It's like, totally unexpected good.

I tried with the L Word last year, I really did. I borrowed DVD's from a friend, and I actually dug the first season. Then the second season came and everything was weird and Jenny continued to suck (sorry if you don't watch it and don't know who I'm talking about-usually I would say don't bother, but I've had a change of heart, as you will soon see) and I resented that she was a Jewish brunette writer who was crazy (WAAAAAAAAY too close to home for my liking, thanks) and everything was DRAMA. ALL. THE. TIME. For a show that was supposed to be progressive, it did nothing but perpetuate every stereotype about what happens when women get together with other women. Here's what I learned about lesbian relationships from that show:
1. There's a lot of talking. About feelings. Like, ALL OF THE TIME.
2. Everything's dramatic, and everyone expects people to know what they're thinking/feeling without verbally expressing it.
3. Lesbians can't socialize/have friendships with straight men. EVER.
4. Seriously, ALL THE TIME WITH THE FEELINGS.

Also, in this Hollywoodified version of lesbianism, everyone is very, very good looking. Now, as a media-savvy, educated straight person, I know this is not reality. At least not for most lesbians that I know. And I am an expert because like a good little media researcher, I asked a bona-fide lesbian "Is this the way that, the way that you live? And love?" as the screechingly annoying theme song heralds. "Um, no, no it is not," this lesbian responded. So I know what I'm talking about here.

The last season of the L Word started recently, and I'm a sucker for final seasons of any show. It gets me. Makes me sad. Pulls on the 'ol heartstrings a little. So I decided to give it a try, and let me tell you this: FRIENDS. If you had given up on the L Word before, COME BACK. I don't know what the hell happened. Perhaps the writers woke up and said "hey, we've straight run out of melodrama. Huh." Or maybe they looked around and decided that real life is getting pretty damn serious, so maybe they don't need to take their little Showtime production quite as seriously. But people, believe me when I say, it is awesome and hilarious. I present to you my two pieces of evidence, and they both happened in episode 3 of this season. One of the things that I love is (artful!!) self-referential television, and the L Word is working it like the rent is due:

1.) At the beginning of the episode, Jenny and Shane are in the kitchen and they've both just slept together for the first time. Shane is a hairdresser (if you're new to the show, don't be fooled by the fact that her hair looks like it's an actual mop right now, she is indeed a hairdresser), and Jenny asks her if she's going to cut Patrick Dempsey's hair that morning. Shane responds by saying no, she's doing Eric Mabius. Eric Mabius (currently on Ugly Betty), played Jenny's fiancee Tim in the first season of the L Word. This conversation is taking place partly off camera and certainly not in the foreground (they weren't forcing it in the viewer's face), but if you paid attention you caught it. And BAM! goes the fourth wall. Sweet.

2.) This one I just discovered, and textual analysis makes me all giddy inside, so I'm psyched and am not going to even google to see if other people caught it, because I like to think of myself as somewhat of a genius (shut it). Later in the episode, Alice and Shane are in a restaurant recapping Shane's blossoming love affair with the Gross and Weird Jenny. The following conversation takes place:

Shane: It was good.
Alice: How good?
Shane: Like, better than I was expecting good.


Ok, now, I missed this the first time, but I just had this episode on and my head snapped to the TV when this happened and had to rewind. BECAUSE if you don't watch the L Word, chances are you know the actress who plays Alice as the star of The Most Annoying Ad Campaign In History, otherwise known as the dumb Yoplait girl. Who says things like "this yogurt is soooooo goood. It's like, just bought a new pair of shoes good. It's like, not having to wear an ugly bridesmaid dress good. It's like, having a great hair day good." YOU KNOW the ones. Horrific. Anyway, I rewound, and sure enough, they are eating yogurt while having this conversation. GENIUS.

Ok, I'm done now. But really, check it out if you were a fan who went astray. Also, Oscar predictions: A lot of over-paid people congratulating each other, more of Mickey Rourke's face than I feel is really necessary, and Ryan Seacrest accosting Brad and Angelina.



Also equally entertaining: Katherine Moennig's (who plays Shane) IMDB boards, wherein thousands of young teenage girls flock to discuss their sexual confusion over being attracted to her. Ladies, allow me to analyze, if you will. You say you're straight, and not attracted to any other women, but you're into Ms. Moennig? It MIGHT be because SHE LOOKS KIND OF LIKE A DUDE. I'm not saying you're definitely not a lesbian, or bisexual, but really. I'd warn against using your attraction to this chick as a sexuality Litmus test if you're looking to define yourself in black and white terms...