But I was caught in between // all you wish for and all you need
I have to run to work, but first...my preliminary thoughts on The L Word, season 1, now that I've finished it. I had to watch "Limb From Limb" twice, it was just that good.
Tina: I really, really like Tina. I didn't expect to, considering that the only other role I'd ever seen Laurel Holloman do thus far has been Justine on Angel, one of my least favorite characters of all time. But the character really unfurled as the series went on, and blossomed from a very one-dimensional mommy-to-be type into a very human, relatable, sympathetic character as she went through her miscarriage. I liked how we also got to see her as a careerwoman again, just as strong as Bette, but with a warm heart that was really the emotional center of the show.
Bette: I hate Bette. Not just for the cheating on Tina thing. For being obnoxious, and self-centered, and not nearly as cool as she thinks she is. I found very little about her sympathetic, aside from slightly pitying her in "Liberally" when the fundamentalist lady went for the gut. And then, most of that was directly influenced by Rufus Wainright's cover of "Hallelujah" playing in the background. The scenes with Candace were tedious. Yep, there was sexual tension. But Jennifer Beals played it so repetitively-- insert strained face, strained silence... aaaand scene! The only time I ever really felt the totality of her situation was in the last episode, as she sank to the bottom of the shower, sobbing. We've all had those moments, and it made her more human.
Jenny: I had such a love/hate relationship with Jenny. On one hand, I identified with her character's journey so much. I completely and utterly related to her emotions, the conflictions. Discovering sexuality is such a difficult, emotionally-wrenching, ephemeral thing. The process of figuring it out is hard, and people you love get hurt, and it kills you. I related to Jenny/Tim, because of things that have happened in my own relationship, minus all of the deception. Sexuality is fluid and complicated, and often a struggle between different parts of your own heart, and I think Jenny reflected that well. On the other hand, I found her as a person so obnoxious. The constant breathy speech, the drawl-- I found so much of it forced, pretentious. And her underhandedness just bothers me. Yes, discovering your sexuality is a terrifying upheaval. Lying about it so does not help. So, while I liked her as a concept, the execution made me want to hit the actress. 'Tis a pity, though. Mia Kirschner's so hot.
Tim: Tim had my pity most of the way through. Poor guy, his fiancee turns out to be at least partially into girls and also cheating on him, and there goes his safe projected future. He was a nice guy until the end. The "did you know she's a dyke" comment definitely lost points. On a shallow note, yay! I like Eric Mabius!
Marina: Scheming, scheming. It's amazing how much I'm willing to forgive Marina for because she's smokin'. Okay, so I couldn't date her and think she's underhanded as all get out, but I think she's an interesting character. I like that the gorgeous, sophisticated tower turned out to be just as much of an emotional wreck as everybody else.
Alice: I like her sense of humor, she makes the show flow better and serves as lesbian/bisexual commentator on a larger scale.
Dana: I liked Dana more and more as the show progressed, showing more balls and humor after she came out. She also got much more attractive, which is a plus. Tonya has got to go, though. And, as random and out-of-the-blue as it seemed, I can get behind Alice/Dana. Even though I did like the chef girl. Dana should've tried to get back with her because they were so cute together.
Shane: Drool. Kate Moenning being very androgynous and hot. Drool. (Okay, the love triangle plot was ultimately an excellent payoff and a major emotional milestone for the character, yadda yadda yadda... but... DROOL.)
Kit: I can't relate to many of her life experiences, the alcoholism being at the forefront, but she always seemed very real to me. Props to Pam Grier.
Ivan: Minor character, but I really dug Ivan. I've never been sexually attracted to a drag king ever, but I thought s/he was awesome and very human.
The Male Lesbian dude: Blech. What the shit was that?? Nothing out of reality.
Francesca: What a bitch. The chick we all love to hate. Well done.
The writing & directing: Overall, not bad at all. Certainly a step up from Queer as Folk. The focus was not on exploiting f/f sex, and instead really invested itself in the characters' inner emotional lives. The plots were mostly interesting and realistic, and really brought out the cast's strengths. The directing was interesting, the visuals contrasted and well framed.
Overall, I liked it, and will hopefully have someone tape season 2, since I lack Showtime. Thanks, Don! I also want to do icons, but I doubt I'll have the time anytime soon.
Also? The music is very very awesome. Way to finish "Limb From Limb" with Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" and break me to itty, bitty bits. Likewise, if any of you awesome, music oriented people can find Portishead - Roads or Joseph Arthur - In The Sun, for me, I would love you muchly. They weren't on the sountrack that Don generously copied for me.
