THE L WORD Season 4 picks up with the women wrestling with issues close to their hearts. As with previous seasons, old demons rear their ugly heads and a host of new characters are brought into their fold, offering them access to a broader community with diverse issues. THE L WORD® stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig, Dallas Roberts, Daniela Sea, Rachel Shelley, and Pam Grier. Newest additions to the cast include Cybill Shepherd, Marlee Matlin, Janina Gavankar and Rose Rollins. Special guest stars are Rosanna Arquette, Eric Roberts, Bruce Davison, Kristanna Loken and Jane Lynch. This season, the war in Iraq becomes an integral part of Alice’s (Hailey) life as she struggles to move on after the death of Dana; Helena (Shelley) tries to find financial independence and come to terms with leaving behind a world of privilege; Phyllis Kroll (Shepherd) — who takes the courageous plunge late in life to come out of the closet — risking everything that has defined her life up to now; and, Bette (Beals) has to deal with Jodi Lerner (Matlin), a woman who confronts her head-on about her Type-A personality.If the third season was marked by transitions, The L Word‘s fourth concerns growing up–or trying to, at any rate. Shane (Katherine Moennig) becomes her brother Shay’s guardian, Bette (Jennifer Beals) and Tina (Laurel Holloman) stop fighting over their daughter Angelica, and Bette’s new boss, Phyllis (a very game Cybill Shepherd), decides it’s time to embrace her true nature. So, after 25 years of marriage (Bruce Davison plays her husband), Chancellor Kroll comes out of the closet–and sets her sights on Alice (Leisha Hailey). For all the inclusiveness, Max (Daniela Sea), still remains on the margins. Dumped by Jenny (Mia Kirshner) the year before, Max continues to share her apartment while acclimating to life as a man.
For those who felt season three was too dark, four offers a welcome corrective. There’s still plenty of angst–Jenny’s memoir meets with a few negative notices (Heather Matarazzo’s journalist pens the harshest critique) and Helena (Rachel Shelley) learns to live without Mommy’s money–but there are plenty of moving moments to compensate (most revolving around Shane and Shay). New additions also arrive to shake things up, like Marlee Matlin as an artist who helps Bette to broaden her horizons, Kristanna Loken as a single mother with a yen for Shane, and Rose Rollins as an Iraq War veteran with whom Alice has a tryst (leading to a well intentioned, if heavy-handed message about how even liberals should support the troops). As in seasons past, the directorial line-up impresses as much as the acting talent, and includes Oscar winner Marleen Gorris (Antonia’s Line) and playwright Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project). Since creator Ilene Chaiken makes most special features, like deleted scenes, available online, this set offers few extras, other than biographies, a photo gallery, and episodes of The Tudors and Californication. –Kathleen C. Fennessy
Buy “The L Word – The Complete Fourth Season” For Only $15.25
January 11, 2006
#1
This is the Spanish version! When is the English version going to be posted?
January 11, 2006
#2
I’ve spent the past 2 weeks watching seasons 1-4 (and I’m totally jonesing waiting for 5 to become available on DVD)and I almost feel I need to rewatch them all for perspective on the series so far. I have found each episode in each season to be immensely amusing, sometimes very touching, always interesting. I like that the plotlines address all facets and experiences of lesbian life.
My only complaint, really, is the out of control overt politicization so pervasive in the fourth season. I’m aware that most lesbians (in my experience) are rabidly and radically (and oppressively) Left. But for me, the rare Republican/Libertarian, the completely unrestrained Bush-bashing of season four somewhat took away from the overall quality of the series as a whole.
I wonder how these characters, or their real life counterparts, would fare in a country controlled by Wahabi fascists? If they think the Christian Right has an agenda (and it does) for dealing with “alternative lifestyles”, that’s nothing compared to the Islamic “final solution”. Wake up, Lesbians of America. Remember 9/11?
January 11, 2006
#3
This season of he L word is probably the worst written season thus far. The story arc is disjointed, the individual character storylines appear to not have anything to do with the previous season’s story arc and the camera work is pedantic. The music which was a standout element in season one and two is equally lackluster.
If you are a fan of the show save your money, and if you are a new to the show invest in season one or two.
January 11, 2006
#4
I have watched and own the past 3 seasons of ‘The L Word’ and have preordered the 4th season. I intend to order every season after this, as well. It’s historical. Even though, ‘The L Word’ is not butch/femme, femme/boi, stone butch, soft butch (ETC.) inclusive with the 501′s and white t-shirts, it still is lesbian exposure….from the U.S., no less! In my opinion, ANY exposure is better than no exposure. We have a major network willing to deal with the subject of lesbianism. That, in itself, is a MAJOR deal considering the U.S. is sooooo narrow minded when it comes to the subject of sexuality. This is a step further. Every tiny step, eventually, will amount to lots of progress down the road. Probably, I won’t see the inclusion of the much varied lesbian community on any network; however, this should not stop us from continuing to pave the path for the preteen lesbians out there who are desperately seeking ANY lesbian role models. The L Word is an asset to our community.
Sept. 18, 07
I didn’t mention this before, but ‘The L Word’ has been a great show to watch. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every episode of each season. I would have loved to have been able to watch a show like this when I was 13!
JULY 28, 2008
Well, it was fun while it lasted! I have pre-ordered the 6th and final season of ‘The L Word’. I truly believe in my comments and convictions which I had written last year. This series has had a fantastic run, and I’m very sad to see it ‘go’. However, it is a very good ‘start’ for television media corporate executives to see. This series has done very well, and this just goes to show what mainstream audiences wish to view (at times). We all know that the majority of people in society(s) have very varied sexual lives. Straight and married have, since the beginning of time, NOT been the norm. All you have to do is google ‘historical sexual lives of _______, and you will find so much information that you will not be able to read it all. Or, google something similar. Just change your words around a bit. I hope we see more series like or similar to ‘The L Word’ in the very near future.
January 11, 2006
#5
this is a great show and the delivery and handeling by amazon was just fine. I would buy videos from them again for sure.