The Epic Love Saga of Wynonna Earp: Unveiling the Remarkable Significance of Wayhaught, the TV's Most Revolutionary Relationship

Summary

Wynonna Earp is a supernatural Western horror series with strong female characters and a fresh take on a familiar concept.

The show highlights the important connection between Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught, affectionately called Wayhaught, which is an impressive milestone in LGBTQ+ representation on television. By portraying Wayhaught as a regular and central relationship, Wynonna Earp defies the harmful stereotype of "Bury Your Gays" and instead presents a positive, confident, and thriving gay romance, challenging traditional portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters.

Wynonna Earp is an exhilarating supernatural Western horror series that boasts one of television's most significant relationships, Wayhaught. Drawing inspiration from its eponymous comic book series, Wynonna Earp chronicles the thrilling exploits of Wynonna (played by Melanie Scrofano), the esteemed lawman Wyatt Earp's descendant. On her 27th birthday, Wynonna inherits the extraordinary powers of her family lineage and returns to her hometown, Purgatory, nestled within the majestic Rocky Mountains of the United States. There, she confronts the revenants of those slain by Wyatt Earp while embarking on a personal quest to break her family's curse, which becomes entangled with encounters against various supernatural beings.

In her endeavors, Wynonna forms an alliance with Doc Holliday (portrayed by Tim Rozon), a legendary gunslinger burdened with immortality; Deputy Marshal Xavier Doll (played by Shamier Anderson); Waverly Earp (played by Dominique Provost-Chalkley), her half-sister; and Nicole Haught (played by Katherine Barrell), a Sheriff's Deputy. Together, they bravely combat the macabre creatures residing within the Ghost River Triangle, an enigmatic region encompassing Purgatory. Throughout the series, viewers are treated to an action-packed narrative that intertwines a fresh perspective with familiar themes. However, what truly sets Wynonna Earp apart is its abundance of formidable female characters, whose captivating interactions surpass the spectacle of zombies and ghosts. A standout relationship among fans, known as Wayhaught, serves as a remarkable triumph in terms of representation on television.

Wayhaught Is The Ship Name For Waverly Earp And Nicole Haught

Waverly Earp initially dates Champ but realizes she's tired of her immature boyfriend. Meanwhile, Nicole is openly lesbian. In an episode of Wynonna Earp season 1, Nicole asks Waverly out for coffee, but Waverly declines. As the first season progresses, Waverly develops feelings for Nicole and eventually kisses her, confirming her desires and marking the start of their relationship. In season 2, Waverly gets possessed by the Mictian, causing Nicole to question their relationship until Waverly is freed from the demon.

Over time, Waverly and Nicole grow closer, and at the end of Wynonna Earp season 3, Waverly proposes to Nicole. However, the season concludes before Nicole gives her answer. After being trapped in separate dimensions, Waverly and Nicole finally reunite at the beginning of season 4, only to discover that over a year has passed. It takes some time for them to adjust, but throughout the final season, they emerge stronger than ever. Finally, in the last episode, they celebrate their marriage.

The Earp family curse means the sisters have never been able to live a normal life, but Waverly’s romantic relationship with Nicole illustrates that they can discover happiness and true love if they actively pursue it. Devoted fans of Wynonna Earp have fervently supported the pairing of Waverly and Nicole since their initial meeting, and the wedding celebration depicted in the finale serves as a significant acknowledgment from the show to its loyal viewers, granting them the long-awaited celebration they have eagerly anticipated.

Wynonna Earp Showrunner Wanted To Avoid The "Bury Your Gays" Trope With Wayhaught

The presence of LBTQ+ relationships in television and film has been increasing over the years, but what sets Wynonna Earp and Wayhaught apart is their departure from the harmful "Bury Your Gays" trope. Unlike other supposedly progressive shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where LGBT+ characters are often killed off early on, Wynonna Earp goes further by portraying Wayhaught as a normal and central relationship in the series, just like the heterosexual relationship between Wynonna and Doc.

Emphasizing this point, showrunner Emily Andras stated, "It is crucial for us to be conscious of these clichés, particularly the harmful ‘bury your gays’ trope. As writers, we should push ourselves to create queer characters who are intriguing and multi-dimensional." Although Wynonna Earp primarily revolves around sisters battling demons, it also takes the opportunity to portray a positive and empowered gay relationship through Wayhaught. Undoubtedly, this has paved the way for future representation.