Season One (2004)
Although the Pilot episode originally aired as one complete episode, it is split into 2 parts on Netflix, as well as in this guide.
1.01 - Pilot: Part 1
Description: Jenny Schecter is a young writer who graduates from college in Iowa and moves in with her boyfriend, Tim Haspel, a university women's swim team coach, in Los Angeles. Her new neighbors, Bette Porter and Tina Kennard, a lesbian couple for seven years now, have a hard time finding a male willing to donate his sperm to fulfill their wish for a child. Tina introduces Jenny to her lesbian circle of friends: Dana Fairbanks, a closeted tennis player, bisexual journalist Alice Pieszecki, and the hairstylist Shane McCutcheon. Jenny also meets Marina Ferrer, European owner of The Planet coffeehouse; they are immediately drawn to each other and eventually share a passionate kiss.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "The Pleasure Song" by Marianne Faithful - plays in opening
1.02 - Pilot: Part 2
Description: Bette and Tina have their own problems and discuss using an African American as a donor for their child, which Tina will carry. Bette also deals with her alcoholic older half-sister Kit, who has problems with her singing career, the only straight female character of the main cast. Jenny soon betrays Tim by sleeping with Marina. The next morning, Jenny finds a ring from Tim on her breakfast table.
Notes: Bette and Tina try to convince a random artist from an art gallery to impregnate Tina during a threesome, but once he catches on he leaves. Bette and Tina's first sex scene occurs. The episode also consists of the birth of "Our Chart", Alice's system of connecting lesbians through sex.
1.03 - Let's Do It
Dana is asked to star in an ad campaign, but is worried about her sexual orientation being made public. While doing research for a story, Alice meets her old girlfriend Gabby and is immediately drawn to her again. Shane is harassed by an old girlfriend, Lacey, who thinks Shane used her. Bette and Tina try artificial insemination with the sperm of Marcus Allenwood. The girls help Dana calibrate her "gaydar" and check out her new love interest, a country club sous chef named Lara Perkins. Kit tries to mend her relationship with Bette and to rebuild her entertainment career. Tim, unaware of Jenny's encounter with Marina, invites Marina over for dinner, along with Bette and Tina and their other friends. Bette correctly guesses that something happened between Jenny and Marina and orders Marina to stay away from Jenny.
Notes: Hilarious and adorable scene where the girls try to figure out if Lara is gay.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" by Ella Fitzgerald - closing song
1.04 - Longing
Bette works on booking an art collection for her museum, the California Art Center, while her boss, Franklin, works against her. Mistaken for someone else, Bette meets with the influential Peggy Peabody at a hotel in Santa Barbara. Meanwhile, Shane tries to convince her crazy ex, Lacey, to stop the rampage against her. Alice learns that Gabby is still untrustworthy and breaks up with her again. She continues to try to write but suffers from writer's block. Dana finally musters the courage to ask Lara out on a date. Also, Jenny cannot resist temptation and begins an affair with Marina behind Tim's back.
Opening Scene: New York City 1986. One woman is taking pictures of another woman naked. Later on in the episode Peggy Peabody asks Bette what her favorite Carla Marie Freed photograph is, and Bette names the picture that was taken in the opening scene.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Right in Time" by Lucinda Williams - closing song
1.05 - Lies, Lies, Lies
Jenny's old college professor Nick shows up and tries to convince her that she is more complex than her latest work makes her out to be. Tim begins to suspect Jenny's infidelity, as does Alice and others. However, Jenny outright lies to everyone by denying being unfaithful. Alice later discovers the truth when she walks in on Jenny having sex with Marina in her office at The Planet while Tim is looking for her, and Alice covers for Jenny to prevent Tim from finding out and hurting his feelings. Unfortunately, this close call only makes Jenny even more reckless and unapologetic to her affair with Marina. Meanwhile, Peggy Peabody prevents Bette from getting fired by storming into a meeting and announcing that she will lend the Provocations collection to the museum. Tina finally gets pregnant. Dana is ashamed about what happened on her first date with Lara. Elsewhere, Alice deals with her vain and irresponsible actress mother, Lenore who moves into her apartment after being evicted from her hotel suite. But Alice soon discovers that Lenore is not playing in high profile movies as she claims to be.
