First off, best opening sequence ever. Okay? Just so we’re clear. Also: The L Word has officially morphed into a comedy series—or perhaps it was one all along. (The cynics among you snort and ask how it took me five seasons to figure that out.) There was a time, in the cold early-winter days of 2004, when those opening sequences told a story—more often than not, a rather confounding one. But they seemed to mean something, to announce that this experiment in televised lesbianism was going to push some envelopes, work some nerves…the normal stuff anybody with a landmark project promises new viewers. The opening sequence always tried so hart do make a statement; now it’s been co-opted by silly skits such as last night’s Charlie’s Angels parody. Hardly groundbreaking, and Katherine Moennig apparently does not possess the ability to do accents, but it was festive and light-hearted and knowingly campy, and if you think the influence of director Angela Robinson–I hear she’s playing a much bigger role this year–on the show’s creative team is a coincidence, then you’re wrong.
In truth, last night’s episode was more serious than last week’s unrealistic mess. But the laughs came more easily, probably because they were borne of more substantial ideas than a horny wedding harem. So Moennig isn’t Meryl Streep, but she can still do funny—and with Shane atoning by going celibate, she’s getting the chance to play to her usually hidden comedic strengths. Shane is suddenly something other than a husky, brooding—sorry!—bore.
Jenny’s “workout” with Adele was a nice visual gag, and the return of [cue regal music, please—something with a trumpet] Peggy Peabody provided us with one of the best rejoinders I’ve ever heard on The L Word, much less in my life. I’d like to reprint the entire screed here, but the phrases “full booty check” and “give it to ya family style” are about all I can get away with on this site.
Nonetheless, if my mother were the kind of woman who went around saying things like that, I’d never leave her side. Wasn’t that a surprise, though? Helena used Mummy to get her out of jail, and then she turned right around and hoodwinked the old lady once again! No wonder Peggy barked at that prisoner. She’s over it! So what’s to become of Helena? Is she gone for good? Or is she going to pursue love on the run with Dusty? If that’s the case, then I must point out that Claire and Yoga just did the same thing on Ugly Betty. Already seen it! (But OMG, it would be pretty amusing if Helena and Dusty ended up hiding out at the Suarez’s house. Justin would love those two.)
The hour’s comedic high point, though, had to have been Bette and Jodi’s cabin adventure in the great outdoors. Everyone’s favorite control freak was already nervous about spending a weekend in the woods, where the only art is nature and therefore unavailable for rotation. But the collection of yahoos that Jodi calls her friends…well, you could smell their desperate attempts to be all Big Chill a mile away. Unfortunately, I don’t think people that boorish, that insensitive, or that infantile exist anywhere outside a situation comedy.
Seconds after meeting Bette, they’re talking aloud about the noises she makes during sex? And was that indiscriminately scruffy dude from Brothers and Sisters kidding? In general, really. He throws Bette into a lake, openly insults her, and then accuses her of lying about The Planet’s robbery (zzz…) so she can leave early. Look, Bette’s enough of a beast* that she needs a figurative kick in the rear from time to time. But I ask you: Was he kidding? Who acts like that? And why am I not all surprised that he’s friends with Jodi?
Another question, PopWatchers: Can I be honest with you? Okay, good. I’m so bored with the Alice/Tasha drama. Aside from the fact that the war in Iraq has never been a workable fit with this show, there’s a Very Special Episode feel to the whole thing. Look, I abhor the don’t ask/don’t tell policy as much as the next gay-rights advocate, but I’ve read enough to know that it’s going to be used against you if you’re not careful. And Tasha was seen in public being cozy with another woman. It’s too bad that someone had to tattle, but she was aware of this danger all along. So she’s stuck in a difficult position, and now she’s planning to fight back. Tasha’s desire to challenge the charges against her is admirable, but I’m not so in the mood for all the ensuing hand-wringing. When is Tasha going to get to have some fun like the rest of the women on this show?
What did you think of the episode? Would you have tolerated Jodi’s friends? Are you happy that Tina finally (finally!) got laid? Do you think Max/Moira and Jodi’s yummy interpreter will hook up? Will Kit ever get a real storyline? Talk to me.
* Hold up, Jenny Beals! In this context, the word beast means high-octane, type-A go-getter.
Comments (1-17) of 17 Add your comment
I haven’t had a chance to watch this week’s eppy yet…but I agree about AlTash. I am soooo over them and their storyline. They never worked for me.
Thank you! I am soooo bored with Jodi altho she was as cool as I’ve ever seen her last night. And yes, thank Gawd Tina got some action and I like the new girlie so far. I wish she’d quit pining for Bette already. Really, why do they try to keep sticking those two together only to have them bicker non-stop once they do? We’ve seen this twice now. Move on please.
I think they are having trouble developing Tasha’s character but I did like her speech to her homophobic advocate.
If they could find story lines for Kit and Max, I’d be thrilled. I hate the way everyone but Shane treats Max. Which leads me to my one complaint: you are so wrong about Shane being a bore and Katherine Moennig’s acting being shaky (in my opinion which is totally worthless) but otherwise you are a stone L Word Genius.
tina’s post-date couch hook-up was so gloriously frat boy. “I had them augmented”? did they think by referring to them by a more clinical name it would make it more lesbian? really?! and “put your face in them” really made my week.
is there any chance of a threesome between max, his gf, and the hot interpreter? i sure hope so!
Only 3 posts? Is anyone watching this show? Good episode. Anytime there is more Peggy Peabody than Jenny, I’m happy.
The cast has swelled so much that Kit will not get a decent story line until we start making cuts (I’m talking to you Jodi and Tasha).
I disagree about the Dont ask dont tell story line. The only reason the camp comedy is working for me is the balance of that with the REAL issues gays and lesbians actually deal with in this country.
Does California have a health code? All I could think about in the “podcasting” scene (wow, podcasting — so wild! so hip!) was how gross it would be to be sitting in a coffee shop, maybe noshing on a bagel, while some hairstylist was at work two tables over.
I wish Jenny would hook up with someone already. Can Dana come back from the dead?
i want max and shane to hook up while kit sings one of her classics while drunk. i also think dusty is papi’s big sister. holla
OMG i looooooooooove this show. I think Max is adorable and would punch him in the face while doing her.
alice looks like she needs a shower-just sayin.
agree totally with you…..
no comment about jodi and her friends
and tasha story….
great bette Porter and Jennifer Beals..i am waiting for more Dean Porter
agree totally with you…..
no comment about jodi and her friends
and tasha story….
great bette Porter and Jennifer Beals..i am waiting for more Dean Porter
Lasts nights ep was the worst so far this year. Writing for the characters up at the lake was, as you said, very unrealistic. “Who acts like that?” No one. Seriously. Bad writing. When Kit popped up, I turned to my gf and said, “Here comes the obligatory stick Pam Grier in the show moment!” Haha.. wonder what they have to pay her.. I DO like the Tasha/Alice story line.. but it seems to belong in Season 1 or 2; when the show seemed to be more of a drama. It does seemed to have now decided to be a comedy.. Yuck. And Kate Moenning? Yuck. Not a comedic actress either. And no muscles and no boobs.
I totally, totally, totally want Max/Moira and the interpreter to hook up. Badly. And I love Helena and Dusty…of course, usually when I love a random on this show, they disappear in the next episode or two.
I’m a huge fan of the L word, it rocks! It cant be compared to none! I’m just a little upset that Dana had to die. She was my favorite character, I could actually relate to her!
i no that the l word has started but what channel is it ?
i no that the l word has started but what channel is it ?
I’m so seriously over this show The. acting is good. I like most of the characters but the bette and tina women are just too unbelieveable as lesbians, as they’ve always been. Skinny glamourous straight women just don’t have that lezzie edge. Put some real dykes on who have some authentic androgenous energy. Did you see that pathetic self defense class? Who are these wusses? Send them back to their husbands.