3. Choose one film or an episode of television drama and write an analysis of its narrative, plot and genre. Outline the plot, make use of theories of narrative in your analysis, and provide an account of its genre in relation to the chosen film/episode and any relevant illustrative examples.
Having been depicted on screen 254 times; Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed character in literary history, it is possible for one to study the development of cinema simply through the many interpretations of Sherlock Holmes. With the original stories at heart Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffatt created a modern adaption of the classic 1900’s series based in central London. This essay will focus on the final episode in the BBC’s production of Sherlock …show more content…
It is here we are exhibited with the familiar characteristic of Sherlock Holmes, when he more offended by the man's crimes against good grammar than by the actual murder itself. The next scene then sets a state of equilibrium we see a bored Sherlock reduced to shooting holes in the wall, this crystalizes what Sherlock needs to feed off, and it shows that he is in a constant battle with boredom. The entire world is watching Sherlock Holmes’ every move through John Watson’s blog. When John enters he discovers a decapitated head in the fridge showing the true madness of his strange roommate. Sherlock is of the opinion that any knowledge not likely to have an importance in his work takes up precious space in his brain. Sherlock complains to the landlady Mrs. Hudson that he is bored, she sympathises with him in a humorous way, hoping a murder case reveals itself soon. As stated in Todorov’s Narrative theory we see a disruption by an event (AS Media, 2015) As Mrs. Hudson leaves, an explosion rocks the building across the street, shattering the windows behind Sherlock, foreshowing a deadly game of wits with an unknown criminal mastermind. This unknown villain initiates a deathly game in which an innocent hostage gets strapped with explosives and they are then forced to call Sherlock and read a message posing a …show more content…
There are many examples of the city of London and iconic landmarks such as St. Bart’s Hospital. The transitions between night and day naturally show the progression of time. One very effective method of narrative process used in this episode is the use of the taxi to show movement, as a conversation between Watson and Sherlock is had in the reflection of the window. The locations of the bombs are significant as they add tension to the overall story, such as the victim in the second case who is standing in the centre of Piccadilly Circus. Mark Gatiss states in the audio commentary of this episode that filming in this location was difficult. There are many shots from different angles and it is a distinctive way of not forcing the ‘London-ness’ of the story (Sherlock Audio Commentary, 2009) When the locations used for the puzzles in Moriarty’s game is brought into focus it is possible to see how the city has been used as a metaphor in the wider game and how London has been used as a backdrop to it, this can be used against Moriarty’s game and the use of different landscapes within the narrative. The incorporation of modern day London gives Sherlock some verisimilitude, as it is a city where these events could in fact take place. While this episode “showcased good writing, talented actors, impeccable lighting and innovative visuals, the key to the tone of a show is the
Having been depicted on screen 254 times; Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed character in literary history, it is possible for one to study the development of cinema simply through the many interpretations of Sherlock Holmes. With the original stories at heart Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffatt created a modern adaption of the classic 1900’s series based in central London. This essay will focus on the final episode in the BBC’s production of Sherlock …show more content…
It is here we are exhibited with the familiar characteristic of Sherlock Holmes, when he more offended by the man's crimes against good grammar than by the actual murder itself. The next scene then sets a state of equilibrium we see a bored Sherlock reduced to shooting holes in the wall, this crystalizes what Sherlock needs to feed off, and it shows that he is in a constant battle with boredom. The entire world is watching Sherlock Holmes’ every move through John Watson’s blog. When John enters he discovers a decapitated head in the fridge showing the true madness of his strange roommate. Sherlock is of the opinion that any knowledge not likely to have an importance in his work takes up precious space in his brain. Sherlock complains to the landlady Mrs. Hudson that he is bored, she sympathises with him in a humorous way, hoping a murder case reveals itself soon. As stated in Todorov’s Narrative theory we see a disruption by an event (AS Media, 2015) As Mrs. Hudson leaves, an explosion rocks the building across the street, shattering the windows behind Sherlock, foreshowing a deadly game of wits with an unknown criminal mastermind. This unknown villain initiates a deathly game in which an innocent hostage gets strapped with explosives and they are then forced to call Sherlock and read a message posing a …show more content…
There are many examples of the city of London and iconic landmarks such as St. Bart’s Hospital. The transitions between night and day naturally show the progression of time. One very effective method of narrative process used in this episode is the use of the taxi to show movement, as a conversation between Watson and Sherlock is had in the reflection of the window. The locations of the bombs are significant as they add tension to the overall story, such as the victim in the second case who is standing in the centre of Piccadilly Circus. Mark Gatiss states in the audio commentary of this episode that filming in this location was difficult. There are many shots from different angles and it is a distinctive way of not forcing the ‘London-ness’ of the story (Sherlock Audio Commentary, 2009) When the locations used for the puzzles in Moriarty’s game is brought into focus it is possible to see how the city has been used as a metaphor in the wider game and how London has been used as a backdrop to it, this can be used against Moriarty’s game and the use of different landscapes within the narrative. The incorporation of modern day London gives Sherlock some verisimilitude, as it is a city where these events could in fact take place. While this episode “showcased good writing, talented actors, impeccable lighting and innovative visuals, the key to the tone of a show is the