The BEST episodes of The L Word

Every episode of The L Word ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The L Word!

The series tells the intimate story about the lives and loves of a group of lesbian friends living in Los Angeles. Mostly centering on Jenny, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago, who moves to L.A. to live with her boyfriend Tim and begin a professional writing career. Jenny's life is turned upside down when she attends a party hosted by Tim's neighbors, Bette and Tina, a lesbian couple who are looking to take the step into parenthood after seven years of dating. A brief encounter at the party suddenly has Jenny thrust into the local lesbian community and a whole new world she never understood until she questions her own sexual orientation.

Last Updated: 11/13/2024Network: Paramount+ with ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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Limb from Limb
star
8.20
171 votes

#1 - Limb from Limb

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 4/11/2004

As the "Provocations" opening approaches, Bette struggles with a temptation. After some sad news, Dana turns to Tonya, leaving Alice unhappy. Shane tries to let Clea down gently but it backfires in her face.

Directors: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Locked Up
star
7.85
328 votes

#2 - Locked Up

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/4/2004

After a riot at the gallery, the entire gang ends up in jail. Shane rejects Clea's affections, Jenny goes on a date, and Marina makes a move on Robin as she prepares for Drag King night at The Planet.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Liberally
star
7.79
357 votes

#3 - Liberally

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/21/2004

Bette is worried about Tina when she throws herself into volunteer work, Marina and Francesca get into an argument, Alice thinks she may be pregnant by Lisa, and Dana and Jenny try to console each other.

Directors: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
L'Ennui
star
7.77
382 votes

#4 - L'Ennui

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/29/2004

Tina and Bette are stunned when their friends say their impending parenthood has made them boring. Jenny stays at Marina's when Tim throws her out but she is shocked to learn the truth about Marina's personal life. Dana rejects Lara as her sponsorship contract hangs on the line.

Directors: Kari Skogland
Writer: Mark Zakarin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Looking Back
star
7.71
351 votes

#5 - Looking Back

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/28/2004

Tina, Jenny, Shane, Alice and Dana all share an eventful trip to Palm Springs. While on the road, they all share their "first love" stories. Back in Los Angeles, Bette hires Candace, an attractive carpenter, to handle the set-up of the "Provocations" exhibit opening at the gallery.

Directors: Lynne Stopkewich
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Listen Up
star
7.65
361 votes

#6 - Listen Up

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/7/2004

When Jenny's old roommate (guest star Sarah Strange) from college comes to stay, Jenny decides to use the opportunity to reveal the details about her affair with Marina. Bette and Tina join a group in preparation for becoming parents, and Dana faces a tough time when she must come out to her conservative parents.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lies, Lies, Lies
star
7.37
434 votes

#7 - Lies, Lies, Lies

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/8/2004

Jenny confides in her old college professor about her affair with Marina. Bette receives some delightful news. Dana's fears of being outed continue as she juggles between her tennis career and Lara. Alice's mother comes to stay with her daughter.

Directors: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Luck, Next Time
star
7.35
440 votes

#8 - Luck, Next Time

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/14/2004

Shane gets the opportunity to style a high-profile client's hair, Bette and Tina receive some devastating news, Jenny goes to dinner with Marina and Francesca, and Alice decides that her relationship with Lisa is too complex.

Directors: Mary Harron
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Labyrinth
star
7.32
295 votes

#9 - Labyrinth

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/20/2005

Bette tries to fix her relationship with Tina, but she gets a rude awakening with some bad news both at home and work. Alice and Dana try taking their relationship to a different level, Shane starts her new job as a PA to Veronica Bloom (guest star Camryn Manheim), and Jenny gets some confidence from her new hairstyle.

Directors: Burr Steers
Writer: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lap Dance
star
7.30
298 votes

#10 - Lap Dance

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/27/2005

Acting on Alice's advice, Tina decides to hire a famous lawyer. Dana and Alice struggle to stay away from each other, Ivan gives Kit the cold shoulder, and Jenny decides to have a serious discussion with Robin regarding their relationship.

Directors: Lynne Stopkewich
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lagrimas de Oro
star
7.26
260 votes

#11 - Lagrimas de Oro

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 3/27/2005

Alice pushes Dana to break up with Tonya, but Dana isn't prepared for when Tonya reveals her own secret. Tina considers her new attraction to Helena, Kit finally hooks up with Benjamin, and Jenny and Carmen continue to enjoy each other's company.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Loneliest Number
star
7.25
297 votes

#12 - Loneliest Number

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/6/2005

When she is rejected from the writing class, Jenny sets out to win over her intimidating professor. Tina is devastated when she finds an email from Candace on Bette's computer, Dana and Alice continue to hide their attraction for each other, and Kit tries to find an opening act for her new club.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Lara Spotts
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Losing the Light
star
7.23
155 votes

#13 - Losing the Light

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/12/2006

While Lara is vacationing in Paris, oblivious, Dana's condition takes a turn for the worse. Alice runs into Dana's ex, Jenny introduces Max to a man from her past, Carmen evens the score with Shane, and Peggy Peabody flies to town to help her daughter. Frustrated, Bette leaves the Buddhist retreat but receives a dose of life wisdom from an unexpected source.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Life, Loss, Leaving
star
7.23
362 votes

#14 - Life, Loss, Leaving

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/20/2005

As Bette desperately begs for Tina's forgiveness, Tina herself is hiding a shocking secret from Bette and all her friends. Alice and Dana continue to hide their romantic trysts from the others, and Jenny finds herself saying goodbye to Tim as he prepares to leave.

