If you watch 'tipping the velvet' just for a lesbian thrill, then your best watching a adult xxx video.
I started watching tipping the velvet mainly because of my interest in lesbians, but got interested in the story of the main character 'nan', who finds her sexuality,finds a lover (her first, of any sex), and how she copes with all the forthcoming events.
So if you want a lesbian show, get a xxx video, if you want a story about a young womans life in victorian times then its worth watching or buying on dvd or video.