Life.
Love. Los Angeles. Labels. Lonely. Learning.
Laughter, lament. Loss, luck.
Laws. Lies.
Lessons. Limits. Luggage. Leisure.
"The L Word" is a television program created by and for the Showtime network. It first aired in January 2004 in the United States before spreading to affiliate networks in Europe, Australia and elsewhere. Based on subject matter alone, many comparisons will inevitably (and often unfairly) made to "Sex and the City" and "Queer as Folk" but the show stands on its own as an amazing piece of artwork.
Jenny (Mia Kirshner) recently graduated from college and moved to Los Angeles to live with her long-term boyfriend Tim (Eric Mabius). She has never had occasion to think about sexuality in other than conventional terms, and in Tim's neighborhood, this aspect of life is something she will face regularly.
Tim's next door neighbors, Tina (Laurel Holloman) and Bette (Jennifer Beals) have been together for seven years. Herein enters the "L word" most viewers assume is implied by the title of the show: lesbians. Tina and Bette lead fast-track exectutive lifestyles but hope to start a family together. Both frequent The Planet, a local coffee shop.
The Planet is a primarily female-oriented establishment owned and operated by Marina (Karina Lombard). The main characters socialize here, along with their friends: Shane (Katherine Moennig) a punk lady-killer; closeted professional tennis sensation Dana (Erin Daniels); Bette's half-sister Kit (Pam Grier), whose musical career was much more promising before alcoholism; and magazine reporter Alice (Leisha Hailey) who, despite her friends' objections, considers herself bisexual.
Jenny finds herself thrust into the middle of this close-knit lesbian community and has to deal with unexpected advances from Marina. Although the show focuses on her self-exploration, she is more often a foil for the other characters and their own triumphs and tragedies.
The cinematography is beautiful and appropriately handled for each scene. It often increases the mood through atypical angles or focal lengths and deftly frames the subjects for emphasis. The design of the sets also complements the characters and their emotions. Also, there is lots of nudity. Yay nudity.
"The L Word" was created by Ilene Chaiken, a writer who has very little recognized credits other than the ill-fated Pamela Anderson vehicle Barb Wire. From her earlier works, it is amazing that she developed such a heartfelt character-driven drama. Executive producers for the show include Larry Kennar and Steve Golin who have slightly more impressive resumes, including a variety of successful and unsuccessful TV series.
(Potential spoilers in this paragraph.) The second season began in February 2005. Shane's hairdressing career has brought her into the fold of a controversial Hollywood producer. Her one-time fling Carmen (Sarah Shahi) has turned into a long-term romantic interest for Jenny -- now coming to terms with her homosexuality and living together with Shane in the house which Tim has vacated. Marina has returned to her family in Italy under less than happy circumstances and Kit has taken over operation of The Planet. Tina and Bette have separated -- and each has taken something from the other. Dana is engaged to her manager, the overbearing Tonya (Meredith McGeachie), even though she has growing feelings for best friend Alice. Life goes on, but it becomes increasingly more complicated.
The first season of 14 episodes is available on DVD with the second season being released October 2005. Reruns are airing occasionally now on the various Showtime channels.
Lesbian. | 
