“I have to lie.”
In this Sunday's installment of The L Word, Captain Tasha Williams gets to the heart of the matter of being investigated for discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Her girlfriend Alice comes home to find Tasha holding paperwork informing the good Captain of her investigation for homosexual conduct. How might Tasha possibly save her military career?
TASHA:
I have to lie.
ALICE:
Isn't that against your military code of honor?
Why yes, Alice, lying is in direct contradiction of the military's core principles. In order to fight being discharged, Tasha will have to lie. The military teaches honor and integrity, but Congress passed a law requiring lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members to lie as a condition of service. It's wasteful and it's mean.
We've seen in previous episodes that Alice doesn't really get why Tasha wants to continue serving in the military, but she loves Tasha and is willing to do whatever she has to do. Alice offers to "disappear for a while," to "just be really discreet, like, a nonexistent girlfriend." Assuming continuity of characterization, that's not something I believe Alice could really do. Moreover, what kind of relationship can two people have when they have to hide? Judging from Tasha's response, I don't think she wants that kind of "nonexistent girlfriend."
Towards episode's end, we see Tasha and Alice cuddled up in bed. Tasha says, "They're taking my whole f---ing life away from me."
Anvilicious, but true. It happens to real people every day. The military will continue to take away the careers of talented, well-trained Americans, Tasha's real-life counterparts, until Congress finally chucks this stupid law.
Tasha, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know how you can save your career. Your military defense attorney clearly doesn't care about fighting for you, and civilian attorneys are pricey. What's a gal to do? Call SLDN for some free legal help! I hope, for your sake and for that of the Army that needs you, that you can salvage your career.
Fortunately for those of us who like a dose of levity to go with the too-real drama, this episode also includes Shane all jittery from sex withdrawal, and Helena escaping from the confines of her tightly-wound mother with plans to spring her sweetie from the clink. These two collide with awkward fireworks when abstinence-addled Shane kisses Helena goodbye in the episode's final moments. Helena, I'll miss you!
- Jill RaneyLabels: the l word
-----01-22-08
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