We *finally* have a release date, but are we ready?
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY BBC STUDIOS/JAMES PARDON
LGBTQI screen buffs, I think we’re all in agreement that April is a blessed month for queer television. First, Heartstopper’s premiere date of 22 April was announced, this week Gentleman Jack fans found out we’ll be reunited with the two Ann(e)s on 10 April and now, after months of suspense, the Easter special of Doctor Who has been confirmed. We’ll get to see what’s next for Thasmin on 17 April.
Doctor Who fans had long been speculating that Yasmin “Yaz” (Mandip Gill) and the 13th Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) had feelings for each other and so their ship name Thasmin (Thirteen + Yasmin) was born. But on 1 January, the show started 2022 in a sapphic way with the episode Eve Of The Daleks. Within the episode, Dan (who became the voice for the Thasmin shippers watching) asked Yaz whether she’d ever told the Doctor about her feelings. Which led to a beautiful moment of Yaz coming to terms with her sexuality in a way that resonated with many viewers.
I think that was the most important scene of the episode. It’s not easy for everyone to say “oh yeah I’m gay”, it’s often harder to admit to yourself than to tell people. And I’m sure this scene will mean a lot to many young people who watch Doctor Who #doctorwho pic.twitter.com/lgGiUBOZmk
— ece | thasmin is canon (@raggedymangn) January 1, 2022
Later Dan prompts Yaz to confess her feelings and even tells the Doctor how she feels. The 13th Doctor seemingly doesn’t understand the clear message but is later found gazing at Yaz in a way that makes us all hope that she feels the same way for Yaz.
thasmin – doctor who pic.twitter.com/q55gtPIt4M
— for the sapphics (@FORSAPPHlCS) January 1, 2022
The Easter special titled Legend Of The Sea Devils is highly anticipated and if Eve Of The Daleks is anything to go by, I’m sure Doctor Who will once again break the internet. Whilst Thasmin shippers are eager to see how the show explores these two women’s relationship, it’s bittersweet. Legend Of The Sea Devils will be Jodie’s penultimate episode as the Doctor before she steps down from the role and the character regenerates. Our hearts are so not ready.
the inevitability that thasmin won’t get their happy ending pic.twitter.com/nOuL5sBLrU
— eddie 💙💙 | toh/amphibia spoilers (@catrabeloved) March 28, 2022
In Legend Of The Sea Devils, the Doctor, Yaz and Dan will find themselves in 19th century China. A small coastal village is under threat. There will be a fearsome pirate queen as well as a monstrous alien force. Will the Doctor have time to explore her feelings for Yaz amidst this high stakes battle to save the planet? We hope so.
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