Nicholas is away for the next few weeks, so I’ll be filling in for him on these L Word recaps. My first comment: He took off at the perfect time. This week’s low-energy episode was all about mopping up various little messes from earlier, spicier, shows and stringing along some tired storylines.
First came the predictable overreaction to the Turkish oil leak: Niki’s handlers were outraged, prompting one of the several terrifically campy lines of the evening: "Niki Stevens doesn’t like d—? Zit-faced teen boys will flip!" And so instead of taking Jenny and her honkin’ big hickey to the Liquid Heat premiere, weepy Niki — who miraculously perked up for the red carpet – was forced to attend with someone who possessed a penis. I’ll admit that I sort of enjoyed watching Jenny wait on the sidewalk after she was blackballed, all dressed up and ready to party, desperately trying to text her way in. The waifish neurotic, who once peered hungrily through the slats of Bette and Tina’s fence, has metamorphosed into such an egotistical diva that I want to see her taken down a notch. Fortunately, I think a comedown for Ms. Jenny may be in the works!
The Tasha trial ground to a stilted close. Did any one notice how stiffly old fashioned that whole storyline felt? Even kooky Alice wore a demure flip hairdo last popular in 1948. PopWatchers were shocked last week that Nicholas hadn’t spotted Kelly McGillis as butch prosecutor Col. Gillian Davis — and I say, wow, good eyes, people. (My husband recognized her instantly from his soft-core memories of Witness, but I just saw Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal.) Unfortunately, Davis only started to interest me as a character when she said goodbye post-trial. Tasha and Alice were smooching when she suddenly appeared in those weird, fabulous sunglasses suggestive of a fascinating extra-military life.
And Bette and Tina, sigh — the saga continues. They’re the den mothers of the show, and I know they belong together, but I just don’t feel their passion anymore. Jodi threw what appeared to be the most boring dinner party ever, then everyone went out to look at the stars except Bette and Tina, who stayed inside to clear the table, mournfully discuss their non-relationship, and kiss. I do love that about the show — how secret paramours always make out in places where they’re going to be caught, then skitter apart like roaches when the door opens. What I don’t love is Bette and Tina. If they can’t keep it together this time, I think both characters — the most appealing, intelligent, and soulful people on the show — deserve to move on for real.
Oh, and I almost forgot, perhaps because the storyline is… lame? Shane ("not a serious person") advanced her unhot flirtation with straight-but-curious Molly, though wisely worries she’ll be left with only the memory of "mediocre sex." Will they get in the sack? Will it indeed be mediocre? Has anyone cared about Shane’s love life since she ditched Carmen? PopWatchers, what’s your take on this episode?
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I couldn’t agree more about the oh-so-close-to-the-edge lameness of this episode. One very bright spot for me is the end of the Tasha vs. the military storyline. Maybe NOW Alice, my fave character, can get back to her quirky, “I am who I am and I could care less what you think” ways. That’s if they allow Tasha to loosen up now that she doesn’t need to look over her shoulder all the time. I just want my fun Alice back!
And I loved how Jenny waited on the sidewalk during the whole premiere! She is definitely Niki-whipped…which I fear (or actually can’t wait for!!) may be the downfall of the whole Lez Girls production. If Adele was pulling this on any other character I would loooooathe her, but it’s Jenny so she’s my hero!
I’m on Team BetTina so I’m glad they’re slowly working their way back to each other. I just wish they wouldn’t have Bette stringing Jodi along. But I think Amy was brought back for a reason and that’s to pick up the Jodi pieces.
And yes. Shane? Yaaaawn.
Molly sucks, but Carmen sucked even more and I’m glad she’s gone. I think that Ilene Chaiken mistakes the fact that Kate Moennig can have chemistry with anybody and make it look like she’s actually interested in them for the other person actually having chemistry with Kate. As we’ve seen with the most recent couple pairings for Shane – Molly this season and Paige last season – that’s just not the case. Kate can make you believe that Shane has chemistry with anybody, but there’s a big difference between Kate acting brilliant chemistry and it actually existing between the actors and if only Ilene would cast an actor who could act the chemistry as well as Kate can, then it would be fantastic, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen, unless Ilene stops messing with us and has Jenny and Shane hook up, finally.
I liked Carmen…she’s been the only one Shane has been with where I believed they could be a couple.
I’m so over Bette and Tina. They bore me. We’ve spent two seasons watching them debate getting back together. By now, I just don’t care. I fast-forward through their scenes.
I still adore Jenny this season. She’s so over the top. And I loved seeing her get kicked to the curb.
