Aahana Swrup
‘Étoile‘ presents a riveting story about two distinct ballet companies, differing in just about everything from geography to culture. Yet, their shared love for ballet—an art form rapidly shrinking away from the public’s interest—compels these two institutions to come together in a last-ditch effort to bring something new and interesting to its patrons: a transatlantic exchange program. The two heads, New York’s Jack McMillan and Paris’ Geneviève Lavigne, trade some of their top artists for a year to create a new buzz around their companies. As such, Cheyenne Toussaint, the French Ballerina, and Tobias Bell, Brooklyn’s beloved choreographer, find themselves embarking on a brand new, even if entirely unsolicited, adventure.
The show is ripe with romantic tension between a myriad of characters, adding layers of drama and passion to the narrative. However, while most couples run hot and heavy from the start, Tobias—ever the perfectionist—catches a spark with the underdog dancer, Gabin Roux. Naturally, their effortless chemistry instantly raises the question of whether or not these sparks ever catch completely on fire. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Tobias and Gabin: Étoile’s Queer Love Story
Tobias and Gabin chart two very different but kindred narratives in season 1 of ‘Étoile.’ The former is an American choreographer who has just been swapped out to Paris’ Le Ballet National, and the latter is an overlooked but talented dancer at the same company. Initially, the choreographer is only concerned with finding his footing in the new city, a difficult feat due to his proclivity toward familiarity. Inversely, the dancer is out to catch his attention in order to earn a spot in the limelight after years of trying to prove his worth despite the rather contextually singular nature of his humble beginnings. As such, Gabin seeks out Tobias, and the two quickly find themselves on the road toward a banter-filled, yet tender, slow-burn romance.
However, while the romantic tension between the two is evident, both characters remain unlabeled in their sexual identities throughout the show. As far as dating history goes, there’s a brief and hilarious introduction to Tobias’ apparent ex-boyfriend, Kevin, and little to no allusions to Gabin’s romantic past. Therefore, for now outside of the queer umbrella term, both men remain narratively unlabeled. Gay, bisexual, pansexual, or simply just queer—the possibility remains endless. Either way, their romantic storyline adds a captivating layer to the story, underlining the significance of diverse narratives in the world of ballet.
Tobias and Gabin’s Romance is a Slow-Burn With a Satisfying Pay-off
Tobias and Gabin’s first meeting happens in the LBN’s training hall, where the dancer tries to approach the choreographer to make an impression that will hopefully stick around when the time for auditions comes. Naturally, his put-upon cocky demeanor clashes with Tobias’ socially disinclined preferences. Still, despite their conflicting personalities, a unique connection sparks between the two. Tobias is used to people not understanding him on an intrinsic level, and although Gabin isn’t immediately on the same wavelength as him, he’s easily amenable and respectful of his quirks.
Likewise, in a building full of people who underestimate Gabin, Tobias, the ever inquisitive, reads him perfectly down to a T. Naturally, over the course of their careers in the company, the two seamlessly gravitate towards each other. The choreographer takes a creative liking to the dancer, who seems to understand him almost instinctually. Still, it takes some time for the two of them to get on a similar frequency. Tobias particularly struggles with this at the beginning when he skips out on a photoshoot, inadvertently ruining a career-defining moment for Gabin. Similarly, their bond faces another hiccup in the disastrous aftermath of the failure of their first show together.
Tobias, who is a stranger to professional failures, spirals and isolates himself, in turn abandoning Gabin. However, once the latter confronts him about the hurt of his unintended abandonment, the choreographer finally begins to realize he’s a wanted presence in the dancer’s life, craved even. This marks a notable change in the duo’s dynamic, as it becomes the start of Tobias emotionally opening himself up to Gabin. Nonetheless, one small mistake threatens to unravel all this effort spectacularly. Gabin’s financially poor background is a defining feature of his narrative. He’s the perpetual underdog of the company precisely because he has to work twice as hard to prove his worth in the inherently well-off world of ballet.
Gabin is repeatedly shunned out of the limelight by his peers at LBN and consistently bullied by the familiar faces back in the outskirts of the city, where he lives. Therefore, after one too many punch-downs, he snaps and gets in a fight with one of the men who has been targeting him his entire life. Consequently, he almost earns a criminal record, which puts a momentary question mark over his future with the company. This directly betrays Tobias’ trust, something not easily given to begin with in the first place. He’s incredibly particular about his choreography in connection with the dancers. Therefore, being forced to pick a new lead is an incredible slight to his artistry. Even so, the duo manages to work through this together once Geneviève helps Gabin get his position back in the institution.
Thus, the duo arrives together on the opening night of their second show. However, Tobias stops the dance before it can begin, overwhelmed by his fear of getting it wrong once again. During this time, when he fantastically ruins every ballet-goer’s evening in a fit of creative dissatisfaction, Gabin brings everyone around by encouraging them to embrace the choreographer’s unconventional but genius process. As such, Tobias ends up redoing the entire show while on stage, even accepting one of Gabin’s suggestions, an act that showcases that they’re finally on the same frequency. Once the show continues, the dancer leads the choreographer’s show and brings it to life in such a breathtaking way that Tobias finally snaps and marches out to kiss Gabin at the end of the dance in front of the entire audience. Their simultaneously brazen and intimate moment marks the perfect conclusion to their growing romance.
