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The L Word; Season 4, not bad
Topic Started: Jan 22 2007, 06:16 PM (4,849 Views)
invisicoll
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After the scene with the anti-war jokes, I really worried about how Tasha's explanation of her commitment to the armed forces would be handled. ~CBG


You're telling me. I was cringing from the moment I heard about the character's description. I figured she'd be a brainless meathead. Thankfully, the character turned out to be a pleasant surprise.


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OK, so, here's my beef with the finale, and why I haven't posted until now, and why I am a bit pissed with the show this week. I don't think Tina is going to be dating next season. I think next season is going to be a 12-episode love triangle between Bette, Jodi and Tina. And this annoys me, because obviously they are setting this up so they can get Bette and Tina back together. I've never been a Bette/Tina fan, but I think even if I had, I'd be annoyed by this. ~abzug


Oh, I totally think that's where she's going with this. This show's motto is 'character continuity be damned.' Someone needs to introduce Ilene to a storyboard.

Jodi's "Don't break my heart" was one of the biggest anvils of the episode. I guess I'd be more annoyed if I hadn't assumed this was Ilene's plan all along.

I'm sure we are headed for a Season 5 personality transplant for Jodi, which will drive Bette back into Tina's waiting arms. I can see the series ending in season 5 with Bette and Tina on the porch, Angelica playing on the steps and talking with Shane, who's passing by (ala the end of the first episode of the series). Except maybe this time Shane has a lover with her who will stay around for a while. Full circle with a few additions.
Hollamby – “Alright! Let’s have you!”
Nikki – “In your dreams, love.”
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abzug
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invisicoll
 
I guess I'd be more annoyed if I hadn't assumed this was Ilene's plan all along.

This is a totally sincere question: what made you assume this was her plan all along? I don't read spoilers for this show, nor do I read much in the way of articles. So I felt like I was responding to what was onscreen, and what was onscreen was telling me to get invested in Bette and Jodi, that these two were for real. And I usually consider myself a pretty good "reader" of television, so I'm concerned that I missed the boat here.

However that could be because this show is chock full of bad writing.

My other beef is this idea that Bette and Tina are this pre-destined couple. They've been having problems since the very first episode when we saw them in couples therapy. I don't believe their relationship is any more priveleged than one of Alice's relationships, or Shane's etc. So to me it is totally inane that the writers seem to have expected me, as an audience member, to watch Bette and Jodi get together while keeping the thought in the back of my mind that Bette really belongs with Tina. I mean, come on people, we're not talking Helen and Thomas here!
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invisicoll
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This is a totally sincere question: what made you assume this was her plan all along?


Honestly, I don't really know. I just find her writing very transparent and I've assumed they were going to end up going the Ross/Rachel route. Drive them apart for years and bring them together at the end.

Hollamby – “Alright! Let’s have you!”
Nikki – “In your dreams, love.”
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abzug
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invisicoll
Mar 28 2007, 02:21 PM
Honestly, I don't really know. I just find her writing very transparent and I've assumed they were going to end up going the Ross/Rachel route. Drive them apart for years and bring them together at the end.

I guess that's what bothers me most of all. There is NO WAY that the L Word writers have earned the right to place Bette and Tina in the same category as Ross and Rachel, or Doug and Carol, or (perish the thought) Helen and Nikki. So this whole business of bringing Bette and Tina back together at the end of the show, as if we the audience even care, well, it's just sloppy soap opera writing, following the surface of the common storylines without really living and breathing them.

Ross and Rachel, Doug and Carol, Helen and Nikki--we were shown all of these couples in their romantic prime, and then in a period of decline. And their romantic prime in all cases was totally delicious, full of passion and chemistry. So of course we rooted for them. But Bette and Tina? At best I can get lukewarm for these two. Truthfully, I think Bette can do better.
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invisicoll
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So this whole business of bringing Bette and Tina back together at the end of the show, as if we the audience even care, well, it's just sloppy soap opera writing, following the surface of the common storylines without really living and breathing them.


