Very convenient to be able to shove the transphobia that got this girl killed under the carpet and blame phones instead and be able to deny any criticism like that

Maybe Esther doesn’t think its insulting, but its rubbing salt in the wound to the whole trans community

Indeed. Though in that case it still would involve the “fridging the wife” trope. Honestly, making her queer helps the shows themes of assimilation into a hegemony stronger, so I’m glad he did.

Potentially! Hence why I’m not condemning the show or anything. It’s really good! But it’s also worthwhile to discuss that it’s using the framework that has generally limited queer stories. Subverting a trope still means using the trope to a degree. That’s not a bad thing, but worth analysis.

Also, queer representation is down right now, in a culture that’s increasingly hostile to us. So we need more stories beyond the pattern of “assimilated queer couple, likely where one dies”. We deserve a wider range of queer lives on screen.

Also, queer representation is down right now, in a culture that’s increasingly hostile to us. So we need more stories beyond the pattern of “assimilated queer couple, likely where one dies”. We deserve a wider range of queer lives on screen.

it’s not that “a gay character died = BYG = bad.” It’s more that BYG is a useful lens to think about how queer stories get structured and what cultural norms they reinforce. It’s only a deal-breaker when the narrative is benefiting from queer tragedy for shock value or spectacle (Emilia Pérez).

it’s not that “a gay character died = BYG = bad.” It’s more that BYG is a useful lens to think about how queer stories get structured and what cultural norms they reinforce. It’s only a deal-breaker when the narrative is benefiting from queer tragedy for shock value or spectacle (Emilia Pérez).

Pluribus actually engages with some of this directly, which is why I like it - especially the idea of assimilation into a dominant culture before you’re actually safe or supported as yourself. So for me,

Queer characters are still commonly written to have tragic love stories. They’re isolated from queer community. Their relationships are framed through a heteronormative lens—monogamous, suburban, domestic assimilation. It reinforces a narrow emotional vocabulary for queer life.

Why do I feel this is about Pluribus? Lol

For sure. But the issue with BYG is it often kills one half of a couple and leaves the other truamazied/ alone. Also, the lack of other queer community while the character exists in an isolated heteronormative bubble and often is assimilatory to societal norms (heteronormative family structure ect…)

This isn’t what I’m arguing. I do find it to be a slightly lazy usage of this trope - doesn’t mean I don’t like the show or where it goes. We can critique that the trope plays into ways queer people are often regulated, while also still loving the work or themes overall. Also, cool to disagree.

Trust me, I had to watch them all in full context, I hear you.