Welcome to Queerty’s Looking Back 2017, an ongoing series featuring the best and brightest in queer entertainment that you may or may not have missed. Check back with us every day until New Years 2018 for a spotlight on all things entertaining magnificently queer.
Cutest Couple: Hugh & Paul, Star Trek: Discovery
In 2017, the future suddenly looked a whole lot gayer. And it was about damn time.
Star Trek had long provided an idealized vision of the future, one where race, gender, religion or nationality, but one from which queer folk had gone mysteriously absent. Fans, none the less, overlooked the omission, hoping that the producers were not trying to make some comment about a future devoid of gayness.
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2017 finally corrected the issue, by debuting Paul Staments, the caustic ship’s chief engineer, and Dr. Hugh Culber, chief medical officer of the Discovery. As played by Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz, respectively, Hugh and Paul mark the first out-gay characters in Trek canon. Sorry, but Sulu’s awkward “gay” hug in Star Trek Beyond does not count.
Related: It’s the first gay kiss in ‘Star Trek’ history, y’all!
Unlike the gay hug, which seemed forced and ambiguous so as to both please queer fans feeling left out of Trek’s utopia, yet not offend any homophobes in the audience, Hugh and Paul have one of the most adorable relationships on television. The tender Hugh helps soften the bitchy demeanor of Paul, and when Paul gives some romantic advice to another crew member, the light in Rapp’s eyes says more than any d
ialgoue ever could.
Oh, and the scene of the two brushing their teeth together ranks as one of the most adorable, and ironically sexy scenes in the history of Star Trek.
Star Trek: Discovery has finally boldly gone where no Trek had gone before…and the show is all the better for it. We can’t wait to see more of the irresistible chemistry between Rapp and Cruz in future Discovery adventures next year.
Star Trek: Discovery streams on CBS All Access.
Frank
GREAT SERIES thus far and even better on screen interactions
Vince
I just found it a week ago. I’m so pissed that they took it off till January 7th. That’s just enough to wet your appetite.
I love how they’re exploring the Klingon’s instead of just making them one sided. That and not being afraid to show gay characters as well. It really was Gene Roddenberry’s goal back in the day.
It really is the best ST series.
Vince
Although Kathryn Janeway will always be my favorite Captain.
robert.jennifer
I never believed in Love Spells or Magics until I met this special spell caster when i contacted this man called .Dr akhere.He is really powerful.
you can reach him here… [email protected]
Josh447
Love Rapp in this character. I wasn’t sure I was going to like him after seeing him in his first episode. He was such a whiney little beeyach. But he did eventually melt my heart and I’m really honored to have this couple represent the gay community world wide with their charactors. They both really sparkle.
Vince
He already melted my heart by taking down that gross pedo Kevin Spacey. Lol
Paco
Love! Love! Love! this show. The second part of season one starts this Sunday, January 7th.
robert.jennifer
I never believed in Love Spells or Magics until I met this special spell caster when i contacted this man called .Dr akhere.He is really powerful.
you can reach him here… [email protected]
ChrisK
Wow. Sounds like this “Dr” really fu*cked you hard. I’ll bet you felt his big magic. Hot but this isn’t a sex site hon.
Knight
I could have done without the Asian chick at the beginning of the series (and why do all the women have men’s names???) I did like the tie-in with Spok’s childhood and father in this story-line. And the special effects are pretty awesome. Overall, I’d say this ranks above Voyager and Enterprise, but below TNG and DS9.