Houston, we’ve got a lesbian!!!

By ana on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 16:55

Nearly four years ago, I remember being in shock one night when a couple of beautiful women kissed each other on prime time Spanish TV. I remember every single detail. I was still living with my parents. I had gone to the kitchen to fetch some water. My father was there watching one of the most popular TVs series in Spain, a TV series I have to admit I had never been much interested in.

Our TV was placed on top of the fridge. As I opened the door to get some water, my eyes just got stuck on those gorgeous ladies who were kissing each other as if no one else were watching. In fact, over 8 million Spanish people were looking at them, some of them in awe, some in delight, some with fury... I had to pinch myself twice to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. That kiss left nobody indifferent.

The TV series was called Hospital Central, one of the most veteran series in Spain, already in its 8th season back then. Against all the odds, after “the kiss” the series’ audience rocketed. I don’t think it is an exaggeration at all to say that the subsequent love relationship between Maca (a pediatrician) and Esther (the hospital’s head nurse) became a favorite for LGTB and heterosexual viewers alike.

Maca was promoted and became one of the leading characters; the lesbian subplot was largely developed by the scriptwriters. It became the most visited thread on internet forums, and fans went as far as requesting a Maca-Esther spin-off. 

What that kiss meant to me and to many other Spanish lesbians is something that goes beyond words. Personally, I felt as if I had come into existence. I felt accepted. The whole country was watching the lesbian story and liking it. I, the lesbian in me, was welcomed by society, the same society that had persecuted, imprisoned, criticized, rejected, ignored, and marginalized lesbian women for centuries. That kiss stood for a visible change [in society, editor’s note].

Yesterday, Hospital Central began its 15th season. Maca and Esther’s relationship is still pivotal. They are still one of the key, most popular characters. Their love story has undergone all sorts of troubles: doubts, accidents, three pregnancies (!), and more recently a love triangle that put an end to Maca and Esther’s marriage. Maca had a love affair with Vero (a psychiatrist) during the 14th season.

It is amazing what they’ve been through. For me it is striking that their relationship has been treated just like any other heterosexual relation in the series. I can’t believe that they still have the audience’s love and attention. I have to confess that I was one of many who initially placed a bet they wouldn’t last for half a season on prime time TV.

But now... now.... Houston, we’ve got THREE lesbians... that is... we have a problem! A huge one!

Let me recap. Maca and Esther fell in love, they got married, they have three kids. Then they had a crisis. Maca had an affair with Vero. Then Maca started having doubts. Maca and Vero split up. And now? Where do we go from here?  Will Maca and Esther get back together again in a boring, endless vicious circle? What happens with Vero then? Will her character be expelled from the series or will she find a new (guess what) lesbian love? And what if Maca and Esther don’t get back together (which would, by the way, be the most realistic development, wouldn’t it)? Will the scriptwriters introduce other lesbian characters for them to date with?