MovieChat Forums > The L Word (2004) Discussion > Why did Tina like Bette? Why did anyone?

Why did Tina like Bette? Why did anyone?

posted 10 years ago by alexaw9
9 replies | jump to latest

I haven't watched the full series in a while, so I don't remember how Tina is in the later seasons, though I know people think of her as blah generally or don't like her. But in the first, as she is introduced, she is pretty likable. I just can't understand why she likes Bette at all. I see nothing redeeming in her character, and it's horrible the way she treats others that are supposedly her loved ones. I don't know why anyone would want a romantic relationship with her, or tolerate her like Tina did. That's just it, I feel like she can only be tolerated. Maybe it worked before they were trying to have a baby because they were both busy businesswomen, running around and not talking much? But if that's the case, I don't see how Tina's personality of the businesswomen would tolerate Bette seemingly talking down to her like she does in season 1. I'm guessing the writers hadn't developed/thought through Tina's full character at that time, and it contradicted itself by the end. But regardless, I can't understand how anyone can like Bette.

[–] TibetteSharmen 10 years ago

I think Bette is the most interesting character to watch on the show, flawed and fascinating

Peace!

[–] alexaw9 10 years ago

Every single thing she did or said was about and/or for herself.

[–] TibetteSharmen 10 years ago

Lots of interesting characters are self-obsessed. I don't always have to sympathise with everything a character does to find them interesting. Jake La Motta is a pretty unlikeable guy in "Raging Bull" but still very interesting to watch and follow as a character throughout the story for example.

Bette may have had many traits that could bother you if you knew her, but as a television character she is perfect imho simply because I care about what she does , i am involved in her story.

Peace!

[–] moosefeathers 10 years ago

I absolutely hated her. And I called her some horribly awful names.

I thought Mel from QAF was a saint after meeting Bette.

But in the end I was used to her, but still called her horribly awful names.

Swing away, Merrill....Merrill, swing away...

[–] lornamd-1 10 years ago

Bette was beautiful, accomplished, passionate, sophisticated and did have a strong social conscience. I agree she was a nightmare to be in a relationship with, but I do see why there would be an initial attraction.

[–] Cosmopolitan22 10 years ago

I agree, Bette is working hard, brings the money home, so to speak, cares about Tina. Her main flaw is that she lacks to show her real love and compassion towards other people in her private life.
Since she has to be tough at work, the attitude affects the private part of her personality. Women still need to work harder than guys to be successful in business, and her mental and social pressure she goes through every day at work, should not be underestimated.
The way she suffers through all her emotions, trying to be honest to Tina, is what made me watch the show in the first place --- apart from Shane's character. Actually I started watching only last month, being half through S 2.
BTW, Jenny scenes are painful, almost make me stop watching.

I'm not a native speaker, apologies for any misspelling or grammatical errors.

[–] alexaw9 10 years ago

It's not just lack of showing love. She can't blame herself for anything she does wrong; it's always someone else. And if someone tries to talk to her about anything that involves an issue with Bette, she makes it out to be them blaming her for everything, etc etc. It drives me up the wall.
For someone supposedly such a "strong woman" as people here seem to think, she sure plays the constant victim well.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Cosmopolitan22 10 years ago

Yes, Bette is bossy. And yes, she tends to blame other people, in S1 this surely was annoying to a certain extent.
She was humiliated constantly at the CAC meetings; no male executive would ever be offended that much about his sex life or orientation like she was. The other black woman blamed her of "being bi-racial and not commit to it" at the parental meetings. Bette admits in a later episode how hard her childhood was because of that fact. This "lesbian and bi-racial" issue very much formed her character and attitude, she is introduced as the bad lone wolf, both at work and in private.
But she is also very protective and cares about her folks and friends. I like to see her opening up a bit, now that I've finished S3.

Tina seems to be the first person that she could imagine to build a home and family, and a big chunk of the series goes about how these two struggle, both trying to overcome their flaws. Since they are human, no one is flawless.
Tina was extremely patient in S1, but now I really disliked her when she made out with a guy in the place where she still actually lived with Bette. If my partner did that, I'd throw him out right away.

TLW is a nice ensemble piece of acting, every viewer can find some character or topic to identify with. For me, it's the first time to watch; Bette and Shane are the most interesting characters so far.

BTW, another nice ensemble TV series was Cold Case, and my judgement on certain episodes or characters changed when I re-watched them after some years. Different personal circumstances result in a different perception. So the original poster can't stand Bette; I can't say that right now. I'm curious how my final judgement will be by the end of the series.

I'm not a native speaker, apologies for any misspelling or grammatical errors.