...How Is The Opening Sequence Of Two TV Dramas Used To Establish Narrative?...

In this essay I am going to be analysing the two opening sequences of “Desperate Housewives” and “Footballer’s wives.” “Desperate Housewife’s” is a comedy drama series created by Marc Cherry which was released on October 3rd 2004. “Footballer’s wives” is a TV drama series created by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus which was released on January 8th 2002.

In the opening sequence of “Desperate Housewife’s” there are a range of medium and long shots which show scenes from the previous series to show the audience what happened previously if they did not see it. This was done so that it captures the targeted audience of females who have never seen the programme and to introduce them and keep them up to date with the new events that are taking place. This follows a linear narrative which means that the scenes are linked together chronologically so that the audience keep engaged and interested and have to watch the programme to see what new events happen next in the programme.

Similarly, in the opening sequence of “Footballer’s wives” they also have a number of medium and long shots which introduce each character in the programme to give the audience a feel of what each character is about and what part they have in the programme. This is done to attract the audience into watching the programme as they will feel that they know a basic introduction of the programme. It follows a non linear narrative so the audience are unexpected of what scenes are going to appear next on screen and raises enigmas in the audience mind they may then watch the programme to answer their questions.

Furthermore, in both “Desperate Housewife’s” and “Footballers wives” there is a voiceover through out the opening sequence which help the audience follow what is going on the screen. This could represent that we as the audience are apart of the voiceover and that we are looking over on what is happening in both environments of the programmes; fourth wall. The audience being the fourth wall suggests that we are included in the narrative and it’s almost a secret for us that we have to keep in because we cannot tell the characters in the programme.

In both opening sequences there are medium shots of women that are living in wealthy lifestyles. This represents that the women are living in luxury of superior roles. This links to a female audience of A and B socio demographics via personal identity. This reinforces the theory of feminism as in the programme the women are the dominant sex in society. This then suggests that the programme is based on feminism and how women can be the dominant sex in society by challenging the stereotype of a patriarchal society. This make the narrative slightly different for both programmes as most media texts are base upon a patriarchal society; it has only been quite apparent for women having power.

Moreover, in “Footballer’s wives” there is a high angle shot on a women which focuses on a women in a bikini in a swimming pool who narrates the opening sequence. This represents that the women in the programme have a bit more power and they know everything that is going on in the programme. This links to a male audience as they may feel that the women narrating maybe acting in the programme. This proves Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze by women being objectified as sex objects.

In addition to this “Desperate Housewife’s” title sequence has a shot of a cartoon form re enacting of events of Adam and Eve, and Eve eating the apple rather than Adam. This represents that Eve being a female was the dominant sex as she ate the apple. This links to a female audience as they may watch the programme to re ensure themselves of having power. This also, suggests that programme is going to be primarily about females and how they are the dominant sex in society.

In conclusion, I think that the two opening sequences which I have chosen both have different narratives as one is a linear and one is non linear. However, they both try to put the same message across to show that women are the dominant sex in society.