Rogue’s tragic fate sends the wrong message about queer representation in Doctor Who 

Doctor Who has long carried the reputation of being a show that is constantly evolving with time, always pushing the boundaries of storytelling, diversity, and bringing in inclusivity.

So when the Fifteenth Doctor, portrayed with emotional depth by Ncuti Gatwa found a potential romantic partner in Rogue, it felt like a step forward.

But what looked like a groundbreaking moment quickly became a letdown. Does this ending signal progress or another careless use of the "bury your gays" trope? And why does it matter more than ever?

Queerness interrupted: What happened to Rogue in Doctor Who?

In the sixth episode of the Disney +'s Doctor Who, a character named Rogue arrives on our screens, thought of as a character that might become a central figure in the Doctor's journey.

A bounty hunter with a complicated past and some undeniable chemistry with the Doctor, Rogue shared more than just screen time. He shared space in the Doctor's heart. Their bond was tender, charming, and refreshingly open, something not often explored so freely between two men in Doctor Who's history.

Yet, just as fast as Rogue was seen on screen, he was torn away that quickly too. Sacrificing himself to save Ruby, the Doctor's companion, he was pulled into an alternate dimension with no hope of return.

His last words, "Find me..." screamed with possibility, but the show offered no closure whatsoever. What could have evolved into the show's first genuine queer love story was abruptly cut off. There was no rescue mission, no long-term emotional arc, and ultimately, no final resolution.

Rogue's emotional farewell was met with silence in the following episodes—an omission that felt jarring in a show known for returning to unresolved threads.

A pattern repeating: Why It feels like a step back

Doctor Who has toyed with queer undertones before—think of the ambiguity around the Thirteenth Doctor and Yaz. But those stories stayed mostly suggestive, never fully realized.

Rogue's introduction offered something more direct and heartfelt. Yet the abrupt ending reinforces a troubling pattern. Even with the show's bold, expressive tone this season, the romance was cut short in a way that echoed old tropes, especially the one where queer love stories are only allowed to exist in tragedy or subtext.

Despite the Fifteenth Doctor's emotional openness—he cried, loved, healed, and grew—it feels hollow when he doesn't return for Rogue, not even when shown proof of his suffering.

Doctor Who has built entire storylines around loss and redemption before, so why is this queer arc the one left behind? It wasn't just a matter of screen time it was a matter of weight, significance, and visibility.

When queer love is finally represented clearly and then discarded without resolution, the message becomes murky. It unintentionally suggests that even in a universe of endless possibilities, queer relationships are doomed to be fleeting.

For a show as imaginative as Doctor Who, sidelining its most authentic queer romance feels like a misstep. Rogue's exit wasn't just a plot twist—it was a missed opportunity.

Unless the series chooses to revisit and honour that relationship, the message left behind will continue to feel like the wrong one.

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