Kace

This is a very amended version of my Top 25 that I did back in August 2004, which was done mostly off of memory and little else. Since I've been able to actually watch Season 1 a little more frequently I can actually (hopefully) come up with a better list. This isn't gonna all be done at once, as I wanna stretch this out a bit as we count down to the premiere of Season 2 which as of now is 25 days away. So, I'm gonna post 2 entries per day to kinda add to the fun and excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead.

And yes, I'm biased.

#50- Fun Behind Bars (Locked Up)

Due to being arrested earlier at the CAC where a riot broke out, Bette and Candace are considered high risk and wind up in a cell away from the others, alone together. Bette's already given into temptation once and with her life beginning to unravel, being left alone with Candace is the last thing she needs. So she decides to stay as far away from Candace as far as possible, doing everything she can to keep herself under control. Candace understands this and wants to oblige, but the temptation's almost overwhelming. Things get to the point where both have to satisfy their urges somehow. So they go about "simulating" their sexual fantasy, with Candace in bed and Bette going full friction against the wall.

#49- Dinner & A Reality Check (Luck, Next Time)

Marina's girlfriend Francesca's in town and Jenny, who didn't even know of Francesca's existance until just beforehand is now at Marina's house having dinner with the couple and trying to figure just how the Hell she wound up in this situation. As the conversation continues, the reality of what Jenny's gotten herself into's becoming more and more obvious and she's not taking it too well. But while Jenny's angry and Francesca's claiming territory, another sense of reality begins to slowly creep in. That reality being Marina feeling her own vice. And so it goes...

Kace

Today, a couple of Jenny related moments as we're now 24 days away from Season 2!

#48- Super Alice! (Looking Back)

Dinah Shore Weekend. The Morning After for the girls. Shane and Tina are asleep. Jenny's beginning to rise up from her slumber. Alice is up, getting a swig of water. And Dana.....isn't back yet. So Alice waits and when she hears the door begin to be unlocked and opened, Alice instictively shoves Jenny back down to her bed again to sleep and DIVES across the room to her bed to fake sleeping. Dana tiptoes through the room trying to be quiet. As she walks past the bed where Alice lies waiting, Alice jumps up, grabs Dana from behind and playfully tosses her on the bed. Both enjoy a laugh as everyone begins to wake up and try to pry the info of Dana's Night Out.

#47- Dismantled (Longing)

She's tried holding in the temptation since the first couple of intimate encounters with Marina. She's tried holding onto being Tim's only. But Jenny can't withstand the urges anymore and makes her way to The Planet, just after it's closed for the evening. Jenny arrives and walks to Marina's office where Marina awaits. Jenny explains her mixed emotions, ending with "Everytime I see you......I feel so completely dismantled....." A smile forms and a couple of tears fall, furthering Jenny's messed up emotional state. Marina meanwhile proceeds to take her.

Kace

23 Days to go! Today, we go zip through the spectrum of Alice's emotions.

#46- Alice Gets Advice On Gabby (Longing)

If you want a good example of how close knit this group of friends are, this would be it. It starts off with Shane entering with a pair of sunglasses and a hood, where her look is compared literally to "the Unabomber." From there, Alice's disappointing relationship with Gabby is discussed with Bette and Tina reciting for Alice exactly what she should say when she next sees her, ending with "so step off bitch." Though Alice was apprehensive, it became apparent that she was taking mental notes...as Gabby would find out later.

#45- Funeral For A Feline Friend (Limb From Limb)

It's a private gathering to remember the beloved Mr. Piddles, Dana's cat. The friends arrive to show their support for Dana and the departed, "Mr. P." Tonya, Dana's live-in girlfriend seems less than enthused, but fakes it enough when face to face with someone. Alice is suspect of Tonya, but has been from the beginning. Bette and Tina are there together, of course, bringing a painted portrait of Piddles for Dana as a gift. Kit has Ivan with her and Ivan seems a little freaked about the whole thing, but rolls with it. Shane's there, but mostly preoccupied in trying to get up with Cherie on her cellphone. Marina's there as well to show support. Bette proposes a toast to the life and memory of Mr. Piddles and then it's Dana's turn to make a speech. She thanks everyone for the support then drops a bombshell as she and Tonya announce their engagement together. Alice's shocked expression is priceless.

Kace

22 days remaining 'til Season 2! In the meantime, here are moments #44 and 43.

