P2 TV Drama

HOMEWORK

How Does Season 1 Episode 1 of 'Homelands' follow or disrupt Todorov's narrative theory?


why do long form television drama from different countries other different representation?


The American TV drama 'Homelands' disrupts Todorov's narrative theory. The opening scene of the episode and the season follows one of the main characters, Carrie, as she tries to gain access to see a terrorist in a prison in Baghdad to gain intelligence for the C.I.A. The scene is full of tension and suspense as it becomes clear that Carrie learns some shocking news. This disrupts Todorov's narrative theory. the theory goes that all narratives have a three part structure to them. The first of these three is at the beginning where everything to do with the narrative is balanced and as it should be, also known as the Equilibrium.  At the start of episode one season one there is no equilibrium but instead there is a disruption. Disruptions are set out in Todorov's narrative theory as being the second stage of a narrative. A disruption is normally cause by an accident, for example a car crash, a murder or an action of a person. Although disruptions are set out as being something that happens secondly, in this episode the disruption happens first. This disrupts the narrative theory and also adds tension to the storyline as it isn't what you would typically expect to happen at the very start of the first episode of the first season. This non - conforming plot is continued through the episode as there are several more disruption.  The first disruption of this episode was the information that was given to Carrie by the terrorist. this caused a disruption within the plot of the episode as it very quickly changed everything that both carrie and the audience thought was the main plot within the episode. This disruption also helps keep the audience hooked to the show as it sets up a strong plot for the series as a whole.

why do long form television drama from different countries other different representation?

Long form TV dramas from different countries, naturally, offer up different representations of different countries. The reasoning behind this is simple, different people from different countries have different view about other countries. For example, the long running American TV drama 'Homelands' has a very stereotypical representation of the middle east.

Another TV Drama that offers a different representations is the Icelandic drama 'Trapped'. In this drama one of the most common representations are that of middle aged/older white males. In Trapped this group is represented as being corrupt and mistrustful. This is contrasted by Homelands more stereotypical representation of white middle aged white males as being powerful instead of corrupt.  This representation is presented by the characters of Saul. He is a middle aged white male who works for the C.I.A, giving him power, weather its the power to stop a terrorist attack or sack someone that works for him. Although Trapped offers a more prominent representation of middle aged males, there is still the stereotypical view of middle aged white men holding postions of power. This is shown through the character of Andre who is the chief of police, a role which comes with with alot of power.