As a transwoman myself, I love this episode. Some of the best trans representation by cis people I've seen from the time. Instead of casting a man in drag, they got a woman for the part; she has the same interests she's always had, and it emphasizes the fact that she *IS* a woman. In fact, the only thing I found even slightly unbelievable about April is that she's just as strong as ever - but it sure is funny!
The joke (as I see it) isn't the fact that she's trans - it's really how pigheaded Douglas is. He doesn't ever listen to women, so of course he doesn't hear April right when she's telling him she's trans! Because of that, he experiences her as he would any cis woman, and he only brings misery on himself by being unable to look past it after all of their wonderful time together. He breaks his own heart by being so bigoted. It's hilarious, and not in the least transphobic (in my opinion).
Of course, this was all years before Graham Linehan showed himself to be transphobic in like, the worst way. But I watch this episode and I don't feel any of that venom here, and that's how I choose to remember it.
The joke (as I see it) isn't the fact that she's trans - it's really how pigheaded Douglas is. He doesn't ever listen to women, so of course he doesn't hear April right when she's telling him she's trans! Because of that, he experiences her as he would any cis woman, and he only brings misery on himself by being unable to look past it after all of their wonderful time together. He breaks his own heart by being so bigoted. It's hilarious, and not in the least transphobic (in my opinion).
Of course, this was all years before Graham Linehan showed himself to be transphobic in like, the worst way. But I watch this episode and I don't feel any of that venom here, and that's how I choose to remember it.