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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3126 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-06-09
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: PAL, Colour, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 601 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
If the third season was marked by transitions, The L Word's fourth concerns growing up--or trying to, at any rate. Shane (Katherine Moennig) becomes her brother Shay's guardian, Bette (Jennifer Beals) and Tina (Laurel Holloman) stop fighting over their daughter Angelica, and Bette's new boss, Phyllis (a very game Cybill Shepherd), decides it's time to embrace her true nature. So, after 25 years of marriage (Bruce Davison plays her husband), Chancellor Kroll comes out of the closet--and sets her sights on Alice (Leisha Hailey). For all the inclusiveness, Max (Daniela Sea), still remains on the margins. Dumped by Jenny (Mia Kirshner) the year before, Max continues to share her apartment while acclimating to life as a man.

For those who felt season three was too dark, four offers a welcome corrective. There's still plenty of angst--Jenny's memoir meets with a few negative notices (Heather Matarazzo's journalist pens the harshest critique) and Helena (Rachel Shelley) learns to live without Mommy's money--but there are plenty of moving moments to compensate (most revolving around Shane and Shay). New additions also arrive to shake things up, like Marlee Matlin as an artist who helps Bette to broaden her horizons, Kristanna Loken as a single mother with a yen for Shane, and Rose Rollins as an Iraq War veteran with whom Alice has a tryst (leading to a well intentioned, if heavy-handed message about how even liberals should support the troops). As in seasons past, the directorial line-up impresses as much as the acting talent, and includes Oscar winner Marleen Gorris (Antonia's Line) and playwright Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project). --Kathleen C. Fennessy, Amazon.com

Synopsis
This drama follows an ensemble cast of characters who represent multiple facets of the lesbian lifestyle, but enact very human dramas that anyone can relate to. At the centre is Jenny (Mia Kirshner, EXOTICA), who moved to a hip L.A. neighbourhood to be with her boyfriend, a swim coach. Immediately swept up in the lesbian community, Jenny begins to question the heterosexuality she has always taken for granted, while the lives and loves of those around her play themselves out in sometimes humorous, sometimes painful, ways. In the fourth series, Jenny suffers personal setbacks in her rising career as a writer, and Bette (Jennifer Beals, FLASHDANCE) begin a job in academia where she faces a tough new boss (Cybill Shepherd, LAST PICTURE SHOW) who has a secret. Meanwhile, Tina (Laurel Holloman, CHERRY) navigates shared custody of her child with Bette, while an upcoming film project strains her relationship with Jenny.

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Customer Reviews

by far the best series
In my opinion this is by far the best season, with just the right balance of humour and drama. The relationships in this season are all realistically developed - especially, and most surprisingly, between Shane and her little brother. I don't want to spoil anything but this is most moving and also frustrating; and the way it leads to a relationship between Shane and Page is totally convincing (much more so than her relationship with Carmen). Cybil Shepherd also gives a stunning performance, portraying the pain of unrequited love so convincingly I almost found it difficult to watch.

So are there any flaws? Yes, a few, as there are with anything. A major flaw for me is the way Dana has virtually been forgotten. Although there are subtle references to her throughout the series (culminating in a light hearted appearance of her 'ghost'), she is virtually never mentioned. Considering how deeply in love with her Alice was, she would have been in grief for years, and unable to move on to someone else so quickly. I know this is drama, and the writers perhaps felt it would be dragging it out if Alice was in grieving for a long time, but a nod in the direction of realism would have been appreciated. People don't lose loved ones and just move on immediately.

Also the 'ghost' appearance of Dana was bizarre... Alice didn't seem upset or traumatised or even happy about it. I thought her reaction was strange. Perhaps the writers thought that to portray this any other way would be too corny - fair enough - but I didn't really see the point of it.

But apart from those minor quibbles I think this is one of the best series of television I have ever seen - truly first class writing, directing and performances. I hope to see more of the same in season 5.

Just gets better!
I LOVE THIS SHOW and season 4 doesn't let the side down! With the ingenious addition of Cybal Sheppard and Marlee Matlin this season is seriously one to watch - if only to get you ready for the Season 5 ride!!!!

Buy it - you wont regret it!

just gets better
i love this show ever since i just bought the first season on a whim. this is a great season as there is plenty of new faces to replace some of the old ones that have left. follows onj from where we left the gang in canada after shane leaving carmen at the alter and helena was cut off by her mother.