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« The L Word
January 14, 2007: Who's Your Papi?
Oh my Goddesses, what a hilarious L Word! I am loving this season so far; everyone is getting her chance to shine in both comedic and dramatic capacities more than ever. Even Tina had some funny scenes this episode, which is a welcome change, because she's really been quite the b-word lately. But bitch or not, the "firing of Helena" scene was classic. Helena is just classic. I never thought I'd like her as much as Alice, but I do!
I want to see Alice and Helena in their home environment as roommates, though. I hope that some "fly on the wall" scenes in the apartment may happen soon, because I'm sure they are quite opposites when it comes to um... housekeeping.
And how 'bout that Papi, eh? Papi's hot stuff. She gets around and she knows her "circles." I wonder if she'll wind up "with" everyone in this circle by season's end?
I am very curious about how the situation with Max and the boss' daughter is going to pan out. You know, when I put myself in the boss' daughter's shoes, it isn't too far-fetched that she'd really like Max after the first date. He's got the sensitivity and empathy of a woman, but he's a beautiful man; that slightly androgynous, but masculine enough and angelically beautiful kind of man, along the lines of a young Leonardo DiCaprio or Jonathan Rhys-Meyers [Whom I cannot wait to watch on The Tudors this April]. Had we not known that Max is a transsexual, let's face it, many of us would think that Max is a really good catch. I just hope that this doesn't wind up ruining his career. That storyline definitely has me on edge, because now that Max has gotten the "T" worked out, he's become kind and sensitive again, like he was when we first met "her." I feel for him so much, because he just wants to live a straightforward life as a man, yet he's anything but that. I just really feel for him and hope that things work out. He's the underdog of the show now and I always cheer for underdogs.
I also feel so badly for Kit and Angus. I loved the scene between Kit and Bette. The whole reason I started watching The L Word in the first place was for Pam Grier and Jennifer Beals, and I love them together as sisters. I really hope that Kit and Angus don't break up over Kit's decision. It seems that if Kit doesn't want to go to him for comfort and support because she's afraid she'll make him hurt worse over the loss, that there's already a wedge between them that wasn't there before. I wish that their loss would help bring them closer together, but I don't know that Kit will allow him that level of emotional intimacy. She's always kept him just enough at a distance, and it seems like this situation gave her reason to add some more bricks to those walls. I hope I'm wrong.
Now then, about Dean Porter. If she were my teacher or dean, I would most definitely have a crush on her too. I am loving Cybill Shepherd already, and loved Bette's way of handling Phyllis' outing. "It's never too late, Phyllis." And that steady, beautiful grin that Jennifer Beals does so well. Great scene. Looks like next episode with Cybill Shepherd is going to be a riot.
Poor Shay and Shane. Do you think that maybe "inheriting" Shay is exactly the slap in the face that Shane needs to start becoming a responsible person that's capable of commitment? That would be irony in its purest form, wouldn't it? *sigh* And I miss Carmen, dammit. Is she supposed to come back at all? She's not listed in the "characters" section of The L Word website. I hope that she at least has some guest appearances this season... that storyline is way too unresolved.
Finally, Jenny. Oh Jenny. If you can't take the heat little girl, either get out of the kitchen or grow up; whichever comes first, just do it.
[But I love Mia Kirshner; I love every scene she's in, even though Jenny is just a total she-demon].
So... who do you think out of our L Word circle is next on Papi's list? Hmm....
Oh, and you all are an AWESOME L Word group! Thank you for such great comments. It's going to be a fun season here, too!
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Jan 15, 2007 2:11 AM
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I never thought I'd like her as much as Alice, but I do!
My thoughts exactly. This was in fact one of the funniest episodes in recent memory. I am so glad the show is back, because there is so much drama surrounding these women and to watch them rise to the occasion or hit rock bottom makes for some great TV.
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Jan 15, 2007 2:42 PM
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After Papi was done with Alice and then quickly hooked up with Helena, I also started wondering how many in the group are going to hook up with her and who's next.
Oh my goodness, it's going to be hilarious to see Shane and Papi...do anything together! A scene, a competition, work together etc., it doesn't matter, I just want to see the two of them in a scene together because I'll bet it's going to be something. Unless, Shane is changing which as Jeannine noted above I can totally see happening.
I was torn at first about Shane keeping Shay, but, now I want him to stay around for some reason. Just as long as potty mouthed Jenny isn't around! (I wanted to smack her. I don't allow people to curse in front of my seven year old son and Shay is older than seven!).
Oh, I absolutely do not think that Bette should have hired that woman to be her assistant because she is obviously attracted to Bette (and Bette to her it seems like), we already know that this is not going to be good (I don't trust her already). Ditto with Max and his workplace relationship as well. The boss' daughter?! C'mon Max.
I just realized there was no Marina and not even a mention of Marina so what was her big arrival all about last week? 
Jeannine, I have a question. It's not a big deal, but, I was wondering why The L Word isn't listed along with the other shows that are covered in TV Show Commentary? I added it as a favorite last week so that I will always be able to get to the blog, but, there might be other viewers of the show that don't even realize a blog exists. Not to mention that there also isn't a way to get to the blog after Monday if you're not set up for e-mail notifications. Just wondering, no biggie. Thanks. 
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Jan 16, 2007 1:22 PM
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First of all, I totally agree that is unsettling that the L Word is not listed under all TV shows - I had to go digging to find this post.
