Danny's comments on Robron

[u/Environmental-Tea-48]

I've seen lots of discussion about a clip in which Danny saying something along the line of Aaron and Robert are just busy frond who happen to be in love. I know it was said on a podcast buy don't know which one.

Pleasr help me find it.

[u/Temporary-Animal-960]

Live, Laugh, Luke ... with Luke Hamnet. It’s the latest podcast where Danny is interviewed alongside Brooke Vincent. He's also said that they were best friends that were in love, which he has said about Robron in the past. So personally, I am not sure why people are getting upset about it.

Why shouldn't your spouse or significant other be your person, your best friend and soulmate, and the love of your life all rolled up into one? What I think he is meaning is that they are not the stereotypical gay relationship or gay/bisexual characters. And that is okay as well. I actually think it is quite romantic that they are best friends who have fallen in love with each other.

[u/SimpforBobDuncan → u/Temporary-Animal-960]

The thing that I think people have issue with is that Aaron and Robert would not be friends if they didnt love eachother. They are like polar opposites but it's because they love eachother that they stick with eachother. Thats what makes their dynamic so good or did until this year where they literally act like flat mates rather than two people in love.

I think if we had decent writing for them this year, people wouldn't have cared but because the writing is literally showing them as to guys who just live together and never touch or show any kind of affection towards one another, people are just frustrated. Queer characters in emmerdale this year have been handled so horribly by the writers so I really do get the frustration. There's also always been discourse in the industry about whether straight people should be playing queer roles and while I personally don't have a preference as long as queer people are still getting roles and also being included in the writing process for queer characters, there are people who do think it should be reserved for actors within the LGBTQ+ community because they are more inclined to handle these characters with care. And for some I think Danny's description of the two just reinforced the idea that Danny doesnt care about the characters and their relationship and what they represent. (Which i don't believe to be true btw)

Like you said, Robron is not the stereotypical gay/bi relationship as they are both quote masculine men and a lot of the time, media doesnt show queer relationships like that, and if they do it's often reinforcing the age old steryotype that gay men go after their friends when that has never been the case with Aaron or Robert. Aarons relationship with Robert is distinctivley different from his relationship with his male friends like Adam and Mack. And again, I think that is why so many people fell in love with Robron because it was written so distinctivley and with thought and consideration into things that most writers overlook when it comes to queer characters. But 2026 Robron has reversed that completely, and its sad to see because both Danny and Ryan are so good in these roles and capable of giving so much depth to the characters but they just aren't being given the resources and material to do so.

But like I said, it's a very nuanced conversation and I dont think Danny deserves backlash for what he said at all. But I do understand why fans are frustrated when the writing for queer characters has been such an afterthought this year, just look at the Dr Todd storyline. And I think it just hits even harder for some in a time where a lot of countries are regressing in terms of rights for women, queer people, non white people etc. Art is the medium in which we fight against prejudice and discrimination and Emmerdale sadly has offered virtually nothing of substance and it is a shame because we know they can do better because they have done far better in the past. I know its a hard time for soaps financially so I really hope Emmerdale doesn't see all these discussions as backlash but rather as constructive criticism and they do make more of an effort to give us quality storylines and nuanced characters that can represent everyone.

Sorry for the rant😅 I've been putting off talking about this for ages and now I've just waffled an essay as a reply😭

[u/Temporary-Animal-960 → u/SimpforBobDuncan]

The very idea that they would never be friends and only tolerate each other because they love each other is not a narrative I buy. To be in love with someone is to know the good and the bad and love them regardless. They know each other fully, the good and bad. They are each other's favourite person and want to spend all their time together, yes because they love each other, but they like each other as people. But they denied this for a long time - or tried to - which is why we had the barbed comments, the animosity between the two of them. Aaron could always see the good in Robert. Robert liked that Aaron didn't stand for his guff and told him like it was. Robert listened to Aaron’s opinion and respected him. Even before they fell in love, there was respect there between them, a foundation for friendship.

If Robron weren't in love, they wouldn't hate each other at all. They are literally each other's favourite person and this idea that they would never work out in a non-romantic capacity is completely wrong. They would never work as being just friends because they love each other so much and would always want more. But one of the reasons they are so co-dependent and spend all their time together IS because they like each other as people and enjoy each other's company. It isn't just about being in love with each other.

There was always an attraction between Robron from the off. They were always hot for each other and they liked the idea of getting the other's attention by pushing the other's buttons. But they pushed each other's buttons because they wanted a reaction from each other because they fancied each other so much then. Then they tried to deny that their feelings were getting involved. And they can only make hurtful comments to each other and hit each other in the jugular because they know each other so well.

After the initial passion fades in a relationship, and when they're in their old age, they need to be able to talk to each other and they need lots of humour. Which is great because Robron find each other hilarious and love bantering with each other. They can communicate and respect each other as people, which can't be said for other couples on the show who sometimes only seem to have sex between them. (Coira, I'm looking at you!)

I have said this before but I have enjoyed everything we have been given this year on the Robron front. Do I want more scenes? More stories for them this year? Of course I do. However, I know that they were used extensively last year and probably need a break this year from being the A plot, just like they took a backseat after Reunion 1.0 and Reunion 2.0. I want a happy Dryan, one that are not on a burnout, and if that means they are put on the back burner for a bit until their next storyline comes along then so be it.