Actually, I was going to say the very same thing with the soap opera writing comparison but work got busy and I just decided to hit 'send.' Ilene comes from the school of Aaron Spelling drama and it shows.
Hollamby – “Alright! Let’s have you!”
Nikki – “In your dreams, love.”
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ekny
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I first saw Angel before I'd seen Laurel Holloman in anything besides Incredible True Adventures, & only recently realized she'd had an ongoing role in that (a good one, too) for half a dozen episodes or so. Just thought I'd mention it. Clue train rolling away from me even as I watch the doors slam shut, I know.
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LahbibLover
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I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
Laurel is actually the main reason I started watching L-word. I do think that most of the actresses are what keep me some what interested still but it is really hard for me to be very enthusiastic about it because of the suck the life out of L-word writing. It is just cringe worthy.
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ekny
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LahbibLover
Nov 29 2007, 10:54 PM
Laurel is actually the main reason I started watching L-word. I do think that most of the actresses are what keep me some what interested still but it is really hard for me to be very enthusiastic about it because of the suck the life out of L-word writing. It is just cringe worthy.

Hee, yeah, I stopped watching several years ago, just couldn't take it. But the other L-word person who does a very nice turn in a film I saw a little while ago is Jennifer Beals, who, along with Elizabeth Berkley (from Showgirls, yep--but she's actually quite competent in this--honest :D ) have short roles for about a 30-minute segment of the 2002 indie, Roger Dodger. Which I should warn you is definitely a guy movie. About women, men, & singles in NY--pretty hard to take in places, especially initially (hyper self-conscious jumpy camerawork). The main character is a total asshole, which makes the whole thing really tough to watch--he's a misogynist with a layer of charm that goes exactly 1 molecule deep, a misanthropic player who spends all his time working out angles to score with women--but he hates them, & hates himself more. His life's coming apart at the seams. His teenage nephew shows up in town, looking to learn about Women from this complete womanizer, & the kid gives an absolutely excellent performance, he's the moral center of the movie & keeps it watchable. And again, Beals & Berkley give really nice performances too. Did I mention Isabella Rossellini has a brief role? Ahem. I think it's the sort of movie that would really turn off a *lot* of female viewers, straight or otherwise, but I found it interesting. Underneath the spiteful behavior & callousness, the script itself is thoughtful, intelligent, & filled with great dialogue. Iow, parts are quite funny, though generally it's pretty harsh--it's supposed to make you uncomfortable, & succeeds admirably; it's disturbing, but for good reason. Still, I was glad I saw it, & in fact watched it a second time for the commentary. The ending's flawed, but as a debut movie, I thought it was very impressive.
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silverballnz
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Hi from the land of the Kiwi.
I also saw Roger Dodger and loved it and like you ekny have seen it twice :D
But then im a huge JB fan :rolleyes:
I thought that the acting in this film was fantastic. Its was like sitting in a bar and just watching life pass you by.Like they were not acting at all.
Which to me is a sign of great acting.

I thought that Campbell Scott was just wonderful in this film!!!!!!!!!!!

I have most of Jennifers movies some are excellent others just fucking rubbish.
If anyone want a quick review of some of her movies I can probebly help out. :D
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ekny
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Hi silverballnz, glad to hear it & glad you posted, thanks!!!... I was afraid if I didn't give people a heads up about how it's kinda hard to watch they'd see it & be like, augh, it's nasty! :D Happy to hear I'm not the only one who saw it more than once... I felt a bit perverse doing it but it was... interesting. :) Cheers, e
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abzug
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In love with a prisoner
Well, it's that time again. Yes, the S5 premier of The L Word. I, well, I honestly don't know what to say. I can't stop watching, and yet I sort of can't watch either. Bright spots for me were Cybil Shepherd, who was funny and engaging and just lit up the screen whenever she came on; umm, trying to think of another bright spot and having a really hard time.