Opening Scene: Greenwich Village Present Day. A woman is knocks on her friend's door, looking for her girlfriend. The owner of the house claims she does not know where her girlfriend is, but after she shuts the door the girlfriend is shown in her bed. The scene is not addressed again during the episode but the girls are seen at a pool party in episode 1.08.
1.06 - Lawfully
Tim finally finds out about Jenny and Marina when he walks in on them. In a desperate attempt to hold on to him, Jenny tries making up with Tim; he tells her to prove her love by traveling to Lake Tahoe and marrying him immediately. Meanwhile, Dana is invited to a Subaru dinner party to sponsor her tennis career. She ends up hurting Lara when she takes Harrison, her (male) doubles tennis partner as a cover date. Bette and Tina have dinner with Bette's conservative father where they announce Tina's pregnancy. Shane runs into an old friend, Clive, who is the personal assistant to Harry Sandchuk, a Hollywood bigwig who has come to see Shane's hairstyling work. Alice finally tells her mother to move out of her apartment.
Opening Scene: West Hollywood California 1976. Two men are in a public bathroom and one man (named Steven Green) is about to perform (consensual) oral sex on the other man. Shortly after the man receiving the oral sex is shown arresting Steven Green. This man is shown pulling over Tim at the end of the episode. He talks to Tim about porn and says that he hates homosexuals because there is no way straight sex can compete with gay sex.
Notes: Kit goes to her father and asks him to support Bette after their unpleasant dinner.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" by Connie Francis - plays in opening scene
1.07 - Losing It
*REWATCH WORTHY*
A rising artist in New York tests Bette's commitment while Tina has an unpleasant run-in with Lei Ling, the sperm donor's girlfriend, who begins to harass her. Alice meets a man named Lisa, who claims to be a "lesbian in a man's body". While hitchhiking back to Los Angeles, Jenny gets a ride from two disaffected teenagers that she does "shrooms" with. Also, Shane is excited that Harry wants to refer celebrity clients to her for hairstyling.
Opening Scene: Detroit Michigan 2 Years Ago. Two young women having sex at work while their boss secretly watches and masturbates. These girls are later mentioned by the girl driving the car Jenny catches a ride with.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "In Spite of All the Damage" by The Be Good Tanyas - closing song
1.08 - L'Ennui
Jenny is hurt when Tim rejects her and rudely tells her to move out. Jenny then tries to live with Marina, who eventually tells Jenny that she has another lover living in Italy. Bette and Tina struggle with their fears of parenthood. Meanwhile, Dana's fears about being outed by her endorsement contract with Subaru destroys her relationship with Lara. Shane throws a party aboard Harry's boat with all her friends in attendance. Alice, fed up with women, tries a relationship with Lisa, which does not turn out as expected. Kit is stung when her estranged son, David Waters, doesn't show up for their meeting because he thinks she's fallen off the wagon again.
Opening Scene: Rome Italy Present Day. A designer is working on a dress for a young woman and starts flirting with her and sexually touching her, and the girl enjoys it. Later on it's revealed that the designer is Marina's long term girlfriend, Francesca.
Notes: Hilarious scene where Alice, Dana and Shane stage an "intervention" with Bette and Tina because they're too boring. Also good sisterly bonding between Kit and Bette.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Alright" by Kinnie Starr - plays during Jenny x Marina sex scene
1.09 - Listen Up
Jenny tries to explain her situation and her confused sexuality to her one-time college roommate, Annette, who suggests they stalk Marina's girlfriend, Francesca, after she arrives in town. Bette and Tina attend group therapy in preparation for becoming parents, while Bette faces off against a black militant writer, Yolanda, who questions Bette's self-image as a mixed-race person. With her Subaru endorsement contract in full swing, Dana, with Alice in tow, decides to come out to her right-wing parents during a formal ball for Mrs. Fairbanks, despite knowing they will not approve. Kit is asked to help write a song for rapper Slim Daddy. Shane throws Clive out of her place after catching him stealing from her to support his drug habit.
