Lioness season 3 episode 2 has already revealed my biggest issue with how LGBT+ women are portrayed on TV is true even using Taylor Sheridan's 'exceptional' female characters

Date:
Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Description:
It's widely known that Taylor Sheridan is adept at writing incredible female characters. But if Lioness season 3 episode 2 is anything to go by, its LGBT+ women are being let down in one key way.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Disclaimer Spoilers for Lioness season 3 episode 2 ahead. Two things can be true at once, and I believe both that Lioness is the weakest TV show in Taylor Sheridan's Paramount+ roster, and that season 3 is its strongest outing yet.

Perhaps it's subjective, but Sheridan seems to thrive much more boldly and openly when he's working with cowboys, a land dispute, and the Wild West. But regardless of what I've been watching, I've been continuously in awe of just how well Sheridan writes his female characters. From Stacy (Michelle
Pfeiffer) in The Madison and Beth (Kelly Reilly) in Yellowstone and Dutton Ranch to Joe (Zoe Saldaa) in Lioness , Sheridan's women are armed with
shrewd, fulfilling dialogue, substantial storylines and well-reasoned next steps. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Until now, that is. For the first time ever, I've been left disappointed by Sheridan's treatment of his female characters though this time, it's women who identify as LGBTQ+.

After Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) is called away to retrieve a potential
hostage in Ukraine, she finally reunites with new love interest Josephina (Genesis Rodriguez) in Lioness season 3 episode 2. You may like Lioness
season 3 review: Taylor Sheridan is still the real action star, but things
are more brutal Lioness season 3 drops first full trailer ahead of August 2 release date Rivals season 2 episode 6 shock death proves LGBT TV tropes are alive and well

But it's a reunion that left me with a sour taste and a simple question on my lips: why are LGBTQ+ women never allowed to enjoy a single moment of
pleasure? Lioness season 3 episode 2 highlights a fictional pleasure problem with TV's LGBTQ+ women (Image credit: Paramount+) Cruz arrives home to Josephina wearing nothing but a bow wrapped around her midriff. So far, so hot. The pair soon enjoy a bath together, but just as things take a more passionate turn, Cruz's phone rings, calling her back to work with the FBI after undercover Russian operatives raid Joe's house. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The pair are visibly frustrated by the interruption, and have clearly not shared any quality time for some time prior to season 3 beginning. To the untrained eye, you can chalk all of this up to the ebbs and flows of unpredictable military life but I think the way that this scene is presented stems from a much bigger problem.

There's no doubting that this is a problem for real military soldiers, but
I'd bet any money that an emergency work call wouldn't have happened so quickly (the Lionesses are an extra special team, after all). Instead, Sheridan is apparently choosing the time-honored TV tradition of purposefully ensuring that an LGBTQ+ relationship is disrupted.

This doesn't happen quite so often with men, as most Russell T Davies dramas will tell you, but LGBTQ+ women are a much more frequent casualty. Typically, the separation is more overt, killing off one partner in the blink of an eye (much like in The 100 or Last Tango in Halifax ).

Here, we're presented with an unusual grey spot. Our two lovebirds can be together ideologically, yet are being denied the pleasure of romance itself
by being kept at arm 's length. There's something really cruel about this,
and I can't help but wonder if Sheridan was aware of his unconscious bias while writing.

If Cruz and Josephina's relationship unravels over the course of Lioness season 3, I won't be surprised. With Joe's life so fatally on the line, the well-being of everyone else is always going to come in second place, and what's a more vulnerable place than flying under the radar? Today's best Paramount Plus deals Paramount Plus Premium - Monthly $12.99 /mth View at Paramount+ Paramount Plus Premium - Yearly $119.99 /year View at Paramount+ Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/streaming/paramount-plus/lioness-season-3-episode-2- reaction


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)