As we roll into the second half of the 5th Season of The L Word the plots and dramatic twists are being woven into a complex web that is bound to have a few surprises, I can just feel it. This week took us behind the scenes of Lez Girls and deep into the paradox of the military code of conduct as Tasha’s prosecutor arrived on the scene.

I never thought I’d say this, but this week I want to talk about Jenny who I’ve decided is showing up in her most authentic fashion (even if it is entirely over the top and bizarre in many ways). While I’ve never been a big Jenny fan, I have to say that of all the characters on the show she has consistently and unapologetically shown up as who she really is at all times. Even when that seems to change radically from day to day or year to year. She’s had more than her share of struggles and odd story lines, but through it all, at any given moment she is who she is, no questions asked. Read the rest of this entry »

Another week of drama for the ladies of The L Word this time as the bitter battle between SheBar and the clan heats up and Lez Girls starts shooting. For me the best part of this whole episode was seeing Bette and Tina together again. All I can say is that I concur with Bette. When it comes to chemistry “it can’t compare”. Like the rest of the world, I’ll be curious to see how this shakes down.

What struck me most about the episode and what I wanted to explore more are the topics of appearances masking what’s really going on and how acting in spiteful ways serves no one. With the exception of this whole sleeping around problem, Shane has a pretty rock solid character about her. If it weren’t for her clear challenges with leaving trails of heartbreak everywhere, I’d give her an award for integrity. She is always there for a friend in need and truly does take responsibility for her actions. (too bad she doesn’t learn and evolve after she takes responsibility for the messes she makes with women) She has a knack for seeing people for who they truly are and stands by them. This episode is no different. She owns up to her mistakes with the babes in charge of SheBar and makes a face to face visit to try and make amends. Shane begs forgiveness and asks that they keep their retaliation directed only at her and not at her friends who are innocent bystanders. Unfortunately Dawn Denbo and her Buff Barbie Babe (Cindi) don’t have an ounce of integrity between them. Read the rest of this entry »

In this week’s episode things are heating up for the ladies of The L Word as we approach mid-season. Relationships are starting to crack and the hookups are coming fast and furious. As I expected from last week’s fall from integrity, this week finds Alice doing what every great Internet marketer wishes they could - go totally viral with her podcast and outing of the NBA star. Her end of show argument with Tasha is starting the ball rolling on what I call incompatible values in a relationship. If you and your partner aren’t congruent, it makes for a bumpy to impossible ride. More on that as things develop.

This week I want to address what was a very short piece of the show but one that I believe holds a most powerful lesson. Bette was on the phone talking to Tina about what she could possibly do about the Jodi situation at work. You see according to the powers that be at the school (and most certainly Bette) they believe Jodi took artistic freedom a bit too far when she let a student stand at the front on the room with a gun pointed to his head. Now whether you think it was ok or not ok for Jodi to allow this, the point is that she wants a meeting with the folks in charge and Bette wants to step in and do her control thing. Why Bette would call her ex for advice on this lord only knows and Tina’s look of disgust pretty much illustrates the absurdity of it. Yet Tina gets my coaching gold star award for her composure, compassion, and response:

“Let her speak for herself. Jodi is a very capable person. … I know you want to fix everything but you have to let her succeed or fail on her own. Otherwise it’ll be a disaster for both of you.”

Now there’s the best advice I’ve heard in a long time on this show. Read the rest of this entry »

This week was heavy on the bar and party scenes. When that happens you can almost guarantee that something dramatic is in store. In fact, I will go out on a limb and say that a lot of people fall out of personal integrity the minute they wander into such a scene. And, in this instance, our ladies of The L Word are no exception.

Last week I talked in depth about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and this week we see how emotionally charged the very process of creating a defense can be as Tasha and her counsel Beech have words. He comes around with the help of his wife and what I might imagine was a “do the right thing” type of conversation. After all, whether he approves of Tasha’s relationship or not is not the issue, whether he chooses to honor his obligation to defend her is. Both Tasha and Alice seem very relieved and grateful when he comes to visit them and discuss the case. Alice even says “Thank your wife for me. I believe that behind every man who does the right thing there is a woman that got him to that place.” Clearly she is pleased about his decision to be in integrity and do the right thing.

I suppose it takes only a few moments of glitz, glitter, and fancy champagne to lead Alice to a deteriorating level of personal integrity, however. Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s episode was rich with great writing and situations that could foster a lot of discussion. I don’t know about you but so far I am finding this season the best yet in terms of the quality of the writing and really showing off the characters with much more depth without losing the viewing appeal.

Besides my general plea for Jenny to hire a real personal trainer before she pops a knee (did anyone see that awful form on her lunge in the gym?) this week I want to tackle the highly charged and complex situation Tasha and Alice find themselves in.

I want to preface this whole dialogue with the fact that I certainly don’t have the answers to this dilemma Tasha faces nor do I have any real answer for the many real life soldiers who struggle with the same inner conflict day in and day out. What I do have are some observations, questions, and a personal opinion. Yet I realize my personal opinion is just that — and truly how can anyone REALLY know unless they have walked a mile or more in someone else’s shoes.

The storyline got formally introduced in Episode 2. Tasha was supposed to ship off to Iraq but suddenly finds herself detained because she is under investigation for homosexual conduct. And thus begins what I expect will be a fairly long storyline involving the portrayal of one woman’s professional and personal experience with the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and blatant (but legal) prejudice against gays and lesbians.

As we’ve already come to see, Tasha is a dyed in the wool military person. Read the rest of this entry »