Opening Scene: Santa Rosa California 1968. Two teenage girls are shown horseback riding, and they're sad because one of them is going on a program abroad. One girl starts kissing the other in a barn stall and she stops it and freaks out about it. Although it's not explicitly stated, it's inferred that the girl who was kissed is Dana's mother, Sharon.
Notes: Bette's race battle with Yolanda is probably the longest race discussion on the L Word, and it's a pretty good one.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Blue Sky" by Jason Collett - plays during Jenny's conversation with Annette
1.10 - Luck, Next Time
Bette faces serious personal and professional problems when the art gallery comes under attack for a radical exhibit and Tina buys expensive baby accessories without consulting her. As Dana starts to adjust to being out of the closet, fame finds Shane when she gives a has-been actress, Cherie Jaffe, a new style, and the married actress makes a pass at her. Alice finds complications with Lisa and turns to another man named Andrew. Jenny has an unpleasant dinner with Marina and Francesca, who defend their open romance; Jenny leaves even more confused about whether she wants to be with Marina or with Tim. Later, Tim tells Jenny that he cannot forgive her for her infidelity and deception. Also, Kit begins to rehearse for Slim Daddy's music video.
Opening Scene: Lisbon Portugal Present Day. A group of artists is filming themselves stage a sex scene between Jesus and a naked woman.
Notes: Snoop Dogg guest stars in this episode... and it's amazing. This is also the episode when Tina miscarries the baby.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Sol Ja Camba" by Fantcha - plays during opening scene
1.11 - Liberally
Tina's grief from her sudden miscarriage is eased when an unexpected opportunity arrives; a member of her and Bette's therapy group asks her to volunteer at a social insurance office. There she and her colleagues find some dirt on Fae Buckley, the fanatical leader of a religious group that's hell-bent on shutting down Bette's art gallery. Meanwhile, Shane's relationship with Cherie becomes complicated when Cherie's unsuspecting husband, Steve, wants to help Shane open up her own hair salon and asks her to spend time with his emotionally distant daughter, Clea, who also makes a pass at Shane. Marina and Francesca have an argument over Francesca wanting to leave town again for a job back in Italy. Jenny tries to help the distraught Tim, who begins to date Trish, one of his swim team students. Dana gets a new hairstyle and attempts to have a fling with Jenny. Alice worries that she might be pregnant after her trysts with Lisa and Andrew. Also, Kit makes her return to the stage during a club party with Slim Daddy.
Opening Scene: San Fernando Valley Last Year. Two young women are shooting a porno in a bathroom wearing Catholic school girl uniforms. "The principal" walks in and one of the girls, China, gives him a blow job. It's revealed later on in the episode that China is the daughter of Fae Buckley, the leader of a religious group trying to shut down Bette's art gallery.
Notes: Snoop Dogg guest stars again, and it's even better. Also, in this episode Dana and Jenny awkwardly start to hook up and then stop, which is hilarious.
1.12 - Looking Back
Bette prepares for the gallery's "Provocations" show and hires Candace, an attractive female contractor, to handle the set-up. Meanwhile, Tina, Jenny, Shane, Alice and Dana share an eventful road trip to Palm Springs to the Dinah Shore Golf Classic for women. They each tell their coming out stories. At the hotel, Dana hits it off with a pushy event-planner named Tonya, and Jenny unloads about her tragic life to some of the attendees, including a new potential lover, named Robin.
Opening Scene: Los Angeles California 1979. At a pool party, some middle aged men in suits are doing drugs while egging on three naked girls in a pool, hoping for some action. Turns out to be Alice's mom is one of the girls in the pool.