Directors: Daniel Minahan
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Luminous
star
7.23
233 votes

#15 - Luminous

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/3/2005

Shane tries to dull her pain in the hopes that she can forget about Carmen and Jenny's blossoming relationship. Tina comes between Helena and her ex over the custody of their kids and offers a glimmer of hope to Bette. Dana and Alice call everyone to The Planet to announce their new relationship.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Late, Later, Latent
star
7.18
193 votes

#16 - Late, Later, Latent

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/17/2005

Dana is stunned when Alice requests a bold sexual favor from her. Burr Connor (guest star Tony Goldwyn) reveals a secret to Jenny. Jenny learns about Carmen's real feelings for Shane, Kit plans a romantic night for Benjamin, and Bette and Tina have an intimate encounter as they bond over their unborn baby.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Writer: David Stenn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot (2)
star
7.14
363 votes

#17 - Pilot (2)

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/18/2004

Bette Porter and Tina Kennard have been a couple for seven years, and they want to start a family. Their next-door neighbor, Tim Haspel, is excited that his girlfriend, a talented young writer named Jenny Schecter, is moving in with him. But soon mixing with Bette and Tina's circle of lesbian friends, Jenny learns that her midwest university education may not have prepared her for what she will learn about life, lust, and love in Los Angeles.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Susan Miller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lacuna
star
7.14
229 votes

#18 - Lacuna

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 5/15/2005

A surprise guest shows up at a sad event as Bette gets stunning news about her job. Tina goes into a surprisingly difficult labor, Jenny finally reaches breaking point over her painful childhood memory, Alice struggles with her jealousy, and Peggy Peabody lays down the laws with her daughter, Helena.

Directors: Ilene Chaiken
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lynch Pin
star
7.13
299 votes

#19 - Lynch Pin

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/13/2005

Bette travels to New York on a business trip. Tina is shocked and angry about her lawyer's true intentions. Jenny and Shane search for a new roommate, and Kit bonds with an inspirational speaker.

Directors: Lisa Cholodenko
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Last Dance
star
7.09
186 votes

#20 - Last Dance

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/19/2006

After Dana's family treats the girls coldly, Alice is determined to arrange a special event to commemorate their friend. While Helena's lawsuit is resolved with a surprising outcome, Bette is willing to fight for Angelica's custody. Max lands a job, giving Jenny something to write about. Dealing with her grief, Shane is willing to make the ultimate commitment to Carmen. Finally, Lara arrives from Paris and is comforted by Alice.

Directors: Allison Anders
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Losing It
star
7.09
390 votes

#21 - Losing It

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/22/2004

After arriving home, Tim starts to worry when he learns that Jenny has vanished. Bette travels to New York for an art opening and her relationship with Tina is put to the test. Back in Los Angeles, the sperm donor's girlfriend discovers a lonely Tina and starts to harass her.

Directors: Tony Goldwyn
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Loud & Proud
star
7.09
191 votes

#22 - Loud & Proud

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/1/2005

Dana is stunned when she learns a big secret about her brother, Howie, at Gay Pride 2005. Mark tries to make amends with Jenny and Shane, Kit and Bette learn that their father, Melvin, is refusing treatment for his illness, and a shocking memory about Jenny's childhood is revealed.

Directors: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lifesize
star
7.02
185 votes

#23 - Lifesize

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/12/2006

Bette gives Tina her consent -- and a possible ultimatum -- to explore her feelings for men. Jenny meets with a publisher about her manuscript for a book, Billie makes Moira a tempting, but shady offer, Kit gives in to Angus' advances, and Carmen lays down the law to Shane regarding their relationship. Alice offers her support to Lara and celebrations are cut short when the girls finally find out the truth about Dana's condition.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Adam Rapp
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Left Hand of the Goddess
star
7.02
183 votes

#24 - Left Hand of the Goddess

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/26/2006

Wedding plans occupy the girls, and Shane is reunited with her family. Helena pitches in to have Carmen's family flown to Canada, Jenny and Max drift apart, and Kit has stunning news. Peggy Peabody reconnects with her daughter -- but does it last? Finally, Tina has second thoughts about Angelica's custody arrangements, leading Bette to take desperate measures to be with her daughter.

Directors: Ilene Chaiken
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot (1)
star
7.02
628 votes

#25 - Pilot (1)

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/18/2004

Bette Porter and Tina Kennard have been a couple for seven years, and they want to start a family. Their next-door neighbor, Tim Haspel, is excited that his girlfriend, a talented young writer named Jenny Schecter, is moving in with him. But soon mixing with Bette and Tina's circle of lesbian friends, Jenny learns that her midwest university education may not have prepared her for what she will learn about life, lust, and love in Los Angeles.

Directors: Rose Troche
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV