No shade, but is M's death supposed to be... funny?!

Severine has attracted a great deal of attention from academics writing about James Bond, with many finding the character to be a regressive step for the series’ portrayal of female characters. But she is one of the most appealing elements of the film for many queer viewers. Although she is undoubtedly a tragic character, subject to the whims of a succession of men, she is not entirely disempowered.

Like Bond, Silva was once a blunt instrument: something to be wielded by the British Establishment but without ever being admitted to the Establishment himself. Also like Bond, Silva is haunted by his past. However, the similarities run out of road here… In the absence of a chosen family like the one Bond has, something has steadily eaten away at Silva - and I’m not just talking about cyanide.

We all face societal pressure to prioritise relationships with blood relations over relationships with people to who we aren’t genetically connected. But, for some of us, this is not desirable or, as in Bond’s case, possible.

Even so, Bond is never truly alone.

If Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz is to be believed, there's no place like home. But what if that home is Skyfall? In his 50th anniversary queer odyssey, 00-Dorothy doesn’t just kick back against traditional notions of home and family; along the way he creates a unconventional family to replace the one he lost and blows up his childhood abode with dynamite. Talk about cathartic!

60 years ago, when the movie Bond began, England’s most popular actor was Dirk Bogarde, a closeted gay man. Dirk was even approached to play Bond. But big Bogarde fan Callum McKelvie is glad the matinee idol never donned 007’s tux (although he would have looked great in it).  

Check out Callum's article at www.licencetoqueer.com

Callum McKelvie joins me for a special Spectre-al episode taking a light-hearted look at the horror elements in the Bond films and novels. We uncover the spookiest skeletons in Bond's closet and get very personal when exploring why queers like us are drawn to the macabre.

You can read Callum's original article about horror in Bond here: https://www.licencetoqueer.com/blog/spectre-al-visions-queers-horror-and-bond

I am joined by Ian Fleming Publications' Managing Director Corinne Turner and Publishing Manager Simon Ward, following their announcement that they will be bringing the publication of all Ian Fleming titles 'in house' for the 70th anniversary of Bond. We discuss what this means for existing fans, their plans for attracting new audiences, the diversity of Fleming aficionados, new cover concepts and lots more. But first of all, I ask them to name their favourite Fleming books...

Dr Brendan J. Dunlop, a Principal Clinical Psychologist in the NHS, clinical lecturer and author of The Queer Mental Health Workbook, helps me analyse James Bond’s mental health experiences and suggests ways he could find some solace.

I regularly write about Bond's psychology and mental health more generally but I thought it was about time I spoke with an expert on the topics. Dr Dunlop is doubly qualified: as well as being a Clinical Psychologist he's also a Bond fan. We talk about the potential causes of Bond's mental health difficulties and things he could do to alleviate his mental distress.

I warmly recommend The Queer Mental Health Workbook to everyone - even if you're not queer you will find it enlightening and useful.