Just because a show doesn’t necessarily go the way you want it to, doesn’t mean that the show isn’t any good. I learned this when watching the first four episodes of Season Five of The L Word. I had tried to get into The L Word when it first premiered on Showtime. I had given up because, for whatever reason, I just couldn’t get into it. Since Showtime has exceptional shows I couldn’t imagine why I wouldn’t like The L-Word.

Of all people, my future mother-in-law, who is the straightest woman I know, swore by how great the show was. I decided to give it another try when Ashtyn was sent Season 4 to review. I ended up watching the show because I thought we could start doing recaps of most of the shows we watch on the network. It only took an episode before I was hooked. I felt like I was an outsider looking in at a culture I once believed I was a part of and the fact that there was a storyline about someone who identified as an FTM was intriguing. With the well developed characters, the captivating plotlines, and the friendships that held together the entire show what isn’t to like about The L Word?

I had caught up on the entire fourth season in 2-3 days and I just couldn’t get enough. You know you’ve become obsessed with a show when you start every sentence with ‘On The L Word’ or ‘I forgot to tell you…’ and your girlfriend replies, ‘is this about The L Word?’ That has been me for the past week. Little did I know that Showtime had sent us the first four episodes of The L Word’s fifth season! The moment I realized we had the episodes I was ready to watch them and boy did I get way more than I expected!

I’ll admit it. I’m a Pane (Paige + Shane, for those of you out of the loop) fan. Maybe it’s because Carmen had no part in the fourth season or maybe it’s because Kristanna Loken (Paige) is smokin’ hot! Either way, I knew the inevitable would happen and they would break up because Shane can’t keep her pants on, and while I know its Shane, it still isn’t good for Pane fans. Nevertheless, I found Shane to be quite endearing this season and her new, longer hair cut has made her pretty damn hot herself! I didn’t like how her hair was always in her face in the last season and her new haircut gives her a somewhat more feminine appearance without allowing Shane to lose her insatiable charm.

Do you know how shows will sometimes change your view on characters in order to prepare you in advance for a change that is being made about the show? That is how I felt about the Tina/Bette/Jodi storyline. In Season Four, Tina was made out to be an unlikeable character. Over the course of the season and into the fifth I believe it is the intention of the writers to make Tina much more likable. Since Showtime is hinting at a potential resolution (whether it is a makeup or permanent breakup) to the TiBette relationship it sure feels like viewers are about to become torn with who they want to be with Bette. I won’t tell you my choice as I don’t want to spoil anything. Just know that the direction the show is heading in is swaying my opinion on this specific relationship for sure!

While I don’t want to reveal too much I would like to offer a few spoilers to keep those who are interested in the show on their toes. Since OurChart is offering a censored version of the first episode before Season 5 debuts on January 6, 2007, most of the fans already know what is going to happen at the start of the season. Therefore, spoilers about episode 5.1 are already public knowledge.

Spoilers:

-Angus is done from the show, at least in the first four episodes. Kit took out the trash!
-One of the top relationships of the season is going to be Tasha and Alice. With their differing opinions on the military and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ be prepared to see Alice at her best this season.
-Shane does something only she could do at a wedding!
-Helena’s stint in jail is more prosperous then you might imagine!
-Be prepared to see Helena’s snooty Mummy make an appearance in the first few episodes.
-You will see Shane in a state she’s never been in before…celibate!
-Bette has a disastrous visit when she meets Jodi’s friends
-Tina and Jenny work together to bring ‘Lez Girls’ to the Silver Screen
-There’s a threesome (and not a fun one) in the near future!
-Max has a new relationship and a new outlook on life
-Phyllis is put in a situation where she has a chance to understand what Alice went through with her
-The ladies of The L Word take a self-defense class after an incident leaves one of them shaken and scared
-Alice does something naughty while at an Exclusive Hollywood Insider Party (where everyone just happens to be in the closet excluding Alice)

While nearly every storyline was good some of the things I wanted to happen when going into the fifth season did not happen. I had a few disappointing moments, but what did happen was still great. I found myself changing my views on quite a few characters and wanting to know more about some of the storylines that have been building up throughout the beginning of this season.

All I can say is no one is going to want to wait from week four to week five to see the fifth episode. I know what Ash meant when she said that she learned her lesson about watching pre-released episodes of Dexter. It is going to be agony waiting for the fifth week of The L Word to air. Until then, I can re-watch the episodes of the first four weeks and enjoy them as much as I did the first time.

The fifth season of The L Word premieres January 6, 2007 on Showtime.

Technorati Tags: L Word, Season Five, lesbian, Showtime, television show, Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey

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