The L Word

The second season opens as rumors circulate about Marina's suicide attempt and her return home to Italy. This news has a devastating effect on Jenny even as she prepares for an emotional goodbye with Tim who has accepted a coaching job in Ohio. Regretful over her tryst with Candace, Bette promises Tina that her philandering is over and asks her to come home. Alice and Dana can't resist each other. After another sexual rendezvous (this time in the public restroom at the Planet), they decide to meet to discuss how to curb their mutual attraction.

Tina hires gay-rights lawyer Joyce Wischnia to represent her in the division of assets with Bette. Kit tracks down Ivan at her cabin in the country and proposes a business partnership that Ivan agrees to consider. Jenny auditions for a master writing class taught by famous author Charlotte Birch, an intimidating artist who initially seems to take a dislike to Jenny and her work. Shane continues her flirtation with production assistant Carmen on the set of a music video.

Jenny is instantly smitten when she meets her new roommate, Shane's current love interest, Carmen. Carmen is both dejected and intrigued by Shane's inability to open up, but is also attracted to Jenny. It's down to the wire for the grand reopening of The Planet and Kit is still struggling to book a musical act for the event. A meeting between Bette, Tina and their lawyers does not go well. Dana begins to question Tonya's motives in their relationship. To make matters worse, Tonya wants to charge Dana a fifteen percent manager's fee for the service.

Bette travels to New York for some damage control with Helena Peabody, the new administrator of a foundation that provides financial support to the Art Center. Shane and Jenny interview prospective roommates but can't quite find the perfect candidate. They finally settle on Mark, a video director. Kit attends a self-help seminar taught by a charismatic guru, Benjamin Bradshaw. After conducting an inventory of her and Bette's possessions, Tina's lawyer Joyce makes an unwelcome pass at her. Shane draws the attention of high-powered producer Veronica Bloom.

Jenny's sexy new look attracts plenty of attention, including that of Carmen. On the eve of Dana and Tonya's wedding, Dana has a tryst with Alice and the two of them are almost caught. Bette is unimpressed when she meets Kit's new friend and guru Benjamin Bradshaw for the first time. At the bachelorette party for Tonya and Dana, the mutual attraction between Tina and Helena turns into a passionate kiss. Mark's video project takes a voyeuristic turn when he and his friend plant secret cameras around the apartment in order to catch Jenny and Shane in unguarded moments.

Jenny and Shane's roommate Mark becomes increasingly manipulative in his quest to capture spicy secret videos of them in compromising positions. As Dana prepares to travel to La Jolla for a demonstration tennis match, Alice tells Dana to call off the wedding with Tonya. Alice even goes so far as to write a "break-up script" for the reluctant Dana, but it's Tonya who has the last laugh when a shocking secret is revealed that leaves Alice and Dana free to become a couple.

Alice and Dana tentatively begin dating, while Tina comes between Helena and her ex. Bette rejoins the singles scene, and Shane dulls her pain over Jenny and Carmen.

Bette and Tina agree to forge a new relationship. Jenny loses a chance to ghost-write a macho TV star's autobiography because she's gay.

Alice's sex-toy request freaks out Dana. Jenny learns the truth about TV star Burr, and about Carmen's feelings for Shane.

A lesbian cruise in the Caribbean proves eventful for Dana, Alice, Shane, Jenny and Carmen, while Bette and Kit struggle to connect with their aging father Melvin during a visit.

Against the backdrop of a gay-pride parade, shocking secrets are revealed about Dana's brother and Jenny's past, while Bette and Kit deal with their rapidly deteriorating father.

Bette moves her father, played by Emmy-nominated actor Ossie Davis, into her home for his final days. Alice struggles with her jealousy over Dana's dinner with an ex, and Jenny flirts with danger while confronting a repressed memory.

Melvin's memorial service is attended by a surprise guest. Bette is fired by Franklin, then coaches Tina through what turns out to be an unexpectedly difficult labor and delivery. Jenny is in trouble and asks for help.