The (Mis)Education of Helena Peabody
The third episode of The L-Word really had me worried. In it, Peggy Peabody whisked Helena away from prison (and a budding relationship with Dusty), intent on taking her daughter away to Europe. Money can sure take you places. There was even a farewell party and goodbyes all over. Is this really the end of Miss Helena Peabody?
Fortunately, the answer to that is NO. My current favorite L-Word character will come back after a few episodes (yay!). No less than series creator Ilene Chaiken has confirmed it. Whew. Glad they got that straightened out right away. I would’ve been really bummed out if she left the show, like I was saddened with the passing of Dana and Carmen’s sudden disappearance. What was that all about?
Rachel Shelley has been doing a tremendous job with Helena, and she definitely deserves a spot among the regulars. I love what the writers have done to Helena’s character over the last few seasons. Her growth, compared to most of the others, has been quite exceptional. I am reminded of how Buffy had to cope with her mom’s death and having to be The Grown-up in BTVS Season 6, flipping burgers just to pay the bills. I don’t think both characters were able to appreciate how much they had it easy, until they had to work before they could eat. Although, one big difference is that Helena’s relationship with Dusty is not nearly as dysfunctional as Buffy’s relationship with Spike. Thank goodness for that.
Helena started out as Bette’s competitor in The L-Word’s Season 2: a fellow alpha-female who took pleasure in taking control, and had all the resources to do it. But the Spoiled English Brat came down from her pedestal after “mummy dearest” cut her off financially at the end of Season 3. The most interesting characters are always those who are faced with major challenges, and Helena had loads. In Season 4, Helena dealt with being fired from her own film company, bouncing from job to job, and basically trying to stand on her own two feet. I don’t agree with the way she handled her problems at times, but it was still enjoyable to watch her unfold. I guess Helena’s missteps only serve to make her more “human”. Plus, Rachel Shelley can be very funny and endearing. You know she’s trying hard so you cheer her on. This early in Season 5 with the prison story arc, she has totally won me over with her broad shift in perspective. And so did Dusty (go forearms, go!). I love Lucia Rijker. Helena and Dusty is now officially my favorite L-word couple. I hope Ilene Chaiken will give me more of them.
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4 Users Commented In " The (Mis)Education of Helena Peabody "
I was worried to wwhen I saw the goodbye think. Thank you for explain it. I wouldn’d like to see another disappearance either. I wish Carmen would come back. Isn’t there a way that we can convince them to bring her back? I mean Dana died and she can’t come back but Carmen still can…
While the show is on air, there’s always that possibility of coming back, like Marina did in Season 4. Carmen had such a huge impact on Shane that I think it would be a disservice for their characters not to have a decent closure. Ilene Chaiken knows she has a lot of fans. I hope Carmen will make an appearance, even on the last season, just to tie up loose ends.
Ilene Chaiken “confirmed” that helena was coming back and you actually believe her?
How did you manage to get online anyway?
Ilene Chaiken was also the same person who adamantly swore that Karina Lombard (Marina Ferrer) would never come back! Something like : “Over My Dead Body.”
And you are gullible enough to believe her this time? Rachel Shelley has a new series in the works with A&E.
I call it guarded optimism. BTW, the video where IC explained Helena’s disappearance can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgUVCoIZJw
Like it or not, she’s still the series creator and seems to have the final say on how things go. But anything can happen, so we’ll never be sure until we actually see Rachel back on the show, will we?
Since there are persistent rumors that Season 5 is going to be the last for L-Word, it’s perfectly within Rachel’s right to look out for herself and find other jobs she likes. I wish her well and this new series “Under”.
