random musings

The L Word has hit its stride! The third episode of the second season, Loneliest Number is by far the best episode yet. Jam-packed full of emotionally charged moments, as well as a few eye-opening reveals, and laugh-out-loud moments make Loneliest Number the best of the season.

The episode opens with a dream fantasy scene in the jungle. Alice is at her laptop (a Mac, by the way!), typing the same little rhyme over and over about Dana being her friend, when suddenly, "Tonya of the Jungle" appears, replete in sexy jungle kitten outfit, letting Alice know "she knows" and she expects something for knowing. She grabs Alice, kisses her, then drops between her legs and snarls, "I'm starving!" But, right before she plunges in, she looks up and it's Dana's face! Alice shoots up from bed, startled at the dream she just had! Great opening.

Jennifer Beals was simply outstanding this episode. As Bette, the wayward cheater, she is being fed the most emotionally charged scripts of any of the cast members ("Poo sandwiches" according to Beals) thus far. As we watch her downward spiral after being caught cheating, we see a side of Bette we've never seen before: vulnerable, not sure of herself, lost. As their segment opens, she and her lawyer are faced with Tina and her cigar-smoking, predatory lawyer Joyce. Bette's trying to make the best offer she possibly can to Tina in hopes that she will see how much Bette still loves her and wants her back. The pushy cigar lady sees differently, however, and goads Bette, stating it's a "final separation" they're looking at, and reminding her endlessly how she was the one who screwed up the relationship. Bette ignores the lawyer and makes a direct plea to Tina, asking her if she still loves her. The lawyer cuts Bette off and actually attempts to physically manhandle her, ending the meeting with a rude comment about rescheduling when there is less drama. I know lawyers are always portrayed as ruthless, cold sharks, but this woman is worse than a pit of vipers. Not only is she cold and calculating, but I do believe she failed to attend her Ethics classes during law school. She gives new meaning to the word unprincipled.

Bette leaves the meeting, lost in thought, and as so often happens when we're preoccupied with life, has an accident. The guy she hits is a loose cannon, screaming and pounding on her window, telling her she'll be a sorry bitch! Well, Bette snaps, grabs him by the lapels, and screams back at him, "What makes you think I'm not already?!" During this electric moment, Beals is simply outstanding! Let's talk Emmy here, people! Jennifer Beals has some acting chops!

Jenny's actually not too irritating in this episode. Seeing her go toe-to-toe with Sandra Bernhard as the tough writing instructor is great. Bernhard is at her best being a bitch, and Jenny actually has a bit of backbone and stands up to her. Way to go, Jenny. They're bringing back the Jenny that I originally liked: sweet, innocent, good to others, curious about life. She sees Bette at her worst and actually comforts her, even though Bette wasn't to her when she was going through the drama with Tim and Marina. Finally, the writers have done something with Jenny other than making her extremely irritating and unappealing. Although, they did have to put at least one scene of her writing in there. Okay, let her write, but for God's sake, stop the corny flashbacks!

Shane and Carmen. What to say? If I was Carmen, I would have already said see ya later, loser! After having sex, Carmen attempts to engage Shane in pillow talk. Shane lies there like an mute, not answering any of her questions or engaging in any type of normal human behavior. Instead, she bolts like a frightened mouse, saying she's going out. Later on in the episode, Shane seems to have a problem with seeing Carmen kiss Jenny (which was surprising to me, too). Hmm, I would think what's good for the goose is good for the gander, right? Jenny made a comment during this episode that makes a lot of sense about Shane. She said, "You remind me of some of the guys in high school." And she does. Wants the bootie, but doesn't want anyone else to have it.

Don't get me wrong. I like Shane. She's one of the more fair people on the show, refusing to choose sides between Bette and Tina, encouraging Alice to keep secrets instead of blab to everyone, and in all, a decent person. But good God does this woman need a relationship counselor! It should be interesting to see what has brought her to this moment and why she reacts the way she does. I know the fling with Cheri Jaffe hurt her, but it didn't make her this emotionally distant and afraid of relationships.

Dana and Alice are still struggling with their attraction, except this time maybe Dana's eyes are being opened a little bit about the gold-digging Tonya. Dana walks into a luncheon with all these corporate big wigs, only to find out Tonya is selling their wedding for big bucks. Oh, and is taking 15% off the top as her manager, too. When confronted with the money, Tonya does a turnaround, asking if she's not doing enough. Poor wishy-washy Dana lets it go, and they make up. But at least the idea has been planted that Tonya's not as innocent and good as she has let on. Now if they would just catch her being a gold-digger! Meredith McGeachie is an excellent actress to play someone so despised. And gorgeous to boot!

The best part of Dana and Alice is at the re-opening of The Planet. Tonya corners poor Alice on the dance floor, telling her she knows what's wrong with her since Dana and Alice are being so snippy with one another. As the whole dance scene plays out, Dana dances around Alice, rubbing up against her and basically just having a ball while poor Alice is so flustered she can't hardly speak! This scene was laugh-out-loud funny! When Alice simply couldn't take anymore, she bolted, saying she had to pee! Dana was right behind her! Alas, Tonya grabbed Dana at the last minute, preventing what would have been a torrid make-out session in the bathroom between Dana and Alice.

The Planet reopens with Kit at the helm. The lesbian group, Betty, just happens to drop in and perform. Why they didn't pick one of these songs as the opening to TLW, I'll never know, as Betty sounded pretty good tonight. We got to hear the lovely voice of Pam Grier tonight, too, as Kit sings during the show for the first time. Great way to relaunch The Planet. Should be interesting to see if Ivan remains Kit's silent partner or if they bring him back later in the season.

Tina drops over to Bette's house to pick up some stuff while Bette's out and instead finds herself making Bette's unmade bed. After holding Bette's pillow and crying, she feels the need to read Bette's email. Hmm....bad idea, Tina! Yes, Bette cheated on you, but that doesn't give you a right to go snooping in her private email. So, of course, you know there had to be an email from Candace, the carpenter, complete with picture. Only thing is, it looks like the carpenter snapped the pic while Bette was asleep. Creepy. Yes, that would hurt seeing that, but anyone in their right mind would know it was taken without Bette's permission. Of course, Tina leaves the laptop on the bed so Bette can see it when she comes in, which she does, as well as a closet full of empty hangers. After seeing it, Bette walks into the pool, fully clothed, and just lies in the water. I'd be more worried about Bette being the one to attempt suicide than Marina.

Speaking of Marina, did any eagle-eyed viewers catch the emails in Bette's in-box from Marina? What are the producers doing now...creating a character like Maris from Frasier...spoken about but never seen?! :)

The next episode, Lynch Pin, introduces to new characters: Helena Peabody (Rachel Shelley), a woman who will eventually romance Tina, and Mark, the scumbag videographer roommate to Shane and Jenny. Special guest star will be Camryn Manheim of The Practice fame and Charles S. Dutton. Also, looks like Dana and Alice will finally put their friendship on the line. Stay tuned! If this episide is any indication, it's only going to get better from here! Until next time...