The L Word

Lesson Number One

Season 4, Episode 7, Aired 2/18/07

Episode Summary

Tina's boss orders her to get the movie rights for Jenny's Lez Girls. Helena considers whether she should take up on Catherine's offer to pay off her gambling debt. Paige and Shane volunteer at Shay's school to teach the kids about tolerance. Meanwhile, Alice and Tasha take it slow, and Bette learns something about Jodi's past that puts kinks in their relationship.moreless

9.4

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Katherine Moennig

Shane McCutcheon
Laurel Holloman

Tina Kennard
Leisha Hailey

Alice Pieszecki

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

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...

9.5

"Superb"

By Shana868, Oct 21, 2007 Report Abuse

Loved this episode, nearly every bit was great. Very well written and a nice mix.

The scenes at Phyllis' house were great (much as I don't think Cybil can act, they were very funny with Bette/Jodi).

The school thing with Shane and Paige was a little OTT, but a nice change, a good mini direction.

The Helena thing was good...I love how she won in the end. I wish she had left C/Katherine wanting her though...I thought she was supposed to meet her at a presidential suite? Was that a hotel? :shock:

Papi had some fab lines! :shock: I like her sometimes, but this episode she seemed the really insightful one.

Alice/Tasha were gorgeous, though the helicopter ride was a little unrealistis and I didn't like how bossy Tasha was when Alice showed up. Love how it's all 'Tasha is in the Army and has stronger moals than everyone'. Alice's 'you're black?' line was perfect, so few actors could manage a line like that.

I kind of agree about Bette and Jodi not having much sexual chemistry. I love Bette, and I love Jodi, so why do their scenes seem a little bit of a let-down ever since they actually got together? They seemed more chemical in the first few eps IMO. I hate how they're setting them up for ruin :cry: I DON'T want Tibette.

I still don't actually understand why Jenny didn't change names and characters more for Lez Girls. I don't think that's been properly explained. So obvious she was going to screw Tina over, not that she owed Tina anything. I can't believe the lenghts Tina is going to for her work either.

Poor Kit. Bette isn't there for her either :(

Surprised we haven't seen the discriminated against woman from Max's work again yet.

Anyway, a fab episode, great dialogue, nice mix of romantic/funny/emotional/etc :)moreless

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It was very exciting to see Bette get some....

10

"Perfect"

By dark_lady22, Feb 26, 2007 Report Abuse

I was so glad she finally got some love and not rough sex. I don't think her and Jodi will last but it will be good for awhile. Bette still cares for Tina and it shows when they are together. It was funny when Phyllis gave Bette the box of chocolates when she found out Jodi could not be monogimus. I think this will drive a wedge between them. Shane was really showing her emotions during the PTA metting at school. She sure loves Shay and she let everyone know it. Great job!!!

Helena needs to stay away from her gambling or she will be in more trouble. I don't think she should have stayed after winning the card game. Tasha and Alice make a cute couple. I think Alice will see that she is a very down to earth person and not one to rush into a relationship just for sex. Tasha has things she needs to deal with after being in Iraq. Alice needs to give her time to come to terms with this and not rush her.

Papi is still making waves around town. Tasha doesn't care for her bragging about her women. Especially when she said Alice was with her. She needs to keep this to herself if she thinks Tasha is interested in Alice. After all, Papi said it didn't mean anything.

Tina didn't mean to hurt Kit by telling her about Angus. She thought Bette had already said something to her. After all, Tina knows what that feels like and I don't think she would do anything to hurt her. It was nice that Kit told her to stop in anytime.

Angus needs to grow up and face the music. He needed to tell Kit before it got out of hand. Kit was seeing a married man and didn't think anything of it. She wasn't worried about what his wife would say. She needs to think about that before jumping all over Angus. What he done was wrong but she in turn has done the same but just didn't get caught.

Jenny needs to quit punishing Tina and give her the rights to her book. Jenny acts like she is the only one that counts and so what if she puts her friends down. Tina is just trying to help her out.

Max is still a problem for me. I don't really know where they are going with his character.moreless

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Shane is awesome this season!

10

"Perfect"

By diecaro, Feb 23, 2007 Report Abuse

Woman eating Shane and almost married Shane were great, but the new Shane is amazing me even more. I absolutely love her this season! And the speech she gave in front of that class was really great, too. It's true: she's taking responsibility for the first time. I mean, she loved Carmen, but she couldn't go through with it. But having Shay around has really made her a much better person and I love it!

I'm so sorry for Kit, especially that she had to find out through Tina. Angus should have told her long ago and I think Bette should have, too. She might have thought it's not her business, but Kit's her sister, she should have said something!

I like the gambling storyline with Helena and that other woman, but I think she should have had more self respect and walked out there with her head up high. She won and she shouldn't get involved with someone who's making propositions like that.

The relationship of Jodi and Bette is strange, but maybe I feel that way because for once Bette seems to be the one investing more. Well, okay, she did get that message in the end. Who knows if Jodi can really be with only one woman and I hope she won't break Bette's heart (even though she would then finally feel what she did to Tina back then).

Jenny's story is still causing trouble and I understand it. But apart from that, this episode didn't offer too much about it, unfortunately.. I like her lately!

Finally, Max! After his confession last episode, I was expecting some huge blow out, but nothing happened. I don't know whether I should be disappointed or happy for him. His boss' daughter was the first he told about his transformation and it must have been devestating that she reacted so harsh. Anyway, now his colleagues just accept it and don't even talk about him? It's a little weird. But Max is growing on me. I've never really liked him, but he's getting more interesting now!moreless

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Great episode - favorite part was Phyllis handing box of chocolates to Bette after Jody confides that she...

