Why do we love cliffhangers? Why do we follow long, involved stories over months and years—always waiting for more? Our posts will examine serial narrative as an enduring cultural form in TV, digital media, and fiction... from Dickens to Downton Abbey. This blog is for the students of English 264 at Beloit College, but others are also welcome to comment and contribute.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The scene between Mary and Sybil is filmed in an interesting way. It uses the shot/reverse shot technique used for conversations but strays from the usual format slightly. Many times when Mary is speaking, the part was filmed not directly towards her but rather from off to the side. This angle allows for Sybil to continue to be in the shot and pull focus as she rubs her belly and reminds the viewer none-too-subtlely of the impending birth. Looking back on the scene from the end of the episode, I think this was done partially because Sybil was the focus of the entire plot of the episode but also to keep our mind on the baby itself rather than the birth. Her conversation with Mary begins with a focus on the birth itself, "her not reccomending it to anyone," but moves onto the baby and the christening and Sybil's desire to have the ceremony at home instead of in Dublin. This was clearly to get the viewer to be thinking of the future just as Sybil is lost to childbirth. Just when the viewers think they know what's going on, the writers changed directions without warning. Even up until that final moment when she was pronounced dead I was sure she was going to pull through! She had plans! It's cruel, yes, but entirely effective in creating the drama that inspires viewers to keep watching.
Labels:
camera angles,
Episode 4,
feelings,
Season 3
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I agree that the persistent emphasis on the baby and its future (by Sybil) does make her death all the more shocking and, to use Sam's term, "cruel"! What do others of you think about this very fast-moving plot line?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately a friend of mine spoiled her death for me ahead of time, but in some ways I think that made it worse to watch the episode. Seeing her plan out her and her baby's life was wrenching, and watching her family try to rally her, panicking over her as she died, was terrible because I knew it was inevitable. (Even then I was hoping that she'd pull through somehow.)
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