Day 3 (Tuesday, February 17th, 2004)

Conrad Voynow, Dana’s agent invades the women’s locker room of the Country Club.  Conrad informs Dana of Subaru being interested as a potential sponsor.  A representative of the car company will be there tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18th, 2004) to watch her train.  Conrad leaves and Lara arrives moments later.  Lara’s locker is close to Dana’s and on the same aisle.  While Dana’s locker number is 73, Lara’s is 135.  Not really sure what the setup is for the locker numbers to be so different yet so close physical.  Dana’s tennis shirt indicates that she at least has Mexx Sport as some kind of sponsor.  Mexx is a clothing store with Dana serving as an apparent guinea pig for sportswear.

This is Dana and Lara’s first conversation and it further implies that yesterday was the not the first time Dana noticed Lara, but the first time she realized a crush was developing.  Lara invites Dana to “come down later” so she can “send something down” for her.  This would be a reference to Lara’s tendency to fix something specific for Dana with her training, which the viewer got an example of yesterday (Monday, February 16th, 2004).

In Episode 312, the Season 3 Special Chart will reveal that Lara had relationships with a Maryann and also Claybourne, the same Claybourne who will ditch Robin at the altar.  Claybourne’s ditching of Robin at the altar will be focused on when that moment airs in Episode 202, but depending on when that occurs, one can get a better idea of how long it has been between Lara’s breakup with Claybourne (which would arguably lead to Claybourne being engaged to Robin, if she wasn’t already) and this moment where she talks with Dana.  One could reason that Lara’s relationship with Maryann could have been from earlier in life.

At The Planet, Shane, Bette, and Tina meet up with Alice who appears to have been stood up by Gabby.  Remember, Alice and Gabby have just spoken for the first time since at least early October (Pre-Season 1) the previous day (Monday, February 16, 2004).  Just as the group is leaving, Gabby finally arrives too late.

Gabby’s reasoning for being late is that she is working on a screenplay.  This actually does become important later, though the reason isn’t as clear now.  The facial expressions of Bette and Tina indicate that the situation between Alice and Gabby is one that runs deep.  It is very much implied that Gabby has hurt Alice more than once in the time they have known/dated one another.

“Do you have to do everything your friends want you to do?” asks Gabby, followed soon by, “Oh yeah…you do.”  Along with the smirk Gabby gives indicates that Gabby is used to having an alpha-like dominion over Alice and has no problem scolding her in front of her friends as a result.  The brief facial expression exchange between Gabby and Shane further implies that Gabby is not welcome in this circle of friends, likely due to her treatment of Alice.

Tina’s only known romantic link at this point is to Bette.

Bette and Shane have multiple links and as Lacey proves in Shane’s case, also may have some scorn for their (or at least Shane’s) treatment of others.  Marina has already been established, if only implicitly at this point as a predator in her own right.  Bette’s predatory habits will come to light later on (Episode 112) while Shane’s habits are established almost immediately.

This is just a guess, but Bette and Shane’s disdain for Gabby could be that when they see her, they see the poorest possible reflection of themselves.  This is very telling though never discussed between the characters, but especially for Bette who is already an ex-girlfriend of Alice.  While Bette and Shane simply walk away, their backs to Gabby, Tina is the one with the comforting arm of friendship for Alice.  Tina has something of a clear conscience (albeit a tortured one as will be revealed in Tina’s interrogation Post-Series).

Our first glimpse at Alice’s Mini Cooper, which is either a very light blue or silver.  California tag 4PEI807.  Aside from being a car that was created by John Cooper (hence, the name), along with Alec Issigonis, the initial idea was to have a small car that could compete well in rally races.  Alice’s Cooper (Hey, L Word I see what you did there) is based more on the revamp of the 1990s model that isn’t necessarily to be confused with the rally racer of the 1960s.  In 2003, arguably the most famous Mini Cooper owner in the world was Madonna.

Alice, Tina, Bette, and Shane arrive at the Country Club (still unnamed) restaurant where Dana has taken up Lara’s offer.  Dana is sporting a Fila jacket which implies that she has at least a minor sponsorship deal with them as well.

Bette and Tina sit at a different table and Alice is elsewhere at her own table while Shane sits with Dana.  Dana discreetly points out Lara to Shane.  Shane checks Lara out which understandably causes concern for Dana.  Unlike with Mandy or especially Renee (or maybe even Twink, the New Girl at Milk) however, Shane is conscious of Dana being interested in Lara.  This could be what separates Shane from Gabby or especially from Papi (who arrives in Episode 402) when it comes to having at least some restraint.

Motorola, the Season 1 preferred cellphone for calls and text messaging in the L-Universe.

