Was it the sex or lack thereof that made this weeks season premiere of Showtimes The L Word so anticlimactic? Was I thinking like a guy and only in it for the sex scenes? No, upon a brief reflection of Dana and Alices true to life awkwardness, what was missing was the earth shattering, character stretching dyke drama.

Instead, we get Babys Mama Drama. Tina and Bette passing the baby back and forth and lamenting that they dont have time for sex. (Great guest appearance by Kate Clinton as the therapist, an icon in her own right. When will Showtime pick her up?) Regardless, Tina and Bettes relationship wasnt on great ground to start and they fell back on the If we have a baby you will never leave me scenario.

In the 80s, I was told nothing held lesbians together better than a mortgage. That theory dried out quicker than the cement in the garage where my ex-partner and I etched our initials. Six months later she was gone, a victim of MPD, which was confusing for both of us, because one personality wanted to leave and the other didnt understand why she was going. Sad but true.

Back to Bette-she is not working with benefit of an 18 month employment contract buyout, Tina- also not working, and a great ready-made-find-them-anytime-at-The-Planet-support/babysitting system. Go out to dinner and spend the night in blissful embrace if you want. What they lack is desire. In fact, that is what the first show lacked, desire. That and the fact that they cant let go of the kid due to attachment parenting. Tell me this is not the wave of the future. It wont be long before Bette and Tina will have to cut back on their $6 coffee drinks at all hours of the day.

What the show did offer was the relaxed comfort and friendship that comes from knowing someone a long time and seeing them at their worst and still wanting to buy them a double frappe latte soy something and balance it with a buttery chocolate croissant.

Speaking of delicious treats could Kate Moening as Shane be any better looking all taunt, tan and tinted. Shane never smiled more than in this first show and with Carmen at her side she has plenty to smile about. While many of my friends have touted dislike for Shanes playing ways, I think we will see a personal growth in her new role committed and defining family. It has the potential to be one of the most powerful and encouraging struggles this season. Perhaps her new love, rumored to be Ellens ex Alex Hedison, is challenging the change on screen. Alex is on ten episodes this year, so the connection may be strong.

I personally found Kate as charming as her character as I stood in front of her at a cruise costume show. Me, the biggest nerd on the boat, filming my old comfortable friends, six rows back and waiting for my wife to win the Halloween costume contest. (You were robbed, Dr. Connie Lingus.)

As my friends pointed frantically to draw to my attention to the fact that I was standing in front of five cast members of the L Word, I look away from my camera to look right in the eyes of Kate. She smiled and complimented me on my Glow-in-the-Dark GAP bat boxers. Its likely I am not up for a walk-on anytime soon.

This year, we may find that the drama comes in the form of healthy growth as Shane stretches, smiles and shines, and not the traditional family roles Bette and Tina have been forced into.

Next: Dana and Alice:Ex's and Excess. We miss you Marina! Is Jenny on the right track with Shim?