Written by Gennie88

Firstly, I just have to say that it really, really sucks that Dana was killed off. She was the most realistic, and as such, in my opinion, one of the most complex and multi-dimensional characters of the show. Now in regards to her death and whether or not it was an accurate or responsible portrayal of cancer and cancer victims, I don't feel that I have the experience or knowledge to effectively make that kind of judgment, if honestly there really is any one way to accurately portray (in this instance) a terminal illness.

In any event, I'm going to continue onto why I've become increasingly more and more irate at the L-Word, esp. after the "Losing the Light" episode. With the cast and crew interviews after the show, the one primary justification for pissing off a huge portion of the L-word fan base was responsible representation. Well seeing as the show is primarily a "lesbian" show, I think it's fair enough to assume that, perhaps they would want to invest most of their creative energies into that realm of social commentary. However, from the last three seasons, there has not been a single, well-adjusted lesbian couple, and dare I say it, character? Let's recap shall we?

The show's main lesbian couple ends up breaking up, throughout three seasons. Can anything not go wrong with this couple? There is lack of communication, cheating, and even physical violence (end of season 1). All of these are heavy and serious issues that have not adequately or successfully been dealt with. I mean Bette and Tina got into a physical tussle that culminated with a very aggressive and (to me) violent sex scene. How is this not in any way addressed later on? By friends or even between the both of them? Statistically domestic abuse is as common if not more so within same sex couples, so it's not as if this doesn't have any relevance within the queer community.

Then we move onto our other characters. Jenny and Carmen, Carmen and Shane, all of these characters seem to have rampant disregard for honesty or the commiment of a monogamous relationship, as is exhibited by the rabid cheating that seems to occur within these relationships. None of the cheating is ever really discussed and is ultimately reduced to something akin to comedy or simply dismissed and forgiven (for example Jenny's almost casual acceptance of being used by Carmen to be close to Shane).

The next couple I'd like to break down is Alice and Dana. What in the world happened there? As a couple, we the audience saw a pair of happy and loving partners. Yes, towards the end of season 2 it is arguable that Alice was getting a bit clingy and insecure. Issues that I don't feel are unrealistic or unreasonable But yet within the span of six months, where nothing is explained or justified, Alice becomes a stalker and Dana has moved on to find the (next or back to the first??) love of her life Lara? And how does the rest of the cast interpret any of this? With nothing more than awkward silence. I'd like to point out that it's a bit tiresome to have to watch yet another crazed, psycho queer woman in American media. Some might argue that the show didn't take that behavior seriously, but in either instance I find that the way this was dealt with to be pretty irresponsible and unrealistic.

While I'm not saying that the L-Word's primary motive should be accurate representation and it is arguable that a community as diverse and complex as the queer community can be easily represented by any one show. What I am saying is that if you're going to utilize these issues (domestic abuse, cheating, etc.) to further along the plot, then at least resolve them! At the end of each episode I'm reduced to wondering where all the happy, well adjusted lesbians have gone. For it seems while the L-word prides itself as being the pioneer of bringing the lesbian community to the small screen, they certainly have taken the same beaten path as other mainstream media and are portraying queer women as maladjusted and depressed. It is understandable that as a drama, that the show would be a vehicle for melodrama and over the top stories, but really, in three seasons where are the happy couples? Where are the happy queer women? I watch the show in the hopes at the end of the season, despite the cliffhangers and whatever mayhem may ensue that at the very least within an ensemble cast of 10 women, one of them can have a happy ending.

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