An unpopular opinion: Teddy isn't gay, he's asexual.
Homo- or biromantic, sure. But, effectively, ace (not sure whether he's genuinely asexual because that's how he was born or just traumatized beyond being able to desire sexual intimacy - these two situations are very different in principle, but I am talking about the final outcome here).
I mean. Roxy says it directly: he's not with anyone in that way. Teddy's actor in his interviews (incredibly deep and interesting, by the way), more or less hints that in his view, Teddy had tough time growing up and haven't had an opportunity to develop a healthy sexuality. But what's more (and what everyone, everyone misses) - in that tango scene, Jonathan moves his hand behind to cup Teddy's ass, and Teddy reaches for his hand and moves it up. Go look at it. He moves Jonathan's hand up, to his waist.
Everyone wants that wound tending scene to end up in a kiss but that would be wrong. There is attraction, strong, mutual, electric, but there is no way for Teddy to act on it, and Jonathan reads it off him and doesn't press further. There is no kiss because there can be no kiss, Teddy's not there for it and even if he had time, it is possible that he'd never got there.
Which, by the way, doesn't make that plotline any less meaningful and painful. The feelings are there, the desire, hurt, guilt, gratitude, despair are all there. But it's so much more complicated and hopeless than simple "gay villain redemption and protagonist's bisexual awekening". So much more beautiful.
Tags by @sailorsally:
I posted something (here) after watching ep 3 and had also brought up asexuality as an option. (Though I stated that I doubted it was the case here, because it never is on mainstream tv...)
I think ace teddy is definitely a doable reading. 💜 I picked up early on that he's a very sensual person, and wondered if perhaps that could be his preferred way to physically connect with people. There's lots of ways to be intimate with someone after all. I got the feeling it's why he and Roxy connected so well, she could easily reciprocate physical affection as a friend, especially through dance, without it being sexual.
I'm also reminded of THIS scene where Teddy and Roxy recount how they met and became business partners. I suspected this wasn't far from the truth actually, and they probably did hit it off initially through dance.
As an ace person myself, things like cupping one's face, stroking the hair, forehead touching, hugs, or a fond affectionate glance, can be extremely meaningful and special for me. 🥰
All valid points, also in your posts you refer. I think that in Teddy's case we are probably talking about trauma-enduced abstinence, maybe backed up by catholic guilt (although I don't think it's the main driver - after all, Teddy's not an idiot and with his many, many sins he knows he's burning in hell anyway).
But here's the thing: if at least two ace viewers got a feeling that Teddy can be an ace, I think it was coded there somewhere. You're right that ace-spectrum is rarely on the screen, but trauma-induced abstinence is easier to understand to most people, so it's not out if the realm of possibility. And Diego obv considered it
