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Shane takes a shower, and it works like a truth serum:

Shane: "Carmen, I made a mistake. And I can't say that it won't happen again. I'd rather be a fuck-up than a liar. But I want to try. You're the first person I want to make that promise to."

And Shane cries, so Carmen strips, and they shower and cry together. Shane's so skinny, it suddenly reminds me of the shower scene in Gia. You know, girl next door saves heroin addict's life. Not so different.

The hospital — Dana's in recovery, but Lara's not allowed to see her because Lara isn't family. Yes, please, let's make this whole thing as hellish and horrible as we possibly can.

When Dana wakes up, the first face she sees is not Lara's, but the x-marks-the-spot nurse's. Why does Ilene Chaiken hate Dana?

So Lara calls Alice, to tell her what's going on and to ask her to call Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks. Alice's expression is a masterful mix of fear and shock and trying to keep it all together.

Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks arrive at the hospital and tell Lara she can go home now; they'll take care of everything. I officially loathe them. The go in to see Dana, who, of course, asks for Lara.

Mr. Fairbanks: "She went home."
Dana: "She did? Why'd she go home?"
Mrs. Fairbanks: "We are your family, honey."

If only Howie were there too. He'd give them a piece of his out and proud mind.

The doctor finally gives them all the bad news: the cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes.

Shaolin Studios — Helena is sort of moping. Tina storms into her office and grouses about Helena "undermining" her in the meeting with Dylan. Helena's not interested in fighting about it; she wants to figure out what to do about falling for a straight woman. So she tells Tina to talk to her "as a straight woman."

Helena: "What went through your mind when you first had those feelings?"
Tina: "It was terrifying. The falling in love part feels good. But there's so much to wrap your head around."
Helena: "But why? Isn't love just love?"
Tina: "No, it isn't. It's not the life that most straight women want. Most of us — uh, most straight women — they spend so much time preparing for the husband and the kids and the house... it's too much to undo."

I don't even know what that means. Not only have you just over-generalized to the point of being perverse, you've also reduced straight women to some sort of list-making, stockpiling, kegeling, waxing, day-spa-ing throng of zombies. Also, did you forget that you have a kid and a house with Bette? Doesn't seem like you're unwilling to undo that.

Helena: "I just don't understand, you know? How can someone be so there, and then..."
Tina: "Helena, can I give you some advice?"
Helena: "Please."
Tina: "Just let it go. It almost never turns out like you want it to."

She could be talking about straight women falling in love with lesbians, or vice versa, but I like to think she's making a general comment about Chaiken's world view.

And anyway, there's Dylan to prove Tina wrong; she says she wants to talk to Helena, but what she really wants to do is have an office couch make-out session. Tina leaves, making a "go for it" face on her way out.

I still don't like the way Helena kisses, but I do like the way she and Dylan sort of breathe each other in and stretch out the anticipation of the kiss, as long as they can. That's delicious.

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