Off The Chart: Xtra’s L Word podcast

“I don’t think anything.” —Sarah FinleyWe’re halfway through The L Word: Generation Q Season 2, and things are getting spicy! This week, Bette, Tina, Carrie and Angie are in therapy, Shane is confronted with a former flame and Micah and Maribel finally get it on. And amidst it all, Bette is being a real jerk. What’s her deal? Xtra's senior editor Erica Lenti and managing producer of video Chelle Turingan host.Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiChelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Chelle TuringanTechnical producer: Lito Howse @LitoHowseExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit 

“The world wasn’t ready for you when you got your first break.” —Bette PorterWhat do romantic movie nights, stalking artists, brand-new blazers and kitchen counter sex have in common? They’re all staples of Episode 4 ofThe L Word: Generation Q Season 2, of course! This week, our L.A. lesbians long for lost loves, search for direction and wind up in each other’s beds—as usual. Xtra's senior editor Erica Lenti and managing producer of video Chelle Turingan host.Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiChelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Chelle TuringanTechnical producer: Lito Howse @LitoHowseExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“You look like you could use a night out.” —Gigi GhorbaniOh,The L Word: never change. Three episodes into Generation Q Season 2 and we’re already back in love-triangle territory. In the Bette-Gigi love ring, a new fighter has emerged—and it’s, shockingly, Dani. Plus, Angie has a sister, Alice has an editor, Bette has an artist crush and Shane and Tess have a lot of moola. Xtra's senior editor Erica Lenti and managing producer of video Chelle Turingan host.Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiChelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Chelle TuringanTechnical producer: Lito Howse @LitoHowseExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“I’m getting a hormonal surge, I’m ready to take all your money.” —Bette PorterDeal us in, ladies! In this week’s episode of The L Word: Generation Q, the gang convenes at Dana’s for a sexy poker game—and they’re gambling more than just cash. (Spoiler alert: There are a lot of feelings!) Xtra's senior editor Erica Lenti and managing producer of video Chelle Turingan host.Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanTechnical producer: Lito Howse @LitoHowseExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“You’re very naughty.” — Bette PorterThe L Word: Generation Q is back for a second season—and we’re kicking things off with a very lesbian love triangle. Will anyone emerge unscathed?Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanTechnical producer: Lito Howse @LitoHowseExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“Was any of it worth it?” — Bette PorterSo much dyke drama, so little time. The L Word: Generation Q wrapped up its debut season last week, and we have a lot of processing to do: Will Sophie pick Dani or Finley? When was Jose planning to tell Micah about his husband? Is Bette Porter going to run for president next? And who will comprise our next throuple?While we eagerly await Season 2 of The L Word: Generation Q, here are our thoughts for the bests and worsts of Season 1 and our predictions for Season 2!Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“I dated her. The birds were a whole thing.” — Dani NunezWhat better way to end a season of lesbian drama than by turning everything into shambles! In this season finale of The L Word: Generation Q, everyone’s grappling with loss: Bette struggles to find purpose after the mayoral race, Alice comes to grips with possibly losing her talk show, and Shane once again becomes a sad boi. Meanwhile, Sophie is forced to make a choice between Dani and Finley, and Micah learns something troubling about Jose. It all ends in a cliffhanger at the airport. Last boarding call for our L.A. lesbians: We’ll see you next season 👋Episode notes and extras:The results of Xtra’s L Word Twitter pollJennifer Beals talks to Elle about the highs and lows of being Bette PorterVery important: Shane and her dogRoxane Gay’s Bad FeministMarja Lewis-Ryan tells Variety she’s glad there’s a Season 2, “because if we didn’t, I’d probably be stoned by lesbians for the rest of my life.”Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturingan Producer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“Why would I judge you? I’m in a throuple—with two ex-wives!” — Alice PieszeckiRemember that dyke drama we were asking for? Well, it’s here—albeit moments before The L Word: Generation Q’s debut season comes to a close. In this penultimate episode, Bette’s still pining for Tina (TINAAAAA!), Alice gives the throuple the boot and Shane is navigating the pre-parenthood stage. Meanwhile, Jose’s meet-the-mom date with Micah goes sour, Dani can’t stop working, and Sophie and Finley swap spit. Lies, deception and a forthcoming mayoral race: Perhaps only Angie can save us.Episode notes and extras:Just a reminder that Tina and Bette never described Angie’s heartbeat as “horses stampeding in mud”Ma’am Sir, the Filipino restaurant where Micah, Jose and Grace have lunch #RepresentationWinsNew from Autostraddle: On The L Word’s trans actors playing cis charactersFeaturing: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturingan Producer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“Look around. I’m wrong all the fucking time.” — Bette PorterShe’s baaaaaack! Tina Kennard, the other half of the famed TiBette, has returned to the cast of our favourite L.A lesbians—and in typical The L Word fashion, things are getting saucy. In this sixth episode, Bette and Tina hash out the past, Dani does damage control on Bette’s mayoral campaign, Angie confesses her love for Jordi, Shane makes a big decision on parenthood, Sophie and Finley get closer during bro night, and Alice and co. continue to navigate their throuple. And where’s Micah, you ask? Probably avoiding the dyke drama.Episode notes and extras:Jennifer Beals talks Tina’s return and co-star Laurel Holloman: “Even when we first saw each other after a while, it was like no time had passed. Zero time.”Holloman on her return to The L Word: “It felt very surreal.”TINAAAAAAA!In praise of queer women’s friendshipsFeaturing: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“We never get any good words. Vulva, labia, throuple!” — Alice PieszeckiNever mind what you want; Episode 5 of The L Word: Generation Q is begging you to tell us what you need. We catch up with our hungover favourites post-Shane McCutcheon 40th birthday bash, and everyone’s trying to get their priorities straight: Alice is navigating throupledom, Bette’s trying to be a better mom, Shane’s forced to contemplate parenthood, Dani is shutting down her daddy and Micah’s exploring love and sex with Jose. Poor Finley, meanwhile, is still a hot mess—and in desperate need of some guidance and guardianship. In the end, we could all use an Uncle Shane and a Mama B in our lives.Episode notes and extras:Janelle Monáe’s “I Like That”The rise of the sober queerWhat polyamory means to six queer folks, from Autostraddle: “I view polyamory as a structure that’s helpful in me decolonizing my love life and the way I view relationships.”Never forget the simpler days: Baby Angie, Mama T and Mama B (and Auntie Kit, RIP!)Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“I got divorced on my birthday!” — Shane McCutcheonWe’re halfway through the season and it’s one big reveal after another in the fourth episode of The L Word: Generation Q. Bette finally explains why she’s running for mayor (rest in power, Kit). Finley gets drunk and tells Rebecca she’s in love. Dani finds out Bette is still sleeping with Felicity. Jose shows Micah what he really wants. Tess figures out what’s been going on between Lena and Shane. Shane clarifies why she and Quiara broke up just before Quiara makes a surprise entrance at Shane’s surprise 40th birthday party. And, oh yeah, Nat tells Alice that she’s still hot for Gigi—AND A THREEWAY ENSUES. Anyone want some cookies to go with those MILFs?Episode notes and extras:The LA Times on the westward expansion of the opioid crisisYou’re looking very Shane todayChelle’s fave bop of the episode: Shura’s “religion (u can lay your hands on me)” The L Word Book by Jennifer BealsQuiara is played by Lex Scott DavisFeaturing: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel GieseMusic: KidKulit

