*head-desk*

[tree_and_leaf]

I just saw - on the feminist SF blog Aqueduct Amble - the awards list for The Gaylactic Award - who the devil came up with that name? - for SFF positively portraying queer themes or characters.

The Other Works category has two Whoniverse related nominees, namely Torchwood S1, and The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances.

To which I had two reactions, one sensible, the other decidedly stupid.

(i) "Torchwood S1 = awardwinning = ++ Out of Cheese Error Divide by Cucumber and Reboot ++". Or, as Ten would say, "What. What. WHAT?!"

(ii) "Why did they nominate 'The Empty Child', I wouldn't call the unpleasant householder having sex with the butcher for off the ration meat as positive... Oh. Yes. Jack. And Algy. But mostly Jack."

*headdesk*

Followed closely by the question, how on earth can you rate Torchwood above 'The Empty Child', which is one of the best pieces of telly I've seen in years. OK, it's not about queerness, but neither is Torchwood as such (arguably what Torchwood is about is innuendo, but so is pantomime, which is hardly a great progressive force) - though on the other hand, one of the themes is the deadly effect of denying the truth about yourself, and the liberating force of admitting it, even when it's something you've felt shamed and marginalised by. Without hitting people over the head with the moral, either.

Comments

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

Even though I enjoy most of Torchwood - it's very much an anthology series, probably more so than Doctor Who because one doesn't know what tone the episode will adopt this week - I don't think any of its episodes have reached the level of The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances; though possibly it's the presentation of omnisexuality as a norm, or an achievable aspiration, which commends Torchwood in the Gaylactic panel's eyes.

[tree_and_leaf]

I daresay you're right - what happens with these sort lobbyist awards, I suppose. Though as an attitude, it tends to be conducive to propaganda rather than art....

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

*sporfles* I love your reactions.

[scionofgrace.livejournal.com]

"Gaylactic." Gay lactic. Do they have any idea what that conjures up?

I think they're just going for "homosexuals portrayed as normal and/or good" than any overt theme. For which I would be more likely to nominate "Boom Town," if only for that bit where Jack and the Doctor flirt. Ah well. It's their award.