not that I'm cynical or anything

[kindkit]

Apparently the BBC has begun airing a Merlin clone new show called Leonardo, about the adventures of the teenage Leonardo da Vinci.

Now, unlike Merlin and Arthur, Leonardo was a real historical person. And there's plenty in the record to suggest that the real historical Leonardo had sexual and romantic relationships with men, and did not have them with women. He was, to put it briefly and anachronistically, gay.

I would bet actual money, if I had any, that the BBC will not be including this pesky detail on their new teen-oriented cash cow travesty of a historical program. In fact, I suspect they'll be giving Leonardo a girlfriend: it seems the ensemble of Leonardo's pals includes a boy called Tomaso, quickly revealed to be a young women in disguise whose real name is (can you guess?) Lisa.

If someone has actually watched the show and knows, do tell.

Comments

[beccaelizabeth]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/leonardo
It's on CBBC, the kids channel.
There's 'watch' links on that page but they probably only work in the UK.

I thought on the kids channel there was a chance it would be all kid adventures and no romance, but not according to the press release:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/03_march/29/leonardo.shtml
"Leonardo is full of mystery, adventure, comedy and an unfolding love story which invites the audience to venture into the exciting world of history's most dynamic group of teens."

I tried watching it but it hit my *facepalm* limit pretty much just by existing so I gave up.
So I have no idea who the 'unfolding love story' is about.

[kindkit]

it hit my *facepalm* limit pretty much just by existing

Mine too, I think, hence the post of exasperation about a show I've never even seen.

I would be extremely surprised if the "unfolding love story" unfolds anything but heterosexually. Of course I'd be thrilled to be wrong, but . . .

[lemposoi]

Until you mentioned Tomaso/Lisa, I had hoped they might actually keep da Vinci gay, but after that I haven't the slightest hope.

[kindkit]

*nods* Something about that description makes it obvious that she's just there to be Leonardo's girlfriend.

[lemposoi]

It's the genderbending. I can't help but think that the reason for them to do that is to frame it as "he wasn't gay, people just thought he was because he had a girlfriend who crossdressed for social benefits". (Of course for them to frame Tomaso as a trans man is off the table, because trans people exist in teen fantasy television even less than gay people do.)