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  Season 3 / Episode 9: LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY

Written by : Ilene Chaiken
Directed by : Moises Kaufman
Guest Stars : Click Here
Music : Click Here
Credits : Click Here
Duration : 54 mins.
Previews : Click Here

 Episode Summary

by Pam Cole

The episode begins with more of Dana and Alice's breakup seven months ago. Dana goes outside to Lara, who waited in the car while Dana broke up with Alice. But when Lara tries to kiss the distraught Dana, she pulls away, claiming she isn't ready and that she didn't leave Alice because of Lara. Lara says that she can wait because they have "all the time in the world."

Poor Bette is still stuck at the Buddhist retreat, which is beginning to look like a ring of hell, complete with freezing outdoor showers and bald, naked female monks. Bette seems to steadfastly resist any enlightenment she is supposed to be receiving from this experience.

Dana looks and sounds surprisingly good as she goes shopping with Alice and they bond again as "friends." Dana apparently has been asked to do "color commentary" for some sporting event and she is excited about it. She and Alice meet with Dr. Susan Love (who is a real physician looking for a cure and a prevention for breast cancer). Dr. Love tells Dana that she is doing all the right things. (www.susanlovemd.com)

Suspicious about Shane and Carmen's relationship, Carmen's mother tries to fix up Shane with a carpet-cleaning businessman during a dinner with Carmen's family. In response, Carmen rudely spills the beans about the fact that she and Shane are more than friends. (Carmen has a tendency to blurt things out without thinking about it first.) It's an ugly scene with lots of Spanish that I didn't understand, but Carmen's mother clearly tells Carmen and Shane to get out of her house in English. Shane has become very fond of Carmen's family and is upset about Carmen's outburst at the dinner table. So, Carmen and Shane fight about it and Carmen hurtfully asks Shane, "What do you know about family?" (That blurting out thing again.) Carmen and Shane seem to fight as much as Bette and Tina these days, but at least they are sincere about it.

Helena introduces Dylan to her children who are visiting from California. Dylan is uncomfortable with Helena touching her on the shoulder in public. Later, Helena takes her kids to Tina's house, where the kids all have a swimming lesson. Henry, a divorced father, and his son, Mikey, join them. Tina seems immediately attracted to Henry, especially when he takes Angelica for a few minutes and is really good with her.

Later, Dylan and Helena have a hot love scene at Dylan's studio, which they videotape. (NOTE: Sex and videotaping never go well together.) Helena doesn't know it, but Dylan and Danny have set up this scene so they can sue Helena for sexual harassment. However, Dylan seems genuinely attracted to Helena and is upset afterwards. Helena receives a summons later in the show, informing her about the sexual harassment suit.

Jenny throws Max a "Trans Prom" benefit party for her top surgery at The Planet (even though Kit tries to discourage Max from having the surgery). The party is very elaborate with lots of decoration, some of which Max doesn't approve of. Max continues to struggle with his newfound hormonal aggression and lashes out at Jenny several times in the episode. Finally, Shane tells Max that if he hurts Jenny, she will cut his tits off herself. Woo, Shane!

Dana, Alice, Tina, Helena, Shane, and Carmen are all at the Trans Prom. They are dressed in "Prom" costumes and everyone has their photo made with their date, just like at a real prom. The photos are pretty funny. Chandra, the woman in the kissing booth at the Trans Prom, asks Alice out on a date but Alice is reluctant to go because of Dana. Helena encourages Alice to go out and Dana does, too, kind of half-heartedly.

After the prom, back at the house, Max has another immature, selfish fit because they didn't raise enough money for the operation, and Jenny's "rich friends" didn't pitch in more money. Jenny and Max argue, and Jenny throws the money in Max's face and asks if this is the monster that is going to live in his new body.

Kit and Angus continue their discussion about marriage and Kit says that although she wants to stay with Angus, she won't marry him until her sister and her gay friends can be married. That makes him happy but he still wants to live together.

Tina and Henry take the kids to the beach. They sit on the beach and talk, and Tina admits that she loves Bette but that things have changed. Henry says that happens to all couples and that it happened to him. He says that he was on the floor for two years after his wife left him. Tina says that she doesn't want Bette to be on the floor for two years. They go back to the house and as Henry prepares to leave, he and Tina share a hot kiss. Tina invites Henry and Mikey to stay for supper and they do. After supper, when the kids are asleep, Henry and Tina have sex--in Bette's bedroom!

Alice reluctantly goes on a date with Chandra, leaving a slightly jealous Dana with a stack of movies to watch and instructions to call if she needs anything. Alice doesn't want to go, especially after Dana says she isn't feeling well, but Dana insists that she goes out (even though she doesn't really want her to go). Alice and Chandra are having a nice dinner but Dana calls, twice. The second time she calls, Alice has to get up and leave suddenly. Chandra is a dear, and totally understands.

When Alice gets to Dana, she is running a high fever. Alice calls the doctor and takes Dana to the hospital.

The episode ends with Dana in the hospital, Shane and Carmen fighting, Dylan suing Helena, and Bette breaking her silence to call home and leave a heart-rending message on the answering machine while Tina and Henry have sex in the bedroom.

Can it get any worse? I fear the answer is yes.

 


 Guest Stars:

Alexandra Hedison
Lauren Lee Smith
Steven Eckholdt
Irene Lopez
Callum Keith Rennie
Dr. Susan Love


 Music by kace:

This week, a little of everything, so let's begin!

Tracy Bonham - Whether Your Fall

For the 2nd week in a row, this plays during the flashback and in fact is an extension of the same flashback from the week before.  Well, this is rather heartbreaking.

Nedra Johnson - Ahh (It's A Good Thing

At the Wax, setting up for the Max Benefit, played dimly in the background. Kit calls everyone, "girl" by the way.  Except for maybe Slim Daddy and gives an odd lecture to Kevin...er...Max.  Woulda been interesting to see Kit give this speech to Ivan.

Sekoya - Heavenly City

Dr. Love makes a cameo at the Planet, talking with Alice and Dana.  This scene provides a plug for Dr. Love more than anything else.  I know I'll catch flack for this, but she kinda resembles Pat from those Saturday Night Live skits.  Again, another deep in the background deal.

Bitch - Unstick

Always liked "Live For The Whip" by this group, assuming it's the same one. Doesn't sound 'em though as this song sounds a bit more relaxed.  Shane and Carmen do chitter chatter at the Wax, setting up for the Max Benefit and it leads to a discussion on Prom Nights from the past.

Claudia Morales - Siempre Hace Frio

Spanish language music.  Yep, we're at Carmen's family's hut.

Animotion - Obsession

Saturday Night's Main Event flashbacks for Yours Truly, here.  Plays during Max Benefit.  And yes, I believe that's Dax from Season 2 dancing around at one point.  We need more of Dax!  Maybe set her up with Uta or something. We're also introduced to Chandra who may or may not make some sorta impact later on down the road.  Eh, I wouldn't mind, she seems nice.  Now, back to Uta & Dax....heheh...just picture it in your mind.

Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas

Still at the Max Benefit as we get some Cocteaus.  Max, dancing with Tina gets upset with Jenny dancing with someone else.  That's a little hypocrtical, isn't it?  I'll chalk it up to Roid Rage and Jenny getting to be Victim Of The World again.  Yay, victim!  Is it just me or am I starting get out of Jenny again?  The song's not that bad and goes great with the 1980's theme of the party.

Waitresses - I Know What Boys Like

A little later on at the Max Benefit.  I like this song and it's great to see it get some airplay.  This would remind me of Prom Night, had I actually went to it.  Then again Prom Night back in Bladenboro meant showing up for an hour, then heading to either the beach or to Darlington for the NASCAR Spring Race, scheduled that weekend.

Boszy - You Wish

Meanwhile, the next morning at the Planet, Kit and Angus The Mangus Manny Dude talk and stuff.  Hip Pop here and kind of ignorable, really.

Mohammad Gomar - Quita L Awasaal

Alice and Chandra and the Not So Epic Date.  Chandra seems like a sweet gal. 

Copper Wimmin - Bleeding Rivers

Thought this was Imogen Heap when I first heard it, to be honest.  I like the harmony here.  Bette wants her life back while at the Silent Retreat and Dana winds up in the hospital.  Crap...hospital...late in the Season on The L Word.  Oh, this isn't good.  Not at all.

http://mancandy.com - Thursdays, 9 PM Eastern

Nowhere To Go Radio: All Women, All Day
http://ntgradio.com - Sundays, 8 PM Eastern

The Broad & Cast Network
http://bcnifm.com - Fridays and Saturdays - 6am and 8pm Eastern


 Production Credits

Creative Consultant ADAM RAPP
Producer ELIZABETH ZIFF
Producer AM HOMES
Co-Executive Producer ROSE TROCHE
Executive Producers ROSE LAM, ILENE CHAIKEN
Casting COREEN MAYRS, CSA & HEIKE BRANDSTATTER, CSA
Edited by LISA BINKLEY, LISA JANE ROBINSON, ALLAN LEE
Production Designer RICARDO SPINACE
Director of Photography BOB ASCHMANN
Created by ILENE CHAIKEN, KATHY GREENBERG, MICHELE ABBOTT
Written by ILENE CHAIKEN
Directed by MOISES KAUFMAN


Previews

SHO.com: Alice keeps vigil at Dana's bedside while she takes a turn for the worse; Carmen drops the unexpected on Shane; Bette's attempts at inner peace don't come easily; Lara calls from France looking for Dana; Jenny meets up with her ex-husband Tim and introduces him to Max; Peggy Peabody flies in to save Helena and the company; Tina settles in with Henry.

TVGuide.com: Dana's health deteriorates and Alice keeps a bedside vigil; Carmen gives Shane some surprising news; and Bette continues to search for inner peace. Jenny introduces Max to her ex-husband; and Tina gets comfortable with Henry.

TV.com: While Lara is vacationing in Paris, oblivious, Dana's condition takes a turn for the worse. Alice runs into Dana's ex, Jenny introduces Max to a man from her past, Carmen evens the score with Shane, and Peggy Peabody flies to town to help her daughter. Frustrated, Bette leaves the Buddhist retreat but receives a dose of life wisdom from an unexpected source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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