OT - The L Word

[leavethesky]

I just watched the first ep of the new season of The L Word and I have to say that it was a million times better than last season, which isn't hard to do, but still. The GF didn't like it as much as I did, but even she had to grudgingly admit that the writing, direction, and editing were MUCH tighter. It actually felt like a real show and not a bad reality tv show masquerading as drama. And more importantly, the direction and writing finally allowed these actresses to really fucking ACT for once. And they did. Alice is back to being Alice. Shane is a fuck up. Bette and Tina resolved the stupid kidnapping story in about ten minutes (thank you GOD!!) with some help from the incredible Jane Lynch and dialog that actually made sense. I didn't think they (the producers and writers) could do it. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. And all of this trying to tie up the miserable storylines left over from last season. Quite a feat.

That's always been the tragedy of this show. It's crammed full of incredible actresses who inevitably get stuck with STUPID dialog and inane storylines full of melodrama that twist their characters in and out and around until no one is quite sure what Tina was like to begin with anyway. And who cares. But this ep was solid. Even though I still don't care about Marina and Jenny. And I'm not quite sure wtf Rosanna Arquette was doing, but, hey, I'm willing to go with the flow.

Basically, this first ep has given me something I haven't had for a long time -- hope for The L Word.

Comments

[thewildorchids.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I feel totally opposite :-/

[bamlkr.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell, reactions have been pretty violently different, ranging from "Who are these pod people?" and um. You. But I really do hear you about how awful it's been these past two seasons. Still, though, I'm waiting for the episode to pop up online so I can watch (I live in South Korea.) and am crossing my fingers.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

Ah well. I should have caveated that with the following: it's still not even good television, it's just better than last season. It's a show I might almost watch with some regularity. Maybe.

Also, I really think they were handicapped with all of the tragically awful loose ends from last season, so I'm trying to cut the new kids (new writers and producers) some slack.

[bamlkr.livejournal.com]

it's still not even good television, it's just better than last season.

Well, considering Season 3, I think it would be more amazing if Season 4 was actually worse. That's a feat!

Anyhow, got through the episode, and, despite all my griping, sort of enjoyed it. The only thing that REALLY REALLY annoyed me was Lara. Because again, for the third fucking season in a row, they manage to completely cut out any important developments that may have happened between seasons, and they didn't even do a 'six months later'. The first scene was still at the friggin' hotel where they left off last season. (Unless you count the weird underwater Shane thing, which just... WTF?)

Of course, this really does tie in to the whole 'tragically awful loose ends from last season', so I'm willing to be hopeful :)

[ein-myria.livejournal.com]

Haven't seen the ep yet either, but if you say that there's hope ahead, here's to wishing and hoping. :) My favorite character out of the series is Peggy Peabody (which is probably saying something) >_>;;

If the L word gets to the point where even eye candy can't even help it, perhaps another rec, to help pass the days? I recently watched The Chinese Botanist's Daughter, a French-speaking movie, which was quite good, I thought. Cinematography is quite nice. I recommend it if you can get a copy... :) Much better than Loving Annabelle, which I thought was cliche and didn't really say very much.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

Peggy rocks!!! Alas, she isn't in this ep. I really want to see The Botanist's Daughter, but I don't think I can take another tragic lesbian love story right now. I need happy endings...at least for a while.

[ein-myria.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean by a happy ending...

I have only one word for the season's new episode after I saw it: bizarre (but that's nothing new *winces*).

[sravenk.livejournal.com]

I don't expect miracles but your mention of Alice returning to being Alice has me slightly relieved. I only really watch the show for Leisha Hailey (I bet that comes as a big surprise! ;-)), so her character's recent assassination has had me really bummed.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

Well, apparently I'm the only person in the universe who thought it was better, so don't count on too much. I based it on the dialog, which actually sounded almost like real human speech, and the cinematography/editing which felt more like an indie film than the bad soap opera of last season. Plus, like I said, the actresses actually got to act instead of just tossing out their ridiculous I'm-so-clever dialog, posing, and chewing the scenery. Still, it's not great or even good television. It's just...better. Almost watchable.

Leisha was back in form as the desperately-needed comic relief. apparently, the new makeup artist thought she was a drag queen, so there's that to deal with. so not necessary.