A firefighter and an OB-GYN walk into a bar.
To some, it might sound like the beginning of a joke, but for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, it marks the start of a love story between Station 19’s Maya Bishop (Danielle Savre) and Carina DeLuca (Stefania Spampinato).
The iconic ship, affectionately known as “Marina,” debuted on February 20, 2020 during Season 3, Episode 5 of Station 19, titled “Into the Woods.” It added a new spark to the series, largely thanks to the chemistry and dedication of the actors portraying these characters. In a subsequent Instagram Live with Savre, Spampinato recalled the first time they read their scene together during the table read, stating, “The chemistry was insane between us. We had literally just met, and it was like, ‘Boom! Boom! Boom!’”
Beyond the chemistry and Shondaland drama the show is known for, the characters have played a significant role on broadcast network TV that deserves attention: representing WLW (women loving women) couples and the universal stories that impact them. From immigration and visas to reckoning with mental health and healing, all while navigating the ups and downs of marriage, building families, and the fertility journeys that LGBTQIA+ couples go through, Maya and Carina’s stories represent many of those across the queer community. They have made the relationship between the fire lieutenant and the OB-GYN special to many queer viewers because they are seeing themselves on screen, and in a time that feels like the world is fighting against the rights of queer communities, this representation is crucial.
Their love story has been compelling from the start with Maya “monogamy is for the weak” Bishop falling in love for the first time ever with Carina “I’m not in the habit of fixing broken people” DeLuca. It’s beautiful to witness their epic story as their passion, love, and desire to break their family patterns have created a stronger-than-ever relationship.
However, it wasn’t always apparent if they would make it through, especially throughout their Season 6 storyline. Maya put them at odds when she wouldn’t listen to calls for her to get help and pushed everyone, including Carina, away, even to the point of leaving their home. But they pushed through, found light and love in each other again, and rebuilt a solid foundation to support their growing relationship and family. It’s given them the strength to love each other boldly and unflinchingly.
Kudos to the people who have written and directed for them over the years (yes, there have been some storyline issues, but ultimately, they gave us the Marina we love and know today), but especially over the last season. Led by the brilliant portrayals by Savre and Spampinato, the show overall, but in Season 6 especially, has given us a fundamental look at a WLW relationship treated with the utmost care and respect that’s often reserved for everyone but them. And while Maya and Carina aren’t the only members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the show, it’s significant that their relationship specifically is focused on. Rarely do you see network TV shows, accidentally or not, realize the strength of a WLW ship and decide to treat them as the longest-standing and original ship of the show (Ben Warren and Miranda Bailey, or “Benley,” originated on Grey’s Anatomy, not Station 19 specifically).
Having two bold and proud bisexual women on screen and invited into the households of millions every week for the last few years has changed lives. It’s saved lives. And that’s not something said lightly. Every time someone watches Station 19 and there’s a scene with Maya, Carina, or both, it invites conversations about representation, shows a relationship as normal as any other, and provides an opportunity for fellow people in the community to connect with friends and families as they welcome them into their homes.
And that’s the thing about queer fandoms: we love our stories often to an all-consuming amount because we grew up without them. We struggled without them. And now we can celebrate with them when they are on our screens. So when those fandoms or shows are threatened, we show up with loud and persistent voices to share why it’s essential to continue to see ourselves on screen.
Unfortunately, Maya and Carina are on a list that is all too small: on broadcast network TV shows, only five WLW couples are currently represented on screen. Of those five, only three, including Station 19’s Maya and Carina, have both characters represented as series regulars.
But with the Season 7 cancellation notice of Station 19 during the abbreviated 2024 TV season, those small numbers are getting even smaller, and many rightfully fear it will only get worse before it has the potential to get better: According to them., in 2022 alone, 30 shows that featured LGBTQIA+ characters were “canceled or ended.” Of those, 21 of them “––more than two-thirds of them––featured queer women characters.”
Whether it’s due to ‘Cancel Your Gays’ or ‘Bury Your Gays,’ WLW stories are being erased, and representation is dwindling at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, this isn’t surprising to anyone paying attention. That won’t deter fandoms from standing up against studios and making noise. Now, there’s a new fandom being loud: #SaveStation19.
When communities lose shows, there’s often a three-part process: grief, question, and action.
The hashtag represents a fan campaign that encompasses all three. It was launched shortly after the surprising news of the show’s cancellation which shocked many fans and industry veterans alike, including past showrunner Krista Vernoff and former and current cast and crew of the firefighter drama.
As fans so often do, the Station 19 fandom has organized, posting across Twitter/X and other social media and doing everything they can to save their favorite show.