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The Best Episodes of The L Word

Every episode of The L Word ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The L Word!

Binge this in 2d 11h•Peaking at 9.5/10

A group of lesbian friends struggle with romance and careers in Los Angeles.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The L Word Season 1 Episode 2 - Pilot Part 2
    9.5/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Pilot Part 2

    S1:E2

    No description available

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  2. The L Word Season 1 Episode 3 - Let's Do It
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Let's Do It

    S1:E3

    Tina tries to get over her concerns about the new sperm donor. Tim decides to throw a dinner party and invites Marina, making Jenny feel uncomfortable. Alice runs into her abusive ex-girlfriend. Dana has her eye on a chef, but is hesitant to make a move on her.

    Directors:Lynne Stopkewich, Rose Troche
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The L Word Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot Part 1
    8.0/10(47 votes)

    #3 - Pilot Part 1

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  4. The L Word Season 1 Episode 10 - Luck, Next Time
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Luck, Next Time

    S1:E10

    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, Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  5. The L Word Season 2 Episode 3 - Loneliest Number
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Loneliest Number

    S2:E3

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The L Word Season 1 Episode 9 - Listen Up
    7.8/10(5 votes)

    #6 - Listen Up

    S1:E9

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The L Word

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  7. The L Word Season 1 Episode 6 - Lawfully
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #7 - Lawfully

    S1:E6

    Dana is invited to a dinner party for Subaru, who want to sponsor her tennis career, but Lara is hurt when Dana takes her male doubles partner instead of her. Meanwhile, Tim is shocked when he catches Marina and Jenny in a compromising position, Alice tries to sort out the problems with her mother, and Bette tells her father about Tina's pregnancy, but is upset by his reaction.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Guinevere Turner

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  8. The L Word Season 1 Episode 7 - Losing It
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #8 - Losing It

    S1:E7

    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:Rose Troche, Tony Goldwyn
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  9. The L Word Season 2 Episode 11 - Loud & Proud
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #9 - Loud & Proud

    S2:E11

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Elizabeth Hunter

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  10. The L Word Season 3 Episode 12 - Left Hand of the Goddess
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #10 - Left Hand of the Goddess

    S3:E12

    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.

    Director:Ilene Chaiken
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  11. The L Word Season 1 Episode 14 - Limb from Limb
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #11 - Limb from Limb

    S1:E14

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  12. The L Word Season 1 Episode 8 - L'Ennui
    7.3/10(4 votes)

    #12 - L'Ennui

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The L Word Season 1 Episode 11 - Liberally
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #13 - Liberally

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Guinevere Turner

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  14. The L Word Season 1 Episode 13 - Locked Up
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Locked Up

    S1:E13

    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:Rose Troche, Tony Goldwyn
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  15. The L Word Season 2 Episode 1 - Life, Loss, Leaving
    7.3/10(6 votes)

    #15 - Life, Loss, Leaving

    S2:E1

    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.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  16. The L Word Season 3 Episode 11 - Last Dance
    7.2/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Last Dance

    S3:E11

    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.

    Director:Allison Anders
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  17. The L Word Season 1 Episode 12 - Looking Back
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #17 - Looking Back

    S1:E12

    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, Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  18. The L Word Season 2 Episode 5 - Labyrinth
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - Labyrinth

    S2:E5

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The L Word Season 2 Episode 7 - Luminous
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #19 - Luminous

    S2:E7

    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.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  20. The L Word Season 2 Episode 8 - Loyal
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #20 - Loyal

    S2:E8

    When Alice runs into her ex, she is surprised to find out that she is now dating Dana's ex-girlfriend. Bette and Tina reach an agreement over their relationship, Jenny is worried that she may have lost a writing job, and Shane finds some comfort in a church.

    Director:Alison Maclean
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The L Word Season 2 Episode 9 - Late, Later, Latent
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #21 - Late, Later, Latent

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:Tony Goldwyn
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The L Word Season 2 Episode 10 - Land Ahoy
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #22 - Land Ahoy

    S2:E10

    A lesbian cruise in the Caribbean proves eventful for Dana, Alice, Shane, Jenny and Carmen. Bette and Kit struggle to reconcile with their estranged father, Melvin, during his visit.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  23. The L Word Season 3 Episode 1 - Labia Majora
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #23 - Labia Majora

    S3:E1

    Bette and Tina deal with parenting Angelica while attempting to rekindle their relationship and handle an obnoxious social worker. Alice has a traffic accident, Helena gets into the movie business, Carmen and Shane's relationship gets more serious as Carmen takes her to meet the parents, and Jenny, recovering at her parents', has had enough with the Midwest and ponders moving back to L.A. with her new girlfriend Moira.

    Director:Rose Troche
    Writer:Ilene Chaiken

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  24. The L Word Season 2 Episode 6 - Lagrimas de Oro
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Lagrimas de Oro

    S2:E6

    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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Guinevere Turner

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  25. The L Word Season 3 Episode 2 - Lost Weekend
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #25 - Lost Weekend

    S3:E2

    Kit hires a party promoter to get the business up at The Planet. Jenny and Moira run into hateful rednecks on their way back to California. Carmen's mother tries to make Shane more feminine, Bette and Tina try to find a male role model for Angelica, Helena helps Alice get over her obsession with Dana, while Dana herself deals with health problems.

    Director:Bille Eltringham
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Pilot Part 2" is the best rated episode of "The L Word". It scored 9.5/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Rose Troche and written by Ilene Chaiken, it aired on 1/18/2004. This episode scored 0.8 points higher than the second highest rated, "Let's Do It".