Last night’s episode of Doctor Who might not have been as much of a crowd-pleaser as last week’s shock-fest, but season 12’s sixth outing, “Praxeus,” still managed to draw a lot of praise for its LGBT representation. Because, guess what, two gay characters were in love and they both survived to the end of their story. This (tragically and infuriatingly) hardly ever happens.
The episode saw the TARDIS team befriend ex-cop Jake Willis (Warren Brown) and astronaut Adam Lang (Matthew McNulty), whose marriage is on the rocks due to Jake’s feelings of insecurity over his husband’s successful life. In the end, Jake was able to prove his own worth when he piloted a spaceship into the atmosphere to release a cure for the Praxeus alien virus across the world. It looked like he was going to have to sacrifice his life, but at the last minute, the Doctor came to the rescue. We then left Jake and Adam while they talked of going on their long-delayed honeymoon.
Seeing as there’s been a surprising lack of LGBT+ rep so far in the Thirteenth Doctor era, this episode’s subplot had a big impact on fans, and here are just a few of the positive reactions abuzz on social media.
They kissed! They lived! #DoctorWho said LGBT rights. I am loving this season. pic.twitter.com/7duD3w7kSo
— colin macfarlane (@Cmacf76) February 2, 2020
I loved that ep! The LGBT representation on mainstream media is important now more than ever! ?️? #doctorwho
— George????️? (@G_Carsley) February 2, 2020
Thank you, writers Pete McTighe and Chris Chibnall, for not continuing the “Bury Your Gays” trope.
Yay, Jake and Adam had a happy ending!
In a world where LGBT characters are considered canon fodder for plots, this was beautiful and important #DoctorWho
— Rachael Eyre (@Alrightpunk) February 2, 2020
Even those who didn’t love the rest of “Praxeus” were pleased with the couple’s storyline.
Yeah, enjoyed it.
Bit of fun, good message, great LGBT representation #DoctorWho— Lewis Palmer ? (@GargantuanAppl1) February 2, 2020
One thing I will certainly praise Praxeus for is the LGBT representation – and not killing off the queer characters. Representation on the screen is so, so important. Especially for younger viewers. #DoctorWho
— Daniel J. McLaughlin (@MrDanMcLaughlin) February 2, 2020
Obviously, this episode has likewise resulted in comments from those who feel the show’s being “too PC” or “forcing diversity” again. Many fans have been hitting back against these remarks though and explaining why better rep is so key.
FYI for anyone screaming it’s being forced on to us about having an LGBT relationship, I watched Doctor Who has a child and the LGBT characters really helped me, it would have done wonders to see how subtle and accepted a gay relationship, representation is ? #DoctorWho
— Trinity Pompeo ??♀️ (@TrinityHPompeo) February 2, 2020
On a slightly lighter note, some are a bit miffed that the first LGBT kiss of this era wasn’t the Doctor and Yaz.
When the first lgbt kiss of the Whittaker era isn't Thasmin #doctorwho pic.twitter.com/scua82I9hk
— CharlieTheWhovian ?✏ (@charlieq_02) February 2, 2020
Seriously, though, something as easy as depicting a gay marriage as just as complex and ultimately happy as straight romances usually are on screen meant so much to many people.
1/ as someone who grew up watching #doctorwho and adopted The Doctor as my role model and blueprint for a good person (seriously), seeing LGBT men represented fairly and being celebrated brought a tear to my eye. this means so much for growing children and teens,
— Ashley ?️? (@TheySeeMeYolin) February 2, 2020
More of this in future eps, please!
Doctor Who season 12 continues this Sunday, February 9th.
