This is the cut sections from the EDxBART AskGreg ‘confirmation’(?) post, which you can read here...
See, not only did the restriction affect what could be explored for Bart's development, I'd argue it had a bigger impact on Ed's...
Bart is the more established character, both in the show and in general as a well-known DC hero. Audiences don't necessarily need to know who he’s dating for them to enjoy and connect with him whenever he's on screen. (I mean, who doesn't love Bart?!) Ed, on the other hand, is essentially an original character for YJ. He doesn't have the benefit of wider comics lore to establish a foundation for who he's gonna be in the show; his role in S2 is a pretty small one in the grand scheme of things, and even as a member of the Runaways, I wouldn't say he was the focal character of that group. (I'd say that was either Virgil and/or Tye). For the most part, his is not a name that would stick in the brain after concluding S2.
He's a niche character, and therefore benefits from any and all developments, and connections, the writers choose to give him to deepen the audience’s investment in him… and I just find it sad that his reveal as an LGBTQ+ character had to essentially be censored and relegated to being confirmed on AskGreg, instead of in the actual show - all because higher up didn't want Bart to be seen as gay.
And honestly, the ridiculous thing is, I don't actually think establishing Bart's sexuality has as much, if any, narrative impact on his character. Bart being gay doesn’t really change anything about him (at least not in my eyes). It's an interesting detail which I love, and want to see explored, but ultimately it doesn't make you recontextualise any of his actions throughout the show. For Ed, however, it absolutely does.
While we don’t actually know the context of why Ed originally ran away from his Abuelo's home, it’s hard to overlook the concept that realising his sexuality might have legitimately played a part in his decision to leave the environment he was in, or maybe it wasn’t his decision at all. On top of that, his attitude throughout S2 regarding the Metagene, and his insistence on needing to be “cured” of it, hits way different when considering he was already going through something that might have already led him to feel ostracised within society (going with the assumption that it wasn't a very open-minded, accepting environment he was in). Then there's the conversations he has with the meta teens at the MHYC in S3 about learning to accept himself, which feel much deeper than only being about his metegene.
There's deeper experience inferred within his words from throughout his appearances now, thanks to the introduction of this one piece of development. Even though it is technically all still speculative at the moment, this is what I mean by there being more narrative impact with Eds' reveal than Bart's. And the fact that it couldn't be revealed as intended for him because of issues with a different character, who is less narratively impacted by such information, is really annoying. Ed is a really cool character and deserved his screentime unhindered by senseless restrictions (Bart does too, obviously).
I desperately want to see what uncensored BartxEd looks like in YJ, because I love how relationships are portrayed in Greg's shows. There's always something so wholesome and compelling about them - whether big or small, focal or background. He has a way of knowing how to communicate connections without relying solely on spectacle. From Conner and M’gann to Wendy and Marvin, I'm invested in them all… Though, as we all know, none more than my boys, who I probably spend the majority of my time talking about on here! (I have no regrets, they're worth it.) And the fact of the matter is, Greg and Brandon still did a brilliant job with them, even with the restrictions… So what the heck does unrestricted BartxEd look like?? I wanna know so bad!!
And here’s the thing, Greg has said previously that it was late in the process of making S3 that they got told they couldn’t show the relationship, which means there must be some material that exists portraying it… right? Voice work, storyboards, writing drafts? There's a lot of work that goes into animation, so there's got to be something out there… especially a kiss of some kind, because I stand by the idea that they were supposed to be the one who had the first gay kiss in YJ - and not the utter mess of a moment that was Harper and Violet on that beach (the less we talk about that the better). It just makes more sense! I want there to be a secret stash of cut EdxBart content that will one day get to see the light of day - it would be so great.
Anyway, as usual, I started rambling and could not stop. The point is, it’s nice to see a BartxEd mention from Greg that isn’t hidden within cryptic clues for once! Maybe there’s hope yet…
