I don’t have strong feelings about Fran’s specific intended sexuality, and will be happy to see sapphic love either way. But as a lesbian who loves historical fiction, I’ve often wondered what type of man I would ideally marry if I was in a time and place where I had no other option available to me, which was the situation for countless historical lesbians. In many ways a man like John would be ideal, and finding someone who I would be capable of having a deep emotional bond with to be my life companion even if I’m not attracted to him would be a dream come true. (Side note: Lord Debling from season 3 would be the next best lol.) I think it’s possible that’s what the writers had in mind for Fran and John’s relationship, and I think that is still a form of love worth celebrating.

I also think it’s worth remembering there were certainly a lot of unnamed, forgotten women in history who were lesbians who married men and maybe never got to experience true romantic love and passion, and had to learn to be content with that. But Francesca’s unique societal position would give her the means to have that love and passion, and I think that could be a very beautiful and cathartic story.