Out of curiosity, how was "Rejoined" able to happen when there were mandates from above not allowing same-sex relationships in the show? Was it because it was promised as a one-off thing with a guest character rather than an ongoing thing with major and recurring characters? I know there was a trend in the 90s of "lesbian" episodes for sweeps week but "Rejoined" doesn't feel like that, it feels very genuine and respectful. i was very surprised (in a good way)! when I first saw it. So thank you
I didn't write on "Rejoined" and the studio negotiations for it were above my pay grade, but my understanding is that, yes, they only let us do it because we promised it would be a one-off thing with a guest character who'd never return and that it would be treated seriously, not exploitatively.
As far as the handling is concerned, all credit to René and Ron, who wrote it, and Avery, who directed it.
Omg second watch through as an adult, less than 10 minutes into the episode and even for now it holds up but for the time it would have been revolutionary. Where I'm from being gay had only stopped being illigal for less than a year when this episode came out. Star trek deep space nine i really do love you. Just this conversation between kira and julian is insane, in the best possible way. Touching on queer - trans and gay rights in such a sci fi way
I'm rewatching my fave ds9s and I'm at rejoined and this is gonna be a senseless ramble but OH. MY. there are woman. Kissing???!!? I forgot how much I loved this episode dude. Even putting aside the meta of how this has the first same sex kiss in star trek and the even further queer/trans coding of the episode, this is such a tragic story. And it's a real one. You dont need to be an alien to be forced away from your saphic lover cause of a social taboo. I'm crying, you're crying, jadzias crying, I bet lenoras crying on that ship, nobody is safe LET THEM BE HAPPY LOOK HOW HAPPY THEY ARE TOGETHER
What I knew: I knew I was queer, had since I was four years old.
What I saw: A trans person! Who wasn’t a psychotic criminal! who had a lover of the same current gender. And her friends were fine with both of these things!! They loved her anyway!! On tv!!!! On my favourite Star Trek show, with the character I understood the most. I’d never seen that before!! I’d never seen someone talk about gender so fluidly as Jadzia. I’d always felt represented by Dax, but seeing her wlw relationship accepted by everyone around her blew my mind. Many things clicked into place for me the night of 30 October 1995. I cried. Teenager me was in puddles. Adult me puddles every time.
Director: Avery Brooks
Writers: Ronald D. Moore, René Echevarria
Story by: René Echevarria
Thank you for that moment, DS9. You made me felt seen for the first time, possibly ever.