The L Word: Generation Q season 2 episode 5 review: Family feud

Season two of The L Word: Generation Q has kicked the drama into high gear in the aftermath of Sophie and Dani’s disastrous non-nuptials.

When we last left off, Sophie and Dani seemed like they had made reconciled, or at least made peace, while Alice dealt with the heartbreak of the end of her relationship with Nat, as well as the long-lasting grief of losing Dana. Let’s see what happened this week.

The L Word: Generation Q:  Blast from the past

After finally shooting her shot last week (our Shane really has grown up, hasn’t she?), Shane learned that Tess was seeing someone, making things a bit awkward for the two at work. Of course, Shane could never imagine the horror of learning just who Tess is dating–Cherie Jaffe (Rosanna Arquette).

For those who don’t remember, or didn’t watch the original series, back when Shane was a high-end hairstylist, Cherie was one of her clients. She was a wealthy, straight married woman, until the two had an affair and things ended as disastrously as you might imagine.

In short, Cherie was kind of awful to Shane, so Shane is not happy to see her turn up again, least of all with the latest object of her affection, Tess. In turn, Tess has no idea of the two’s history, leading her to escape to the breakroom spewing profanity.

Despite the awkwardness, Shane invites Cherie to the poker night where Cherie puts the moves on Shane before hooking up with her girlfriend in the back room. (Did we mention Cherie is a mess?) Later, after Dana’s is closed for the night, Cherie comes back to talk to Shane alone, and there’s no way it’s innocent.

Meanwhile, Angie’s family therapy session happens in a heartfelt and feeling sequence. While Bette goes in with her guard up (both because of the fear of what Angie has to tell her, and because she has to share air space with Carrie), Angie holds her ground as she tells her parents she wants to find out if she’s a match for her donor who needs a kidney.

Bette immediately freaks out and says no, leading to a fight that causes Angie to leave and Tina to follow her out. While they’re gone, Micah and Carrie try to talk to Bette about why Angie might want to reconnect with her donor, but Bette is characteristically stubborn.

Outside, there’s a truly lovely scene between Tina and Angie, who don’t get enough screentime together, as Tina tells her they’ll support her no matter what, even if they don’t agree.

Once they all come back together, Angie communicates her need to connect with the other side of her family, not just because of her biological identity, but because of her racial identity.

After the therapy session, Carrie vents about Bette, leading Tina to defend Ms. Porter. In another tough moment, Carrie tells her she’s happy to be second to Angie, but not third to Bette, and it’s an excellent moment of acting from Rosie O’Donnell. (Again, how did they wait so long to cast her on this show?)

Overall, the Porter-Kennard storyline this season, and with Angie as a whole, is tenderly written and thought through, showing the complexities and realities of blended and modern families in ways we rarely see on screen.

The L Word: Generation Q: What else happened this week?

In the wake of the Sophie and Dani drama, Finley has relapsed into her worst instincts, including drinking again, leaving Sophie alone and confused. But at least she has a cool new segment to work on at Alice!

Speaking of, her book may be done, but Alice keeps finding reasons to talk to Tom. In the original series, Alice was bi, but the show didn’t handle that well at all. Perhaps a blooming romance with Tom will set that biphobia straight.

What did you think of this week’s episode of The L Word: Generation Q? Tell us in the comments below?