...and by seeing it, I mean watching more than just one episode, particularly a pilot which automatically alerts someone to the fact that a show is just starting out and hey, give it some credit or a chance before you blow it off.

that said, obviously I'm a huge fan of the show. While it does have a somewhat shaky start (and what doesn't?) the show really hits it's stride during the middle of the season as the characters and, I'm led to believe, actors really begin making and displaying the bonds they share.

While it may a lesbian show, an hour long, a drama, a comedy, a creative reflection of real life, it is ultimately a television show and I personally think it's brilliant for what it is. Some argue that the characters aren't believable, the plots too 'out there', the lesbian characters too beautiful or glamorous and I don't agree with any one of them for the simple reason that it's a TELEVISION SHOW, television itself being the epitome of glamour and idealization, and a damn good television show at that. Television is, as I said above, a creative reflection of real life, it's not meant to actually be real life.

Erin Daniels, in particular, is amazing as Dana Fairbanks. She has you laughing hysterically one minute and in sympathetic tears the next. Not to mention the rest of the cast, who neither under or over play their characters and sort of allow their characters to come through them instead of being forced. It's hard to explain, but there's something about the dynamic of this cast, of this show, that just draws you and doesn't let you go.

I recommend you give it a watch, and a chance and if at the end you still don't enjoy it than it's fair enough, at least you tried. However, I do believe the show is strong enough and that well put together that you can't help but like it, you can't help but care what becomes of these characters, and you can't help but want more.

on a side note, Lauren Lee Smith who plays a guest character called Lara is so adorable it's not even funny. As Leisha Hailey. And Jennifer Beals. (who are both mains)

(as you can see, the show also makes it hard to have and hold onto a favourite character, they're all appealing and all wonderful)

I was excited to learn of the new Lesbian drama to come out last January as a new Showtime original series. Already being a big fan of QAF I was interested in seeing a show focused primarily on gay women instead of gay men. I believe Showtime made a good choice bringing "The L Word" to its viewers because it now balances out for both gay and lesbian individuals. Although I watched QAF I always felt I had not a lot to relate to. Mel and Lindsey are two great characters but the show does not focus a lot on them. "The L Word' fills that void. Each character brings new life to the show and the actresses and actors who play them are all very talented and intriguing. With each episode you find yourself more and more captivated and developed into the characters and their lives. It is sometimes frustrating having to wait a whole week just to find out what will happen next. This is without a doubt my Favorite show and I am so happy to finally have something to watch and be able to identify with to some degree. My life is really nothing like what is presented in the show, but it is fiction. It is not meant to be like real life. That would be too boring. The show touches base with many serious issues facing gays and lesbians today in our country and at the same time makes you laugh. These women are HOT and SEXY and Alice(Leisha Haley) brings just the right amount of humor to the show. All of the actresses bring such an energy across the screen. They work well together and you can tell they all have fun making each scene. This applies more to Leisha Haley, Kate Moening and Erin Daniels (Alice, Shane and Dana) Every scene which involves the three of them is sure to have you laughing. Bette and Tina (Jennifer Beals)(Laurel Hollowman)do a great job bring their characters to life and it is their characters, I feel, which make the show interesting. Through the season you see their relationship grow and change. Every week I had to watch and see what was going on with them. Jenny and Marina (Mia Kirshner)(Karina Lombard)display the thrill and and fear of two women coming together. I enjoyed watching these two because it reminded me of my own coming out story, watching Jenny go through all of the emotions. Through the first season you see Jenny grow and develop more than any other character. This is a great show and I believe many people can relate.

It's just bad. Halfway through the first season, only L'ennui was any good w/ a reasonably well written plot, funny and sexy moments; and Dana and Shane moments are cute as well.

The rest is utter crap. The least erotic sex scenes ever, gay or straight. Completely wasted lines of the plot just fade in the sand before they're ever properly developed. Lame, lame, lame, lame dialogues. Terrible music. And can someone PLEASE cut the PATHETIC Jenny?

You can stop reading now; it just seems I have to fill the comment with 10 lines minimum. Why? The show is awful, terribly boring and annoying, and there really isn't anything else to say.

I think that some people are so used to watching 1 or 2 dimensional garbage they wouldn't know a really good show if it jumped up and slapped them.

This show is EXCELLENT. Nuance, subtext, the characters (particularly Jenny - like her or not) are so real... they breathe! I've read a lot of comments in different forums about how these women don't look like "lesbians". I'm not sure what "lesbians" they've been looking at but the ones that I know look a lot like these women. Progressive, professional, feminine, sexy and proud of it. Keep up the good work Chaiken and crew!

The L Word is one of the most original shows I've ever seen. It's the only real lesbian show ever made. It's breaks down stereotypes, and shows you that not all lesbians are butch. It deals with real issues that lesbians have, but at the same time maintains its humor (some of the one liners are hilarious). It's not trying to be perfect or overly explicit (although the sex scenes are nowhere near self-conscious). The women on the show are all gorgeous and very talented. The acting is the most solid part of the show. Some of the characters show so much emotion with so little dialogue (like my personal favorite, Marina, played by Karina Lomabrd). The show has no limitations. Pretty much every boundary was crossed by the end of the first episode, and that's a good thing. This is by far my favorite show, and if you haven't seen it you really should. Gay or straight, you'll love it.

My only complaint is that Karina isn't coming back for season 2. Hopefully she'll be back for future seasons.