Save the date: stream every single episode of The L Word

Want to get out in the dating world? Stay in and watch The L Word first for some great tips. All 6 seasons are now on Showmax.

Hollywood is a tough dating town – everyone is a 10 in looks, but a two in self-esteem and a zero in commitment since there’s always some newer, hotter girl getting off the bus. And when you’re a lady who loves ladies or anywhere on the LGBTQ rainbow (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning people) that tough dating pool gets a lot smaller, so every date counts.

Luckily, we have TV for our favourite dating inspiration, The L Word (2004-2009, Seasons 1-6 are available on Showmax). And, true to its Hollywood setting, The L Word has one of TV’s best ever insults: “She has a face like an extra.” Watch now »

These women know how it’s done. Here are their dating do’s and don’ts to follow.

Do: Proper Preparation

Who hasn’t played the “does my crush like me” game with friends? In Season 1, episode 2, Dana (Erin Daniels) ropes her friends into figuring out whether her crush Lara Perkins (Lauren Lee Smith) is into women. The research rabbit hole is Alice In Wonderland-deep – it turns into a high-tech, high-stakes spy operation complete with Alice’s (Leisha Hailey) creation – “The chart” – which recurs throughout the series and maps out the complex dating relationship already existing between Dana and her girl squad, particularly super flirty Shane (Katherine Moennig), who might know someone who knows Lara “that way”. Watch now »

Do: Role Play

Dana and Alice bless our vintage TV-loving hearts in Season 2, episode 10, when they take a working holiday together during a sex conference aboard a cruise ship and role play the Love Boat (1977-1986), with Dana wearing a captain’s uniform and Alice dressing up as the cruise director, from ’80s hair through to heels. This is a no-expenses-spared date including a limo ride to the airport, luggage packed full of sex toys and a shipboard suite complete with flowers. Classy. But the best part is watching Dana and Alice’s playfulness. There’s nothing as fun as a shared obsession with something silly. Watch now »

Do: Keep Things Interesting

In Season 2, episode 3, Shane’s best girlfriend ever Carmen (Sarah Shahi) comes up with the perfect “date” game for couples who’re sensing a touch of boredom. Shane wants to go out instead of having sexy times at home with her, so Carmen suggests playing “too hot”, in which they can kiss anyone they like but with no touching. Several sizzling kisses later, Shane loses her head, her self-control, the game and her desire to be anywhere but the bedroom. Everybody wins with Too Hot. Watch now »

Do: Speed Dating

In Season 3, episode 5, the ladies’ local hangout The Planet hosts bisexual speed dating night, including Alan Cumming guest starring as host Billie Blaikie. If speed dating always included a potential surprise Alan Cumming, we’d be a lot keener! Alice runs into some immediate no-no’s – like a couple looking for a sperm donor. But she also gets to a table opposite Uta (Erica Cerra), who lectures about queer vampires in literature and film. What follows is a great example of dating as an exploration of what- and whoever you find intriguing, rather than as an audition for a relationship. Watch now »

Do: Powerful Engines

Yes, yes, we’re shallow, fickle creatures, but sometimes all you need to springboard a fantastic date is the right ride. In Season 4, episode 7, Tasha (Rose Rollins) gets Alice’s heart racing with a flip in a AH-64 Apache helicopter on her military base, complete with hand holding, followed with a ride on her motorbike. The kiss that follows proves that this whole arrangement is very much “yes, please!” for Alice. In fact, any time a powerful engine comes out on The L Word, we know that someone’s heart will be taken for a spin. Zoom-zoom. Watch now »

Don’t: Be Creepy

We’re still shaking our heads over Season 3, episode 3. After Dana breaks up with Alice, Alice sets up a romantic date – wine, laid table, flowers, mood lighting and all – for a cardboard cut-out of Dana. Now that’s some Single White Female (the 1992 erotic thriller movie) nonsense! Watch now »

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