DVD review: The L Word

What's it all about?

The L Word follows a group of lesbians as they live their lives in one main neighbourhood. It follows them through babies, almost marriages, affairs, death and sexual antics. The main storyline revolves around Bette and Tina, to whom we are first introduced, but as their relationship dissolves Jenny becomes a bigger team player in the series and we essentially follow her life. Of course, it's all with the help of the other main characters (Alice, Shane, Kit, Helen and Tasha) that we see how well their lives are intertwined.

Season 1

This season introduces you to the main characters. Bette and Tina are trying for a baby, Jenny and Tim have just moved into the area and Marina proves a rival for Tim, Shane (the serial heart-breaker), Dana and Alice are all involved in the main storylines. It doesn't disappoint with its shares of scandal straight from the very first episode.

Season 2

The second season shows Tina and Bette in their different relationships whilst trying to juggle a baby and Kit (Bette's sister is introduced). Shane and Jenny become flatmates along with Mark who reveals something about Shane's girlfriend. Alice and Dana also begin a secret affair.

Season 3

Tina and Bette continue with their up and down relationships whilst Moira/Max is introduced as Jenny's new girlfriend who is considering changing her gender. Dana and Alice reach trouble in paradise and Shane and Carmen plan to go one step further in their relationship.

Season 4

Jenny's film gets directed as she begins fooling around with a main cast member - she becomes a volatile character. The arrival of Tasha, Alice's new love, is also key in this series.

Season 5

Jenny's film continues as more affairs and secret relationships continue off-set with the girls of the L Word.

Season 6

This season starts with a murder of the main character - no fret though as flashbacks still reveal the gossip and love going on between the girls. 

The Good

The L Word is one of the few television shows that focuses on female orientated characters and lesbians - two features that are rarely explored with  many television shows including a lot of male characters with a few females speckled in for romantic value who end up as string-along love interests rather than being the lead. 

The development of characters is really intriguing on this - imparticular Jenny Schecter. She begins as very timid but battles through and almost flips on her head to becoming a very unlikeable character. Although this is a little poor on behalf of the writers it allows you to know that there are deeper levels. At the same time the characters do remain true to themselves so you don't lose them completely. Shane, for example, is a serial cheater and as you begin to think she turns around full circle she does what's true to her character.

The L Word sees a surprising amount of relationship breakdowns but some relationships, though flawed, are truly beautiful and some of the chemistry portrayed is a lot deeper than just 'people kissing' or 'having sex'. There are some touching moments and some humorous which shows that they truly are friends despite what may have happened.

The Bad

One of the major flaws in this show is the portrayal of lesbians/gay women. Although Max's storyline (male to female gender reassignment) was handled sensitively, overall they show the characters all cheating at one point or another, knowing lots of people in their circle, sleeping with another girl at any given opportunity and being highly promiscuous. I don't think that's a true reflection of real life and think it comes across as quite a negative portrayal of lesbians in general which is very frustrating. 

Another annoyance is the way characters are suddenly taken in... and taken out of the series. Angus, who Kit dates, is suddenly shunned out as is Tim, Jenny's ex-husband, which feels very abrupt and unneeded. This largely seems to happen only for the male characters which means there are very few constant male leads.

My final qualm is that we never find out who kills a very central main character. Leaving it up to the audience to decide is a very silly idea in my mind. Not only does it feel like it defeats the purpose of the whole series (that everyone knows everyone's business) but it feels so unresolved. It brings the whole series down to a disappointing end.

Verdict

Overall I love the idea of The L Word and like the direction in which it's come from. However, the result is mildly disappointing. There are snippets of each season which are funny, touching and lovely which is why I've given it the review I have and some characters really do stand out. However, the overall premise and judgement placed on lesbians and female roles really brings it down.