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I'm gonna be honest with you here. I was both looking forward to and
dreading this project at the same time. Yesterday/Last Night, I went
through a marathon of watching Season 3. It was the first time I had
watched any of these episodes since the Season itself ended back in March.
But I hunkered down and decided to see if some of these storylines still
hurt to watch the second time around. Not so much hurt as in, "man, this
show sucks," obviously, but more along the lines of, "Why did that have to
happen to so and so?" After completing an interview that I did with Ilene
Chaiken (which will be on What The L!'s 2nd Anniversary show the Weekend of
September 3rd by the way...I plug myself shamelessly, I know), I told her
that The L Word was the first show in a long, long time that caused me to
feel empathy for fictional characters. I realized how great the level of
empathy was for some of these characters still was while going through the
marathon run of watching Season 3 and gathering up the list you are about
to read.
Please do not accept this as the gospel of all fans. 'Tis only my opinion
and with fair warning now delivered, my biases are heavily at play
here...probably moreso than my Top 50's for Seasons 1 & 2. Let's begin...
#50- Stretching, Crying (Labia Majora)
During the time between Seasons 2 & 3, a friendship has developed between
Alice and Helena. Helena does what she can to help Alice get through her
anguish of breaking up with Dana, including some yoga. Today, however
things just don't work out as Helena had hoped which unfortunetly becomes a
trend throughout the Season for her. Alice cries and cries while going
through the stretching excercises and while for Alice, it's grief over her
breakup with Dana it's the beginning Helena's Good Intentioned Road To Hell.
#49- Dern Crazy Internet Fans (Lone Star)
If ever there were a moment of snarkiness on the part of writing staff,
this may very well be it. Dana is feeling miserable as the reality of
Breast Cancer sets in. Lara is there for her and trying to keep the spirits
up, but Dana just isn't having it. At one point, Dana expresses angst
towards internet fans who have been less than kind about her at her website
to which Lara suggests to not read, "that crap."
#48- Dana Was Gay! (Last Dance)
Funerals aren't always the most uplifting experiences in the World, but for
the Group Of Friends a level of frustration also settles in as they attend
the funeral for their dearly departed friend, Dana. Carmen is sure to ask
if Lara knows what's happened and Alice replies to having left messages,
but doesn't know for sure. Sectioned off near the back of the church, they
sit and try to maintain calm. They whisper protests over the preacher's
suggestion of Dana longing for love from a man. Finally, Alice can no
longer take it. She stands up and protests loudly that indeed, "Dana was
gay!" before walking out on the apparent farce memorial.
#47- Alice & Chandra's Dinner Date (Lead, Follow Or Get Out Of The Way)
Chandra seemed like a nice gal, but sometimes the timing just isn't good.
At the apparent insistance of Dana, Alice has decided to go ahead and
follow through with the date with Chandra. They exchange pleasant
conversation about relationships and post-relationships, but Dana calls.
Chandra is understanding as Alice talks to her. Seconds later, Dana calls
back...and doesn't feel too well. Alice agrees to cut the date short and
Chandra, while down appears to once again be understanding of the
situation. As Alice rushes off to check on her friend, Chandra is left
there before going off into the Land Of The Dead Marios.
#46- Bette & Tina Consult Dr. Farber (Labia Majora)
In the time between Seasons 2 & 3, the sexual heat between Bette and Tina
has cooled considerably. So they decide to see a sex therapist. Ideas are
suggested, but Bette and Tina seem to not be interested in the ideas. Toys
and other objects are offered for a price, bewildering the couple. Dr.
Farber tries, but it just doesn't seem to be working out too well. But at
least she tried.
#45- Love Type Thing Flashback (Last Dance)
The Group Of Friends reminisce over their memories of Dana and at this
point, Shane tells a story that goes back Season 1, somewhere between
L'ennui and Listen Up. It's right after Dana and Lara had broken up. Shane
recalls Dana's devastation and decides to cheer her up with a Tegan & Sara
concert...and some "party favors." At the show, Dana's high while Shane
(who's also high) winds up playing with a lighter. The effects of the drug
Dana's partaken in has an effect as she hallucinates Tegan & Sara
themselves egging Dana to come out of the closet. The moment ends with Dana
laughing and singing happily...if only in her head.
#44- Josh Is An Idiot (Lone Star)
Tina's been having the urge to get with a man lately and here now is the
opportunity for her, in the form of one of her employees, Josh. For Josh,
it's simply an opportunity to get it on with a gorgeous woman. All he has
to do is say nothing and enjoy the moment. Josh's inability to do this
however provides for a problem as he playfully questions Tina's
homosexuality, turning Tina off and causing Josh to be shrugged off. Tina
decides it's time to just focus on work, to which Josh replies, "It's your
World...I'm just working in it," before leaving in a huff.
#43- Carmen Comes Out To Her Family (Lead, Follow Or Get Out Of The Way)
Carmen and Shane have dinner outside with Carmen's family and things are
tense, at least between the happy couple. It's quite possible that the
Morales family already know of Carmen's sexuality, but try to ignore it as
best as possible. But upon Carmen, angstly coming out causes a falling out
for the time being with her family. She and Shane both are told to leave.
#42- Monogamous Fire Extinguisher (Lifesize)
Carmen's upset. Shane's had an affair and neither seem to be taking the
reality very well. Carmen gives a lecture about birds being loyal, then
begins holding a fire extinguisher. Shane notices this and tells Carmen not
to use it. Carmen, feeling the urgency to let off some steam over Shane's
infidelity sprays her with the extinguisher smoke. Alice soon arrives,
showing off her vampire bite from Uta, which Carmen explains as an embrace.
As Alice notices what's happened to Shane with the fire extinguisher,
figures it to be Carmen's way of getting Shane to stop smoking. One of the
more humorous moments of Season 3.
#41- Peggy Cuts Helena Off (Left Hand Of The Goddess)
Helena's Good Intentioned Road To Hell leads her to this moment. Her
planned wedding between Shane and Carmen's become a disaster of epic
proportions and top it off, she's been swindled out a lot of money by
Gabriel. Helena's bad decision making along with previous situations force
Peggy's hand. Peggy does something she describes as truly radical. Helena
is now cut off financially and will have to earn love and respect without
money. Peggy then departs with Marilyn, completing a Love Chart adventure
that had been showcased in the Random Acts all Season long.
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