TARGET:
Be more critical in your application of the theory and show you understand the genre of TV Drama will rarely fit the theory because of the way in which in functions in a different manner to classic mainstream cinema.
A* Essay:
SPAG
Theory
Terminology
Explain
Essay Formula:
Intro:
- One or two sentences explain the theory.
- State central argument.
- Demonstrating you own argument relating to how the theory can be applied to the case studies.
- Say what case studies you'll be referring to.
Paragraph 1:
- Discuss how equilibrium can be applied to TV drama.
- Use lots of references to show you've watched it.
- Counter arguments, could be a disruption or new equilibrium at the start of each episode.
- Link back to question, is it useful to compare it right now.
Paragraph 2:
- Discuss Todorov's theory of disruption and how it can be applied, Brody being found.
- Discuss the pattern of disruption across seasoning, using chart.
- Conclude that be linking it back to the question and how it differs from being applied to a film.
- Own opinion does this make box sets better than a film.
Paragraph 3:
- Resolution - What are they?
- How does this differ from films
- No resolution = No new equilibrium
Conclusion:
- Showing which main types of theory can be applied and which can't
- your opinion on
- Links back to the question, how theory can be applied
Applying Todorov To A Full Season
Todorov's narrative theory is something that is initially designed to apply to the film industry. Todorov's theory consists of four key elements to help the get maximum enjoyment out of what the viewer is watching. These four elements include, in order, Equilibrium, Disruption, Resolution, And New equilibrium. This shows how most Hollywood films are produced and how they have traditionally been produced throughout the past 60 years of film. Season one of homeland, a program I have studied, disrupts Todorov's theory drastically, and is portrayed throughout the 12 episodes of the show in a disruptive way. Whilst the overall consensus is that Todorov's theory cannot really fit well into the plot of Homelands, there are elements of truth in Todorov's theory which apply the first season of homelands as a whole. Trapped, another television drama I have studied, also doesn't really follow Todorov's theory very well. This would be because of the elements used in Trapped are made to purposely to throw the audience of the scent.
Equilibrium can be applied to this series in the way that nearly every episode either starts with a equilibrium or ends with a new equilibrium. However, there are some cases in which the episodes start with a disruption to the main characters. In episode one, Carrie is in Baghdad trying to gather information on a turned spy, this then jumps to an "8 years later" graphic. This would then be the equilibrium, what the audience would believe to be present day. At the start of episode 2, we see Brody struggling in this sleep with PTSD, grabbing his wife, Jessica in the night and not letting go. This might suggest that episode 2 starts with a disruption rather than an equilibrium disrupting Todorov's theory already in the first scene. The theory suggests that after an equilibrium there is a disruption however after watching episode two there might be a reason to believe there is no equilibrium, as there is no state of balanced or relaxed situation for the characters involved. In comparison to the whole TV drama, a lot of episodes will follow this trend because of the classic structure of a TV Drama is to really get in deep with the characters. There will be much more disruptions in the series than equilibriums. In comparison, Trapped season 1 episode 1starts off with the scene of the fire in an old abandoned warehouse type place. This was the disruption and is what overall filed a lot of the characters individual narratives through the series. After this a graphic stating it was the preston day appeared. You could argue that this would then be the Equilibrium, much like what homelands did in regards to a flashback from the past which could be a turning point for the storyline. In regards to the following scene, with the dismembered torso in the freezing ocean, it would be another disruption, changing and shaping the way that the characters narratives work. This is app
Todorov's theory of disruption is something that pops up a lot throughout the full first season of homelands and is something that can be applied quite well along side the theory structure. Because of the nature of the season being a TV drama there are lots of disruptions. Although the main disruption you could argue happens at the beginning of episode 1 where Carrie is told about the missing soldier found after eight years of being held captive called sergeant Nicholas Brody. The reason this becomes a major disruption for the rest of the season for, not just Carrie but his wife Jessica, his friend Mike and children, Chris and Deanna is because how it effects the dynamics of the family and the relationship with Carrie and her co-workers change. The pattern of disruption across the season follows the general consensus that there is at least one disruption per episode and so it extremely contrasts to Todorov's theory. Trapped, in regards to the disruption of Todorov's theory, would be described as more in keeping with the general method. Whilst Trapped doesn't necessary follow the theory in order or follow the theory really. The way that
The resolutions play a big part in the way the season of Homeland is structured. Throughout the season the resolution for Carrie is to get to the bottom of Brodie's suspicious behaviour and awkward antics. All the while the audience knows as much as her. In episode 6, we find out Brody passes the polygraph test despite lying about being faithful to his wife. From this point we know that he could still be the double agent Carrie cannot get of her mind. At the end of season one this is proven to be true as Brodie's plan was to strap a bomb vest to himself and trigger it after being taken to a safe underground room with all the infuencil members of politics. This resulted in Carrie running to Brody house and getting herself arrested. The seasons resolution is how Carrie let this case destroy her livelihood and how Brody whilst he is a terrorist, has done nothing to make any feel the same way Carrie does about him. This would differ from a film as in a film we wouldn't get to see the progression in the character development of Brody and Carrie alike.
