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"L Word" finale shockers: Dana returns! Bette rides a tractor! Jenny floats away!

by Sarah Warn

My thoughts on the fourth-season finale of The L Word, in no particular order...

  1. The direction? Trying too hard. Enough with the grainy/artsy shots already!
  2. Tina? Not as annoying as usual, even downright likeable again.
  3. Bette? Always wears just the right thing, even when she's riding a tractor.
  4. Seeds of a Bette and Tina reconciliation? Nicely planted.
  5. Bette and Jodi making out in the middle of a field like teenagers in a car at the prom while a bunch of people stand around and watch? Weird. But still sexy.
  6. Bette, Alice and Shane stealing the sign? Shades of stalking Lara in Season 1, but not quite as fun.
  7. Phyllis first suspecting she was a lesbian as a sophomore at Wellesley? Hilarious.
  8. Joyce Wishnia and Phyllis? Perfect.
  9. Alice and Tasha's prolonged goodbye? Boring.
  10. Helena getting life coaching from Papi? Ironic.
  11. Pam Grier showing up just to serve food? A waste.
  12. Max not really showing up at all? A great idea. Let's run with that!
  13. Dana returning to give Alice a pep talk? Bittersweet. More bitter than sweet.
  14. Shane and Paige's sex scene? Finally!
  15. Shane and Paige's 1950s hallucinations? Lasted way too long.
  16. Annabella Sciorra and Heather Matarazzo ganging up on Jenny and calling her out on four seasons worth of bad behavior? Didn't last long enough!
  17. Jenny lost at sea? Best. L Word. Storyline. Ever.

Discuss.

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  • Dr. Gloria Nathan's picture

    Didn't feel like a finale

    It was okay, I suppose. I find Paige/Shane very boring but Kristanna Loken is a hot chick and I am all about piercings and tattoos.

    The only things I liked were Ghost Dana and the fact that Eva Torres is Papi....the same Eva Torres who taught Carmen how to, ahem, 69. Oooh, a Shane/Carmen/Papi triangle in S5? I'm so there!

    poussimousy from the french west indies's picture

    oh my god!

    OH MY GOD! you re right !!!! i completly forgot about it!!! this eva torres thing ! :p wow seems like S5  will rock :p more dramaaa

    Comme disait Jeanne D'Arc : " tu verras de quel bois je me chauffe " ;)

    Stacie23's picture

    Unanswered Questions for S5

    Jenny floating away? Helena in jail next season?, Bette/Tina reunion? What's going to happen with Tasha and Alice? Shane/Papi/Carmen?.  Not bad questions to have left unanswered for Season 5.
    littlecaesar's picture

    1) Chaiken was directing,

    1) Chaiken was directing, you were expecting something that wasn't trying too hard?

    2) She looked hot, too.  They picked out some good outfits for her. 

    3) Whatever.  Sometimes I think I'm the only person who doesn't like Bette (except when she's cursing out Jenny)

    4) Regardless of what I just said in number three, I hope they get back together.  Their scenes were really really well done, and I loved the reasons Tina gave as to why she was helping her get back with Jodi.

    5) Okay, I can understand it if they used it for scenes with Tasha, but what the hell was up with "Dear Mr. President" playing in the background of that scene?  Not exactly the song I think of when I think of romantic reconciliations.

    6) I gotta say, I think I liked this scene better than the Lara stalking.  Just so many hilarious throwaway lines and the physical comedy was just awesome.

    7) and 8) So. Much. Hee!

    9) Awww, I liked it.  I loved Alice's little "awww shucks" smile when she first showed up at the party, and Leisha's face in the final shot just totally conveyed worry.

    10) - 12) Word.

    13) The only thing that scene served to do was a) remind me how much I miss Dana and b) make me worry about Erin Daniels's health-was she always that thin?!  Has work been so scarce since she left that she can't afford food?  Regardless, I loved it because "do you have information?" was the single greatest line delivery in the history of the world.

    14) and 15) The only way this storyline could be more boring to me would be if...wow, I can't think of anything.  There is no way this storyline could be more boring to me. 

    16) All I could think of during that scene was what the hell happened to Lindsey?  There were just vague allusions.  I freakin loved her.  Bah.

    17) You have to admit though, it was a ball watching her this season.  I've been in love since she told Shay to say "Stacey Merkin's a fucking cunt!" 

    losgatos805's picture

    Lindsey

    16) All I could think of during that scene was what the hell happened to Lindsey? There were just vague allusions. I freakin loved her. Bah.