“I fucked the priest!” — Sarah FinleyTensions are running high for our L.A. queers—and it’s about time! In this episode of Off The Chart: Generation Q, we process the third episode of our beloved L Word reboot: Dani and Sophie are still sparring over wedding plans, Finley freaks out when she realizes she’s sleeping with a minister, Bette and Angie face off over public school and Shane can’t stop being a fuckboy. At least Megan Rapinoe shows up. Is it hot in here, or is it just us?Episode notes and extras:Inside the Metropolitan Community Church, a queer-friendly haven for more than 50 yearsHow Grindr changed the way the world datedThe last time we saw Tina Kennard invigorated: at a lesbian oil wrestling matchMegan Rapinoe: Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year for 2019Featuring: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“I just want you to know that I would help you hide a body.” — Sarah FinleyWe’re just two episodes into the Generation Q reboot, but there are already so many red flags 🚩🚩🚩! Dani makes a massive career change without talking to her fiancée—just 24 hours into the engagement. Bette is still thirsty for her married former fling. Shane is hanging out at a random sports bar with Finley—and Finley will try to pick up any woman with a pulse. Much remains uncertain but there is finally a long-awaited conclusion to a decade-long mystery: who killed Jenny Schecter? As always in L Word land, drama reigns supreme.Episode notes and extras:Our thoughts on Jenny Schecter’s death from the last season of “Off The Chart.” We all saw this coming!Where have all the lesbian bars gone?Judy Chicago’s “The Dinner Party”Making Shane: An Oral History of The L Word’s Resident HeartbreakerFeaturing: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“Time’s up, bitch!” — Sarah FinleyIt’s been 10 years since our L.A. lezzies walked off the scene (with the wind machine in their hair, no less), and it’s time for some new faces! In the premiere episode of “Off The Chart: Generation Q,” we meet the goofy Sarah Finley, the loved-up couple Dani Nunez and Sophie Suarez and the very adorable Micah Lee. All the while, we catch up with our OGs: future mayor Bette Porter, Alice Pieszecki a.k.a. the new Ellen and the very rich Shane McCutcheon (we’re just as confused as you are). What’s changed in the last decade in the queer universe that is The L Word —and what (or who) refuses to change with it? Find out along with us! https://media.giphy.com/media/f5dhu3tUavqw5Na7TG/giphy.gifEpisode notes and extras:Jacqueline Toboni, who plays Finley, is the real-life sister of Gianna Toboni! Jennifer Beals talks to Variety about the reboot—and why she’s the lamest cast member The new cast reflects on how the show has evolved......except for Shane’s hair: “Anyone who says Shane can’t commit doesn’t realize she’s been committed to her hair since the day she swaggered into our lives,” writes Shannon Melero“The L Word Generation Q is trying to atone for the original’s sins”A look inside the opioid crisis, worst addiction epidemic in American historyFeaturing: Erica Lenti @ericalentiMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganProducer and editor: Michelle TuringanExecutive producer: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseMusic: KidKulit

“That hiatus felt really long. It felt like a decade, right?” — Alice Pieszecki It’s finally here! This episode we look ahead at The L Word: Generation Q. No spoilers, we promise! We talk about what’s changed for queer women and trans people in politics and visibility in the 10 years since the original series wrapped in 2009. We share our hopes for Generation Q: Better trans representation! More racial diversity! Lots of queer drama! We offer our first impressions on the new series and get to know the new characters, Dani, Sophie, Finley and Micah. We pour one out for the Betty theme song and give love to the Gen Q music supervisor for Lizzo and Le Tigre. We plan to vote for Bette Porter, we want to be guests on Alice’s talk show and we still have concerns about Shane’s hair.Episode notes and extras:The L Word: Generation QJennifer Beals in New York magazine on The L Word: Generation QGLAAD’s annual report on Where We Are On TV“Brother” by The OrganShane and Carmen have sex on the set of The Organ video shootFeaturing: Rachel Giese @rachelagieseErica Lenti @ericalentiEternity Martis @eternitymartisMichelle Turingan @chelleturinganSpecial guest: Katie Sketch @KatieSketchBandProducer and editor: Corey Misquita @coreymisquitaSenior producer: Rachel Matlow @rachelmatlowExecutive producer: Rachel GieseMusic: KidKulit