Fiske Idea 1: Plot development – Representation lives beyond the end of
the episodes. The plot usually runs over multiple episodes. Examples: S1E3 - The end of the episodes leaves us to question whether or not Simon will get his car fixed, which in later episodes we see that he gets the door replaced with a red one. S3E2 - In this episode we see the beginning of Simon's and Tara's relationship and this carries on in another episode.
Fiske Idea 2: Repetition of characters makes them appear to live in the same time scale as us. Characters have a past, present and future. Examples: S1E3 - In this episode we learn that Neil used to work at Asda and that Will cried on the ghost train when he was 5. S3E2 - Simon mentions that his mother took him to a take that concert and Tara mentions the incident that Will had in his exam. This was in the last episode of the second season.
Fiske Idea 3: Characters representation are constructed by the writers and producers of the show. The representations are portrayed through the characters physical appearance, characteristics and social values. Example: S1E3 - Will is seen as the responsible one out of the four main characters and this is represented through his clothing. He is the only one wearing his full school uniform (his tie done properly and he is wearing his blazer instead of a jumper). This makes him look like an adult compared to the other guys who have their shirts un-tucked.
Fiske Idea 4: Polysemic reading - Audiences are diverse and so how they read a representation of a character will depend on their own experiences. The audience will also imagine how they would have behaved in the characters situation. Example: S1E3 - Towards the end of the episode we see Will swearing at the disable people for sitting at the front of the ride when him and his friends have been waiting in line for the front row seats. Some people may find this funny and understand his frustration because he waiting the extra half an hour for the front seat and they argue that he didn't know that they were disabled. Whereas others will criticise him for being inconsiderate and disgraceful for speaking to them like that.
Good work Jenny. Very clearly explained theory. Now I'd like you to introduce a little more detail in your examples from the episodes. Also think about how he also argues that we are less of a subject of the DI and more in control of our reading - this is a really crucial bit of theory and so would be important for you to remember to include when writing about the Inbetweeners.
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