#44- So Cute (Lies, Lies, Lies)

Alice, Dana and Shane hang out at the Planet as Dana begins to worry that she hasn't heard from Lara all day. Just then, Lara walks in with a flower in her hand. This is something Dana's not used as she pauses. Alice is more than willing to help out as she whispers, "This is where you take the flower." Dana takes the flower and embraces her lady, Lara and apologizes for leaving the house without saying bye. All is well with the world and in The Planet. Shane with a feel good smirk just looks at the moment and says, "So *****ing cute."

#43- Bette Sees The Last Time I And You

Bette has had a nice conversation with Peggy Peabody in her hotel suite. Peggy asks Bette point blank what her favorite piece of artwork is. Bette's answer is a photoart work called, The Last Time I And You. The discussion on the artist in question occurs and with a calm glee, Peggy requests Bette to follow her to one of the other rooms in the suite. She tells Bette to close her eyes and then seconds later, tells Bette to open them again. When Bette does, she sees before her The Last Time I And You and breaks into tears. Bette's appreciation for art really shows here to the point would would suspect that it is among her most cherished emotional values.

Kace

21 days to go! Hang in there and just remember...All L Breaks Loose.

#42- Jenny Passes Out (Longing)

Jenny enters The Planet, looking for Tim. She sees Tim and Marina next to each other as Marina's charms still work just fine. So there they are. Jenny's fiancee talking chumly with Jenny's mistress. Maybe the irony's a little too hard swallow, causing Jenny to go into a daze and then pass out in the middle of the party at The Planet. An undisclosed amount of time elapses and the music's stopped for the moment as everyone checks on her. Tim helps Jenny up and takes her home.

#41- Jean-Paul Offers His Services (Episode 1: The Pilot Menace)

Jean-Paul's an artist who's not afraid to turn down the prospect of sex. However what Bette and Tina are proposing is rather foreign a concept to him. Seems okay at first for Jean-Paul at first. Bette and Tina want a baby. Tina's the one looking to be pregnant. They obviously need sperm. Jean-Paul is more than happy to provide, especially knowing that there would be no consequences of fatherhood afterwards. But then he's alarmed to the reality of it all. Donate the sperm into a jar. Jean-Paul insists on a more "natural" way or else there's no other way. Disappointed, Bette and Tina leave, but as they do Jean-Paul tries to put things in terms that any guy can understand. "Hey...the penis...the p*ssy....the baby!"

Kace

Only 20 more days!! A couple of nice, humorous moments today on the list.

#40- Shane Tells Alice About Lenore (Lawfully)

Earlier in the day, Alice's Mom told her about a brief tryst that happened between herself and Alice's friend, Shane which of course led to Alice freaking out. So now it was time to seek the unfortunate confirmation which Shane not only confirms, but goes into detail. It becomes a matter of Too Much Information as Alice closes her ears and very loudly begins singing the Oscar Meyer jingle. Shane, "Your Mom's pretty wild." Alice decides it's time for Lenore to move elsewhere.

#39- So Gay (Episode 1: The Pilot Menace)

It's a group conversation at The Planet that involves everything from Tina's search for a donor to Alice proclaiming that she looks for the same qualities in a man as a woman. It's a nice, fun chat between friends as someone unfamiliar happens to walk by on the sidewalk and Dana is quick to notice as she spots her, looking through the window. Everyone stops and looks at this unknown girl, among them Marina. A little bit of foundation is set for a coming storyline with Marina and this at the time unknown person to her. But things quickly go back to Dana. Tina, "You are so gay...." Alice, "Sooooo gay..." Dana, "........I know..." Dana was struggling with having to stay in the closet for career purposes. Meanwhile the unknown in question would turn out to be a girl named Jenny.

Kace

19 days remaining! Today, we have two totally unrelated moments with seperate characters to boot.

#38- Kit & Melvin Face Off (Lawfully)

Kit & Bette's father, Melvin was in town and staying at a hotel. Earlier on, Bette and Tina had dinner with Father and announced Tina's pregnancy, letting Melvin know that he was going to be a Grandfather. Melvin of course didn't understand the logic behind it and it would up bringing a downer on the whole thing. Upon finding out, Kit decides to take issue with Dad and at 5 AM, knocks on his hotel room door. It's revealed that Kit knows her father well enough to know that he always does his 5 AM Sit-Ups. From there, Kit and Melvin have a slightly heated exchange over morality, science and love of family.