There are elements of the theory that can easily be applied throughout the season of Homeland like the way the disruption in episode one caused the series of events that followed. If season one of Homeland where a film it would have been the soldiers finding Brody in Iraq the disruption and the moments before that an equilibrium. As a whole, each episode of Homeland in some way could fit into the theory with the four steps appearing in most of the episodes throughout.
Equilibrium can be applied to this series in the way that nearly every episode either starts with a equilibrium or ends with a new equilibrium. However, there are some cases in which the episodes start with a disruption to the main characters. In episode one, Carrie is in Baghdad trying to gather information on a turned spy, this then jumps to an "8 years later" graphic. This would then be the equilibrium, what the audience would believe to be present day. At the start of episode 2, we see Brody struggling in this sleep with PTSD, grabbing his wife, Jessica in the night and not letting go. This might suggest that episode 2 starts with a disruption rather than an equilibrium disrupting Todorov's theory already in the first scene. The theory suggests that after an equilibrium there is a disruption however after watching episode two there might be a reason to believe there is no equilibrium, as there is no state of balanced or relaxed situation for the characters involved. In comparison to the whole TV drama, a lot of episodes will follow this trend because of the classic structure of a TV Drama is to really get in deep with the characters. There will be much more disruptions in the series than equilibriums. In comparison, Trapped season 1 episode 1starts off with the scene of the fire in an old abandoned warehouse type place. This was the disruption and is what overall filed a lot of the characters individual narratives through the series. After this a graphic stating it was the preston day appeared. You could argue that this would then be the Equilibrium, much like what homelands did in regards to a flashback from the past which could be a turning point for the storyline. In regards to the following scene, with the dismembered torso in the freezing ocean, it would be another disruption, changing and shaping the way that the characters narratives work. This is app
Todorov's theory of disruption is something that pops up a lot throughout the full first season of homelands and is something that can be applied quite well along side the theory structure. Because of the nature of the season being a TV drama there are lots of disruptions. Although the main disruption you could argue happens at the beginning of episode 1 where Carrie is told about the missing soldier found after eight years of being held captive called sergeant Nicholas Brody. The reason this becomes a major disruption for the rest of the season for, not just Carrie but his wife Jessica, his friend Mike and children, Chris and Deanna is because how it effects the dynamics of the family and the relationship with Carrie and her co-workers change. The pattern of disruption across the season follows the general consensus that there is at least one disruption per episode and so it extremely contrasts to Todorov's theory. Trapped, in regards to the disruption of Todorov's theory, would be described as more in keeping with the general method. Whilst Trapped doesn't necessary follow the theory in order or follow the theory really. The way that
The resolutions play a big part in the way the season of Homeland is structured. Throughout the season the resolution for Carrie is to get to the bottom of Brodie's suspicious behaviour and awkward antics. All the while the audience knows as much as her. In episode 6, we find out Brody passes the polygraph test despite lying about being faithful to his wife. From this point we know that he could still be the double agent Carrie cannot get of her mind. At the end of season one this is proven to be true as Brodie's plan was to strap a bomb vest to himself and trigger it after being taken to a safe underground room with all the infuencil members of politics. This resulted in Carrie running to Brody house and getting herself arrested. The seasons resolution is how Carrie let this case destroy her livelihood and how Brody whilst he is a terrorist, has done nothing to make any feel the same way Carrie does about him. This would differ from a film as in a film we wouldn't get to see the progression in the character development of Brody and Carrie alike.
There are elements of the theory that can easily be applied throughout the season of Homeland like the way the disruption in episode one caused the series of events that followed. If season one of Homeland where a film it would have been the soldiers finding Brody in Iraq the disruption and the moments before that an equilibrium. As a whole, each episode of Homeland in some way could fit into the theory with the four steps appearing in most of the episodes throughout.
