Who Killed Jenny?

After being held hostage by "The L Word" for six seasons, last Sunday's series finale left me feeling disappointed and somewhat annoyed. After committing countless Sunday nights to the Showtime series, I expected more. I wanted a reward for my unfailing devotion. I'm one of those people who needs closure. I'm not happy just walking away. I want to know who (or what) killed Jenny. I need to know what happens to characters who've spent a lot of time hanging out in my living room. I yearn for resolution - not a Sopranoesque ending that leaves me saying, "Huh?". Simply put, the finale didn't deliver.

When the credits rolled at the end with no answers offered, I couldn't believe what I was (or wasn't) seeing. The last episode seemed a clumsy wrap-up of a season of flashbacks leading up to the demise of Jenny, the character we loved to hate. From the repeated mentions of the unrepaired balcony railing to the implausible and weak Dylan/Helena break-up, the finale served to remind me that all six seasons of the show were not based in reality, but on a fantastical world where everyone is beautiful, rich and privileged. Our heroines did not drive beat up Toyotas and Nissans. Theirs was a world where everyone drives Bentleys, Lexuses, BMWs and Escalades. Even the one working class character, transgendered Moira/Max Sweeney, who landed on the scene in season 3, was eventually absorbed into this mythical existence of wealth and power, leaving all traces of blue-collar behind. This sci-fi queer utopia bore little resemblance to real life, but contained all the ingredients of an elaborate dream sequence.

To the show's credit, however, creator Ilene Chaiken and director Rose Troche delivered a groundbreaking series that brought queerdom into mainstream pop culture. The L Word tackled a plethora of social issues, including breast cancer and the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. We were introduced to TV's first hearing-impaired lesbian, a transgendered man, bisexuals, drag queens and kings, gay parents, a biracially identified character, addictions galore, and sexual abuse.

Rumor has it a spinoff is in the works. "The Farm" will star L Word character Alice Pieszecki, who plays a prison inmate. Can we assume this has something to do with the death of Jenny? Did Alice kill crazy Jenny? Was she framed? There is also a fair amount of internet chatter about a movie, and possibly more spinoffs. The end of the L Word is, quite possibly, not an ending at all, but a springboard to further story lines.

In considering that we may be seeing more of Bette, Tina, Shane, Tasha, Helena and Alice, my ambivalence is palpable. At least we won't have to suffer the insanities of psycho Jenny anymore.