Notes: There's some good flashback scenes in this episode from the girls telling their coming out stories on the way to Dinah.
1.13 - Locked Up
A near-riot at the art gallery lands Bette, Dana, Shane, and Alice in the L.A. County Jail, which puts Bette in dangerous proximity to Candace when they share a cell together. Meanwhile, Kit meets Ivan, an auto mechanic and ultra-butch drag king. Marina contemplates life without Francesca and begins to flirt with Robin, knowing that Robin has planned a date with Jenny. Jenny tries to write a story about manatees and attends the local aquarium for inspiration. There she meets a fish curator named Gene and he asks her out. As Tim and Jenny discuss divorce, Shane's relationships spin out of control when Clea refuses to take no for an answer.
Opening Scene: Off the coast of Florida April 1999. Some dolphins and a manatee are swimming.
1.14 - Limb From Limb
*REWATCH WORTHY*
The "Provocations" art show finally premieres at the CAC to mixed reviews, and Bette finally gives in to Candace's advances. Marina continues to flirt with Robin despite knowing she's dating Jenny, who has also begun sleeping with Gene. Shane's life turns from bad to worse when her attempt to let Clea down gently turns disastrous. Next, Cherie abandons Shane, and Cherie's husband terminates his business arrangement with Shane. Dana's pet cat dies, and Tonya proposes marriage. At the end of the episode, Tina finds out about Candace's fling with Bette, who forces herself on Tina while apologizing. Alice realizes that she is in love with Dana and goes to her apartment to tell her. They kiss, but Alice returns home alone, where she finds Tina sitting on her couch, crying.
Notes: The ending "love scene" between Bette & Tina is arguably the most intense scene in the entirety of The L Word. Jennifer Beals (Bette) has said on multiple occasions it is her favorite scene of the show. In the 2011 Reunion Special, the show's executive producer, Ilene Chaiken, as well as Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman (Tina) talked about how difficult the scene was to film. They said that during filming they just kept the cameras continuously running and tried to capture the best moments, which made the scene more raw and intense. It is most likely the most discussed scene from the show.
1.01 - Pilot: Part 1
Description: Jenny Schecter is a young writer who graduates from college in Iowa and moves in with her boyfriend, Tim Haspel, a university women's swim team coach, in Los Angeles. Her new neighbors, Bette Porter and Tina Kennard, a lesbian couple for seven years now, have a hard time finding a male willing to donate his sperm to fulfill their wish for a child. Tina introduces Jenny to her lesbian circle of friends: Dana Fairbanks, a closeted tennis player, bisexual journalist Alice Pieszecki, and the hairstylist Shane McCutcheon. Jenny also meets Marina Ferrer, European owner of The Planet coffeehouse; they are immediately drawn to each other and eventually share a passionate kiss.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "The Pleasure Song" by Marianne Faithful - plays in opening
1.02 - Pilot: Part 2
Description: Bette and Tina have their own problems and discuss using an African American as a donor for their child, which Tina will carry. Bette also deals with her alcoholic older half-sister Kit, who has problems with her singing career, the only straight female character of the main cast. Jenny soon betrays Tim by sleeping with Marina. The next morning, Jenny finds a ring from Tim on her breakfast table.
Notes: Bette and Tina try to convince a random artist from an art gallery to impregnate Tina during a threesome, but once he catches on he leaves. Bette and Tina's first sex scene occurs. The episode also consists of the birth of "Our Chart", Alice's system of connecting lesbians through sex.
1.03 - Let's Do It
Dana is asked to star in an ad campaign, but is worried about her sexual orientation being made public. While doing research for a story, Alice meets her old girlfriend Gabby and is immediately drawn to her again. Shane is harassed by an old girlfriend, Lacey, who thinks Shane used her. Bette and Tina try artificial insemination with the sperm of Marcus Allenwood. The girls help Dana calibrate her "gaydar" and check out her new love interest, a country club sous chef named Lara Perkins. Kit tries to mend her relationship with Bette and to rebuild her entertainment career. Tim, unaware of Jenny's encounter with Marina, invites Marina over for dinner, along with Bette and Tina and their other friends. Bette correctly guesses that something happened between Jenny and Marina and orders Marina to stay away from Jenny.
