Was Lister really homophobic?

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

For some reason I was thinking today of Series 7, for no particular reason, and alighted on Lister's bad reaction in "Duct Soup" to Kochanski talking about her dimension's Dave being gay. I've seen this brought up in discussions elsewhere, basically taking Lister (and Doug of course) to task for turning an otherwise tolerant and accepting character into a -phobe of some sort.

I feel like there's a far simpler explanation for why Lister reacted this way, that doesn't make him look like a bad person as some have indicated, who've said their opinion of him was lowered as a result of this episode. Perhaps the one most fanboys and others might accept is that he's afraid Kochanski will get the idea he's NOT interested in her, and never respond to his advances or take them seriously - so instead of just saying he's not and leaving it at that, he, like so many men before and since, overreacts, thinking this answers the question without any Unfortunate Implications to Their Character.

HOWEVER ... I think for our purposes and even within canon, there's a better explanation (I just kind of wish we didn't have to wait another episode to get to it, because as a standalone episode, it kind of makes him look bad). "Blue" immediately follows this episode; Lister spends the whole time moping over Rimmer. And as we know, it isn't the moping of missing a best friend - it's deliberately played as being a possibility of more than simply "missing a buddy." Lister is seemingly bothered by the implication he could find Rimmer attractive; my guess is this and "Duct Soup" are meant to be linked by the common thread of Lister worrying over this one thing, and not necessarily meant to show he's a homophobic man. Am I just stating the obvious, or has anyone else not considered this about "Duct Soup" before now, either?

Comments

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

(Disclaimer to any passing slashphobes, who shouldn't be here if it offends them, but what the hell. This is a theory for fun, nothing more, nothing less.)

I have seen this theory put forward before and I like it, because Lister's character is so laid back and egalitarian that for me it's the only way to make sense of his reaction. I'd add a personal bit of fanon - maybe he's already having vague dreams about Rimmer in "Duct Soup" but doesn't remember them properly, hence his shocked reaction to his dream in "Blue".

"Duct Soup" begins rather memorably with a topless, sweaty Lister trying to sleep and failing miserably. Maybe that's not just down to the heat? Logically enough, he takes a shower but perhaps he needs to cool off in more ways than one? ;)

This sexual frustration theory is borne out by the fact that the next time we see him, he's in the laundry room watching KK's underwear. His next act is to run her a bath. I'm sure his motives are partly kindness, but perhaps somewhere in his subconscious he's trying a bit too hard to redirect his sexual interest. Or if you prefer, having someone around he finds attractive and can openly acknowledge as such (Kochanski) has boosted his libido to such an extent that it's stirred the latent attraction to Rimmer buried deep in his subconscious.

I'm not sure if that makes sense. Just off the top of my head. ;)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I guess I feel if you're a slash-phobe, you probably wouldn't/shouldn't be here anyway. So I don't worry about them. :-)

In all honesty, I think Lister would be happy as a pig in muck if both Kochanski and Rimmer agreed to make themselves available for a triangular relationship (i.e., not with each other, but each with him). I have no problem seeing him as bisexual, and as having the ability to love both of them sexually and otherwise. But in "Duct Soup" he definitely doesn't seem able to accept that (yet?).

Oh well. If we didn't read into canon and subvert it, we wouldn't exist here, LOL.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I can definitely see an R/L/K OT3. I have no interest in writing that, but I'd read it if someone else did. ;)

MissFlibble wrote a fic which came close to that. Angsty but great. :)