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© Bitscape et al. 1996-2005

Index The Myth of Efficiency Ironic Corporate Conspiracy Craziness

Random Ramblings

The L Word

Started: Saturday, April 9, 2005 01:55

Finished: Saturday, April 9, 2005 02:10

Thank you, TVTorrents. The L Word is an excellent show and I'm hooked. Each time I tell myself, "This is the last episode I'm going to watch today, so I can save the rest for later," the end credits roll all too soon, and I can't help but queue up the next one. Yeah, I'm a sucker for that shit.

Maybe I should modify the interface for my site somewhat. You know, so when I write a short 1-paragraph entry, it doesn't say "More" and then when you click, there's really nothing more to read. What a bummer.

Index The Myth of Efficiency Ironic Corporate Conspiracy Craziness
To watch or not to watch
by Kiesa (2005-04-09 13:19)

I saw The L Word listed on Netflix and was intrigued but wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. Probably because I'm afraid it will feel like The Sopranos and Six Feet Under, neither of which I could get into.

Show characteristics
by Bitscape (2005-04-09 16:06)

I'm not certain whether you'd like it or not. However, I will say in no uncertain terms that The L Word has no shortage of strong female characters. :)

In regard to The Sopranos and Six Feet Under, I guess it depends what you mean by "like". Since I haven't seen any Six Feet Under, I can't comment on it, but I did see most of The Sopranos Season 1 a few years ago.

The Sopranos and The L Word have the following aspects in common:

  • Not made for broadcast tv. Thus, a typical episode would probably be rated R if it were rated by movie standards.
  • Ongoing serialized story that continues from week to week. Sometimes I even get the feeling that the writers might be drawing things out just to keep people tuning in. Always string the viewer along.

They are dissimilar in the following ways:

  • The Sopranos, following the exploits of a mafia family, was often quite violent. The L Word has very little violence to speak of, but rarely does an episide go by without at least one or two nude bedroom scenes. (Thus the R rating comment mentioned above.)
  • The Sopranos is most decidedly a drama, while The L Word walks the line between drama and comedy.
  • Totally different stories/settings/styles. Again, one is mobsters, the other is a (mostly) lesbian community in LA. There's a couple trying to have a baby, one of whom makes her living as a corporate ladder climber at an art gallery (and the drama that goes with that). There's the closeted athlete who's worried about tarnishing her public image by "coming out". In an amusing twist, a bisexual woman dates a man who self-identifies as a "lesbian". But I've decided my favorite character is the deliciously confused Jenny, who comes to town to live with her (male) fiance, discovers that she might be hopelessly in love with the seductive coffee shop owner (female), but wants to remain loyal to her soon-to-be husband.

Anyway, I would recommend watching the pilot, and see if it is suitable to your tastes. If you want the DivX version, I'd be happy to send it to you, or transfer over the LAN during the next fest, unless netflix is easier for you anyway.