Thought this episode was fine, tied up loose ends and sets us up for the final three (already!) episodes. Solid season this one – feel like it almost almost makes up for the painful season 3…
I really like Bette and Jodi, but I love bette and tina. And I agree – it’s gotta be forever this time around or nothing at all. I think this time apart has let both charaters grow into their own persons, and finally they are able to see each other for the people they are. And they either need make it work, or let go…
As for Shane – I feel like she is the glue that holds everyone else together. But if her and Jenny hook up – ugh, i can’t even go there…jenny doesn’t deserve Shane.
Can’t wait to see quirky Alice back in full force. She is too funny!
I hope Jodi sticks around no matter what. I liked seeing her with Shane and being part of the group. I think she still has a lot of story to offer us.
on a season 6?
Bette and Tina = Boring.
Can anyone tell me if they ever told us who burned down Shane’s salon?
I totally agree on Bette & Tina..Zzzzzzz. Tina does not know what she wants ½ of the time and Bette is a control freak. They are better apart than together. Is it me or was Jenny wearing moo moo outfits in this episode? When she was talking to Nikki in her trailer and the movie premiere she was wearing a tent dress. Have to admit Eve…OOPS I mean Adele definitely looked stunning in her dress. I am glad Alice scared the bejesus out of Col Davis during the interrogation. She is a hypocrite & needed to be scared straight (no pun intended). I hope Tash at least got an honorable discharge & now can live life openly & not so uptight. Alice was right just because you hang out with someone who is gay does not mean you are too (I am a perfect example). Friendship does not have an orientation. Again, I guess I just do not find Shane appealing. If she did something to her hair and took a long hot shower then maybe she would be appealing but I did like her scene w/Jodi though. Shane is no Fonzie
I love Bette and Tina, but have only come to that conclusion this year. In seasons past I really didn’t care all that much. But now? I think they’re bringin’ the hot with the previews of next week’s action quite lovely. As for my consistently least favorite character, Shane, I found myseld enjoying her dialogue with Molly (who had the best line of the episode, if not the season in “I’m going gay for Shane. We’re going to adopt Chinese babies and live in a trailer park.” Heh. The Alice/Tasha relationship has always been a dud for me as has every relationship for Alice outside of Dana (I’m still pulling for an Alice/Helena hookup, though, as unlikely as that appears to be). But I liked Kelly McGillis’ performance and wouldn’t mind finding a way to get her hooked up with Phyllis at some point. Hot, older women ax-shun! Uh-huh. But, overall, this was a much weaker episode for what has proven to be a very strong season in The L Word canon. Next week though…
I liked this episode but it wasn’t my favorite of the season. I really liked Alice and Tasha’s reunion and I’m all about Bette and Tina getting back together. Can’t wait for next week!
I liked this episode a lot too. Bette and Tina are my main reason for watching and I appreciate the strides they are taking in getting back together. But agreed that it has to be for good then. Otherwise it becomes trite. Thought the dinner party was well-done with Tina calling Bette out on her rudeness. I do really like Jodi and thought her dynamic last season was great and therefor would love for her to stick around. 3 cheers for Alice and Tasha! Still haven’t heard about a 6th season yet, right?
Coconutty — we are meant to presume that Paige burned it down. It was right after Shane cheated on her and they had broken up. Plus Shane refused to press charges when the fireman/policeman questioned her about it.
I am still waiting for Jenny’s comeupance. I loved her waiting outside for the WHOLE movie. How great was that? I think Adele is crazy but in a crazy way that is interesting not a crazy Jenny way I hate..
Thanks ecjb!
I don’t like jenny, never have. And I’m glad to see her get taken down a few notches…but adele is kinda creepy. If it’s just trouble for jenny, I’m down. but I don’t wanna see trouble for anyone else from her!
I will be very interested to see now how the Alice and Tasha thing works now that Tasha doesn’t have to be all in the closet. They are going to have to find some other story line for the two of them
Bette and Tina, win. Bette crushing Jodi, lose. Love Jodi, and I dig Shane too. I definitely think she’s the best friend in the whole group. She loves them all dearly. I respect that. Go Adele! Jenny sucks…
Was it just me, or were there a few good one-liners in this somewhat slow episode?
Molly to phylis – “Go gay for Shane, adopt chinese babies and live in a trailer park”…funny
Jodi to shane about molly – “spaghetti girl.” kinda eww, but still i snickered.
jodi to bette about who she invited and telling Better, “Then don’t come…but let me know.”
They got a good laugh out of me…
TBK, yes there were some good lines. When Jenny was comforting Nikki, she told her do not worry about him, he is not human-he is an agent(which was actually pretty funny coming from Jenny).
I love shane and jenny together….the most wanted couple in Tlw