Notes: Hilarious and adorable scene where the girls try to figure out if Lara is gay.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" by Ella Fitzgerald - closing song
1.04 - Longing
Bette works on booking an art collection for her museum, the California Art Center, while her boss, Franklin, works against her. Mistaken for someone else, Bette meets with the influential Peggy Peabody at a hotel in Santa Barbara. Meanwhile, Shane tries to convince her crazy ex, Lacey, to stop the rampage against her. Alice learns that Gabby is still untrustworthy and breaks up with her again. She continues to try to write but suffers from writer's block. Dana finally musters the courage to ask Lara out on a date. Also, Jenny cannot resist temptation and begins an affair with Marina behind Tim's back.
Opening Scene: New York City 1986. One woman is taking pictures of another woman naked. Later on in the episode Peggy Peabody asks Bette what her favorite Carla Marie Freed photograph is, and Bette names the picture that was taken in the opening scene.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Right in Time" by Lucinda Williams - closing song
1.05 - Lies, Lies, Lies
Jenny's old college professor Nick shows up and tries to convince her that she is more complex than her latest work makes her out to be. Tim begins to suspect Jenny's infidelity, as does Alice and others. However, Jenny outright lies to everyone by denying being unfaithful. Alice later discovers the truth when she walks in on Jenny having sex with Marina in her office at The Planet while Tim is looking for her, and Alice covers for Jenny to prevent Tim from finding out and hurting his feelings. Unfortunately, this close call only makes Jenny even more reckless and unapologetic to her affair with Marina. Meanwhile, Peggy Peabody prevents Bette from getting fired by storming into a meeting and announcing that she will lend the Provocations collection to the museum. Tina finally gets pregnant. Dana is ashamed about what happened on her first date with Lara. Elsewhere, Alice deals with her vain and irresponsible actress mother, Lenore who moves into her apartment after being evicted from her hotel suite. But Alice soon discovers that Lenore is not playing in high profile movies as she claims to be.
Opening Scene: Greenwich Village Present Day. A woman is knocks on her friend's door, looking for her girlfriend. The owner of the house claims she does not know where her girlfriend is, but after she shuts the door the girlfriend is shown in her bed. The scene is not addressed again during the episode but the girls are seen at a pool party in episode 1.08.
1.06 - Lawfully
Tim finally finds out about Jenny and Marina when he walks in on them. In a desperate attempt to hold on to him, Jenny tries making up with Tim; he tells her to prove her love by traveling to Lake Tahoe and marrying him immediately. Meanwhile, Dana is invited to a Subaru dinner party to sponsor her tennis career. She ends up hurting Lara when she takes Harrison, her (male) doubles tennis partner as a cover date. Bette and Tina have dinner with Bette's conservative father where they announce Tina's pregnancy. Shane runs into an old friend, Clive, who is the personal assistant to Harry Sandchuk, a Hollywood bigwig who has come to see Shane's hairstyling work. Alice finally tells her mother to move out of her apartment.
Opening Scene: West Hollywood California 1976. Two men are in a public bathroom and one man (named Steven Green) is about to perform (consensual) oral sex on the other man. Shortly after the man receiving the oral sex is shown arresting Steven Green. This man is shown pulling over Tim at the end of the episode. He talks to Tim about porn and says that he hates homosexuals because there is no way straight sex can compete with gay sex.
Notes: Kit goes to her father and asks him to support Bette after their unpleasant dinner.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" by Connie Francis - plays in opening scene
1.07 - Losing It
*REWATCH WORTHY*
A rising artist in New York tests Bette's commitment while Tina has an unpleasant run-in with Lei Ling, the sperm donor's girlfriend, who begins to harass her. Alice meets a man named Lisa, who claims to be a "lesbian in a man's body". While hitchhiking back to Los Angeles, Jenny gets a ride from two disaffected teenagers that she does "shrooms" with. Also, Shane is excited that Harry wants to refer celebrity clients to her for hairstyling.