Lara’s appeal to everyone so far…
-Dana is obviously attracted to her, which is why all this is happening
-Shane checks her out
-Alice looks at her, but only refers to her as “the redhead”
-Bette refers to Lara as “the cute redhead”
-Tina appears to have no reaction other than to investigate

In this Mission InLarable scene, the Group Of Friends point out the following…
-Kitchen shoes (Neutral)
-Hoop Earrings (“hard to read” according to Bette)
-Reaction to Bette and Tina suddenly making out at their table (no apparent reaction)

At this point, Alice signals to abort the mission.  Dana remains seated as Bette, Tina, Alice, and Shane walk to the bathroom to go over their notes.  Lara has strong Gaydar Block.

Lara’s Lesbian Points
-from Bette: Walking, Chopping Knife handling

Lara’s Fem/Straight Points
-from Shane: Fingertips

Neutrality
-from Alice: Reaction to Bette and Tina kissing “split”

According to Tina, Lara scores 9-7 in favor of Lesbian Vs. Straight.  Alice notes the margin of error being at 5% points.  Bette decides that Shane has to work her talents on Lara since all women appear to be attracted to her automatically (probably not far off considering the various Charts).

I’ll credit Lara with instinct, given how she looks over at Dana and the decidedly unfamiliar people who have arrived, including the one talking to her (Shane).  Shane mentions figs to which Lara mentions that she loves figs, but they are out of season.  Shane, still attempting to work her magic asks for something that can work for her “craving.”  Lara mentions champagne truffles, but unfortunately they are not available today for dessert.

According to the California Fresh Figs wesbite, the season for fresh figs would be “from Mid-May to Mid-January.”  With this moment occurring in February, that would mean that the figs are indeed just out of season, further cementing where we’re at in the timeline.

As for champagne truffles, they are a dessert chocolate candy (milk, dark, white chocolate variations) which also includes champagne cream (along with other ingredients).

Notice Lara keeping her eye on Shane and also Dana as Shane walks away, giving her thumbs down.

The Group Of Friends, also including Dana this time all leave together, all sure that Lara is straight due to her not being attracted to or charmed by Shane.  This will not be the last time Dana’s friends get it wrong about Lara.  Meanwhile, Lacey drives by Shane holding out her index finger as a warning.

Day 4 (Wednesday, February 18th, 2004)

The Planet exterior which includes a hanging overhead sign that refers to it as The Planet Bistro Cafe.  This shot more or less confirms that it is on the corner of North Genesee Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard (replacing whatever is there in real life).

Bette, Tina, and Alice are at a table together with Shane soon joining.  Alice is having coffee while Bette and Tina appear to be having water with lime.  Shane points out Tim (Bette and Tina’s neighbor).  While Tim isn’t invited over, Alice does confirm what she already has on her Chart database, which is Jenny and Marina’s affair while claiming that it is only something she has heard.

Alice’s look toward Bette as Bette gives the short speech about monagamy is curious.  As for who could have told Alice about Jenny and Marina, it helps to keep in mind that Alice knows practically everybody in the community, likely including those listed on The Chart.  Gabby will also be noted as knowing practically everyone as well in Episode 208.

Tim’s breakfast is “on the house” according to Marina, who mentions not having seen Tim or Jenny “in a long time.”  This would indicate that the date night romp back in November (Episode 101/102) really was some time back.  Given the current timeline configuration, it would be close to 3 months.  This means that in the near-3 months from that night (Saturday, November 22nd, 2003) to now, there has been enough time for Jenny to escape into her writing, dealing with whatever guilt from that night as well as dealing with whatever drama with Tim in terms of finally saying yes to the engagement.  It also gives time for Marina to confide in someone else (knowing not to confide in Alice) about the affair.  This would also grant enough time for this confidence to become rumor legend to the point where Alice knows, although she may have suspected back at Bette and Tina’s donor party (Episode 101/102; Saturday, October 18th, 2003) that it was inevitable anyway.

Tim mentions having “the biggest competition of the year in two weeks” while Jenny has been busy with her writing.  That competition would be a reference to the Pacific-10 Conference (which has since become the Pacific-12 Conference) Championships.  Tim mentions a dinner party for later tonight.  This is where the engagement announcement will be made, which means Tim has not bothered to tell Randy before tonight.  This would imply that Jenny had her doubts, leading to Tim having his until recently (perhaps this past Friday, on Valentine’s) to finally confirm the engagement for good.  Tim claims the dinner is “kinda thrown together, last minute.”  8 PM is the dinner time and Marina is invited.

