20 TV Seasons That Fixed Their Queer-Baiting Problem Overnight

Television audiences often endure seasons of lingering glances and ambiguous subtext before showrunners decide to make a queer relationship official. The term queer-baiting describes the practice of hinting at same-sex romance to attract viewers without ever delivering on the promise. Some series eventually pivot from these teasing dynamics to providing explicit textual confirmation of LGBTQ+ identities or relationships. This shift can happen suddenly in a single season that recontextualizes previous interactions and satisfies the long-held hopes of the fanbase.

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023) – Season 2

Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz began interacting in the second season amidst gang rivalries and high school drama. Their relationship quickly evolved from tentative friendship to romance when Toni rescued Cheryl from a conversion therapy center. The two shared an on-screen kiss that launched a long-running relationship known to fans as Choni. This plotline explicitly confirmed Cheryl’s sexuality after a season of ambiguous characterization.

‘Shadowhunters’ (2016–2019) – Season 1

Alec Lightwood struggled with his duty to his family and his hidden sexuality during the early episodes of the series. His connection with the warlock Magnus Bane created immediate sparks that challenged his arranged marriage plans. The first season climaxed with Alec grabbing Magnus and kissing him in front of his family and the Clave. This public act of defiance instantly resolved the tension and established their relationship as canon.

‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ (1995–2001) – Season 6

Xena and Gabrielle shared a profound bond that transcended friendship throughout their travels in the ancient world. The series finale finally confirmed the romantic nature of their connection when they exchanged a water transfer kiss. This moment allowed Xena to pass her spirit into Gabrielle so they could remain together forever. It served as the ultimate validation for fans who had read between the lines for years.

‘Glee’ (2009–2015) – Season 2

Santana Lopez and Brittany Pierce started as background cheerleaders who often made jokes about sleeping together. The show began to treat their relationship seriously in the second season as Santana struggled to accept her love for her best friend. Their journey moved from punchlines to a heartfelt exploration of lesbian identity and teenage romance. This transition validated the early subtext and resulted in one of the show’s most enduring couples.

‘The Magicians’ (2015–2020) – Season 3

Quentin Coldwater and Eliot Waugh were thrown into a timeline where they lived an entire lifetime together in a magical realm. The episode titled “A Life in the Day” showed them raising a child and growing old as partners who loved each other deeply. This storyline confirmed that the chemistry between the two characters was romantic and reciprocated. It provided a canonical basis for their bond that rippled through the rest of the series.

‘The 100’ (2014–2020) – Season 3

Clarke Griffin and Commander Lexa shared a tense alliance that fans frequently read as having romantic potential. The third season validated this interpretation when the two leaders found a moment of peace to consummate their relationship. This physical confirmation of their feelings occurred shortly before a major turning point in the plot. It established Clarke as a bisexual protagonist within the narrative framework of the show.

‘Teen Wolf’ (2011–2017) – Season 6

Jackson Whittemore was originally presented as a stereotypical jock with a beauty queen girlfriend before leaving the show. He returned in the final season with a male partner named Ethan and confirmed his attraction to men. This return addressed the long-standing speculation about the character’s identity and past behaviors. It served as a late-series correction that expanded the queer representation within the main cast.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018) – Season 5

The show often hinted at LGBTQ+ themes but took several years to introduce a canon queer couple among its fairy tale cast. Ruby Lucas and Dorothy Gale met in the Underworld and quickly developed a strong connection during their adventure. Their storyline concluded with a true love’s kiss that woke Dorothy from a sleeping curse. This moment marked the first time the franchise explicitly featured a same-sex romance as the solution to a magical problem.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019) – Season 3

Oswald Cobblepot and Edward Nygma shared a villainous partnership that fans frequently interpreted as romantic. The third season made these feelings text when Oswald planned a dinner to confess his love to Edward. Although the relationship was fraught with tragedy and betrayal this confession confirmed Oswald’s romantic intent. It validated the chemistry between the Penguin and the Riddler as something deeper than just crime.

‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’ (2018–2020) – Season 5

Adora and Catra spent the majority of the series as enemies on opposite sides of a war. The final season brought their complex emotional conflict to a head during the climactic battle to save the universe. Catra confessed her love for Adora and their subsequent kiss saved She-Ra and restored magic to the world. This explicit romantic resolution paid off seasons of tension and narrative parallels between the two characters.

‘9-1-1’ (2018–Present) – Season 7

Evan Buckley spent several seasons exploring his identity and relationships while fans speculated about his sexuality. The seventh season took a direct approach when Buck realized his attraction to another man named Tommy during a seemingly platonic hang. He acted on these feelings with a kiss that officially confirmed his bisexuality to the audience. This storyline addressed years of viewer interpretation regarding his chemistry with male characters.

‘Good Omens’ (2019–Present) – Season 2

The relationship between Aziraphale and Crowley operated on heavy subtext for decades of book lore and the first season of the show. The second season finale shattered this ambiguity when Crowley confessed his feelings and kissed the angel before they parted ways. This moment confirmed the romantic nature of their six thousand years of shared history. It moved the dynamic from interpretation to undeniable canon in the show’s narrative.

‘Killing Eve’ (2018–2022) – Season 4

Eve Polastri and Villanelle engaged in a dangerous game of cat and mouse that was charged with mutual fascination. The final season saw the two women finally act on their tension by embarking on a road trip together. They shared intimate moments and a kiss that confirmed the romantic nature of their obsession before the series concluded. This shift moved their dynamic from subtextual longing to an acknowledged relationship.

‘Black Sails’ (2014–2017) – Season 2

Captain Flint was introduced as a ruthless pirate leader with mysterious motivations driving his quest for the Urca gold. The second season revealed through flashbacks that his crusade was actually driven by the loss of his male lover Thomas Hamilton. This revelation recontextualized his entire character arc and removed the ambiguity surrounding his past. It established his queerness as the central catalyst for the events of the entire series.

‘The Legend of Korra’ (2012–2014) – Season 4

Viewers watched Korra and Asami develop a close friendship after initially competing for the same guy. The series finale ended with the two women holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes as they entered the Spirit World together. Creators later confirmed this scene was intended to depict the beginning of a romantic relationship between the two leads. This moment became a groundbreaking shift for LGBTQ+ representation in Western children’s animation.

‘Harley Quinn’ (2019–Present) – Season 2

Harley and Poison Ivy started the series as best friends with a dynamic that mirrored their ambiguous comic book history. The second season culminated in the two villains admitting their feelings for one another while running from the law. They shared a kiss at a wedding that officially transitioned their friendship into a romantic partnership. This development cemented them as the show’s primary power couple moving forward.

‘Supernatural’ (2005–2020) – Season 15

Castiel and Dean Winchester shared a profound bond that spanned over a decade of hunting monsters together. In the final season the angel Castiel sacrificed himself to the Empty after confessing his true love to Dean. This declaration contextualized twelve years of devotion and self-sacrifice as romantic rather than purely platonic. The scene provided a definitive answer to questions about Castiel’s motivations throughout his time on Earth.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) – Season 5

Root and Shaw shared a dynamic filled with flirtatious banter and undeniable tension amidst their espionage missions. The final season confirmed the romantic nature of their bond when Root expressed her love and the Machine chose Root’s voice as its avatar. Shaw later admitted that Root was the only person who made her feel safe. This solidified their connection as the emotional core of the show’s later years.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015) – Season 3

The intense bond between Will Graham and the titular character often blurred the lines between obsession and romance. In the series finale the text became explicit when Hannibal Lecter discussed whether Will could ache for him. The two men shared a bloody embrace on a cliffside that solidified their connection as a form of love. Showrunner Bryan Fuller confirmed that this intimacy was designed to acknowledge the romantic underpinnings of their dynamic.

‘Adventure Time’ (2010–2018) – Season 10

Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen shared a history that hinted at a past romance throughout the show’s run. The series finale confirmed these suspicions when the two characters shared a kiss during the final confrontation against GOLB. This moment validated years of fan theories regarding their relationship and the nature of their past fallout. Later specials would go on to explore their domestic life together in even greater detail.

Leave a comment below to tell us which of these canon reveals surprised you the most.