Tina: I really, really like Tina. I didn't expect to, considering that the only other role I'd ever seen Laurel Holloman do thus far has been Justine on Angel, one of my least favorite characters of all time. But the character really unfurled as the series went on, and blossomed from a very one-dimensional mommy-to-be type into a very human, relatable, sympathetic character as she went through her miscarriage. I liked how we also got to see her as a careerwoman again, just as strong as Bette, but with a warm heart that was really the emotional center of the show.
Bette: I hate Bette. Not just for the cheating on Tina thing. For being obnoxious, and self-centered, and not nearly as cool as she thinks she is. I found very little about her sympathetic, aside from slightly pitying her in "Liberally" when the fundamentalist lady went for the gut. And then, most of that was directly influenced by Rufus Wainright's cover of "Hallelujah" playing in the background. The scenes with Candace were tedious. Yep, there was sexual tension. But Jennifer Beals played it so repetitively-- insert strained face, strained silence... aaaand scene! The only time I ever really felt the totality of her situation was in the last episode, as she sank to the bottom of the shower, sobbing. We've all had those moments, and it made her more human.
Jenny: I had such a love/hate relationship with Jenny. On one hand, I identified with her character's journey so much. I completely and utterly related to her emotions, the conflictions. Discovering sexuality is such a difficult, emotionally-wrenching, ephemeral thing. The process of figuring it out is hard, and people you love get hurt, and it kills you. I related to Jenny/Tim, because of things that have happened in my own relationship, minus all of the deception. Sexuality is fluid and complicated, and often a struggle between different parts of your own heart, and I think Jenny reflected that well. On the other hand, I found her as a person so obnoxious. The constant breathy speech, the drawl-- I found so much of it forced, pretentious. And her underhandedness just bothers me. Yes, discovering your sexuality is a terrifying upheaval. Lying about it so does not help. So, while I liked her as a concept, the execution made me want to hit the actress. 'Tis a pity, though. Mia Kirschner's so hot.
Tim: Tim had my pity most of the way through. Poor guy, his fiancee turns out to be at least partially into girls and also cheating on him, and there goes his safe projected future. He was a nice guy until the end. The "did you know she's a dyke" comment definitely lost points. On a shallow note, yay! I like Eric Mabius!
Marina: Scheming, scheming. It's amazing how much I'm willing to forgive Marina for because she's smokin'. Okay, so I couldn't date her and think she's underhanded as all get out, but I think she's an interesting character. I like that the gorgeous, sophisticated tower turned out to be just as much of an emotional wreck as everybody else.
Alice: I like her sense of humor, she makes the show flow better and serves as lesbian/bisexual commentator on a larger scale.
Dana: I liked Dana more and more as the show progressed, showing more balls and humor after she came out. She also got much more attractive, which is a plus. Tonya has got to go, though. And, as random and out-of-the-blue as it seemed, I can get behind Alice/Dana. Even though I did like the chef girl. Dana should've tried to get back with her because they were so cute together.
Shane: Drool. Kate Moenning being very androgynous and hot. Drool. (Okay, the love triangle plot was ultimately an excellent payoff and a major emotional milestone for the character, yadda yadda yadda... but... DROOL.)
Kit: I can't relate to many of her life experiences, the alcoholism being at the forefront, but she always seemed very real to me. Props to Pam Grier.
Ivan: Minor character, but I really dug Ivan. I've never been sexually attracted to a drag king ever, but I thought s/he was awesome and very human.
The Male Lesbian dude: Blech. What the shit was that?? Nothing out of reality.
Francesca: What a bitch. The chick we all love to hate. Well done.
The writing & directing: Overall, not bad at all. Certainly a step up from Queer as Folk. The focus was not on exploiting f/f sex, and instead really invested itself in the characters' inner emotional lives. The plots were mostly interesting and realistic, and really brought out the cast's strengths. The directing was interesting, the visuals contrasted and well framed.
Overall, I liked it, and will hopefully have someone tape season 2, since I lack Showtime. Thanks, Don! I also want to do icons, but I doubt I'll have the time anytime soon.
Also? The music is very very awesome. Way to finish "Limb From Limb" with Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" and break me to itty, bitty bits. Likewise, if any of you awesome, music oriented people can find Portishead - Roads or Joseph Arthur - In The Sun, for me, I would love you muchly. They weren't on the sountrack that Don generously copied for me.