Doctor Who and It’s a Sin creator Russell T Davies unhappy with Loki’s ‘pathetic and feeble’ coming out scene

Russel T. Davies didn’t like Loki’s coming out scene

Former Doctor Who showrunner Russel T. Davies has hit out at Disney Plus series Loki for its ‘pathetic and feeble’ coming out scene.

In episode three of the Marvel series, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has just escaped the TVA with Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) aka Lady Loki, a female version of himself from a different timeline.

The two head to the planet Lamentis, where during a train ride they get to chat about what makes them different and the ways they are alike. In a moment heralded by fans online, the titular character reveals he is bisexual.

After Loki quizzes Sylvie about her love life, she asks him: ‘How about you? You’re a prince. Must’ve been would-be-princesses or perhaps, another prince.’

‘A bit of both,’ replies Loki, implying he has had both male and female partners in the past. ‘I suspect the same as you,’ he adds since he and Sylvie would probably share this detail of their lives.

While many fans embraced the moment as Marvel introducing the first openly queer character in the MCU and embracing Loki’s sexuality how it was laid out in the comics, others criticised Disney for only hinting at Loki’s sexuality and not openly speaking about it or show him acting on it.

The show also confirmed that Sylvie is bisexual too (Picture: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Among the detractors is Davies, who has been responsible for bringing acclaimed gay dramas Queer As Folk and It’s A Sin to television screens and for introducing gay and bisexual characters into Doctor Who during his time as showrunner as well as casting LGBTQ+ actors.

He was far from impressed with the limited screen time the coming-out scene got since it represented such a momentous achievement for Marvel.

During a Q&A about LGBTQ+ representation with Swansea University, he commented: ‘I think huge, clanging warning bells are ringing as the giants rise up with Netflix and Disney+ especially.

‘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.” It’s like one word. He said the word “prince,” and we’re meant to go, “Thank you, Disney! Aren’t you marvelous?”

‘It’s pathetic. It’s a ridiculous, craven, feeble gesture towards the vital politics and the stories that should be told,’ he fumed.

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When the scene first aired, series director Kate Herron took to Twitter and said she was proud to have been able to bring this moment to screen, even if it was just a small step.

‘From the moment I joined Loki 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. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now canon in MCU”

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