Doctor Who episode six, Rogue, centred a heartwarming LGBTQ+ storyline as the Doctor fell in love.
The latest episode, written by Kate Herron and Briony Redmon, saw the Time Lord, played by Ncuti Gatwa, and companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) land in 1813 to attend a Bridgerton-style ball hosted by the duch*ess of Pemberton (Indira Varma).
But in a classic twist of events, chaos ensued when the high-society event was targeted by destructive shape-shifting aliens.
The Doctor and Ruby get separated after Ruby goes after distressed debutante Emily Beckett (Camilla Aiko) who appeared caught up in a lovers feud.
Meanwhile the Doctor is captured by a mysterious man on the balcony, Rogue (Jonathan Groff). After a tension-filled back-and-forth on the balcony the pair headed outside.
As they tried to ascertain who the real enemy is, the Doctor was brought to Rogue’s ship and discovered he is a bounty hunter with a penchant for Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head.
After a truly camp boogie to the tune, both soon lowered their guards and went to the TARDIS for some deeper conversations. It’s here we discovered Rogue is grieving the loss of his partner and as both bond over their shared trauma – we see the first spark of something more.
In times gone by this might have been the furthest the show took a gay romance involving specifically the Doctor.
Previously, aside from a brief kiss with Captain Jack (John Barrowman) in season one and a ill-fated sapphic romance in season 13, there has been no explicit queer Doctor love story that goes all the way.
Until now.
The rest of the episode was jam-packed with dewy-eyed moments including a dazzling traditional dance around the ballroom, a dramatic proposal and, of course, the all important climatic kiss between the two.
Although Rogue sadly ended up flung into another dimension, the Doctor kept his proposal ring on his finger as a permanent reminder of the love they shared.
Naturally, fans have celebrated the gorgeous romance 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 hom*ophobes,’ @harrythewhovian posted.
“Tell you what, when we both get out of this,
— Me. My own companion. Good hearted weirdo. (@Beckah74) June 8, 2024
let’s argue across the stars.” #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/78Gw3LGtM0
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 canât wait for the season finale! And BBC and Disney U did good! pic.twitter.com/Kc2sJotcAN
— Bella ðºð©·ð (@BELLA_SNOWDEN) June 8, 2024
— Joe Lipsett (@bstolemyremote) June 8, 2024This season of #doctorwho has been so delightfully queer.
It makes my heart sing that a) a âfamily showâ isnât afraid to include queerness and b) that hom*ophobes are uncomfortable on the weekly. pic.twitter.com/hdxufDXOPc
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.
Did you love the Doctor and Rogue’s love story?Comment Now
Ncuti previously spoke about the connection the show had 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 man, MANY a gay man, 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 the showrunner Russell T Davies – a gay man and keen advocate for LGBTQ+ rights – has already hit back against hate for making the new season proudly 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 disappeared for now the episode left the ending open to his return, so these lovers may be reunited across the stars once more.
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Doctor Who returns with The Legend of Ruby Sunday on BBC One on Saturday June 15.
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