Russell T. Davies Called Loki’s Bisexuality ‘Pathetic’
Russell T. Davies, the creator of Queer as Folk and Doctor Who, said that the way makers have revealed Loki’s bisexuality is ‘pathetic’.
The former Doctor Who writer and the creator of Queer as Folk, Russell T. Davies seems to be not so happy with the reveal of Loki’s bisexuality.
Davies was there as a speaker at the virtual Pride month panel for Swansea University. He talked about the future LGBTQ+ community and the future of queer in the age of streaming platforms. Russell T. Davies said: “I think huge, cleaning warning bells are ringing as the giants rise up with Netflix and Disney Plus especially,” Davies said. “I think that’s a very great worry. Loki makes one reference to being bisexual once, and everyone’s like, ‘Oh my god, it’s like a pansexual show.”
The Queer as Folk creator refers to the third episode of Marvel and Disney+ series Loki, “Lementis” where the God of Mischief, Loki, admits that he had romanced both princesses and princes. Davies added: “It’s like one word. He said the word ‘prince,’ and we’re meant to go, ‘Thank you, Disney! Aren’t you marvellous?’ It’s a ridiculous, craven, feeble gesture towards the vital politics and the stories that should be told.” All this depicts the way Davies refers to the scene as a “pathetic” attempt of representation.
Russell T. Davies has also created a dramatic miniseries on HIV/AIDS, It’s a Sin. However, he is not the only person who criticized Disney+ and Marvel Studios for handling stories and characters based on LGBTQ+. Even the Marvel fan base also took a stand against a deleted scene in Thor: Ragnarok. It was about Valkyrie’s confrontation as a queer. A similar incident took place when the makers over-hyped a scene in Avengers: Endgame where an unnamed gay was featured. Even Disney has faced similar criticism for what they did in movies like Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Cruise, and Cruella.
In the Marvel and Disney+ series, Loki’s director, Kate Herron defended the bisexuality reveal of God of Mischief in its third episode by echoing “From the moment I joined the Loki show it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual. It is a part of who he is and who I am too.” Later, Kate added, “I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in the MCU.”
Loki season 1 is now streaming on Disney+. However, Loki season 2 got its confirmation at the season finale of Loki season 1 (Episode 6) that is again going to star Tom Hiddleston.
