'The L Word: Generation Q' Episode 4 tells us why Bette Porter is running for mayor and it'll leave you emotional
This story contains major spoilers for episode 4 of 'The L Word: Generation Q' titled 'LA Times'
In a heartbreaking reveal, 'The L Word: Generation Q' told us the reason behind Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) running for mayor of Los Angeles, and honestly, we are so torn.
We joined Bette on her mayoral election in the first episode of the sequel to 'The L Word'. With a strictly clean campaign against drugs and homelessness, Bette fought the race despite her affair with Felicity Adams (Latarsha Rose), which is now public knowledge. This had got us wondering what really happened in the last 10 years since the 'The L Word' ended.
In the very first episode, she refused to take funding from big pharma Nùñez Incorporated because the company was responsible for the ever-increasing opioid crisis in Los Angeles. Bette also favoured the LGBTQ+ community and has policies in the making for their benefit, especially homelessness. Bette also bags the teacher's union endorsement in the last episode.
With the news of the affair now public, Bette would ideally have maintained her distance from Felicity because taking it any further would mean jeapordising her campaign. So in the last episode when Dani (Arienne Mandi) finds out that she has been secretly meeting Felicity after seeing her outside her room, she is gravely concerned that this will tank all possibility of Bette winning.
In episode 4, 'LA Times', after Bette mistakes Felicity's phone for hers, Dani decides to take care of it. When she meets Felicity, Dani tells her how their affair could "end her", but Felicity confesses she loves Bette. It is tricky, and while Dani wishes things were different for them, reality begs to differ.
Back in the office, Dani confronts Bette and warns her that the affair must end. She questions her about the affair and asks her how she can be so willing to endager the works hundreds of people have put behind her. Bette is apologetic and admits that it was a sincere mistake that will be taken care of. But Dani insists and asks her why she is running at all. Overwhelmed, Bette gives in and tells her the truth about about Kit.
"My sister died of a heroine overdose. That's why I am running." Dani knew there was a reason, but hadn't seen this coming. "I am running for her. I am running to change a broken system that failed her," Bette tells her. Kit (Pam Grier) was an alcoholic, but with Bette's help, she got better. The immensely sad reveal was something we had seen coming, but still weren't fully prepared for.
As it turns out, Felicity helped Bette through the grief of losing her sister. "My world shattered and she helped me pick up the pieces. You don't just turn your back on someone like that," Bette tells Dani.
Dani feels for Bette, but is resolute. "You can be with her or you can stay in the race and fight for what you believe in. You can't have it both ways," she tells her.
Bette knows she must pick a side because staying with Felicity while she is running for mayor is not the best of ideas. The affair will, quite literally as Dani pointed out, end her. And if Jeff Milner (Rex Linn) continues to remain in power, nothing around Los Angeles will change for a lot of his policies are detrimental to the very causes that Bette is fighting for.
'The L Word: Generation Q' airs on Sundays at 10/ 9c on Showtime.
