The Night Manager Season 2 Finale Faces Queer Storyline Backlash
The second season of BBC's acclaimed spy thriller The Night Manager concluded this week with a finale that has left many viewers furious and disappointed. Following the dramatic events of the closing episode, audiences have taken to social media to express their anger at what they perceive as a "horrible mishandling of the queer storyline" involving Jonathan Pine and Teddy Dos Santos.
A Devastating Conclusion
In the season 2 finale, which aired nearly a decade after the first season's dramatic climax, Tom Hiddleston's Jonathan Pine watches helplessly as his meticulous plan unravels. The episode culminates in a tense 10-minute showdown in the Colombian forest between Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva) and his father, the notorious arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie).
In a shocking twist, Roper reveals he has been one step ahead of Pine's team all along, resulting in him shooting his own son dead for conspiring against him. "When you were a baby, you had the face of an angel... I forgive your immortal soul, but not your mortal one," Roper tells Teddy before firing the fatal shot.
The Special Connection Between Pine and Teddy
Throughout the second season, Pine and Teddy developed what writer David Farr described as a deep and meaningful connection. Their relationship featured several emotionally charged moments, including a tender pool caress and a steamy dance sequence. While their relationship never progressed physically, Farr confirmed in an exclusive interview with Metro that their bond was genuine and significant.
"I think their love... people have talked a lot about what kind of love it is. Is it homoerotic? I think there is attraction, but I think like in a lot of relationships, it goes in some sense beyond just attraction into something that is about a real, genuine care," Farr explained.
Viewer Outrage Over 'Bury Your Gays' Trope
Fans of the show's compelling chemistry between Pine and Teddy are now raging that another queer love story has come to a premature and brutal end. Many viewers have accused the writers of perpetuating the harmful 'Bury Your Gays' trope, which refers to the tendency in television and film to kill off LGBTQ+ characters unnecessarily and more frequently than their straight counterparts.
On social media platform X, audiences expressed their disappointment and frustration:
- @eIevenriver vented: "#TheNightManager just did the unthinkable... Yes, Jonathan Pine is bi, we'll confirm that Teddy is his lover but no we will not let them kiss, we will kill Teddy like we killed all other queer characters."
- @DavidOpie branded the ending "horrendous" and criticized the "horrible mishandling of the queer storyline."
- @RosalilyBea stated that the finale was "utter tripe" after becoming invested in the full six-episode run.
The 'Bury Your Gays' Phenomenon Explained
The 'Bury Your Gays' trope has been a persistent issue in television and film for decades. This narrative device typically occurs when queer characters are killed off, often when they appear to be "too happy" or in fulfilling relationships. Their deaths are frequently portrayed as unnecessarily brutal or tragic, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about LGBTQ+ characters.
Recent shows that have faced criticism for following this trope include:
- Killing Eve
- The 100
- Supernatural
- Pretty Little Liars
- Game of Thrones
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In his review for Digital Spy, journalist David Opie noted that Teddy's death was "predictable" in continuation of "the archaic laws of TV" in which the "deviant" LGBTQ+ character has to die. "You'd think things might be a little better in 2026, but no," he added.
Contrasting Treatment of Straight and Queer Love Interests
Viewers have noted a stark contrast between how Pine's straight and queer love interests have been treated across the two seasons. In season one, Pine developed a relationship with Roper's girlfriend, Jemima 'Jed' Marshall (Elizabeth Debicki). Despite her involvement in helping Pine infiltrate Roper's illegal affairs, Jed survived the season and fled to America with Pine promising to visit her.
This stands in sharp contrast to Teddy's brutal and fatal ending in season two, leading many to question why queer characters continue to receive such different treatment in mainstream television.
Wasted Potential and Future Implications
Some viewers believe Teddy's death represents wasted potential for character development and storytelling. @_thru_my_nights expressed disappointment that there would have been "so much more to explore" with Teddy's past trauma, beliefs, and his connection with Pine in the upcoming third season.
Writer David Farr has indicated that Pine is now "really lost" following these events, which "opens up a very interesting and challenging space about season three in terms of what that's done to him as a character." Despite the mixed reactions to the season two conclusion, Farr remains hopeful that the ending will "satisfy at least some people."
The Broader Context of LGBTQ+ Representation
This controversy comes at a time when audiences are increasingly vocal about demanding better representation and more nuanced storytelling for LGBTQ+ characters. The backlash against The Night Manager's season two finale reflects growing frustration with television's continued reliance on harmful tropes that have been criticized for decades.
As streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters continue to produce content featuring diverse characters, the pressure is mounting for writers and producers to move beyond stereotypical narratives and provide more authentic, respectful representation of queer relationships and experiences.
The Night Manager seasons 1 and 2 remain available to stream on BBC iPlayer, though the controversy surrounding the season two finale may influence how audiences approach the upcoming third season.