Opening Scene: Detroit Michigan 2 Years Ago. Two young women having sex at work while their boss secretly watches and masturbates. These girls are later mentioned by the girl driving the car Jenny catches a ride with.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "In Spite of All the Damage" by The Be Good Tanyas - closing song
1.08 - L'Ennui
Jenny is hurt when Tim rejects her and rudely tells her to move out. Jenny then tries to live with Marina, who eventually tells Jenny that she has another lover living in Italy. Bette and Tina struggle with their fears of parenthood. Meanwhile, Dana's fears about being outed by her endorsement contract with Subaru destroys her relationship with Lara. Shane throws a party aboard Harry's boat with all her friends in attendance. Alice, fed up with women, tries a relationship with Lisa, which does not turn out as expected. Kit is stung when her estranged son, David Waters, doesn't show up for their meeting because he thinks she's fallen off the wagon again.
Opening Scene: Rome Italy Present Day. A designer is working on a dress for a young woman and starts flirting with her and sexually touching her, and the girl enjoys it. Later on it's revealed that the designer is Marina's long term girlfriend, Francesca.
Notes: Hilarious scene where Alice, Dana and Shane stage an "intervention" with Bette and Tina because they're too boring. Also good sisterly bonding between Kit and Bette.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Alright" by Kinnie Starr - plays during Jenny x Marina sex scene
1.09 - Listen Up
Jenny tries to explain her situation and her confused sexuality to her one-time college roommate, Annette, who suggests they stalk Marina's girlfriend, Francesca, after she arrives in town. Bette and Tina attend group therapy in preparation for becoming parents, while Bette faces off against a black militant writer, Yolanda, who questions Bette's self-image as a mixed-race person. With her Subaru endorsement contract in full swing, Dana, with Alice in tow, decides to come out to her right-wing parents during a formal ball for Mrs. Fairbanks, despite knowing they will not approve. Kit is asked to help write a song for rapper Slim Daddy. Shane throws Clive out of her place after catching him stealing from her to support his drug habit.
Opening Scene: Santa Rosa California 1968. Two teenage girls are shown horseback riding, and they're sad because one of them is going on a program abroad. One girl starts kissing the other in a barn stall and she stops it and freaks out about it. Although it's not explicitly stated, it's inferred that the girl who was kissed is Dana's mother, Sharon.
Notes: Bette's race battle with Yolanda is probably the longest race discussion on the L Word, and it's a pretty good one.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Blue Sky" by Jason Collett - plays during Jenny's conversation with Annette
1.10 - Luck, Next Time
Bette faces serious personal and professional problems when the art gallery comes under attack for a radical exhibit and Tina buys expensive baby accessories without consulting her. As Dana starts to adjust to being out of the closet, fame finds Shane when she gives a has-been actress, Cherie Jaffe, a new style, and the married actress makes a pass at her. Alice finds complications with Lisa and turns to another man named Andrew. Jenny has an unpleasant dinner with Marina and Francesca, who defend their open romance; Jenny leaves even more confused about whether she wants to be with Marina or with Tim. Later, Tim tells Jenny that he cannot forgive her for her infidelity and deception. Also, Kit begins to rehearse for Slim Daddy's music video.
Opening Scene: Lisbon Portugal Present Day. A group of artists is filming themselves stage a sex scene between Jesus and a naked woman.
Notes: Snoop Dogg guest stars in this episode... and it's amazing. This is also the episode when Tina miscarries the baby.