    I was thinking about Lindsey, too. I love her! Actually when Jenny says she's going to get a puppy, I was slightly expecting Lindsey would show up. I hope she can come back in S5.

    nickey's picture

    Thank you!

    I am so glad someone else noticed that "Dear Mr. President" shoould not have been playing during the final scenes! It's a great song, but I had the hardest time focusing on what was going on because I was so annoyed by that. Especially since the bulk of the song played during the Bette/Jodi scene and only a quick shot of Alice and Tasha. I could've probably delt with it if it had been the other way around...
    Rotating World's picture

    haven't seen the ep yet, but

    oh, the wellesley. oh, the gay. makes me so happy.
    Anabel's picture

    Did Jodi drill Bette's head?

    I think JoBette is not love. Jodi and Bette are both self-centered persons, full of pride and honesty they don't love each other. Why is so hard for them to reconcile their differences when no one wants to surrender?. In what universe Dean Porter needs Tina's advice to seduce a woman.

    Bette is a cosmological joke now. Bette's father will die again if he sees her beautiful and literated daughter robbed a piece of s*it not to mention driving that ridiculuos tractor.

    I hope that Bette and Tina will be together in season 5. I really love this couple.

    HowBoutNowLA's picture

    Take the money!!

    My Tivo subscription this month was worth every dollar to see Helena say "Go Fffuck yaself" over and over and over!

    And, of course, thanks for the Pink song - Dear Mr. President - great choice.

    Dana - more bitter than sweet? Agreed 100%...just made me miss seeing her every week even more.

    And where's Jenny? Is that the cliff hanger? Does anyone care? If that's literal and she's adrift in a raft, then why didn't she take the dog so she could eat it later?

    Overall, I'd say not a bad season finale, not bad at all. Can't wait to read your recap - I'm sure it will be fantastic as usual.

    Paladin's picture

    Deleted Tina/Kate Scene

    Not a bad ep. I just thought that the Shane/Paige scene was a little too long, slightly boring and alot weird. Very nice work from both JB and LH. There was also some very welcome sparks and tension between Tina/Kate. So much so, I suddenly find myself liking the idea of a Tina/Kate pairing. They look good together. There is a clip on YouTube of a kiss between Tina and Kate which did not make the final cut. I imagine it would have sent a bit of a mixed message about Tina's feelings for Bette and would be better left for next season. 

         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6DkYoP3BZg

    LilTan's picture

    L-Word Finale

    Bette/Tina: Definitely some unfinished business there, Shane/Paige...We already know that won't work...Kristanna Loken's comments about working with the women on L-Word..byebye.. I think Helena is amazing...go fuck yourself to Catherine and thanks for my half of the money I never got...

    The things we do for the women we love...Steal a heavy ass sign...But I did like the fact that she didn't give up..Here's to seeing most of the women next season....

    Dana I miss you..

    Lindsay's picture

    give ilene a break

    the artsy shots and so forth are the workings of the DP(director of photography)/ cinematographer, not the director, thus none of that was her fault. But I completely agree with the Dear Mr President contention, I mean really, could we pick another song please?!?!

    Lioncourt76's picture

    Ilene

    Lindsay,

    the director of photography is working FOR the director. If a director isn't able to make the guy holding the camera (or the guy/ girl in charge of the staff that holds the camera) shoot exactly what he/ she wants the shot to look like than the director should think about changing his/ her profession. The only one who's technically as responsible for the look of the film/ series (in terms of "authority on the set") is the producer and that is ... wait, Ilene Chaiken. ... and yes, I blame her for the music (especially the title track), too.

    Lindsay's picture

    technically....

    ....the DP doesn't work for the director, they work together. in fact, on many features, a DP is superior, depending on how yellow the director is. Moot point though, with respect to this, given that Ilene is higher than pretty much everyone. and a DP isn't just a 'camera-holder' its a slight more involved than that. besides all that though, i agree completely with the actual shots sucking, and couldn't stop laughing when you mentioned the music. im sooo there with you on that issue. i think my mute button's lost its shape because of the theme.

    Anonymous's picture

    Thinking...

    That maybe one could interpret the scene with Paige and Shane and that whole fifties montage thing as Shane's fears. We KNOW she's not up for settling down, committing. We learnt that with Carmen. Add a kid into the mix and the fears are tenfold!

    As for any scenes between Tash & Alice - no offence but whoever thought it was drawn out must have hit the rewind button a few times. It wasn't that long, they didn't really say goodbye and frankly, it could have done with some more screen time.

