in the way their love of the show looks to other people and are using the groups as a way to show off. 

Instead of a way to celebrate the thing they say they love so much. 

p.s. Please watch P-Valley, it is on Starz and one of my favorite shows of all time. If you watch it and need someone to talk to about it, please pick me! I will also gladly have a P-Valley binge with you at the Professor Haus if you can get here.