Stars: Pam Grier, Mia Kirshner, Jennifer Beals, Laurel Holloman

Summary: A television drama series that follows an ensemble cast of characters who represent multiple facets of the lesbian lifestyle, but enact very human dramas that anyone can relate to.

A television drama series that follows an ensemble cast of characters who represent multiple facets of the lesbian lifestyle, but enact very human dramas that anyone can relate to. At the centre is Jenny (Mia Kirshner, EXOTICA), who has moved to a hip L.A. neighbourhood. Immediately swept up in the lesbian community, Jenny begins to question the heterosexuality she has always taken for granted, while the lives and loves of those around her play themselves out in sometimes humorous, sometimes painful ways. In the second season, Jenny tries to advance her writing career while exploring her newly discovered sexuality and a relationship begins to grow between her and Carmen (Sarah Shahi). Meanwhile, Bette (Jennifer Beals, FLASHDANCE) and Tina (Laurel Holloman, CHERRY) navigate a rocky break-up, and sisters Bette and Kit (Pam Grier, JACKIE BROWN) deal with the last days of their father.

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Once a series has broken new ground, where does it go from there? Showtime's The L Word, concerning the relationships of a community of lesbian Los Angelenos, turned heads with its smart, funny writing and fully realized characters. Season Two offers more of the same, with some notable guest stars and experiments in narrative and music. This season, Jenny (Mia Kirshner) fully embraces her sexuality as her ex-husband/roomie (Eric Mabius) departs and voyeuristic documentary filmmaker Mark (Eric Lively) and womanchaser Shane (Katherine Moennig) move in. Shane and Jenny struggle good-heartedly over the affections of new character Carmen (Sarah Shahi), who isn't given much to do plot-wise apart from occasionally spinning records and serving as one corner of the love triangle. Bette (Jennifer Beals) and Tina (Laurel Holloman) start the season on the rocks due to Bette's infidelity; the introduction of the one-dimensionally nasty Helena Peabody (Rachel Shelley) causes further friction between Bette and Tina while playing havoc with Bette's curatorial career. Meanwhile, Dana (Erin Daniels) and Alice (Leisha Hailey) go from being best friends to being a whole lot more, providing some of the most touching scenes of the season. Kit (Pam Grier) takes on The Planet, the seeming center of LA's lesbian universe, converting it into a nightclub where, conveniently, guest-starring bands can play.

Strong points of the season include Bette and Kit confronting the death of their father (the superb Ossie Davis) and Shane's new job as a gopher for a high-powered Hollywood producer (the equally superb Camryn Manheim). Less strong are the distracting, neo-expressionistic passages meant to be glimpses into Jenny's creative mind and the interminable use of the series' theme song--re-interpreted in a number of genres--to the point of distraction. Mark's voyeurism, which crosses all sorts of boundaries as he installs hidden cameras around the house, is a brilliant way to challenge male viewers who may tune in just to TiVo their way to the sex scenes. That said, the arc of that particular story grows increasingly far-fetched as Mark somehow avoids criminal prosecution and instead endures the horrible fate of having Jenny refuse his offer of coffee and a muffin. Despite its flaws, The L Word is a show that deserves to be cheered on, not for its politics, but for the skillful way it conveys complex human entanglements with sensitivity. --Ryan Boudinot

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 0
Release Date:	August 14, 2006
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	M D R P 3987
Keywords:	General, Four, Series, Word, Tv, Drama, Discs, L
Genre:	Drama