    Also - having Dana come back? The way Alice spoke to her was like Dana had been popping up throughout the entire series, which would have been fantastic, and it would have made a whole lot more sense.

    Ilene. What can I say? Whereas I appreciate her having the guts to bring us L Word, I think she should leave the directing to someone esle. And the writing. I know it's harsh to say that, telling someone whose created something, put their heart and soul into it, but let's face it, Ilene, you're bringing forth so many sterotypes, and from what I can tell, not even listening to your fans, which is pretty much why I have no qualms in saying whatever I damned well please, you're not going to listen anyway, right? C'Mon, if you are, start thinking about maybe, every now and then, listening to us. Some of us have good ideas! I mean Jenny, in a lifeboat? A friend of mine said she wanted to see that happen. WE WERE JOKING...

    Hmmm, maybe if we JOKE about things... I want to see Alice and Tash. Wait, I'm joking!

    OutGrrrl's picture

    Tits or no tits?

    1. The direction? Trying too hard. Enough with the grainy/artsy shots already! Agree.
    2. Tina? Not as annoying as usual, even downright likeable again. True dat.
    3. Bette? Always wears just the right thing, even when she's riding a tractor. Funny how the sign's frame magically appeared, even though they left it atop the building. But a thrilling moment.
    4. Seeds of a Bette and Tina reconciliation? Nicely planted. Say it ain't so!
    5. Bette and Jodi making out in the middle of a field like teenagers in a car at the prom while a bunch of people stand around and watch? Weird. But still sexy. Loved Bette's face as Jodi walked over. Unsure, scared...hot.
    6. Bette, Alice and Shane stealing the sign? Shades of stalking Lara in Season 1, but not quite as fun. Completely unrealistic, but cute.
    7. Phyllis first suspecting she was a lesbian as a sophomore at Wellesley? Hilarious. Whodathunk?
    8. Joyce Wishnia and Phyllis? Perfect. Exactly the same wind-up as with Helena's hasbein mummy and the Rabbi last season.
    9. Alice and Tasha's prolonged goodbye? Boring. And anticlimactic; what a horrible going -away party. And the coincidence of same blues-singer singing the only song she knows? Heavy, maaaan.
    10. Helena getting life coaching from Papi? Ironic. But Papi looked good!
    11. Pam Grier showing up just to serve food? A waste. With Mange prancing about like a little faun in the background.
    12. Max not really showing up at all? A great idea. Let's run with that! Tits or no tits? oooh! What a cliffhanger!
    13. Dana returning to give Alice a pep talk? Bittersweet. More bitter than sweet. And proof that hair grows after death.
    14. Shane and Paige's sex scene? Finally! Rrrrowl!
    15. Shane and Paige's 1950s hallucinations? Lasted way too long. Wait -- who exactly was doing the hallucinatin'? Seemed to me Paige wasn't so happy about moving in together. She stopped the conversation with sex, and had a really doubtful look afterward.
    16. Annabella Sciorra and Heather Matarazzo ganging up on Jenny and calling her out on four seasons worth of bad behavior? Didn't last long enough! Now this scene, perfect! It could have been the whole episode: the 2 of them enumerating Jenny's sins...ahhhh, tasty!
    17. Jenny lost at sea? Best. L Word. Storyline. Ever. Oh, and PS: the metaphor for Jenny's series existence made flesh. Where's HER ubiquitous blues singer?
    Hopeless_Savage's picture

    Carmen

    Grah I wanted her to show up and kick Paige's ass.

    I'm so sick of her now. Sharmen ftw.

    Loved the kiss goodbye between Tina and Bette, the way Tina went forwards >.< Damn those two...I don't like Jodi either. Betina ftw! :-P

    Dana, so cute, something seemed off about her voice though, like she's changed her accent or something. And whats with saying Sofa? I thought Americans called them a couch.

    Anonymous's picture

    Bait

    I hope Jenny gets eaten by sharks.

    blueboy3477's picture

    finale - what da?? plot gaps wider than the Grand Canyon

    No finale here - who cares about any of the non suspense?

     

    1. Jenney - finally gone (let us pray). After 3 seasons screaming for help (the girl really needed meds), her pain is finally over?

    2. Shanne/Paige - Jared didn't know they were together -uh is he deaf/dumb and blind? -Bday party at club they were all over each other. I don't want to get started about the kid being in a club, underage with drinking and drugs present - nice hit Kit. Really bad look writers/producers.

