Pushing Daisies appeared on Prime, so you bet I jumped on rewatching it soon as I saw it.
I've seen a few deep dives for how it's an inherently only not blatantly queer story, with the having to love someone at a distance, not being able to touch the one you want to for fear of their actual life, the yearning and trying to explain to others and just not having a conventional romantic relationship.
I want to add a little thing that I, at least, haven't seen before:
Ep 8 in season 1 has the polygamist dog breeder, and Chuck starting to think that a poly relationship might be the best way for both her, but seemingly mostly Ned, to both be with each other and be fulfilled in way of physical affection. To lessen the risk of their love and care and affection getting strained and frustrated and eventually breaking apart.
And that is so accurate to how I, asexual and inherently monogamusly inclined, have aimed to bargain with myself, to make a romantic relationship with me easier to stomach. For the other person, should they not be ace too. Preparing to see myself as not anough, if physical intimacy of the sort they'd want isn't part of my package.
The episode ends with a lil speach from Ned that there are many things we Want each day, but far from all of them are neccessary for us to be Happy in life. The mening being that whilst he does want to touch and kiss (and fuck) her, he can't, and all of that is less important to his happieness than just sharing his days with her.
And this part really got to me as, like, the ideal mindset for a romantic partner. One of the most romantic and caring things they could say - and of course hopefully also mean, to the best of their self-knowledge.
It just felt so lovingly ace, and idealisticly-ish ace. To be enough, to be loved, to be wanted. Despite hugs, kisses, sex, holding hands, or even sharing a bed, not being part of the dynamic.
(and although I see this though an ace lens, it also feels applicable to QPR's & aro relationships & closeted, hidden queerness. But I can best talk about it as ace)