#37- Mission InLarable (Let's Do It)

Let's Do It is the episode best remembered for the "L" in "L Word" meaning "Lara." Unsure of Lara's sexuality and Dana having the hots for her, a plan had been formed the night before to find out without causing Dana herself to come out of the closet, due to career reasons. The group tries everything, from gauging Lara's fashion sense to her nails and shoes. Bette and Tina begin making out to gauge a reaction, but the gaydar doesn't seem to work on Lara. Lara apparently has The Force. Shane, the Weapon Of Mass Seduction herself is then sent in woo and charm. Nothing. The group feels disappointed in not getting a straightforward (or gayforward) answer with their methods, so it would now be up to Dana to relunctantly find out for herself...which she would.

Kace

18 days remain! Today's moments are probably lesser known or discussed a lot of times, but I still consider them both to have their own bit of importance.

#36- Tim Gets Pulled (Lawfully)

Tim's not the happiest guy in the world right now. He's coming off a really bad and crazy day in which he's found out about Jenny's affair with Marina, has almost had a fight with her in front of the swim team after a meet, has forced a confrontation with Marina, has on a whim decided to go and get married to Jenny in a quick ceremony in Nevada and has now freaked out and left her behind in their motel room and is speeding back home. It's that speeding that gets Tim in trouble as an officer pulls him over. Tim explains his situation to the officer and the officer winds up giving a very eiree lecture on the inherent dangers of homosexuality. The officer and the scene itself seems a little creepy, which just adds to the appeal.

#35- Shane's Introduction To Harry (Losing It)

Shane's friend, Clive has become the latest boy-toy for the eccentric Harry Samchuck and now Shane has captured Harry's attention. On this particular evening, Clive introduces Shane, the hairdresser to Harry and Harry takes an instant liking to her, initially thinking Shane's a guy. Shane informs Harry otherwise, prompting Harry to make sure with his hand. Shane sarcastically replies with "Yeah, real professional" or something to that effect and restrains herself from what would have been a certain attack on the man. Fate is an interesting thing however as Harry still admires Shane's spunk and decides to someday soon send over the ultra rich and well known Cherie Jaffe over to have her hair done by Shane, which will make or break Shane's career.

Kace

17 More Days To Go! Today, we cross the spectrum between Arrivals and Departures for storylines.

#34- Say Hello To The Souz Chef (Let's Do It)

It's a quaint moment as Dana is set to eat her meal at the restaraunt where she works on her tennis game at. The waiter arrives with her food, but it's not what she ordered. The healthier choice of consumption is courtesy of a souz chef named Lara. Lara very quickly gains Dana's admiration, along with quite a few viewers.

#33- Shane & Cherie Finale (Limb From Limb)

For Shane, this is irony rearing its ugly head. A big fallout with the Jaffes has contributed to the end of what was becoming a very emotional relationship between Shane and Cherie. After already being threatened by Cherie's husband, Shane talks with her one last time at the Provocations Exhibit. It's here that the affair is capped. Cherie appears heartbroken, but the bounds of her public social life are weightier. Shane not only appears heartbroken, but is. For Shane, this is the pivotal moment for her as whatever becomes of her outlook on life heading into Season 2 can be traced right back to this moment.

~*Nikki*~

Yay Lara made the list!

I couldn't agree more with the Shane/Cherie scene, I've always thought it was one of Shane's most powerful.

Kace

16 Days to go!!! Today, it's two seperate events with seperate sets of characters.

#32- Reaffirmation (Locked Up)

After everything that's happened in Season 1, Tim is seated in front of his house where Jenny takes a seat beside him. In a moment of uncertainty, Tim asks what for some guys could be a rather taboo scenario, asking if Jenny's relationships with Marina and Robin have anything to do with him or any possible "sexual inadequacies." Jenny, in a moment that shows that through everything she still cares and says, "You're a good man." It's a nice moment of simple peace for a couple that have went through a lot.

#31- 3 F's & Go With The Flow (Let's Do It)

This moment of time has a nice combination of mini-moments that add their own charm. It's at The Planet, where Alice, Dana and Shane are hanging out. Lacey, who's still upset at Shane for having relationships elsewhere storms in and begins taking several pictures, accusing Shane of using the "3 F's." "She FINDS them, *****S them and FORGETS them!!" Marina kicks Lacey out and the trio of friends go back to their conversation, where Jenny's possible relationship with Marina while still with Tim is discussed leading Shane to give everyone a bit of Philosophy about sex. "Sexuality is fluid. Whether you're gay or you're straight, you just go with the flow."

Kace

So I had a little fun with yall yesterday and ommitted one of the F's ("Feels 'em"). For those who caught it, good for you.

