October 11, 2004
I have a dream
I created this site in 2001 and those who happened to stumble upon my humble corner back then might remember a short dissertation I wrote. In it I described a dream I have. A fantasy, really, of a world in which we wouldn't need endless debates of dubious sub-text moments. A world in which we'll have a genuine honest-to-god-unapologetic-ass-kicking-yet-gorgeous lesbian hero. In my little fantasy we didn't have to play Voyager episodes backward in slow-mo to find a romantic glance between a captain and her Borg. And In that world TPTB wouldn't end Xena with a half-assed kiss and the gruesome death of that kisser (thus proving once again the fatal fate of lesbian characters).
That was almost 4 years ago.
A lot has changed since then. Xena is dead (though her spirit still roams the web quite avidly), Voyager found a way home (managing to survive the kazon, Hirogen and Borg - covering 70 thousand light years in 7 years - and still failed to produce a single gay character, proving resistance to be not so futile) and Buffy slue her last vampire (thus making us lose our last fantasy/ sci-fi gay character).
Now, one might call me picky. And one would be right - I am Jewish after all. We do have 'Queer as folk' now. And 'the L word'. And 'Will & Grace'. So why complain? I can just imagine Rick Berman sitting at home and watching QAF, head bending slowly to match Justin's move over Brian.
"Hello, Brannon?! Yes, listen, scratch that tutti-frutti ensign idea, those people get enough screen time.. more than enough if you ask me.. they can have late-night TV, we're keeping outer-space fag-free.. there are some places men just shouldn't go – boldly or otherwise.. good-night, and send my love to Jeri."
But my point (and I do have one) is exactly that. In all these wonderful shows our heroes deal with one thing only - being gay. Apparently, it's a full time job. In truth (as sad as it is), being gay does provide enough drama and dilemmas to sustain a viable show, but don't you want more? I do. I'm not opposed to the occasional Dawson version of gay life – but in my heart, I'm still an action-sci-fi loving geek. I want a hero that deals with something other than being gay. A hero that fights, solves mysteries, explores final-frontiers - and just happens to be gay.
"But how??" Cries Brannon Braga, "if she just happens to be gay – how would we make her so? Do you want her to wear a sign?? Maybe she is gay and you just don't know about it - *wink wink*? We don't discuss our character's sexuality; it's just not that kind of show." (I'm not kidding, arguments to that effect have been made throughout TV history by many intelligent and creative writers.. amazing isn't it?)
"I'll tell you how, Mr. Braga.. just don't hurt yourself," I answer patiently, as I know how hard it is to grasp this novel concept, "you just do. I'll make it easy for you – create a male character. Write the script, like you always do. Give him a personality, a history and a story. Let him evolve and interact. Let him find friends and make enemies. Let him succeed and fail. And like every other male character on your show – at one point – make him fall in love with a beautiful woman. It could be a member of the regular cast, in a long build-up connection, or just a fling with an alien babe – I'm not picky.. well, I am, but that's not the point. Did all that? Got the scripts for the next 10 episodes? Cool. Now, before you rush to the casting team, turn him in to a HER. Not hard, really, just change the name if you must, and all gender-language references. Nifty, ain't it?.. you just created your first lesbian character in a trek series without making an issue out of it.. and it didn't even involve a sign.. Magic, I tell ya."
Brannon is not impressed. Apparently, cynicism isn't his thing. Ah well.
"Interesting.." he says, "but too risky. Why should I?" (Now I'm just being mean, I know. One has to believe that no boyfriend of Jeri Ryan would ever ask such an idiotic question – but someone else might, so bare with me)
"Because it's the right thing to do – a concept deeply engraved within your show? Because everyone needs a role model, even gay teenagers? Because it represents life, in which gay heroes do actually exist, more accurately? Because it's interesting? Because it indicates foresight, an idea you might want to dabble in if you're making a show about the future? Take your pick. Hell, do it because lesbians sell – I don't give a shit – just do it already. Damn."
But he won't. Mainly because this conversation goes on only in my head, but partly because he just doesn't need to. TPTB of various great shows are not bad people. They just don't care. The risk is too great, and the profit – questionable.
So 4 years later, and we're still left with sub-text (also known as creative wistful-thinking), fan fiction (our last best hope for love) and dreams (yeah ok, delusions). Whatever. I'm Jewish, I'm used to complaining. Besides, I have Shane now. So there.
Enjoy the new hub,
Tal.