Moira/Max Sweeney
Max Sweeney | |
---|---|
File:Max 800x600.jpg | |
First appearance | Labia Majora (episode 3.01) |
Last appearance | Last Word (episode 6.08) |
Created by | Ilene Chaiken |
Portrayed by | Daniela Sea |
In-universe information | |
Gender | male |
Title | Project Manager |
Occupation | IT |
Spouse | none |
Children | none |
Relatives | Bon Sweney (Father)
Irene Sweeney (Mother) Margaret Sweeney (Sister) Sioban Sweeney (Sister) |
Max Sweeney, formerly Moira Sweeney, is a fictional character on the Showtime television network series The L Word. He is played by the American actress Daniela Sea. Max is a transsexual man who has a relationship with Jenny Schecter through most of the third season.
Season 3
Moira accompanies Jenny on her return to Los Angeles from Skokie, Illinois. Moira's butch gender identity and working class background clash with Jenny's circle of friends. Turned down for work as a computer programmer, Moira begins transitioning with grey market male hormones and no medical assistance, and adopts the name Max. As Max, he gets a well-paying job as a programmer with the same company that turned down Moira. His changing behavior causes friction with Jenny, who loses interest the more masculine Max becomes.
Season 4
Max gets medical and psychiatric support for his transition, and has an uncomfortable dating relationship with his boss' daughter. Later, Max comes out as transgender at work. In the ninth episode of the season, Max receives a phone call from home. His sister Maggie tells him that his mother has died, but also tells Max that she doesn't want him to come home to attend the funeral. Hostility from his managers and coworkers from throughout the season prompt Max to quit his job. The season ends with him contemplating breast removal.
Season 5
Max, having decided not to have surgery, works as Alice's technical support and continues living with Jenny and Shane. He becomes suspicious of Jenny's new assistant, Adele. He sleeps with Jodi Lerner's sign interpreter Tom.
Season 6
Max decides to move forward with sexual reassignment surgery, but is deterred after learning that he is pregnant. He and Tom are unsure of how to proceed, but Tom seems interested in raising the child with him. However, after Max finds Tom flirting with another man in a nightclub, Tom's lack of commitment becomes apparent leading to Tom leaving Max unexpectedly during the night. Jenny angers Max during Max's baby shower that Jenny threw in the theme of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Jenny makes a spectacle of Max's femininity, although Max is determined to remain a man, even through the pregnancy. She purchases for him a breast pump, and tells him that he is a beautiful woman. Max begs Bette and Tina to adopt his baby, stating that he can't be a father, Bette and Tina do not accept the proposal. By the final episode of the series, Max still feels belittled and betrayed by Jenny's unacceptance of his transgender status.