SOUNDTRACK SONG: "Sol Ja Camba" by Fantcha - plays during opening scene
1.11 - Liberally
Tina's grief from her sudden miscarriage is eased when an unexpected opportunity arrives; a member of her and Bette's therapy group asks her to volunteer at a social insurance office. There she and her colleagues find some dirt on Fae Buckley, the fanatical leader of a religious group that's hell-bent on shutting down Bette's art gallery. Meanwhile, Shane's relationship with Cherie becomes complicated when Cherie's unsuspecting husband, Steve, wants to help Shane open up her own hair salon and asks her to spend time with his emotionally distant daughter, Clea, who also makes a pass at Shane. Marina and Francesca have an argument over Francesca wanting to leave town again for a job back in Italy. Jenny tries to help the distraught Tim, who begins to date Trish, one of his swim team students. Dana gets a new hairstyle and attempts to have a fling with Jenny. Alice worries that she might be pregnant after her trysts with Lisa and Andrew. Also, Kit makes her return to the stage during a club party with Slim Daddy.
Opening Scene: San Fernando Valley Last Year. Two young women are shooting a porno in a bathroom wearing Catholic school girl uniforms. "The principal" walks in and one of the girls, China, gives him a blow job. It's revealed later on in the episode that China is the daughter of Fae Buckley, the leader of a religious group trying to shut down Bette's art gallery.
Notes: Snoop Dogg guest stars again, and it's even better. Also, in this episode Dana and Jenny awkwardly start to hook up and then stop, which is hilarious.
1.12 - Looking Back
Bette prepares for the gallery's "Provocations" show and hires Candace, an attractive female contractor, to handle the set-up. Meanwhile, Tina, Jenny, Shane, Alice and Dana share an eventful road trip to Palm Springs to the Dinah Shore Golf Classic for women. They each tell their coming out stories. At the hotel, Dana hits it off with a pushy event-planner named Tonya, and Jenny unloads about her tragic life to some of the attendees, including a new potential lover, named Robin.
Opening Scene: Los Angeles California 1979. At a pool party, some middle aged men in suits are doing drugs while egging on three naked girls in a pool, hoping for some action. Turns out to be Alice's mom is one of the girls in the pool.
Notes: There's some good flashback scenes in this episode from the girls telling their coming out stories on the way to Dinah.
1.13 - Locked Up
A near-riot at the art gallery lands Bette, Dana, Shane, and Alice in the L.A. County Jail, which puts Bette in dangerous proximity to Candace when they share a cell together. Meanwhile, Kit meets Ivan, an auto mechanic and ultra-butch drag king. Marina contemplates life without Francesca and begins to flirt with Robin, knowing that Robin has planned a date with Jenny. Jenny tries to write a story about manatees and attends the local aquarium for inspiration. There she meets a fish curator named Gene and he asks her out. As Tim and Jenny discuss divorce, Shane's relationships spin out of control when Clea refuses to take no for an answer.
Opening Scene: Off the coast of Florida April 1999. Some dolphins and a manatee are swimming.
1.14 - Limb From Limb
*REWATCH WORTHY*
The "Provocations" art show finally premieres at the CAC to mixed reviews, and Bette finally gives in to Candace's advances. Marina continues to flirt with Robin despite knowing she's dating Jenny, who has also begun sleeping with Gene. Shane's life turns from bad to worse when her attempt to let Clea down gently turns disastrous. Next, Cherie abandons Shane, and Cherie's husband terminates his business arrangement with Shane. Dana's pet cat dies, and Tonya proposes marriage. At the end of the episode, Tina finds out about Candace's fling with Bette, who forces herself on Tina while apologizing. Alice realizes that she is in love with Dana and goes to her apartment to tell her. They kiss, but Alice returns home alone, where she finds Tina sitting on her couch, crying.
Notes: The ending "love scene" between Bette & Tina is arguably the most intense scene in the entirety of The L Word. Jennifer Beals (Bette) has said on multiple occasions it is her favorite scene of the show. In the 2011 Reunion Special, the show's executive producer, Ilene Chaiken, as well as Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman (Tina) talked about how difficult the scene was to film. They said that during filming they just kept the cameras continuously running and tried to capture the best moments, which made the scene more raw and intense. It is most likely the most discussed scene from the show.