LAist Watches: The L Word

The L Word for this week's episode should have been "Learning Curve" because everyone learned something new:Bette learned that Tina has learned a few new tricks;
Helena learned that Tina has learned a few new tricks;
Shane learned that she's got something special, afterall;
Mark learned that Carmen's had an ulterior motive;
Jenny learned that Mark holds the key to many secrets;
Dana learned that strap-ons come in all shapes and sizes;
Kit learned that Ivan isn't what he seemed;

and LAist learned that this show has potential.

Jenny's storyline with the homophobic actor, Burr, moved us. We credit Tony Goldwyn's winning portrayal as Burr and strong writing by David Stenn and the producers. Goldwyn also directed this EP and his experience shows. For the first time in a long time, the show's pacing and imagery enhanced the intimacy of the acting and dialogue.

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SPOILERS AHEAD, DON'T PEEP IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW. WATCH THE RERUN TONIGHT INSTEAD

LAist felt emotionally connected to all the characters. We felt Jenny's pain when she discovered that Carmen had been playing her to get closer to Shane. We loved her scenes with Burr as he comforted her and revealed more of himself. We laughed at the details of Burr's theme-park house. Half his house is Dude Ranch while the other half is Doheny Dojo tricked out with a martial arts training room and Oriental sitting room. It even comes stocked with hot Asian houseboys. We're not sure if Jenny is the keen observer and great writer that she's made out to be -we think she's still a self-absorbed hack- but we do like her compassion and found Burr's storyline about the bankability of uncloseted homosexual actors timely.

We're gonna leave it to the "L Word" discussion board on TWOP to explicate the nuances of the Bette/Tina/Helena triangle.

We enjoyed the show's swing from light to dark all in one EP. Jenny and Carmen's golden shower surprised us in a good way and we were amused to learn that Dana can disguise herself as a Muppet when she's hiding out in the sex shop.

Our favorite was the restaurant scene involving Burr, Jenny and Sandra Bernhard's Charlotte Bitrch in which Charlotte delivers probably the most delicious put-down ever; "Jenny, ...[you're] an obsessive observer of your own compulsive navel gazing [Burr] could use some literary pediculosis."*

Hey, who knew the L Word also stands for Lice

*we that was the quote but correct us if we're wrong; we don't have TIVO: