Primeval season 2 episode 3
This episode consists of Connor developing a new anomaly detector
that is set up in the Arc (Anomaly Research Centre) but certain members of
their team have suspicions about it when there is another attack at Blue Sky
Park. Further investigations take the team to the park and make them realize
that the attacks had taken place before the detector had been turned on. The
team then goes on to discover that there is a sabre-toothed tiger is in the
park. The all begin to have suspicion that someone knows of the tiger and is
trying to cover up its existence.
Within this TV drama gender is presented in contrasting ways
to the ‘usual’ portrayal of men and women. This is shown through the way that
the characters are dressed and also how they portray themselves verbally and
physically. This is done through the individuals stances and angles used to
represent them. They are presented verbally through the phrases and words they
use but also through their accents.
In the first few seconds of the episode you are presented
with two contrasting views of women. This is shown when there are two women running
away from something which shows the stereotype that these women are ‘damsels in
distresses. This shows the basic stereotype of women. Then contrasting this the
women are then shown in camo clothes which are not the usual clothing that you
would expect to see women in. then the first man that you see comes across as
your usual man. Arrogant this shows the viewer that this individual is not
there to help these two women who were running but is actually attacking them with
the paint ball gun. This show a contrast in the average man this is because it
shows him not being protective and caring which is hopefully what you would
expect form a man in what seems a dangerous situation.
It then goes on to show a much more stereotypical woman who
is in a colourful ‘pretty’ top who has her hair and makeup done with large
brown hooped earrings. This displays the stereotypical woman as this is what’s
expected of women in general. This individual is shown in a different way to
others as she speaks in a ‘delicate’ way the represents he in a much more feminine
way. This is important because this shows her personality and the way she
presents herself as an individual. This is then contrasted when they show the
other girl Abbey in the background of the shot she does not represent your
average female this is because she has short boyish blond hair and is dressed
in a leather jacket with jeans on lent against a car. This does not correspond
with the ‘normal’ portrayal of women as she presents herself in a much more
manly way. This is through the word as phrases she uses it is also displayed
when she is shouting at the other man to hurry up. This also shows that she is
not as timid or shy individual so she comes across as a strong woman.
The second man shown in the extract is Connor. He is not
represented in your stereotypical way this is because he is shown in a much
more feminine way even more so than Abbey. This is shown in his speech and his
stature. This is because he sounds feminine in the way that he speaks and the
way that he holds himself when he is standing. This is because he does not have
a solid well-built stature that is the ‘normal’ stature for your average male. He
is also represented in a feminine way because of the clothes that he wares. This
is because he is mainly seen in scarf, blazers and pink and purple colours. This
displays that he tends to wear much more extravagant clothes this could help to
represent his personality and the way that he acts. Colours like ink and purple
are mainly linked to women as this is the usual colour that they would wear. Nick
is the next man in the shot is a contrast to Connor. This is because he is
shows as a stereotypical male this is because he is shown with stubble and in
dark camo coloured clothes. These colours have been associated with males
because they are darker and specifically with Nick as this matches with his
darker and much more closed off personality. He is shown as a much more manly
man this is because he is seen leading the group it shows that this man has
brawn and brains. This does not link to the typical male stereotype as it is
mainly seen that men either have brawn or brains and this man shows that he is
the exception to this stereotype.
Overall not many people in this show are portrayed in stereotypical
ways. This is because some of the women are shown in manly ways and some of the
men are shown in feminine ways. This is good because this enables the viewer to
see that the different people in this show are being portrayed in a different
way. By changing the ways in which stereotypical males and females are
presented Tim Haines and Adrian Hodges are able to create a TV show that
appeals to more people and enables them to appeal to a wider audience. This
also allows the show to have a different approach to the average TV show
because this allows a much more open approach to gender and the roles that are
expected of men and women. Haines and Hodges are able to come across as a much
more versatile and modern show as there are no specific roles that are aimed at
men or women and how the show represents equality between them.