I'm Curious If You Still Feel The Same About These Shows Mistreating Their Queer Audience
TV shows have considerably improved when it comes to queer representation.
Although it’s not perfect and there’s still work to do, the whole situation is definitely better compared to a few years ago. I highly doubt they would have been able to do Heartstopper justice back in the early 2010s. Nonetheless, if there’s one thing I’m really good at, that would be holding grudges. It’s a flaw, I know. I’m working on it in my personal life, but it’s actually very helpful when I have to write something like this.
Here's the thing: All those shows that have somehow mistreated their queer audience left me with trust issues, and now I can’t get into a new show that supposedly has a queer storyline without fearing for my poor little heart. It’s kind of the reason why when shows like Our Flag Means Death come out, I can’t believe my eyes. And I’m sure for some of you it is the same.
Here are the shows I can't get over and I'm still mad about!
Supergirl — Cara and Lena
The CW / Via giphy.com
This is just self-explanatory. Even if the writers actually had no intention of making them a couple in the beginning, the amount of subtext between Cara and Lena is honestly out of this world. No one in their right mind would consider them just friends. And as always when it comes to w/w couples, if one of them were a man they would have hooked up three episodes in.
Once Upon a Time — Emma and Regina
ABC/Hulu / Via giphy.com
Do not get me started on this one. Seriously though, have you ever seen such wasted potential? Their love story would have been epic. And for those who claim that they were never supposed to be a couple, I have a Power Point with all the scenes that need an explanation because they are so far from being straight. I had people tell me they started watching the show only because they thought it had lesbians in it. I rest my case.
The 100 — Clarke and Lexa
The CW / Via giphy.com
It is the year of our Lord 2022, and I still can’t find a valid reason for the show to kill off Lexa. The 100 really did the fans dirty when they decided to tear this couple apart, and I don’t think I will ever forgive them for this. There isn’t much to say, except that now I’m forever afraid the “bury your gays” trope will somehow find its way in every writing room in existence. Thanks a lot!
Warehouse 13 — Myka and H.G. Wells
Syfy / Via giphy.com
Another one with a subtext so strong, you might think they actually end up being a couple. Instead H.G. Wells disappears into a normal life with some guy no one even knew existed. I have to say this one really hurt: Even though Warehouse 13 was somehow less famous than the other shows, I loved it and it would have been nice not to have my heart in pieces by the end of it.
And lastly...
Supernatural — Dean and Castiel
The CW / Via giphy.com
I saw a Tumblr post once that said, "Whoever watched the Supernatural finale, you are entitled to financial compensation." And boy, were they right! I’m not saying that how they wrapped up things between Dean and Cas felt slightly homophobic, but I’m not denying it either. It’s just that after 15 seasons, nine of which spent making fans ship them hard, you would expect something more. After the season finale the bar was so low we would have accepted literally anything. Alas, this was not the case.