Carrie
The character herself is very
controversial in the first few scenes in Homeland into figuring out where she
falls in line with the stereo-types of the genre as well as if she fits with
any theories made. The scene in her house where she is getting ready definitely
sets in line where Carrie stands in the questions being raised about her
character. The mis-en-scene manages to show strong evidence into completely
disagreeing with Johnston's theory on woman in the film industry. The walls are
painted blue denoting the complete opposite of a feminine persona
with blue being a male dominated colour. Her bed covers are white with boxes
that have been labelled around it. This suggests and tells the audience a huge
amount of information about Carrie's personality. To begin with, the colour of
the covers connotes a plain personality about her with no importance in the
bedroom which also signifies her sexual personality and tells the reader that
she is the complete opposite to the stereo-type that has been made about female
characters in action/drama genre films. Secondly, the boxes with labels still
on them suggests her main focus is more on her job than her own personal life
with her not finished with moving in.
The scene also informs the audience
of Carrie's connotations and where she stands in the stereo-type. While getting
changed she offers small doses of a possible sexual aspect to the character
with her wearing a revealing gown as well as voyeuristic camera shots being
used. However this possible characteristic is put down with the act of
her 'cleaning herself.' This throws off any potential thoughts of Carrie being
the generic female character of this genre because it was unexpected and rather
off putting. Through this however, the director has managed to create the
impression of Carrie simply being 'human' and removes any connotation of her
being sexual and brings the main focus of her as the main character discovering
the plot to the narrative and nothing else.
Jessica
This character has been portrayed
as the complete opposite to Carrie in every way including; personality, way of
living and the construction of her representation. The first scene she is
showed in shows her completely naked in a sex scene which immediately gives off
the first impressions and giving her the stereo-typical connotations of the
female character in this particular genre. The fact she is completely naked and
'enjoying herself' gives these impressions. This supports Johnston's line of
argument of woman being represented in a 'male view for the female.'
The mis-en-scene with Jess getting
ready to meet Brody is also very significant in stating to the audience where
the character stands compared to Carrie. The warmly lit room (similar to the
sex scene) suggests the characters mood suggesting a huge sexual connotation.
Then we move onto the bright red dress Jessica is wearing which reveals some of
the body parts. Firstly, the colour choice red is highly significant in telling
the audience how the character is represented in homeland. It is suggested on
woman to be very sexual with her red lipstick, it all adds to the detail of her
of her representation. This also supports Mulvey's line of argument in 'the
look' being directed by a male but controlled by a female. The camera work also
used gives the viewer the 'voyeuristic spectator' aspect.
Brody
As soon as Brody gets off the plane
immediate question are asked by the viewer to do with his
disappearance. The episode however, gives away small bits of information
through subliminal messages. When the paparazzi begin to take pictures the
flash hits Brody with a flashback only lasting merely a second but
gives away significant information suggesting he was somewhere dangerous with
bombs or flashing lights being constant.
Non diegetic music also plays quite
frequently when the character is included in a scene suggesting a sense of
danger about the character. The music chosen makes the viewer on edge and
uncomfortable hinting and reminding them that there is something wrong with
Brody that no one else except Carrie and the audience can see.
The other side to the genre (drama)
of homeland is unravelled as well in 'Pilot' with the drive home. As the
audience know, Jessica was first introduced having sex with Brody's best friend
with the children not knowing the relationship the both of them have.
"He's a contractor..." was a conversation in the car about who
painted the house a different colour. This is extremely significant in stating
the drama side of the genre due to the audience knowing what actually happened
as well as that part of the storyline is waiting to be unravelled in further
course. It begins to build tension from there throughout the episode.
Other considerable factors
The sex scene between Jessica and
Brody is hugely awkward for both the characters and viewers. However this was
constructed to do so to give off information about the characters and the
relations they have with each other. The reaction of the scars by Jessica
almost makes you feel sorry for both the characters in how they will cope with
him being missing from the family for 8 years as well as the pain he went
through while she was 'sleeping around.' However the scene becomes more diverse
with Jessica trying to carry on with the sex giving the impression to the audience
that she is desperate for her marriage to recover before he finds out the other
men. It was also constructed to show that she enjoyed the sex more with the
other man more than with her husband creating more tension between the
characters. The camera work of this seen is also very significant with the
camera looking down at Jessica and looking up at Brody. This suggests that
Brody is the dominant character in the relationship as well as maintaining that
sense of fear about the character.
The Saul and David confrontation
was also highly important in explaining the reason for the bullying and
untrustworthy view he has of Cassie. It creates a deeper route to the narrative
in giving the suggestion that Carrie was the reason for the divorce and why he
never is able to see his kids any more.
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