Thasmin! (Part Two)
The Doctor Who Easter special was one of the most eagerly awaited shows of the year - and not just because it saw the first appearance of old foes the Sea Devils for thirty eight years.
It’s because in the last episode, Eve of the Daleks, Yaz confirmed what viewers had long suspected: that she had romantic feelings for the Doctor. Dan told Thirteen later in the episode, meaning queer fans have been on tenterhooks ever since.
Would the Doctor reject her? Accept her? What would that look like? The Doctor’s previous love interests have all been female, but they were when she was in male incarnations. They’ve had at least two wives and one major relationship, though that was resolved less than satisfactorily by sending Rose off into a parallel universe with a Doctor clone.
Nor has the fact they’re both female gone unnoticed by the media. TalkRadio did a vile feature equating lesbians with paedophiles; the usual suspects have bellyached about “Doctor Woke.” Even toxic gay male fans, who should know better, have dubbed it “Dyketor Who.” Lesbophobia is alive and well, it seems.
I needn’t have been disappointed. Early on in the episode, the Doctor takes Yaz to the ocean floor in the Tardis. As they gaze out at the beautiful panorama, the Doctor asks, “Not a bad date, am I?” - causing millions of sapphic hearts to skip a beat. They were seconds away from their first kiss, only to be interrupted by a fish monster. Damn!
It didn’t stop there. As they hurried to save the day together, the Doctor clarified that although she wasn’t one to date, she would date Yaz, because she’s one of the best people she’s known (a callback to Yaz fangirling over her when they met). She even mentioned her wife, River - causing Yaz simultaneous surprise (she likes women!) and jealousy (a wife?!)
Their last conversation clinched it for me. Some fans believe Yaz has been friendzoned, but they’re a younger generation who don’t understand that for older queers, coming out scenes are more in what is said and implied than passionate PDAs. I can forgive them for wanting more, especially when they’re smarting from the fiasco that was Killing Eve, but this is a family show. *Any* overt display of sexuality would be inappropriate for the time slot and audience.
The Doctor says she wants them to have what they have for as long as they can. Yaz passes her a rock to skip across the waves to make a wish; she holds it lingeringly, as though it’s Yaz’s hand. Her eyes full of meaning, she wishes this could last forever. That’s the closest any Doctor has come to saying, “I love you” - to her female companion, no less.
It was sensitively, tastefully done, sending the right message to the people who matter. If this helps even one viewer come to terms with their sexuality and have conversations with their loved ones, it will have served its purpose. If the comments on Twitter are any indication, it has helped normalise gay relationships for young fans.
We’re winning, guys.
It’s because in the last episode, Eve of the Daleks, Yaz confirmed what viewers had long suspected: that she had romantic feelings for the Doctor. Dan told Thirteen later in the episode, meaning queer fans have been on tenterhooks ever since.
Would the Doctor reject her? Accept her? What would that look like? The Doctor’s previous love interests have all been female, but they were when she was in male incarnations. They’ve had at least two wives and one major relationship, though that was resolved less than satisfactorily by sending Rose off into a parallel universe with a Doctor clone.
Nor has the fact they’re both female gone unnoticed by the media. TalkRadio did a vile feature equating lesbians with paedophiles; the usual suspects have bellyached about “Doctor Woke.” Even toxic gay male fans, who should know better, have dubbed it “Dyketor Who.” Lesbophobia is alive and well, it seems.
I needn’t have been disappointed. Early on in the episode, the Doctor takes Yaz to the ocean floor in the Tardis. As they gaze out at the beautiful panorama, the Doctor asks, “Not a bad date, am I?” - causing millions of sapphic hearts to skip a beat. They were seconds away from their first kiss, only to be interrupted by a fish monster. Damn!
It didn’t stop there. As they hurried to save the day together, the Doctor clarified that although she wasn’t one to date, she would date Yaz, because she’s one of the best people she’s known (a callback to Yaz fangirling over her when they met). She even mentioned her wife, River - causing Yaz simultaneous surprise (she likes women!) and jealousy (a wife?!)
Their last conversation clinched it for me. Some fans believe Yaz has been friendzoned, but they’re a younger generation who don’t understand that for older queers, coming out scenes are more in what is said and implied than passionate PDAs. I can forgive them for wanting more, especially when they’re smarting from the fiasco that was Killing Eve, but this is a family show. *Any* overt display of sexuality would be inappropriate for the time slot and audience.
The Doctor says she wants them to have what they have for as long as they can. Yaz passes her a rock to skip across the waves to make a wish; she holds it lingeringly, as though it’s Yaz’s hand. Her eyes full of meaning, she wishes this could last forever. That’s the closest any Doctor has come to saying, “I love you” - to her female companion, no less.
It was sensitively, tastefully done, sending the right message to the people who matter. If this helps even one viewer come to terms with their sexuality and have conversations with their loved ones, it will have served its purpose. If the comments on Twitter are any indication, it has helped normalise gay relationships for young fans.
We’re winning, guys.
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