Previously, on The L Word. . .

Bette and Kit find out that their dad has advanced prostrate cancer and he's refusing treatment. Tina comes to visit in the hospital and he still acts like she's a stranger.

Shane talks to Jenny and tells her that this is the first place that feels like home. Jenny encourages Shane to persue Carmen.

Alice and Dana role play again and are interrupted by a visit from Dana's brother, Howie. They tell him that it's Gay Pride Weekend but he's still wanting to stay.

Helena tells Tina that her concern about how Bette is dealing with her father is none of Tina's business. Tina tells Helena that she wants to see other people and Helena says, "You mean Bette."

Mark packs up to move out and wants to stay the night. He tries to apologize and offends Jenny in the process but Shane tells him that she can stay.

Tina and Bette talk nice to each other in front of Bette's dad, who calls the nurses station to have a nurse come in and pull the curtain so he doesn't have to see the two of them. Tina tells Bette that she's not going to stop seeing Helena.

Bette's dad asks Bette what she's going to do when facing God about her "sins" (meaning being gay). She says that she'll say that she'll tell God that she's His creation and that she's proud. I love that answer.

Shane watches the video between her and Carmen and gets choked up.

Alice tells Dana twice that she loves her and Dana doesn't say anything in return. She talks to Shane about it and Shane points out that it's obvious that Dana loves her.

For Gay Pride Weekend, Dana gets asked to be in the center float but doesn't tell Alice right off. Dana thinks that Alice can ride in the float with her but finds out that neither Alice nor Howie can ride on the float with her. Alice doesn't like how the person in charge of the float handles the situation. Shane wants to ride with the Dykes on Bikes but Jenny doesn't want to so Shane and Alice go off, leaving Jenny to watch over Howie, who disappears.

At the Planet's Pride Party, an older lesbian asks Jenny what she's doing and Jenny responds that she's celebrating gay pride. The older lesbian says, "You mean 'gay shame.' Most of us have more shame than pride." That's a statement that makes you think.

Dana is worried because Howie is no where to be found but suddenly, she and Alice spot him dancing with a guy. Turns out that Howie is gay too and has known since he was 4. He asks Dana to tell their parents for him.

Kit's dad apologizes to her for the years of estrangement. Bette is right there and is upset because she knows he still has problems with her sexuality.

Mark stops by to drop off his keys and Jenny dares him to stay and deal with the mess he's created and he takes back the keys. She tells him that they are not friends.

Dana finally tells Alice that she loves her.

Jenny goes to the new whips and chains place that opens up. I think girlfriend needs some therapy because earlier in the episode, she had cut out pictures of her family members and made like they were getting eaten by a creature. Then while getting whipped, she has one of her weird writing scenes and "comes to" and starts crying.

Shane approaches Carmen and tells her some things about her childhood.

Next week: Dana's ex is back in the picture and it looks like Dana might be having an affair (okay, if this does happen, I'm going to be pissed--why can't they portray a solid lesbian relationship? It does happen--I know of couples who have been together in double-digit years. They've shown other realistic lesbian issues (like child custody--which TV Guide jeered last week as being too serious but hell, it's a real issue)). Bette brings her dad to her house to say with her. Looks like Jenny is hitting bottom.

There are only 2 more episodes left.