Story line overload on 'L Word'
As this week's episode of The L Word began, I turned to my partner and said, "It gets weirder every week, doesn't it?" The lesbian version of "Charlie's Angels"? With gaydar guns? Oy!
Any way, spoiler alert is now enabled as I take on "Lady of the Lake."
Obviously, Bette is that lady as Jodi's friend literally dumps Bette in Big Bear Lake during their trip into the wilderness together. One would have to suspect that this may be a turning point in Bette and Jodi's relationship as we get to see so clearly how the two are vastly different. Jodi is correct in saying Bette is a snob. But beyond that, this character never seems to truly let her guard down, no matter what. (Remember that retreat she went on a couple seasons back?) I don't think it's about Bette so much being a snob as she is always and forever a control freak. I will be interested to see what, if anything, allows her to free herself.
Moving on, any lesbian who was glued to the football playoffs instead of tuning in to the first showing of this week's episode will have missed a lot. The story line jumped to and from every character on the show bringing you up to date on a little bit about everyone. In that fashion, I'll try to do the same.
Shane. Taking a moratorium on sex to reduce the drama in her life. She's trying without success and hates it. By the end of the episode, she's slipping up and kissing Helena by mistake.
Tina. Meeting women online, but first date dinner conversation doesn't get beyond yapping about Bette. Doesn't matter. She ends up sleeping with the girl with the augmented breasts.
Jenny. Training for the Pink Run. Maybe the others will join her in "Team Dana." Her new freakish assistant is doing everything but wiping her after a bathroom break. It's still very weird.
Max. His old girlfriend, you know, the one that accepted him for who he was at the end of last season, seems to want him to explore a relationship with Tom, Jodi's interpreter. It's too soon to see where this is going. You have to be curious about this podcast Max is so eager to show everyone. What will Shane say about it?
Kit. Held up at gunpoint just as she's closing up. One guy is fully masked. I wonder, can it be Angus? He would know the schedule there; it seemed like an inside job. Too, it was odd that the camera lingered on that masked face.
Tasha and Alice. I'm finding a good lesson in this tale as I'm one of those people who can't understand why you'd want to continue with the military if they so clearly don't want you around. But Tasha said it best, "I never decided to become a lesbian, I decided to join the service." Then, when she rattles off all she's done during her career, it's much easier to understand. For anyone who has truly loved a job and then lost it for one reason or another, you know how it hurts. It's tough to walk away and start anew. Now, imagine having to give up everything you've worked for because you fell in love. That's the tough one.
Finally, Helena. Because maybe this is the finale for Helena. Now that Mummy has sprung her and she's sneaking off to grab the hidden money and bail out Dusty, it's not clear whether we'll see her again. It's just one part of the puzzle she holds in her hand.
Whew! Until next week.
Don't seem to be many commenters for this show. I think the season is shaping up well. The opening fantasy/daftness wach week is fun. Wasn't Alice FAB as Farrah Fawcett Angel! Shane was disturbingly girly - I think she was Sabrina, while Helena twirled her hair a lot as Kelly!
I agree with your comments on Tasha. Rose Rollins is a nice addition to the cast. She is the least insane for a start! I don't know much about gay people in the military, but to be kicked out of a job you love for being gay is so unfair. Will Tasha lie? She doesn't seem the type, but how else can she keep her job?
I thought Bette was pretty snooty with Jodi's friends. She didn't make much effort until the annoying guy with the community art show obsession forced a slight concession from her. It could well be a turning point for that relationship. Slightly heavy handed writing to have both Bette and Tina be accused of being a snob in the one episode. So they still have so much in common..
I cringe every time they have Max do tech speak. " We're using firewire to connect the camera.." WHO SAYS THAT! No one cares about the connections of a camera? It always sounds like a non techie person write those lines and they could very easily get someone to make it sound more authentic. Most of the fans for a start.
I do hope this isn't the last we'll see of Helena - I really like her. I love Holland Taylor, but she is always horrible to Helena, and even more so in this ep.
Tina's finally getting some, but I found that girl with the implants rather scary! Hope she's a one night stand only!
Though maybe Bette was a little standoffish, I really thought the people at the cabin were insufferable. Mostly just the guy with the beard. I hate it when people, try to make me "have fun" like that, so I really felt for Bette during those sequences.
Cath, you're right about Bette and Tina both being accused of snobbery. It's a little on the nose.
I only just got Showtime & started watching this season. I love it so much I have been trying to catch up and rented Season 1. I actually felt horrible after hearing them say "Team Dana" - I'm ***uming she died from Breast Cancer? If so, that is too sad.
The Jenny/***istant subplot is meandering towards one of two ends. I predict that either a) ***istant will turn into crazy stalker or b) we'll have a makeover scene, then she'll out***** Jenny. Not much fun really, but when the ugly duckling is so obviously a pretty-ugly girl that just needs to take off those gl***es and let that hair down... Not terribly original.
I have to wonder several things at this point in the series: 1) Why does anyone hang around with Jenny anymore? She's too much a ***** for real life, and has been mean to everyone. I know it's leading to a big comeuppance, but really - wouldn't they stop inviting her places at this point? 2) Why does Max hang out with any of these people anymore? He seems to have his s*** together, have his own social life, have a decent job... All they do is ignore/dismiss/use him for computer stuff. I can't imagine why he hasn't gotten his own place yet. 3) Sadly I'm starting to wonder why anyone hangs out with Bette anymore too. She can play basketball, climb buildings to steal signs, but she can't play football? They've turned a charmingly pretentious character into a true snob, which I feel is just going to be the reason for Marlee to leave the show. I knew she couldn't stay forever, but I'll be sad to see her go.
I lurve this show, but I'm afraid they're in over their heads with the characters this season. They need to back off a bit and focus on two or three storylines.