9.1

"Superb"

By kcbelles, Feb 20, 2007 Report Abuse

...is not into monogamy. Hilarious (Bette & Jody went to Phyllis' to console her. Phyllis is in the midst of a self-indulgent binge - first alcohol, then ice cream).

I like the character Jody, but I don't see Jody & Bette together - I'm not feeling any chemistry, like when Paige and Shane got together - that little interlude on the kitchen table was hot! Finally! Shane's getting some and with a hot woman like Paige - I hope they're more than a one night fling. And good for Helena - won her way out of her jam, and then, on her terms, decided to stay. Great scene.

Papi's coming around - I loved her insight about Tina - that "we're all judged about who we sleep with, but you all are doing the same thing to Tina." While I'm not fond of the Tina character, I had wondered why the whole group is so negative about her going back to men. If they're angry cuz she left & hurt Bette, than that's what they should voice, not their displeasure over with whom she chooses to sleep.

Glad Max hasn't lost his job (yet) - good to see more on Tasha/Alice - unreal that there's that much interest in Jenny's book, which can only mean more bad feelings with her circle of friends. SHe needs to learn that if she asks for someone's opinion, that she should accept that opinion, even if it's not what she wants to hear.

Loved the PTA scene where Paige & Shane's trying to "educate" students and their parents about tolerance. Shane's little speech about why she did the underwear thing was so sweet - there's hope for her as a responsible adult yet.moreless

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0 3
Bette and Jodi - crossing my fingers!!

9.4

"Superb"

By xblvr, Feb 19, 2007 Report Abuse

So I really like Bette and Jodi I like them way better than Bette and Tina and Bette and her freaky grad students (so glad that went no where). They are such a wonderful couple and I loved that fact that she said that she could fall in love with her, to bad Jodi didn't hear her. Or did she?? I sooo want them to turn out ok, we need a happy couple on this show!! I was sad about the whole monogamy thing, but I seriously think that she could be happy with Bette. I am wishing and hoping for this. The only thing that catches me as strange is how fast Bette seemed to have picked us ASL. She's amazing with how fast she picked up on stuffmoreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Goof: In the scene where Paige and Shane start making out on the table, after Paige loses her top and is left in her bra, we see naked Shane on top of her, kissing her belly. But it's only in the next shot that Paige strips Shane of her white t-shirt. Edit
- Goof: In the scene where Shane and Paige are at the principal's office, the position of Shane's left hand switches places between shots. In the shot of the principal from behind Shane's head you can see that she is leaning into left her hand. Yet when the view changes to Paige and Shane, her hand is back in her lap, and it's actually her right hand that's up by her face. Edit
- Deleted Scene: Kit freaks out in her office as she is tempted to drink! After Tina tells her about Angus' affair with Hazel, Kit leaves messages to Angus' and Bette's answering machines. This scene shows what happens next. She slams the phone on the floor and then starts throwing stuff around. After she flips over the desk, she takes out an unopened bottle of vodka from one of the drawers. She uncorks it and... just as she's about to take a mouthful, there's a knock on the door. Someone asks, "Kit, you OK in there?" Kit replies that she's fine and after struggling with the urge to drink, she gently puts the bottle back on a shelf. Then she slams Angus' guitar against the floor and wrecks it completely. Afterwards, she's sitting on the floor amidst all the broken furniture and rubbish. Her cellphone rings; she glances at the caller ID but doesn't answer. She takes out the bottle vodka again -- and takes a swig. Edit
Notes
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- Cybill Shepherd is credited as a Special Guest Star. Edit
- Dallas Roberts (Angus) doesn't appear in this episode, although his voice is heard in an answering machine. Edit
- Music Featured in This Episode: - There Is a God by The Staple Singers - Glad About That by Linda Balintine - Boozinbacher by One Hot Suzy - Soulcane by One Hot Suzy - Weak Spot by Ruby Johnson - Early Morning Mood by Chet Baker - Sex, Fashion, And Money by The Grabs - Eve's Temptation by Jaymes Bullet - She by Jaymes Bullet - Lovesucker by Xlover - Barnyard by Betty Edit
Quotes
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- Papi: You need to get the fuck outta Long Beach, Tash. Explore some new portals and shit. Tasha: Portals? What is that, Alice's thing? You know I'm not into that, Papi. Papi: Yeah, but seeing new things and experiencing new things, that's a good attitude towards life. Tasha: Maybe, but that whole dippin' in thing ain't for me, man. Pickin' up chicks of every culture, just to say that you had one of everything. I don't wanna be some chick's black girl experience. Edit
- Helena: Does that make any difference that I'm fucking a beautiful woman for money? I - I don't think so. (The girls all consider this.) Alice: Yeah, yeah it helps. Edit
- Papi: (about Tasha) Yeah, the whole double dippin' thing isn't exactly flyin' with her. Alice: Double dipping? Papi: Yeah, you dippin' into me then dippin' into her... Alice: Wait, first of all I have not dipped into her, okay? She's very officer-and-a-gentleman and she really wants to take things slow. Papi: Yeah, but that's how Tasha is. She's pretty traditional, you know? Alice: Well, she's in the fuckin' army. So, yeah. Edit
Allusions
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- The painting on the wall above the fireplace in Catherine Rothberg's hotel suite's entry hall is Almond Blossom by Vincent Van Gogh (1890). It's a painting of his favorite subject: blossoming branches against a blue sky. Edit