The L Word Interrogation Tapes
Tina Kennard Discusses Infidelity and Incest in Tape Number One
Mar 13, 2009
In the wake of a series finale that left many viewers frustrated and confused, and provided only a limited sense of closure, many loose ends remain. There was ambiguity about Bette and Tina’s future, the fate of Max's baby, what exactly happened between Tasha and Jamie, and whether or not Shane would go on a quest to find Molly and make things right. But, above and beyond all that, the most widely publicized question of the season also remained unsolved: “Who Killed Jenny Schecter?”
Theories Regarding Jenny’s Death
Ask different viewers and you’ll get different perspectives on Jenny’s demise. Perhaps she fell off of Bette and Tina’s unfinished balcony while no one was looking and her death was a tragic accident? Perhaps it was a suicide and the going-away video for Bette and Tina was her last hurrah? Perhaps Niki Stevens killed her…or maybe it was Alice…or possibly Shane…or even Bette? In a season where Jenny made enemies at every turn, anyone could be the killer.
Interrogation Tapes
Because the number of people who could have done the deed is as substantial as the number of theories about how it could have happened, the show's creator, Ilene Chaiken, has been able to use this to her advantage. As such, the newest incarnation of The L Word comes in the form of webisodes. As Sergeant Duffy (played by Lucy Lawless) investigates Jenny’s death, the interrogation tapes that were shown in fragmented form during the finale will be released one by one on Showtime’s website.
Each Monday, a new tape will be released. And, the webisodes will continue to appear until each character has had her say. The first tape to appear was posted this week; other than that, no information has been given as to the order of the tapes or what the viewers will learn from their contents.
Interrogation of Tina Kennard
The first tape to be released on the site was that of Tina Kennard. The webisode, which is roughly four-and-a-half minutes in duration, certainly packs a punch. Viewers discover more of Tina’s past, including information about her father’s political ambitions and the issues of infidelity between her parents. Tina also discusses poetry and betrayal and, in the most shocking moment of all, she explains that Bette was not her "first."
The interrogation tape stays true to the show’s form in the sense that it takes on serious social, cultural, and personal issues as the viewers hear of infidelity, incest, and the fact that Tina’s sister is now a “born-again” Christian who lives in Texas and believes that Tina is going “straight to hell.”
Although the performance is a bit forced in the beginning, Laurel Holloman eventually pulls it together and carries off the emotions in the latter half of the tape a bit more convincingly, ultimately reminding viewers of both the beautiful and tragic elements of Tina’s character as well as reinforcing the point that she is far from being a cuckolded victim.
Though the audience never hears what constitutes the “ultimate betrayal” in Tina’s mind, it seems, at least for now, that we can rule her out as the most likely suspect. Perhaps the "ultimate betrayal" will be revealed as additional tapes are released in the following weeks, but, then again, it may be best not to hold our breath.
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