    3. Bette and the Sign - please. This whole thing required a suspension of reality beyond the Twlight Zone. Only person remotely capable of sign removal was Shane. Bette - she could not climb anything other than the stairs. Alice - gee sweet girl, but please - useless in any not sexual vertical position.

    4. Dana - I still puzzle over this errant plot twist in season 3 and now a return from the dead? No words for this, loved Dana's and her thing coming out falling in/out love and rocking it. Keep her off the show - no more dreams please.

    5. Marina - why did they even have her back - tease ! tease !? She was the main reason they made it out of season 1 - yes I know she wanted more money, but they should have paid the girl. Her appearance in season 4 in those horrid sequences with no plot or tie into anything was unbearable. I really loved this character - player player play on!!

    6. Tina - no comment.

    7. Helena - from hunter (swoopes in gets Tina; kills Bette literally) to prey. How can she not see how she is being used. People lose money all day long - do they also lose their minds and idenity? and How did she ever end up friends with this group? She kiiled their prize pony Tina/Bette - women are not that forgiving.

    8. Max - please be consistent he wants the change it is everything to him. oh I just changed my mind after some great sex.

    9. Pam - what a waste. She has the club, new parking lot, huge expansion and flips out like a kid in her first love affair. Now in rides the man to save the day! - I could vomit.

    10. to writers/producers - retake Freshman 101 writing class. make sure you pay attention to plot and character development - consistency!!!!

     

     

     

    Dr. Gloria Nathan's picture

    Heh.

    I don't know why people think Papi couldn't give Helen-a advice because of her promiscuous lifestyle. Even before Shane became neutured this season, she would throw out little nuggets of wisdom despite all her catting around.

    I think having Alice faint at the sight of Dana appearing would have been too cliche as it happens all the time in TV shows. Ghost Dana should pop up more during Season 5.

    Jared did know that Shane/Paige were together, he even said it. He just didn't want his mom to be a lez.

    The Shane/Paige thing. Paige didn't want to play house with Shane, she just wanted to f her on a regular basis and Shane wants a family more than anything, and since Paige already has a little runt, it's a built-in family. It's interesting how Shane wanted to play house with Paige but now with Carmen.

    I am glad Helen-a finally stood up for herself, but I am gonna miss Catherine. Hopefully Peggy Peabody will return next season.

    darkbug's picture

    all in all, not too bad really

    I felt this ep had enough positive qualities that I didn't have to linger on the weaknesses, but then I'm not a film student.  Loved the sign stealing scenes, there should be more of this always!  Hilarious when Bette pushed Shane thru the window, and then Leisha too.  Too funny.  It was really sweet to see Dana.  My eyes kind of teared up.  (I blush)  Actually she's (Erin Daniels) gained weight and looks ravishing.  Her voice was different tho'.  Seems more....mature.  Perhaps she's physically stronger.  Isn't that her old voice saying "yeh" at the end of the show when the "Little Chicken" credit comes on?  I've always wondered...    Phyllis/Jane, Phyllis will finally have (sexual) fun, for a little while.  Lecherous Jane (i forget her character name) will see to that.  The 2 smooches did seem mighty geniune.   I've always thought she (Cybil)had a bi side anyway.  I noticed she had on sneakers for their middle age lez outing. (no offense, i am one also.)  Surprised they weren't going antiquing.  Do they do that in L.A.?  Overall, liked the show.  Just HATE, HATE, HATE and  RESENT how Showtime just kills the mood by jumping into the overtly masculine Tudor previews.  They split the screen on the season Finale credits for God's sake!  No regard for the audience at all.  I read the credits and otherwise decompress and ponder the episode during that time and We do PAY for ST.  Is someone at ST playing with us?  Me thinks so.  It's just such a downer after being immersed in the gloriously femme L World.  Hopefully we won't have a Stupidor next season, SHOWTIME!!
    NikitaJones's picture

    Premium Channel Promos

    It's bad enough on "free" tv that we suffer with screen intrusions but when you are paying for the viewing, no!  Protest, I say!  A letter writing campaign might just get them to stop if enough people write in.
    blew's picture

    Shane, Paige & Max!

    15. Shane and Paige's 1950s hallucinations? Lasted way too long.

     

    It's a shame that it was even presented. It was all toooooooo hetersexual for me. Very bad replay of Father Knows Best.

     

    There was no cuddling after the sex between Shane & Paige. Shane is smoking on one side of the bed and Paige is on the opposite side with her back to Shane. This relationship isn't going to last.