15 days remain. For us auto racing fans, the Countdown gets a lot more fun from here as Speedweeks in Daytona has begun today with the Rolex 24 Hours Of Daytona. The last day of Speedweeks is the Daytona 500...on the 20th. Both moments today stem from the same episode, Liberally.

#30- Psychic Slim Daddy (Liberally)

Needing to get away from the stress filled world, Bette heads off to a nightclub where sister Kit is performing. While there, Bette bumps into Yolanda from Dan Foxworthy's Group Therapy sessions. With Yolanda is a lady named Candace. Bette says hi to Slim Daddy, who's there as a special guest and it's here that Slim has a prophetic moment as he makes it pretty clear that Bette and Candace would make a sexy couple. If he only knew...

#29- Gettin' Clumsy With It (Liberally)

It's Dana's first night alone since coming out and joining her at the table of the club is the much maligned Jenny. The evening has become somewhat of an impromptu date as they make their way back to Jenny's. The conversation before the moment is awkward and with Jenny dropping her top, hilarity ensues from there as the clumsiest make-out scene in the short history of the show. With neither really able to get into the moment, they decide that it'd just be better for them to be friends. Frustrating and funny all rolled into one.

Kace

2 Weeks from tonight, everyone 'til Season 2! Today we get something sad and something funny.

#28- Dana Comes Out To Her Parents (Listen Up)

It's a get-together to award Dana's mother and it's here that Dana knows that she's gonna have to come out to her parents about her sexuality before someone else tells them first. Dana's had problems and Alice is there trying to help her get through the nerve racking experience. Dana's little brother, Howie already knows and seems understanding enough and talks briefly with Alice, while Dana talks with her parents. The talk doesn't go well as the parents storm out and tell Howie to get in the car. As the parents ride off, leaving Dana standing there to weep, Alice runs over to console her.

#27- Escape To Boredom (L'ennui)

They were the first to arrive at the party, but certainly wouldn't be the last to leave. Bette and Tina, at the urging of their friends have attended a party taking place on a yacht. They seem to enjoy each other well enough, but as the night is just getting going good, Bette and Tina decide to leave while everyone's preoccupied. "Slip under my cloak of boring." It seems clear that for Bette and Tina at this time, the excitement at least seems to exist within being together alone.

Kace

13 Days to go! And now we'll go halfway through the list and into the Top 25.

#26- Alice's Coming Out Story (Looking Back)

In a van on the way to the Dinah Shore Weekend, Alice and friends venture off into their own Coming Out stories. Alice's goes back to her days in College when she played in a popular band on campus. As the story goes, their bass player quits the band one night by simply not showing up for a gig. They go through the process of tryouts for a new bassist and along comes a girl who Alice finds herself totally enamored with. One night, they make out on stage and the crowd eats it up. Alice's boyfriend, also in the band isn't sure how to take it at first and then just shrugs it off as "Rock N' Roll." Of all the Coming Out stories told in this episode, Alice's is the most entertaining.

#25- Welcome To The Heavenly Gates (Losing It)

Welcome to Poker Night where it's "Liquor in the front, poker in the rear" as Shane puts it. Tina, Alice, Shane, Kit, Dana, Lara and the Lesbian Identitied Male known as Lisa have all gathered for a fun night. There's a question concerning Lisa's identity to which Kit puts things in perspective. "If the dude wants to give up his white man world to be a second class citizen, then hey Welcome To Our World." Everyone agrees and Lisa's welcomed to the fold or as Shane calls it, "the Heavenly Gates."

Kace

One Dozen Days remain between now and Season 2!

#24- The Handshake Agreement (Episode 1: The Pilot Menace)

Alice and Dana step out of the club and into the night, strapped for ideas as to what to do. There's an offer to go back to one of their places which leads to the awkward sequence where Alice and Dana deny any attraction to one another. Just to make things official though, they agree on a handshake that they're just friends and are never to sleep together. Cute moment with some wondering how long that agreement would last.

#23- Flashback To Santa Rosa, 1968 (Listen Up)

Of all the flashback sequences in Season 1, it's perhaps this one that leads to one of the more emotional and ironic payoff. Two young female friends talk to each other after riding horseback. Leslie and Sharon give each other a hug as one's about to head off elsewhere. However, Sharon's deeper feelings become more evident which leads to what becomes an intimate and for Leslie, a very uncomfortable moment. Leslie pushes her off and Sharon feels embarrassed. Leslie tells her that "we all have feelings. It doesn't mean that we act on them." With a friendship devastated, young Sharon Fairbanks never forgets, which may explain her shock years later when her daughter Dana comes out to her.