8.0/10241 votes#1 - Labia Majora
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 1/8/2006
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
7.7/10202 votes#2 - Lost Weekend
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 1/15/2006
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: N/A
7.3/10198 votes#3 - Lobsters
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 1/22/2006
Shane opens her own styling business, and Bette loses her position as the sole provider for the family, forcing Tina to take up a job under Helena. Now back in L.A., Jenny introduces Moira to her surprised friends. Dana and Lara make plans to visit France while Alice still obsesses over Dana. Meanwhile, Kit is surprised by The Planet's new manager who wants to make some drastic changes to the place.
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
7.2/10211 votes#4 - Light My Fire
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 1/29/2006
While Tina and Helena attend a documentary screening, Bette leaves for Washington D.C. to speak at a Senate hearing and meets with Senator Barbara Grisham. Attempting to provide for both herself and Moira, Jenny puts her dreams of becoming a writer on hold and starts waitressing at The Planet. Jenny and Moira are also invited to a party hosted by Billie Blaikie where Moira meets like-minded people. Meanwhile, Carmen has to decide whether to give up Shane's opening party in exchange for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to DJ at an exclusive VIP party, and Dana plays at a tennis tournament and declares her love for Lara in front of TV cameras.
Director: Lynne Stopkewich
Writer: Cherien Dabis
7.8/10218 votes#5 - Lifeline
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 2/5/2006
As Tina finds herself attracted to men, Bette explores Buddhism and also hears good news on the work front. Both Alice and Kit try out speed-dating; Kit with Angelica's male nanny Angus and Alice with a lesbian vampire. Meanwhile, Dana receives devastating news about her illness, Helena pursues documentarist Dylan Moreland, Moira goes out as Max, and Shane's ex drops by to see her.
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
7.7/10192 votes#6 - 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.
Director: Tricia Brock
Writer: N/A
7.5/10193 votes#7 - Lone Star
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 2/19/2006
Tina takes a business trip to Canada and has a chance to explore her feelings for the opposite sex. Dana's treatment puts a strain on her and Lara's relationship. Meanwhile, Jenny helps Moira in her transformation to Max, Carmen and Shane dedicate parts of their bodies to each other, Alice reverts back in her obsession over Dana, and Kit takes control. In a special appearance the B-52's perform at The Planet.
Director: Frank Pierson
Writer: N/A
7.8/10200 votes#8 - Latecomer
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 2/26/2006
Jenny plans a charity event to support Max when they find out he can't pay for the top surgery. Helena takes the girls to a surprise trip to honor Dana in her recovery, and Carmen is still dealing with the aftermath of Shane's ex. Meanwhile, Bette kicks Tina out of the bedroom and tries to find peace in Buddhism. In a recording studio, Kit gets help from unexpected sources -- but is it too much to handle?
Director: Angela Robinson
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
7.6/10194 votes#9 - Lead, Follow, Or Get Out of the Way
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 3/5/2006
As Bette has hard time adjusting to the ascetic lifestyle at the Buddhist retreat, Tina goes on a date with a divorced man. Dana, friends again with Alice, is looking forward to a new career. Jenny throws a benefit party for Max but is appalled by his increasingly aggressive behavior. Meanwhile, Carmen tells the truth to her family, and Helena is served with a lawsuit.
Director: Moisés Kaufman
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
8.6/10294 votes#10 - 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.
Director: Rose Troche
Writer: N/A
8.1/10236 votes#11 - 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.
Director: Allison Anders
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
8.1/10210 votes#12 - 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.
Director: Ilene Chaiken
Writer: Ilene Chaiken
The Best Episodes of The L Word Season 3
Every episode of The L Word Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The L Word Season 3!
A group of lesbian friends struggle with romance and careers in Los Angeles.
Genre:Drama
Network:Showtime
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"Labia Majora" is the best rated episode of "The L Word" season 3. It scored 8/10 based on 241 votes. Directed by Rose Troche and written by Ilene Chaiken, it aired on 1/8/2006. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Lost Weekend".