One reason I like The L Word so much (besides the fun theme song, of course) is its emphasis on exploring identity. I mean, sure, technically the show is kind of a soap opera, but at the same time one would be quite hard-pressed to find a show that is able to delve into such a range of different identity issues, and with such clarity, without it becoming an academic gender issues exercise. For example, one character, Moira, is involved in changing her gender - becoming "Max." So, her breasts will be removed, and her hair is shortened, and her appearance is changing in a subtle but apparent way. Fine, that's a whole identity issue in and of itself. But: another character, Dana, develops breast cancer. Her breasts are removed, her hair falls out, and her appearance changes in a subtle but apparent way.

So, if the changes in one signify a shift to the masculine, what does that mean for almost the same changes in the other? Now that must have been a fun 'bam!' moment to write into the script, where those two changing identities came into confluence (I think it was a tiny bit stilted, but still done with aplomb).

With that focus on identity issues (and the recent theme of changing identities, another example being a lesbian character finding herself attracted to men again), the show is especially interesting because when you do find an identification with a character, it becomes especially acute. At least for me, anyway; I've been finding all sorts of identification with the characters whose relationships are shifting or ending (plus the meditation-subplot), so I'm always left a little aching afterwards, but having gained a little perspective, so bittersweet would perhaps be a better term in the end. It's too bad you don't watch that show, t, we would have a field day with identifications...