Kind of an interesting dynamic between Bette and Jody. I'm worried for them, because I think Jody should have been more positive in responding to Bette getting her apartment ready. (My gf just called Jody a "shrew" so yeah, she wasn't very nice.) The Jody-in-control sex scene wound up being an interesting twist--it wasn't where I thought the scene was going to go. But of course they've already set it up so that it's useless to get invested in Bette and Jody, since it's so clear that they are going to bring Bette and Tina back together.
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yankeelady
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S5 - Opener. I agree with abzug re: Cybil Shepherd...she was funny.

For the rest of it... the Jane Lynch character was totally over the top, and the episode was fascinating in the sense that it was as if you were looking at a train wreck about to happen. I can't see how the writing could get any worse, but it probably will now that they are going to get political with Tasha. I can't even bring myself to comment on the prison thing.

It's true that it's so bad you can't stop watching, but it was interesting that IC and company brought back the Greek chorus concept with Alice, Tina and Shane at the party, but it may be too little too late.

I'm beginning to think Jenny is IC's alter ego; it would certainly explain the writing. :rofl
Nikki...Don't get jealous...
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consolata
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I've just read this whole thread and just finished the first episode of S5. I really really liked S4 last year. In fact, it is the only season of the LWord that I felt that I had to own. Got it on itunes. My favorite part of last season was everything Jodi and Bette. I loved the scene where Bette was helping Jodi work on her art. Loved the morning drawing of Bette and the later coming out stories. As mentioned a page or two back, I felt the best acting on the show was the after dinner Bette and Jodi fight and the Bette, Jodi, Tom phone conversation. Just really great work. I have to admit though that Jodi and Bette don't really have any sexual chemistry. They have other chemistry that works really well in every other situation but when they are trying to get down.
I don't like the whole Bette and Tina thing and from what I can tell from a couple of boards I've frequented in the past, there is an incredible fan base for those two. This boggles my mind because from the very FIRST episode we were shown that this relationship was on the rocks and pretty much dying. I have never rooted for them. I did love the last scene they had together in S1. It felt so real. All that being said, I really think the creators of the show are just going along with the most vocal internet access having folk that want Bette and Tina together. If they do get back together I hope it's not on the last show. My wish is that if they did get back together that they'd truly realize they aren't right together and break up for good. In the last episode. Ha. I'm being evil I know, but the whole Bette and Tina really bug me. This is because I am entirely spoiled with Helen and Nikki. Though S3 was tough going at points, at least I was left satisfied with their overall story arc and I just absolutely love(d) them together and apart. If there is any other tv lesbian super couple please someone let me know!
As far as tonight's episode. I laughed aloud at some points. The jail parts. The show is just so campy and I'm glad that it's not trying to be a drama anymore. At least this episode wasn't. They really could have gotten rid of Helena this season but I guess they want to do some jail campy stuff. Good thing: Shane and Jenny's friendship feels really authentic and I love them together as friends. Good thing: How happy Bette was to see Jodi. I love when Bette smiles. Too bad Jodi hurt her feelings. I wish she would've said thank you. I really appreciate it but I have to decorate my own space. It's my own thing. Did she say that? I think she did I just don't like to see Bette with hurt feelings. Can you tell I love Bette! The beginning of control seduction could've been done differently. I blame AR who is a great director, this just didn't work for me. Good thing: Tasha and Alice at the end. I really like them together. Funny thing: All of Phyliss's parts. Who is she going to play the field with I wonder?

Where's Papi? I miss her.
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Jeanna
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I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
yankeelady
Jan 7 2008, 12:23 AM

I'm beginning to think Jenny is IC's alter ego; it would certainly explain the writing. :rofl

By Jove I think you've got it. <G>
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abzug
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But that doesn't make any sense. If Ilene Chaiken identified with Jenny, why would she depict her in such a hateful way? I mean, I keep thinking we're going to get some insight into why Jenny is behaving this way, and then we don't. Are we just supposed to think she's narcicistic due to a history of sexual and emotional abuse? That's so facile.
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