Doctor Who episode six, Rogue, focused on a happy LGBTQ+ plotline in which the Doctor fell in love.
The latest episode, written by Kate Herron and Briony Redmon, sees the Time Lord (Ncuti Gatwa) and companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) arrive in 1813 to attend a Bridgerton-style ball held by the Duchess of Pemberton (Indira Varma).
However, the high-society event was targeted by destructive shape-shifting aliens, resulting in havoc.
The Doctor and Ruby become separated as Ruby pursues troubled debutante Emily Beckett (Camilla Aiko), who appears to be embroiled in a lovers’ conflict.
Meanwhile, Rogue (Jonathan Groff), a mystery guy on the balcony, captures the Doctor. After a tense back and forth on the balcony, the two went outside.
As they sought to figure out who the true enemy was, the Doctor was led to Rogue’s ship, where he discovered he is a bounty hunter who enjoys Kylie Minogue’s Can not Get You Out of My Head.
After a truly camp boogie to the track, both quickly dropped their guard and went to the TARDIS for some deeper discussions. It is here that we learn Rogue is grieving the loss of his companion, and as they bond over their shared trauma, we witness the first flicker of something more.
Previously, this may have been the farthest the show had gone with a gay romance featuring the Doctor.
Previously, other from a brief kiss with Captain Jack (John Barrowman) in season one and an ill-fated sapphic romance in season 13, there has been no explicit gay Doctor love story that has gone the distance.
Until now.
The rest of the programme was filled with dewy-eyed moments, such as a stunning traditional dance around the ballroom, a dramatic proposal, and, of course, the all-important climactic kiss between the two.
Although Rogue was tragically ejected into another realm, the Doctor kept his proposal ring on his finger as a permanent memory of the love they had.
Naturally, admirers have praised the stunning relationship on social media.
‘Kicking my feet and giggling throughout that entire episode,’ @badwolfarchives wrote.
‘This is going to be so incredible for so many younger fans to see. This is normal. This is life and love and happiness. This is their hero. This is Pride,’ @friendoface added.
‘Anyone who has a problem with this beautifully queer episode and the romance but didn’t with 10 and Reinette are big old homophobes,’ @harrythewhovian posted.
"Tell you what, when we both get out of this,
let's argue across the stars." #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/78Gw3LGtM0— Me. My own companion. Good hearted weirdo. (@Beckah74) June 8, 2024
This new #DoctorWho era has made so many Queer fans feel seen, Im truly grateful. This was one hell of a Pride Month Episode & one incredible season. Truly thank U Russell T Davies from the bottom of my heart, and I can’t wait for the season finale! And BBC and Disney U did good! pic.twitter.com/Kc2sJotcAN
— Bella 🌺🩷🌊 (@BELLA_SNOWDEN) June 8, 2024
This season of #doctorwho has been so delightfully queer.
It makes my heart sing that a) a “family show” isn’t afraid to include queerness and b) that homophobes are uncomfortable on the weekly. pic.twitter.com/hdxufDXOPc
— Joe Lipsett (@bstolemyremote) June 8, 2024
The Doctor and Rogue's relationship progressing that quickly was REAL queer representation #DoctorWho #DoctorWhoSpoilers
— JP (@the3rdjp) June 8, 2024
Talking about why he got involved in the show, Jonathan told RadioTimes the script ‘really grabbed’ him.
‘I was quite breathless reading it. I’ve been getting an education on Doctor Who ever since,’ he added.
Before turning his praise to co-star Ncuti.
‘He’s got this presence and aliveness that you can’t teach. You just have it, or you don’t. It’s amazing to act with him. He is just all heart and soul. And that vibration permeates the set on the day-to-day, and turns it into a dream experience,’ he said.
Ncuti previously discussed the programme is link with LGBTQ+ fans in an interview with the Guardian.
He said: ‘The Doctor is a lonely wanderer, looking for their next adventure … I know many a gay men, I could describe that way!’
‘I think that’s a beautiful, beautiful theme Doctor Who has, because chosen family can be more meaningful, more supportive. That really can be the case, and it’s a theme that absolutely runs through the show.’
Meanwhile, showrunner Russell T Davies, a gay man and strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has already responded to bigotry by making the new season openly inclusive.
‘I kind of [am] rather bemused when people say you’re representing things now, because I think that’s just people I live with, and know and love,’ he said at the Lonodn premiere of the new season.
‘And it’s very normal to me, I don’t know any other way to make things. And some people might come along and make a fuss about that. But I’ve moved on by then, so I don’t care,’ he added.
Although Rogue has departed for the time being, the episode’s ending leaves the door open for him to return, so these lovers may be reunited across the stars once more.
Doctor Who returns with The Legend of Ruby Sunday on BBC One on Saturday June 15.
