Read about the “Deconstructed” Series by Kace.

Pilot – Episode 101/102

Los Angeles, including Downtown and the Hollywood sign, freeways, the trees.  At least two days appear to pass during the opening sequence.  One shot shows a Best Western, a billboard for Pancho Villa, a Nike billboard, Starbucks Coffee sign over a Piken Company sign, which deals in real estate, along with an Enterprise sign, which is a rent-a-car company.  This is Sunset Boulevard in North Hollywood.

Title Card, disappearing behind a tree at 1427 whatever street (next to 1435).  Possibly the same as the one Tim, Bette, and Tina live on.  In Season 2, we discover it being North Genesee Avenue.  In the DVD commentary of Episode 101/102 by Ilene Chaiken and Jennifer Beals (who plays Bette Porter), Ilene notes that this is indeed Spaulding Square.

Day 1 (Wednesday, October 15th, 2003)

Tim Haspel is our first visible character as he puts the finishing touches on what is to be Jenny’s studio, formerly Tim’s garage.  This serves an early example of Tim’s sacrifice.

Our first glimpse of Bette and Tina, still lying in bed.

Not sure who the girl in the picture on Tim’s wall is, but I’m guessing it’s not Jenny.

Tina, in the bathroom utters our first words.  “Bette!  Come here!”  Tina is ovulating.  “You’re ovulating,” are Bette’s first words in the narrative.  This is also the first of many significant moments to occur in a bathroom.  This is also the first kiss of the series, which is fitting that it would be Bette and Tina.

Tim drives a brown Pontiac Firebird from the 1970s.  It is a classic muscle car with Tim representing the old Hollywood muscle.  Bette drives what is considered a more modern muscle car, a 2000s Holden Monaro and possibly signalling Bette as the new muscle.  California license 4YTQ950.  The Monaro would cease production in 2006, putting it in the same boat as Pontiac.

The Planet with a door and plenty of other ways to enter and exit without needing the door.  Marina manages.  The Planet would see some serious renovations during the course of the series, especially between this episode and Kit’s takeover in Season 2.  It looks very different as we get to Episode 103.  The staff are wearing The Planet t-shirts that are seen I think only for this episode.  Dana, Alice, and Shane are there for breakfast.

Alice has a fruit salad while Shane has her “morning shot.”  Lisa (whose last name is revealed as Pantolini in Episode 501) is there with 3 other friends who may have names, but are not mentioned.  This is also not to be confused with Lisa-Lesbian Identified Man who shows up later in Season 1.  Dana also orders her own breakfast which may include coffee.  Shane and Lisa will meet up later, one of Shane’s many hookups.

Coffee Of The Day at The Planet is Java Super.  “Low Acid, High Flavor.”

Bette and Tina’s first arrival at The Planet today.  Alice’s fruit salad which includes pieces of watermelon and cantaloupe.

The appointment with Dan Foxworthy was Tina’s idea, possibly the only one she was able to dictate in the course of preparing for motherhood with Bette.  Alice notes Dan’s high standing in the Self-Help Guru territory.

This is the airport that is meant to be Los Angeles International Airport, or LAX for short (as confirmed by Ilene on commentary).  Jenny arrives, with her first word being “Sorry” to a stranger passing by that she almost bumps into.  Tim then arrives to greet her.  When Jenny notices Tim, a man somewhere behind Tim stretches out his arms, giving Tim a momentary angelic appearance.  This is either foreboding symbolism or a coincidence.

There is a possibility that Jenny was able to take a nonstop flight from Chicago after getting a ride (likely from her parents) from Skokie where it will later be revealed she’s from.

Dan Foxworthy’s office with Tina and Dan waiting for Bette.  Bette is Director of the California Arts Center and part of her morning has involved a board meeting and a, “meeting with an artist.”  This artist could be Laurie Papou whom Bette will discuss Laurie’s work with later in the episode.

Bette arrives with our first reference to James, Bette’s secretary whom she talks with on her cellphone.  The artwork is being flown in from Paris.  Annie is curating and according to Bette’s implications, not in the best shape mentally with the artwork being so, “delicate.”  Bette references Adam’s Fine Art Movers.  This could be a nod to Adam Crease Shipping.

Bette Knee Pat #1.

Tim drives Jenny toward their home, driving North toward the Hollywood Hills.  Tim points to his left, mentioning that is where the Pacific Ocean is.  Tim’s Firebird tag is the blue California, 1CUZ295.  Also to Tim’s left is Oriental Rug Exchange.  Behind that is an Absolut vodka sign and also in the background is the Beverly Center including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.  There is also a sign for Bebe at the corner of the Beverly Center.  That corner is the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and 3rd Street.  Across the street from the Macy’s side of the Beverly Center is a Mobil gasoline station, along with other establishments.  As Tim and Jenny momentarily kiss, we now see Trashy Lingerie (also noted for its appearance in the music video for “Our Lips Are Sealed” by the Go-Go’s).  It is at the corner of North La Cienega Boulevard and Oakwood Avenue.

Phallic symbolism plant behind Dan as he talks about sex.  Bette sneaks in her disagreement about Tina’s idea for this appointment.  This is very subtle, but part of the building block for the destruction of the relationship later on.  Dan’s Lesbian Urge To Merge moment.  Dan also noted as heterosexual.

Tina notes in the discussion of the insemination quitting her job as a, “pretty successful,” development executive.  In other words, Tina left the Hollywood film/television industry for this.  Quitting was either Tina’s idea which didn’t work out so well for a time or it was Bette’s, which would lend more credibility to the “Control Freak” status she will be hit with in Season 4.