Article by Pam Cole

MAY 7, 2005

Brava!

Finally, something that made sense, lines that made me laugh out loud, love scenes that made me squirm in my seat. The third episode of The L Word seems to have finally found its stride. (Was it a coincidence that this episode was featured on a free Showtime night, complete with banner ads for Showtime subscriptions? I know if I had gotten a free look at the second season premiere, I wouldn't have bothered to shell out an extra $10.99 a month.)

In this third episode, I was delighted to see the return of writers, editors, and acting that demands attention. So, who sent Jennifer Beals a wake-up call and told her it was time to get back to work? In the words of Joyce Wischnia, "Talk about a command performance! Meryl Streep couldn't have done it any better!" After the disappointing, over-acted scene-reading of episode two, Jennifer Beals once again displayed her fine talent in episode three. How do I know this? It's simple-I never even realized she was acting. Beals was stretched in all directions in this episode and I appropriately disliked Bette, adored Bette, sympathized with Bette, and found her to be a total bitch. How Tina was able to resist Bette's public, passionate plea on bended knee in the lawyer's office is beyond me. Pregnancy has truly altered Tina's thinking. (And how Bette was able to overlook Tina's bulging belly just inches away from her face in that posture is another mystery, but we'll chalk that one up to the hysteria of the moment. Could have happened to anyone, right?)

Is it possible that Jenny could actually become a likable character? After her grown-up admission of disinterest to Robin in last week's episode, I found myself actually tolerating Jenny more. She responsibly and gently ended the burgeoning relationship before it could cause the kind of damage Jenny is capable of. I respected her for that, although I hated to see Anne Ramsay go. (I was a big fan of hers from her days on Mad About You.) Likewise, my tolerance for Tonya has grown, as this fascinating character is superbly acted by ???? in more and more hilarious depth. (Who is this actress? She is not listed on any Internet Guest List or Cast List that I have seen…..why not??) I love Tonya, I admit it! I love the way she is so out and proud, I love the way she is successful and knows she is successful, I love her confident sexuality and the fact that she has a little meat on her bones, like the rest of us. Let's face it, Tonya is a beautiful woman! Sure, she's a gold-digging cad, but she's such a good one! (That Elvis snear she had going on in the opening scene of episode 3 was killing me!) Dana is going to have to mature miles before she can stand up to Tonya's overbearing personality. This is an interesting relationship; I want to know more about it. I'm glad it didn't fizzle out over the season break.

The seamless creation of a new lesbian lair in Tim's now vacant house was true genius. Jenny needs a place to live; Bette needs a way to reconnect with her old friends; the writers need a way to reveal more of Shane's inner life to the audience: let's put them all together in a house next door to Bette. Brilliant.

Which is more than I can say for Sandra Bernhard's banal performance. I thought she could do "bitch" better than this. Mia Kirshner's performance as Jenny literally sparkles next to Ms. Bernhard's flat, empty act. Did we really need another token real-life lesbian (or is it bisexual) in the cast? I vote for better actors instead.

The agony between Bette & Tina is just palpable. I ache to see it. Clearly, Tina's main concern now is for her child, a real adult responsibility. I sympathize with the writers who probably had to rewrite the first two episodes to accommodate Laurel Holloman's real-life pregnancy, a fact which I am appreciating more and more with each episode. How many actresses have actually had to act out a stressful pregnancy while carrying their own child? I'm betting we will see some stunning performances from our naturally hormone-fed Laurel Holloman as the season progresses.

I am so relieved that the secret of Tina's pregnancy is finally out, and ironically to the character guaranteed to tell all. I can't wait to see Bette's reaction to Tina's pregnancy, which is the whole payoff to keeping it such a guarded secret. Again, great writing under pressure, in my opinion.

Carmen is now undisputably the hottest character on the show. Shane's short punk hair makes her look five years younger and way less cool. Plus, Shane is so changed and jaded since her breakup with Sherrie Jaffee; the old Shane was always kind and respectful towards her trail of conquests—love'em and leave 'em gently. I was impressed by Shane's innate integrity in season one. The season two Shane can be cruel, which is so not cool.

We were finally privy to a reasonable facsimile of a love scene in episode 3, again between Shane and Carmen, the only couple currently having sex on the show. I swear, if I had to watch one more hot makeout session hidden behind opaque glass or panned behind mysteriously appearing panels, I was gonna scream! I'm tired of hiding how we make love! That's the whole point! Out of the closet, into the living rooms! Season one was much better at revealing all, tits and ass and deep tonguing kisses. In Season 2, we're lucky to even see a shot of the ladies' locked lips. Season one was so hot, there were episodes that I was uncomfortable watching with anyone other than my lover, whom I could bed down immediately after the show. What happened? Did the censors show up? Did the re-election of a man ironically named "Bush" really frighten the producers into toning it down?

As a lesbian, I have longed for images of women making love on screen. I can list every lesbian onscreen kiss that has occurred. The L Word is currently my main source for a taste of that taboo lesbian sexuality. I'm not looking for crotch shots; the tastefully photographed soft-porn erotica of season one will do just fine. I want to see more of that in Season 2, but that's just me.

For now, I was just thrilled to find last night's episode well-acted, utterly watchable, and once again, displaying actions and emotions I could empathize with.

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