"Pink-tinted glasses": looking and affirmation in .

This article examines how the 2019 period drama generates its affirmative project of lesbian televisual representation. turns negative realities of gender and sexuality nonconformity in the nineteenth century to productive, affirmative use through what we view as a highly effective strategy of visually engaging viewers as witnesses to and coconspirators in Lister's journey through Lister's fourth wall breaks and the camera's prioritization of her perspective. We analyze 's various overlooked characters and reinscribed power hierarchies, which we argue results from both prioritizing Lister's perspective and fans' tendencies to view Lister through "pink-tinted glasses" as a result of cathexis with Lister.