Case study: TV The Bridge

The Bridge

Character archetypes

Investigator- Saga, she complies with the main traits of a crime drama protagonist: good at her job (methodical, committed) yet bad at relationships (apathetic? unfiltered?)

Sidekick- In the episode, the Danish woman, Hanne, follows the archetype of the sidekick. For instance, when Saga is about to show the victim's wife a picture of the crime scene she has to stop her.

Boss- above investigator, so imposing, but  high regard for the investigator

Villain- criminals, suspects, etc

Crime TV tends to use enigma codes (mysteries to be solved by the investigator/ audience). Explain what enigmas are used in the episode and if any are resolved. What questions does the audience have at the end of the episode? 

The main enigma is the actual case and finding who is responsible for the murder of Helle Anker. Various characters are presented as suspects such as the victim's son, a Danish vlogger, etc. This enigma isn't resolved at the end of the episode and such open ending means the audience is left to question. Therefore Barthes' action and enigma codes are actively engaged with; there are further questions raised e.g. will Saga's Danish partner survive? Why does the Danish policeman want to partner with Saga? etc.
Another enigma code is presented through the array of newly- introduced characters as we don't know their backstory or their possible influence in the story.

What is Nordic Noir? Summarise its key elements and texts. 

A sub-genre of crime fiction, often written from a police PoV (character-led) and set in Scandinavian/ Nordic countries. Characterised by a dark mood, as well as complex morality (social issues and Scandi identity)

• Bleak landscapes, dimly-lit aesthetic, slow melancholic pace (Scandinavian climate)
• "realistic, simple and precise... and stripped of unnecessary words"— Direct writing style, without metaphors; often morose detectives/ worn down and far from heroic
• Often a murder mystery linked with several storylines and themes analysing modern society
• Hidden profound social issues themes, national anxieties- shows the hidden underbelly of society which contrasts with the outside image of Sweden/ Denmark as perfect, prosperous and wealthy

Neale's genre theory plays a major role in displaying the conventions of Nordic Noir to the audience so that the elements convey the expectations of the genre to the viewers in order to appeal, they also set the genre so that when conventions are subverted it is clear in what way they are doing so.

The Bridge follows the usual conventions of Nordic Noir within the crime genre, as for instance, the establishing shot not only simply follows the dark aspect of the sub-genre with the dim lighting, but also, according to Barthes' semiotics, hints at the Denmark-Sweden relations through the bridge that connects them. Furthermore, the opening murder scene follows the conventions of stylised murder that characterise the dark sub-genre of Nordic Noir.

Women in the crime genre are often represented as victims, and in the drama, women tend to be represented as overly emotional and family-orientated.
How does this episode of The Bridge follow or subvert the stereotypical representation of women?

This episode of The Bridge subverts the stereotypical representation of women. Significantly, the protagonist is a female investigator, demonstrating women in power, enhanced by her straightforward personality, far from overly emotional. On the other hand, the victim of the crime being investigated is a woman, therefore there's a sense of compliance with the stereotype. There are elements of the family-orientated stereotype, as the victim's wife is represented as family-orientated.
Butler's gender performativity theory supports the depiction of Saga as not empathetic or emotionally-led, as usual with female characters, as she states gender has an element of performance due to gender stereotypes e.g. men- cold women- emotional. Furthermore, The Bridge subverts any kind of sexualisation of the women in this episode and thus, Van Zoonen's feminist theory, as for instance, Saga changes her top at work without being bothered, and the mid-shot without any kind of 'seductive' audio except the dialogue being exchanged, reinforces the fact the scene isn't coded to sexualise her character.

Identify some examples of how the narrative and themes of the episode are highlighted for the audience through technical codes (e.g. lighting, camera shots such as close-ups, use of sounds...)

As usual with Nordic Noir, the bleak lightning and dimly-lit aesthetic suggest the dark mood and narrative of the TV series. 

Sounds are utilised to imply ominousness, for instance when Saga and her Danish partner come to question the victim's son and sinister music starts to play on the background.
Levi- Strauss' binary opposites theory applies to the Saga and her work partners as the importance of work-life balance is brought up, and binary opposition of the prioritisation of work against personal life is indicated through the narrative of Saga staying up the whole night to attempt to uncover the case, as opposed to her co-worker who arrives late because he's been with his wife.