Moving on - this was a great ep! And I am looking forward to the rest of the season too. That said, I have a bit of a bone to pick with Jeannine on the subject of Max. There were a couple comments that really irked me and at the risk of getting on my high horse (I am a gender studies prof), here goes. First, Jeannine writes, "Had we not known that Max is a transsexual, let's face it, many of us would think that Max is a really good catch." Who is 'us' and why is it necessary to make assumptions about what 'we' desire in a man? And second, in a similar vein, when Jeannine continues, "I feel for him so much, because he just wants to live a straightforward life as a man, yet he's anything but that." This too is presumptious. Genitals and gender identity don't need to correspond for a person to be a man (or a woman); this is something transpeople have been trying to tell the rest of us for years. Please don't delegitimize transgender people simply because they don't conform to normative ideals of what a man or woman is.
What makes Max's storyline particularly compelling is the fact that we rarely see transmen represented on TV (or film) and although I am both curious and concerned about what will happen to him with the boss's daughter, I commend the show for developing Max's story.
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Jan 16, 2007 8:51 PM
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Sorry but I can't take any of Max's scenes seriously as Daniela Sea is such a poor actress!
Great ep though. I loved the humour of it, especially that naughty Jenny! Glad she's not moping around and slashing herself up like last season.
Bette is HOTTTT!! Never mind Papi (who was a little irritating, although I suppose she is meant to be) Wish Bette had been my teacher 
Cybill was OK, but we barely know her and we're getting her coming out story?? Think they should have introduced her character a bit more before trying to make us feel for her.
Series is going well so far, lets hope it stays that way!
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Jan 18, 2007 6:23 PM
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Hey Everyone! Yeah, I was a bit alarmed to see my L Word blog link not showing up in the side bar; it was there last week and premiere week. I suspect it was an inadvertent mistake, since it looks like some features have been shuffled and renamed on tvguide.com this week. I've emailed the powers-that-be about this and I'll let you know what's up.
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Jan 19, 2007 4:13 PM
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>>That said, I have a bit of a bone to pick with Jeannine on the subject of Max. There were a couple comments that really irked me and at the risk of getting on my high horse (I am a gender studies prof), here goes.
All bone-picking welcome by Jeannine.
>>First, Jeannine writes, "Had we not known that Max is a transsexual, let's face it, many of us would think that Max is a really good catch." Who is 'us' and why is it necessary to make assumptions about what 'we' desire in a man?
"Us" as in many women, and I wasn't referring to all women, just many women, including myself. I was trying to put myself in the boss' daughter's shoes, and articulate why it was believable to me that she would like Max so much after the first date.
>>And second, in a similar vein, when Jeannine continues, "I feel for him so much, because he just wants to live a straightforward life as a man, yet he's anything but that." This too is presumptious. Genitals and gender identity don't need to correspond for a person to be a man (or a woman); this is something transpeople have been trying to tell the rest of us for years. Please don't delegitimize transgender people simply because they don't conform to normative ideals of what a man or woman is.
See now, this is where you, being a gender studies professor, have a legitimate reason to pick this bone with me, but you're also at an advantage because you are well-studied on this subject. I am just a fan of the show and I happen to blog about it as well. I am not schooled on this subject, so I write about the show based on my own perspectives and opinions.
If you found my views on Max's story presumptuous, that is understandable, because I am not at all familiar with the world of transgendered people. This is also why this storyline is particularly wonderful. It will educate many viewers about this world and help to eradicate any presumptions that exist in those of us trying to understand.
What makes Max's storyline particularly compelling is the fact that we rarely see transmen represented on TV (or film) and although I am both curious and concerned about what will happen to him with the boss's daughter, I commend the show for developing Max's story.
Posted by ladybugbite
I wholeheartedly agree.
Feel free ladybugbite, to continue picking bones with me if any of my comments on Max irk you through the season. Since you are literally a teacher on this subject, and I honestly don't know much about trans gendered people at all, it will make for great commentary throughout Max's character arc. I'm sure that many readers and viewers could learn a lot from our discussions in addition to what is depicted on the show.
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Jan 19, 2007 4:28 PM
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Psst!
<<<----- All fixed. Link's back up on the sidebar.
Talk to you all soon!
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Jan 19, 2007 4:35 PM
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So happy to see a blog for The L Word, I don't know anyone else that watches it. Glad to know I have some people to chat with about it. I too love Helena, I'm a straight girl but Helena and Shane are 2 characters that make me think twice Anyway, I love the Alice Helena friendship, can't wait to see how that progresses. I'm not a Bette fan, but I'm glad she's working at the college because I already love Cybill Shepherd. I missed Angus this week, I really hope him and Kit can work through this. I like that Shane has Shay to take care of, I think she'll be great with him and that it'll get her to take some responsibility in her life. I too miss Carmen and hope she's in the show at some point this season. There are so many things left unsaid between the 2 of them. I find the character of Max very interesting, the actress, however, leaves a lot to be desired. I don't even know what to say about Jenny. She's always been my least favorite and this week she was just ridiculous with Shay. But, I love the show so I can put up with her. I'm thrilled The L Word is back. Sorry I missed the chat last week, now that this is on the tv blogs I'll be a weekly visitor!
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Jan 19, 2007 10:31 PM
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Welcome, Rain! I'm so glad you're here!
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Jan 21, 2007 9:32 PM
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Didn't they raise money last year so that Max could have his breasts removed? That is all I could think about in that scene with him in the mirror? Where did all that money go if he hasn't had the surgery yet?
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Feb 7, 2007 2:10 PM
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