At the Country Club, Dana is training with Conrad sitting with 2 other men, one of which is likely with Subaru and the other of which is indeed with Subaru.  Here, he is listed in the credits as the Subaru Art Director, but in Season 2 he will finally have a name, which is Bryan Karikawa.  Footage of Dana here will be used in Episode 308 when Dana is welcomed to the women’s basketball game.  Dana uses a Wilson racket.  The shoes are presumably white Fila tennis shoes (which would make sense considering the Fila tennis dress and apparent sponsorship).

Onto the evening where it’s approximately 8 PM with Bette, Tina, and Marina (who has brought flowers) arriving at Tim and Jenny’s front door.  Randy and Carolyn are already there.  The food of choice tonight is chili, according to Tim which he points out is “in the kitchen.”  Jenny is not there yet due to her job commitment at Laurelwood Farms Market.

Back at the Country Club’s locker room where Conrad informs Dana that Subaru wants to sponsor her.

Jenny arrives and this appears to be the first time she has seen Marina since that night in November.  This will lead to tension and more of Tim’s aloofness, not realizing the tension between Jenny and Marina.  Jenny denies anything happening (in more ways than one) as she and Tim are now in the bathroom.  Bathrooms are important in the narrative.

Meanwhile, The Planet has gone into club mode for this evening as it is Karaoke Night.  One can assume that the previous evening was the Tuesday Radar Party.  Kit is the Karaoke host and introduces Rebecca Thatcher to perform a karaoke version of “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot.

Rebecca Thatcher may well indeed be the Rebecca that is listed on The Chart whiteboard in Alice’s apartment.  If so, that means she is linked with Lauren.  One of the uncredited characters listed on the IMDB page for this episode is Karaoke Girl (portrayed by Madison Graie).  She can be seen talking with Rebecca and 2 or 3 other women in the background as Kit introduces Rebecca to the mic.  For the sake of argument, let’s just presume that Karaoke Girl is Lauren, which means a confirmation of that relationship.  This moment is all we see of it however.

As for Lauren, she is a constellation on The Chart whiteboard, being linked to Andrea, April, Heather, Lisa P, Bobby, Hope (curiously, is linked to Hope twice), Janice, and Rebecca.  As pointed out in the Deconstruction of Episode 101/102, Hope was the girl that had been with 2 of Alice’s exes.  She appears to be absent here.  The identities of the other 3 women with Rebecca could be among Lauren’s past hookups.  There is a Janice that appears in Season 3 with a housecleaning service, so if that’s her then that would rule Janice out.  That leaves Andrea, April, and Heather since Lisa P is Lisa Pantolini and Bobby is likely an ex-boyfriend of Lauren’s before coming out.

So there you have it.  On stage behind Rebecca are (from left to right with the first 3 being guesses for the sake of completion), Andrea, April, Heather, and Lauren.  This in itself could be a story, especially as it would involve Alice’s vast knowledge of Lauren.  It may sound crazy, but Lauren could be one of those people who manages to befriend most of her exes.  This isn’t out of the realm of probability, given Alice’s friendship with Bette or even Shane’s friendship with Marina, though I admit this would be an extreme example.  Still…it helps put names on faces.

Alice and Shane are there with it implied that this is usually an event they prefer to skip.  The reason for Alice and Shane being there is Gabby and Alice’s expectation for her to be there tonight.  Gabby is here.  As Alice and Shane walk through the crowd, Rebecca is still giving her attempt at karaoke rapping.  Lauren (noted by her Union Jack inspired shirt) has left Rebecca at the stage and is now behind Alice and Shane, in front of the pool table.  That girl could be trouble.  With Lauren is the one pegged as Andrea.

Shane and Alice make their way to the couch as Gabby shows off her boots to unknown women nearby.  Shane further establishes the negativity of Gabby’s character.  “She’ll step on your dignity with those boots.”  This further drives the notion that Shane sees Gabby as the poorest possible reflection of herself, given her own reputation.

Tim and Jenny’s dinner party which includes chili and wine (always a fun combination).  Marina, Tina, and Bette are seated on one side of the table while Tim sits at the head of the table.  Facing Marina, Tina, and Bette are Randy, Carolyn, and Jenny.  The engagement announcement is officially made with Carolyn noticing the presented ring.  Of course there is the Jenny/Marina tension and Tim’s further aloofness.

Back to The Planet where Gabby approaches Alice while Shane is there.  Kit arrives, looking for Bette.  Alice mentions the dinner party which means Bette or Tina (or both) made Alice aware of this earlier in the day.  Karaoke Night has ended and now it’s just club night.  Alice talks about the people at “the magazine” as in LA Magazine being interested in her Chart finally.  No word on if anything came out of her visit to Reviva Clinic as far as the actual assignment goes.  As Gabby walks away, Alice mentions linking the editor (Marc) to her “in three moves.”  This link was likely made possible through the 2nd Anya on the LA Magazine Scene version of Alice’s Chart.