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Season 1 – The L Word

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The L Word 2004 LGBTQ+ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
This long-running Showtime series features intertwined stories about the lives and loves of a group of lesbians and bisexuals in Los Angeles. The characters date, get into committed relationships, consider having families, hook up, break up, question their sexuality, stay in the closet, come out or sleep around -- sometimes all of the above.
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The L Word — Season 1

The L Word — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Despite some try-hard soapiness, The L Word makes a definitive mark as a pioneering program for a specific type of lesbian representation.

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Critics Reviews

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Linda Stasi New York Post The acting, the direction, and most importantly, the scripts are terrific, and yes, intelligent. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Melanie McFarland Seattle Post-Intelligencer Style points alone make the show a guilty pleasure at the very least, even if it needs a little tinkering to develop into appointment viewing. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Hal Boedeker Orlando Sentinel The series makes a serious miscalculation by focusing on the ambitious Bette and her overshadowed lover, Tina... they're not compelling figures, so neither their predicament nor their waning relationship generates compelling drama. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review Michael Cuby them. The L Word felt like a revelation. Sep 28, 2022 Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Like "Queer as Folk," "The L Word" is a soap opera, although a higher caliber one. The characters are less like caricatures, and it's easier to get caught up in their predicaments. May 3, 2019 Full Review Byron Beck Willamette Week In just three words, here's my critique of the show: I loved it. Mar 21, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Autumn T This was a great 1st season. The acting, storyline, and writing were all there. In addition, the cast were all talented and worked to sell the different relationships. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Audience Member eu gosto como mostra a parte boa e ruim de todos os personagens Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Audience Member Fantastic. We need more shows like this Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member I really enjoyed the first season. Was refreshing watching the beauty and complexity of female friendships/relationships on screen and I appreciated the variety of topics they covered from artificial insemination to genderqueer relationships. I am way behind when it comes to watching but I can see why it is so beloved and I really enjoyed getting to meet these women and each of their storylines - even Jenny's in season one. Tried season 2 but I stopped after one episode. I don't need to watch unnecessary drama over and over again (thinking about you Bette and Tina) and I think it is a hell of a shame that a show of this caliber and with so much potential ended on a terrible murder mystery (I skipped ahead and watched the last episode of season 6). It's like they built the whole series around how sheisty Jenny is when the L Word is supposed to represent queer women in all their effed up glory. Not just be a scandalous show about how terrible a narcissist can be. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The L Word — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Jennifer Beals

Bette Porter

Laurel Holloman

Tina Kennard

Mia Kirshner

Jenny Schecter

Eric Mabius

Actor

Karina Lombard

Actor

Katherine Moennig

Shane McCutcheon

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 18, 2004 Pilot Jenny meets her new neighbors and their friends. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 18, 2004 Pilot Jenny meets her new neighbors and their friends. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 25, 2004 Let's Do It Bette and Tina wait to see if Tina will get pregnant; Tim invites Marina to a dinner party; Kit tries to make amends. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 1, 2004 Longing Bette battles an art-gallery board; Jenny struggles with feelings for Marina; Alice tries to regain self-respect; Dana gets a date. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 8, 2004 Lies, Lies, Lies Bette is happy in spite of work problems; Dana's paranoia continues; Alice's mother problems escalate. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 15, 2004 Lawfully Tim walks in on Marina and Jenny; Bette makes an announcement to her father; Kit speaks to her father on Bette's behalf. Details Episode 7 Aired Feb 22, 2004 Losing It A New York artist tests Bette's commitment; the sperm donor's girlfriend harasses Tina; Jenny gets a ride from disaffected teenagers. Details Episode 8 Aired Feb 29, 2004 L'Ennui Tim rejects Jenny; Marina has another lover; Bette struggles with her fears about parenthood; Kit's son does not show for their meeting. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 7, 2004 Listen Up Jenny tries to explain her situation to her one-time roommate; Marina and Francesca continue to have problems. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 14, 2004 Luck, Next Time Kit struggles with a dance routine for a video; Bette defends an exhibit; Jenny goes to dinner with Marina and Francesca. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 21, 2004 Liberally Bette defends the gallery; Shane's relationship with Cherie gets complicated; Kit begins to relaunch her career; Marina and Francesca fight. Details Episode 12 Aired Mar 28, 2004 Looking Back The women reminisce about their first loves; Alice deals with her mother; Jenny takes up with Robin. Details Episode 13 Aired Apr 4, 2004 Locked Up A near-riot lands Bette in jail; Shane's relationships grow more convoluted; Kit meets Ivan; Tim and Jenny discuss divorce. Details Episode 14 Aired Apr 11, 2004 Limb From Limb Tina finds out about Candace; Marina dates Robin; Shane's patrons turn on her; Kit tries to make sense of Ivan's attention. Details

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The L Word — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Rose Troche, Clement Virgo, Lynne Stopkewich, Daniel Minahan, Mary Harron, Tony Goldwin, Tony Goldwyn, Kari Skogland
Executive Producer
Ilene Chaiken
Network
Paramount+ with Showtime
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
LGBTQ+, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 18, 2004