    Max is hesitent about getting the operation. Huh! I thought that she was in the wrong body. Could it be because of the woman who wanted Max and her body as is. Go figure.

    I think that Phyllis and the lawyer make a great couple.

     

    It's great that there's going to be a 5th season.

    J So's picture

    Can someone explain to me

    Can someone explain to me why Paige was sad? She clearly looked like she enjoyed herself. I couldn't figure out if 1 vision was from Shane and 1 from Paige, or if both were Paige imagining what they each look forwards to? I could see that being upsetting, if it was the latter.
    Gabriella's picture

    What has Jenny done??

    I have a question for all of you who have watched all episodes of TLW. I have only watched a few episodes in the past but this second half of the season I really started watching it every week.

     Anyway, what I wanted to know is why you all hate Jenny so much? And why do all the characters hate her? what has she done? I remember her in the begining of the show and she was nice then.

    Please, I would really like to know.

    And also, I want Kristanna Loken to continue being on the l word, but I read in the comments that she has said something about that show, what was it? Does she not like it or what?

    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    As for your bullet point

    As for your bullet point #16: I almost defied the immutable laws of gravity when that horrid little puff-ball and her dog entered the scene. Yes, I richly relished the verbal evisceration of Jenny, but to paraphrase completely out of context Edna O'Brien: We should be armed.
    geochick's picture

    Bardi and Noemi

    I just loved the song "dream a little dream" by Bardi and Noemi in episode 11. i couldnt find bardi and noemi on the net, is it a band or duo or what? where can i get the song? plz help, thanx!

    Julia G.'s picture

    Better than I thought...

    After the ending of season 3 last year, I have to admit I wasn't really looking forward to the 4th season. When I heard there was gonna be a 5th season, I didn't even care that much. But now I'm kinda glad we're getting a fifth season! Even though the episodes are not as good as they were in season one or two, they're funny again. There are group scenes, and not everyone is miserable.

    About this episode in particular, I thought Joyce and Phyllis were perfect for each other! I'm a little disappointed that Jody and Bette made up, because I just love the idea of Bette and Tina getting back together. But since Bette went to get that sign (and we got to see that hilarious scene), I'm OK with it now.

    It didn't feel like a finale to me either. I actually thought there was another episode after this one up until last Friday. But, what can I say? We have to wait another year now to see what happens. Maybe they'll send Jenny to a remote island and have her come back at the end of the series...

    NikitaJones's picture

    Bon Voyage, Jenny! (I hope)

    How funny,  Sara!
    1. Annabella Sciorra and Heather Matarazzo ganging up on Jenny and calling her out on four seasons worth of bad behavior? Didn't last long enough!
    2. Jenny lost at sea? Best. L Word. Storyline. Ever.

    I could not have said it better (but I sure thought it)  and I'm happy for  Sounder 2 making it safely back to shore. 

    Vocal Trance's picture

    i didnt' like the season finale

    I agree with everyone that's saying they're trying too hard.

    Paige and Shane?? Boring, nasty i can't stand watching them together.

    Tasha?? I do think she should go away and never come back. Tasha doesn't seem to care about Alice, she's rude, she's always worried, mad and disturbed. Her character is ridiculous. Alice tries to talk to her, tries to understand her, but you can't communicate with tasha. She needs to grow up and deal with her sh*t!!

    Tina/ kate ....argh kate just doesn't go with Tina, she's trying too hard. I don't like her.

    Jenny. What was that? i hated it!!! Jenny doesn't deserve to end up like that. I hope i see her next season, i love jenny.

    Annabella Sciorra and Heather Matarazzo talking about MArina, that was so not true. I hate them both, marina was a B*tch and everyone knows that.

    Dana and Alice- that was the best scene of this 4th season!!!

    I hate the fact that we have to wait a whole year to see how that's gonna end up!

    petitemignone's picture

    Bette and Tina!

    I was quite disappointed that Tina and Bette didn't get back together. I was hoping Bette would get all the way there, ready to steal the sign and then clue-in to Tina's signals and realize that Tina's her one true love! *sigh*

    I miss them as a couple. I'm not sure whether or not it's the comfort since they were the first couple that was introduced in the entire show or whether I just think they should be together for Angelica (speaking of which, she's been pretty scarce lately!) I think they're a good couple regardless. They complete eachother in so many ways that just, like, fit. And they are so comfortable with eachother. After everything they've been through, stability looks pretty attractive.

    Although, I must admit, I got goosebumps when she drove the sign in. So cute!