Published January 5th, 2008 by Jenny Stewart (source)

Season five of the now legendary lesbian series “The L Word” kicks off this Sunday on Showtime, and as usual, I’ve received a lot of emails from curious readers wanting to know what happens.

I haven’t seen the full season, but I have seen the first eight episodes and if you ask me, it’s the best since season one. They’ve stepped up the humor big time, a lot of screen time consists of the gals just hanging out having fun, there’s a lot of sex and there’s even some good news for Bette and Tina fans. Bottom line — the show is fun again.

So here are some answers to your “L Word” season five questions. Warning — there are major spoiler alerts ahead, so don’t read any further if you’d rather be surprised…

Is there more sex this year? Finally??

There is a lot of sex in the new season! Character wise, the sex scenes seems to be distributed equally, and Tina hasn’t gotten this much action since the year they tortured us with her pregnant sex scenes. Despite the preview showing her swearing off women, Shane actually has a lot of really hot sex scenes, and in episode two, she beds and entire bridal party. Helena has prison sex, Alice has Tasha sex, Jenny has casting couch sex and I’m not giving away the Bette sex.

I heard Marina comes back again?

No, there’s no Marina, however, there is a woman who plays Marina, and she’s even hotter. See, the overall plot of the new season revolves around Jenny’s book “Lez Girls” being made into a film, with Jenny directing and Tina serving as executive producer. Actresses are cast to play the “fictional” versions of the characters of “Lez Girls,” and the one who plays “Karina” (who’s supposed to be Marina) is stunning. She’s played by Patricia Velasquez, who you’ll recognize mostly from “The Mummy.”

What about the new cast members? Hot? Not? Stupid? Smart?

There are a lot of new faces this year, but in the first eight episodes, the three most notable are Adele, Nikki and Dawn Denbo.

Blonde bombshell Kate French plays Nikki, the up and coming Hollywood actress who signs on to play Jenny in “Lez Girls.” Because her character is the lead in “Lez Girls,” French has a fairly big role in the new season – and she has a lot of sex scenes with Jenny. Personally, I’ll be very interested in seeing how fans react to this actress, because I wasn’t impressed with her at all.

On the other hand, newcomer Malaya Rivera Drew is so beautiful and talented she steals almost every scene she’s in. In a plot line reminiscent of “All About Eve,” Drew plays Adele, Jenny’s new assistant. With her messy hair, over-sized geeky glasses, mousy demeanor and a wild devotion to boss Jenny, Adele seems like a perfect – and perfectly harmless – assistant. But as the weeks go on, questions are raised about Adele — and things get awfully suspicious. Despite the unglamorous look Adele has in the first few episodes, you can tell she’s a knockout waiting to happen, and when Jenny gives her a makeover in episode eight, holy shit is she gorgeous. I don’t who this Malaya Rivera Drew is, but this role could really get her started.

Last but not definitely not least is Dawn Denbo. Played by Elizabeth Keener (yes – that is Catherine’s little sister and man does talent run in that family!) Dawn Denbo is an established lesbian club owner from Florida who opens up a new hot spot right down the street from Kit’s Planet. This character is killer funny. “Hi, I’m Dawn Denbo and this is my lover Cindy” is how she warmly greets every single person she comes in contact with. But definitely don’t get on her bad side. If you cross her, “Dude, it’s on!” Have sex with her lover Cindy behind her back? “Dude, it is SO ON!” Call the cops on her club for permit issues? “DUDE IT’S SO FUCKING ON AND YOU’RE GOING DOWN!” Why they didn’t introduce Dawn Denbo as a regular character years ago is beyond me.

What’s up with Phyllis and Joyce?

Phyllis (Cybill Shepherd) is back with Joyce (Jane Lynch), but they break up within the first few episodes because Phyllis wants to play the field. Interesting note – if the actress who plays Phyllis’ daughter Molly looks remarkably similar to a young Cybill Shepherd, it’s because it’s Shepherd’s real-life daughter, Clementine.

Speaking of Molly – one of the best parts of the new season revolves around Shane’s budding attraction to her. The two have pretty good chemistry together and even though Molly’s straight, no one can seem to resist Shane. She does give Shane a run for her money.

Is Jenny as annoying as ever?

Yes and no. Because she’s making her first feature film, Jenny turns into an over the top, completely demanding director. The newfound uber-diva behavior Jenny exhibits in the new season is definitely less annoying (and even slightly entertaining) than the way Jenny’s acted in season’s past. Also, love her or hate her, you can’t deny the insane hotness of Mia Kirshner, and maybe it’s just me but she looks hotter than she ever has before. Shallow note – Kirshner seems to have gained a few pounds, but in my opinion, the extra weight looks great.

I know everyone love Alice and Tasha as a couple, but sorry, I don’t. Are they still together?

To me, Tasha’s way too serious for Alice, so I’m sort of with you on that, but the two are very much together in the first eight episodes. They do have a very hot sex scene in the first episode and the two look awesome together.

I watched the video preview on Showtime and it insinuates that Bette and Tina are getting back together. Are they?

That is one thing I won’t spoil, so you’ll just have to watch. But trust me – do not take your eyes away from the camera in the last 15 minutes of episode four..

Does Shane stay with Paige?

Shane and Paige break up in the first episode. They go to rent an apartment together, but after being hit on my the super cute real estate agent, Shane succumbs to her old ways. Hell hath no fury like a women scorned, just ask Paige – she burns Shane’s hair salon down…

There’s a lot more to talk about regarding the new season, so keep coming back for our “L Word” coverage.

One last observation: We all think of Leisha when we think of laughs on “The L Word,” but trust me on this — keep a close eye on Kate Moennig this year when it comes to humor. Moennig’s delivered her fair share of punch lines in seasons past, but she now seems to have mastered the unique balance of timing, rhythm and deadpan that makes a good comedic actresses great. How’d she do it?