Primary Product Research: Narrative (codes and conventions)

The theories expressed by Todorov, Propp, and Barthes can be applied to my chosen programme of analysis: Misfits. Focusing on episode 1 of series 3, we can decode the different elements of the narrative.

Propp's theory of character roles

(L-R) Curtis, Kelly, Simon, Alisha, Rudy

Seth (Donor)



Villain

Hero:Rudy, character who is new to the group, able to split his personalities into 2 bodies

Villain: Girl who freezes time to set up scenes which turn characters against each other

Donor: Seth, the character who has the ability to change/swap people's powers. He gives the main characters their powers at the end of the previous series.

Helper: All the protagonists: Rudy, Alisha, Curtis, Kelly, Simon
Hero's Father:

Princess: Alisha and Rudy's 1st body-they are saved by the 2nd body of Rudy's

Dispatcher:

False Hero:

Todorov's theory of equilibrium

Equilibrium: The protagonists are all doing community service work, going about their daily duties, as well as discovering their new powers which Seth (donor) has sold them.We find out Rudy and Alisha have some unresolved history between them.

Disruption: A new female character who is the love interest of Rudy, sees his 2nd self kissing another girl. She grows extremely jealous and freezes time. (Audience understands she also has powers) She smashed a bottle over Rudy's head-frozen in time-and sets the scene as if it was Curtis. She ends up framing Alisha and Rudy with nooses around their neck, about to kick the chairs from under them.

Recognition: Both realise they have to sort out their unresolved issues in order to work together to save themselves.

Repair: 2nd Rudy saves them both from being hanged

New equilibrium: The protagonists bury the community service workers who the girl kills, and this is seen as Rudy's 'enrollment' into the group:bonding time, so to speak.

Barthe's theory of narrative codes:

Narrative flow:
Action: This particular episode focuses on the characters discovering their new powers, and this suggests their new discoveries may help when they get into danger later in the programme as the narrative progresses.

Enigma: (Questions the audience asks) A sense of mystery is created throughout as the viewer anticipates which powers each protagonist has gained as well as how each could use them to fight against the villain.


Narrative Detail:
Semic: (Cultural stereotypes) The social classes of the characters are quite low-shown through 'chavvy' costumes, inner-city accents, slang, attitudes (body language etc) and locations. This connotes the idea that they are likely to get into trouble and  behave like stereotypical 'youths', however this widens the opportunity for action scenes and exciting storylines within the narrative.

Cultural: The audience would be familiar with lower-class, teenage characters being portrayed negatively elswhere in the media (e.g. negative stereotypes shown in the news/soaps etc). By presenting the same demographic in a more gratifying way which shows the characters achieving and being successfull in fingting evil, Misfits challenges the stereotypes and offers an unconventional attitude towards them.

Symbolic: (Binary oppositions) Misfits features a contrast of genders within the protagonist group, as well as race and culture, which contributes towards an effective narrative because of the diversity shown in the group. Also, a typical element which is featured in the action genre is good vs evil, which is effective as it adds intensity and drama to the narrative due to the potential threats/ danger it poses.