I agree that two men kissing would’ve been far more controversial, but two women kissing was still definitely political in the 90s. I’ve read stuff from Deep Space 9 writers saying that the ability to have scenes like this is one of the reasons why they love sci-fi as a genre, because it allows you to explore things that would otherwise be difficult to depict, and explore themes in a more accessible way.
I think they also said that they had to work hard to make it clear that whilst the taboo depicted in the episode was obviously allegorical for homosexuality, that in order for this to work, they needed to make it clear within the text of the episode that from the characters’ perspective, the taboo was around intimacy with a partner from a past life, not homosexuality.
I agree that two men kissing would’ve been far more controversial, but two women kissing was still definitely political in the 90s. I’ve read stuff from Deep Space 9 writers saying that the ability to have scenes like this is one of the reasons why they love sci-fi as a genre, because it allows you to explore things that would otherwise be difficult to depict, and explore themes in a more accessible way.
I think they also said that they had to work hard to make it clear that whilst the taboo depicted in the episode was obviously allegorical for homosexuality, that in order for this to work, they needed to make it clear within the text of the episode that from the characters’ perspective, the taboo was around intimacy with a partner from a past life, not homosexuality.