In 2004, Ilene Chaiken's Showtime series The L Word debuted as an unabashed examination of queer narratives, particularly those of upper-class lesbian women in Los Angeles. Often, the show failed to accurately portray transgender and bisexual people, as well as other identities that fell outside of the show's lesbian, cisgender default.
Ten years after its finale, a reboot entitled The L Word: Generation Q premiered on Showtime, with Katherine Moennig, Leisha Hailey, and Jennifer Beals reprising their starring roles. While the original show's pitfalls remain a rightful point of criticism among viewers, it is commonly cited as a rare piece of media in which queer stories constitute the central focus. Here are the top ten episodes of The L Word, ranked according to IMDb.
10 Long Time Coming (8.1)
Season four's finale emblematizes The L Word's chaotic and endlessly entertaining form of storytelling. Among numerous plotlines, the episode tackles an ongoing struggle between girlfriends Alice (Leisha Hailey) and Tasha (Rose Rollins), the latter of whom has decided to return to military duty. Their disparate views have caused previous friction, making Tasha's pending departure a climactic moment in their struggle to find common ground.
The finale also follows the series's only transgender protagonist, Max (Daniela Sea), as he considers his decision to have gender-affirming surgery. Meanwhile, the infamous Jenny (played with stunning range by Mia Kirshner) struggles with Tina (Laurel Holloman) over their plans for the movie adaptation of Lez Girls, a book Jenny wrote that draws from her experience in Los Angeles.
9 Looking Back (8.1)
This season one episode tracks the increasing problems in Bette and Tina's relationship, while all of the principal characters (minus Bette) visit Palm Springs for a women's golf event. Throughout the season, Jenny has been coming to terms with her sexuality after moving to L.A. with her underwhelming boyfriend Tim (Eric Mabius) and then cheating on him.
At the golf event, she meets a woman named Robin, with whom she quickly bonds; Dana (Erin Daniels) also meets her newest love interest, albeit a much more annoying one, in the form of talkative and overbearing Tonya (played by Meredith McGeachie).
8 Liberally (8.1)
In the episode that precedes "Looking Back," Shane (Katherine Moennig) finds herself in a deeply uncomfortable love triangle (something that is not terribly uncommon in her narrative arc). While Shane is engaged in an affair with the married and wealthy Cherie (Rosanna Arquette), Cherie's daughter becomes briefly interested in Shane.
In an awkward but endearing moment, Jenny and Dana (both of whom are becoming more comfortable with their sexualities) almost make love but are foiled by the sheer lack of chemistry between them. This failure becomes a comedic bonding moment, however, as they can relate on the basis of romantic ineptitude.
7 Lookin' At You, Kid (8.2)
As fans of The L Word will recall, the initially layered and empathetic character Jenny Schecter gradually transforms into one of the most infamously depicted characters on the show. The season five episode "Lookin' at You, Kid" illustrates some causes of hatred toward Jenny, both by fans and the show's characters.
After writing and securing a film deal for her book Lez Girls, Jenny's character's devolution has run wild and alienates almost everyone around her. In this episode, Jenny's friends are already angry after learning of their questionable depictions in the supposedly fictional book. At a party, they meet the actors who will portray them in the upcoming movie, which leads to a series of hilarious and uncomfortable confrontations.
6 Left Hand Of The Goddess (8.2)
In the season three finale, which takes place several weeks after Dana's death from breast cancer, everyone attends Shane and Carmen's wedding in British Columbia.
Another tragedy takes place when, due to some insensitive comments from her estranged father that exacerbate pre-existing doubts, Shane decides that she cannot marry Carmen (Sarah Shahi) and flees the festivities.
5 Labia Majora (8.2)
This season three premiere abruptly reveals that Alice and Dana, whose relationship blossomed in season two, are now broken up. Admittedly, the plot development is a bit jarring because viewers don't initially witness the downfall of this relationship, just some issues of jealousy (on Alice's part) in season two.
The breakup does, however, add complexity to some of season three's most important moments, including Dana's battle with breast cancer and how her relationship with Alice evolves as a result. And anyway, abrupt relationship catastrophes are par for the course on The L Word.
4 Last Dance (8.3)
In the episode following Dana's heartbreaking death, her friends attend the funeral and are treated horrendously, shoved into the back of the church, and completely shunned by Dana's family. Her parents did not support her sexuality and refuse to acknowledge it, or any close friends that represent the incredibly full life that she led.
After becoming rightfully enraged by this exclusion from the funeral, Alice steals Dana's ashes in an "I don't know whether to laugh or cry" sort of moment. After the tragi-comedic theft, Dana's friends tearfully scatter her ashes and experience a more poignant moment of collective grief than the funeral could offer.
3 Luck Be A Lady (8.3)
One of the series's most layered relationships takes root in this season four episode, in which Alice encounters Tasha, whose military status and political views are utterly removed from Alice's own. The episode also attempts to tackle issues of transphobia and sexism in the workplace when Max observes the poor treatment of his female co-workers.
This episode also features the latest development in Jenny's increasingly unpredictable behavior. After receiving a negative book review from journalist Stacy Merkin, Jenny has befriended and commenced a romance with Stacy's girlfriend Lindsey, who is a veterinarian. In "Luck Be a Lady," Stacy and Lindsey discover Jenny's schemes, which involved adopting a sick dog from a shelter and taking it to Lindsey with tragic results.
2 Limb From Limb (8.4)
In season one's finale, Dana becomes engaged to Tonya, which causes friction because her friends — especially Alice — are not fond of this rapidly-evolving relationship. In fact, Alice's response to the engagement is to arrive at Dana's apartment and impulsively express her love.
After knocking on the door, Alice declares, "You can't marry Tonya," and when Dana asks why, Alice responds nonverbally with a kiss. Unfortunately for Alice, Dana and Tonya remain engaged.
1 Losing The Light (8.9)
Ironically, one of the most traumatic moments of The L Word occurs in its highest-rated episode. Throughout the third season, Dana has faced a tumultuous battle with breast cancer, but she briefly appears to be in recovery. Things take a dramatically negative turn, however, and Dana returns to the hospital with an infection, passing away at the end of "Losing the Light."
In one of the most heartwrenching and powerful performances of the entire series, a devastated Alice arrives at Dana's hospital room and discovers her death. She collapses outside of the room and begins sobbing uncontrollably, all while holding a shopping bag that contains the singing sunflower she just purchased (for Dana) in the hospital's gift shop.
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