"The L Word" (2004)TV series 2004-????

Creators:

Michele Abbott
Ilene Chaiken
Kathy Greenberg

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

18 January 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

L hath no fury...

Plot:

Follows the lives and loves of a small, close-knit group of lesbians living in Los Angeles as well as the friends and family members that either support or loath them.

Plot Keywords:

Los Angeles California | Pregnant Lesbian | Troubled Marriage | Lesbianism | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 4 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Beals	...	Bette Porter (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Leisha Hailey	...	Alice Pieszecki / ... (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Laurel Holloman	...	Tina Kennard (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Mia Kirshner	...	Jenny Schecter (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Katherine Moennig	...	Shane McCutcheon (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Pam Grier	...	Kit Porter (62 episodes, 2004-2008)
Rachel Shelley	...	Helena Peabody / ... (48 episodes, 2005-2008)
Erin Daniels	...	Dana Fairbanks (39 episodes, 2004-2007)
Daniela Sea	...	Max Sweeney / ... (36 episodes, 2006-2008)
Sarah Shahi	...	Carmen de la Pica Morales (25 episodes, 2005-2006)

Also Known As:

Earthlings (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) (2006) | Hungary:16 | Brazil:18 | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Canada:18A (Manitoba/Ontario) (DVD rating) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/16 (DVD rating) | UK:15 | USA:TV-MA | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Anonymous Content

Trivia:

Season 3 episode 1 starts with a flash back of a woman group in 1973 and it shows two women, Marilyn and Teri making out. In the last episode of the season, the same Marilyn is the marriage commissioner that takes off with Peggy Peabody.

Quotes:

Dana: [apologizing to Lara] Can I please try again? I really want to try again. Can I?
Lara Perkins: One thing.
Dana: [holding back tears] Anything.
Lara Perkins: You have to start taking at least take some steps towards being out.
Dana: I will.
Lara Perkins: Because you're going to be miserable being in the closet.
Dana: I know.
Lara Perkins: And you are really, really gay.
Dana: [almost laughing] I know.
Lara Perkins: And it's one of the things I like so much about you. If you hide that, you're hiding the best part.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Sopranos: Live Free or Die (#6.6)" (2006)

Well-Done TV Series about Lesbians with Universal Themes that Appeal to All Audience

This artistically well-done Showtime-made TV series primarily focuses on portrayal of lesbians in their 20s to 40s as urban professionals and deals with their everyday issues; at the same time, thematic materials such as working on relationships or struggling against temptations have universal qualities so that any open-minded persons, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, can associate with the happenings in the show. Also, dramas without males' chauvinistic nature create a uniquely comfortable mood, which even the straight audience may feel refreshing. Gaining a wide range of supporters and fans beyond the lesbian community must be a big factor of the show's success, which made it possible for the series to continue to Season Two.

Speaking of the show's success, one cannot overlook its artistic merits, which are extraordinary as a TV show's. Many incidents are interwoven into one compelling story; a lovable ensemble cast that consists of a variety of personas engages in acting; and the director of photography Robert Aschmann takes full advantage of his skills and creativity in amazing long takes, aggressive crane shots, and illuminative lightings. There is inconsistency among episodes on writing, directing, and editing due to the fact that several different artists have worked on each episode; this drawback may be inevitable for a TV series. Among writers and directors, Rose Troche, the legendary director of Go Fish, writes believable dialogues and directs intimate scenes with crafts, while Lenka Svab stands out among editors, dazzling and mesmerizing the viewers with a deliberate disorientation. Some writers make homage to historic filmmakers such as Godard, Cassavetes, and Soderbergh by having the characters refer to them; this is a tiny detail but certainly amuses film fans.