Doctor: Representation of Gender

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of gender using the following:
Camera shots, angles, movement and composition, Editing, Sound, Mise en scène

Doctor Who is a science fiction drama produced by the BBC, which in this text and commonly throughout the series complies with Straus’ Narrative theory by having binary opposites of good versus evil. The evil character is a male which conforms to that stereotype however this is challenged by the protagonist The Doctor who is a male but is a good character who balances disequilibrium in the plot.

The camera angles represent age as they establish the dominance of the characters. For example, a low angle mid-shot is used to focus on the evil character to signify that he has power in the scene over the female and the other characters. This is reinforced to the audience when the female character is shown using high angle above the shoulder shot to show her vulnerability. This also invites the audience to see her fearful expression on her face in contrast to the evil character’s smug and powerful body language. It represents the idea that females struggle to assert power over males which is present in this scene. The long-shot of the set reinforces through mise-en-scene that the evil character holds power as it shows he has other men with guns holding other characters against their will. Through sound this stereotype is also reinforced as the audience can see by dialogue that he is giving commands to the female to ‘kneel’ and ‘bow’ her head. This complies with the stereotype that males are controlling especially over females thus representing the male character in a negative light and reinforcing his evil character. In terms of editing action match is used to show the effects of the evil character’s actions when CGI is used to show rockets and alien space ships ready to attack. This emphasises the action to the audience as it is connotes through the robotic dialogue of the space ships that they will cause destruction on earth. This demonstrates the representation that males are shown as more evil than women and wanting to disrupt equilibrium to gain personal power.

Although the female is represented as vulnerable this is reversed and challenged as the plot is revealed. For example, shot-reverse-shot reinforces the dialogue between her and the evil character in the scene but changes to a nonlinear narrative as action in the past is shown. The dissolve transition to soft focus shots and warm hue signifies that it has happened in the past. This has an effect on the course of events in the plot as action editing with shot and fast cuts are used to represent to the audience that the female character has now gained power.  This represents that despite the female’s vulnerability by being held against her will she has outsmarted the evil character. The extreme close up of her face shows her change in reaction to smiling representing to the audience that she is smart and happy with the outcome as the male evil character becomes vulnerable instead.

However, another character who is female assists the villain but it represented through mise-en-scene wearing a provocative red dress to symbolise her sexuality as well as wearing make-up. This suggests that the female is domestic and an object for observation. This is shown through a low angle long shot as the female stands a side from the villain which reminds the audience that the villain holds dominance and the female is only used for her physical presence as a reward or trophy. Tessa Perkin's theory can be applied in this way as the stereotype that females assistants are typically shown as being attractive and is a positive stereotype.

The mise-en-scene of the protagonist The Doctor shows him as being intelligent and as well as a 'new man' via a medium close-up during his revival. He wears a niche brown suit with styled hair which enables the audience to see that he is set a part from stereotypical suits which reinforces his heroic character against the bland and typical black and white suit that the villain is wearing. Straus's theory of narrative of the binary opposites good versus evil is reinforced through the sound and editing. For example, non-diegetic sound of a triumph classical number of violins plays as the Doctor is revived to his new age and emphasises the demise of the villain. A hand-held shot with a high angle is used in the final sequence which represents the villain's defeat. This complies with Barthes' theory of narrative as The Action Code is used as resolution of the plot is produced through action as the visual effects of the sonic screw driver shown in a mid shot that the villain uses to attack the Doctor can not penetrate his protection. An extreme close-up of the villain's hand is used to show it flying out of his hand. This represents the idea that this male villain is weak without his weapon.