Our Girl

Episode 2:


Gender is represented in Our Girl very non-stereotypically. Firstly the programme is about Georgie Lane an army medic doing an humanitarian tour in Kenya, which is not very stereotypical as women are not normally portrayed or stereotypically in the army.








This show also challenges gender roles and represents gender differently as Georgie shows that women are not weaker than men and that they can be strong, brave and save themselves. Georgie is not sexualised at lot in this programme either which breaks stereotypical representation as often women are sexualised in the media. The way gender is represented makes gender more equal as Georgie is being portrayed as equal to the men.






The mise en scene challenges the stereotypical representation as it shows Georgie in a foreign warzone, in a harsh and brutal place fighting for her life which is not a typical setting of Georgie being represented in. Georgie is wearing clothes that are dirty and torn, which is different to normal representation of women being immaculate and perfectly clean, she is also wearing no makeup which is not typical of women and her hair is messy which challenges the normal representation of women being flawless.






The camera work represents gender as the shallow focus shots help show the emotions on Georgies face which was often bravery and determination. This is different to the stereotypical representation where women would be expected to be weak in this situation. The hand held camera shots shows the tension and danger of the situation and while its also shows Georgie's fear (which is typical of women in this situation) it is also shows her quick thinking and will to survive which is not a typical representation.






There are some ways in which gender is represented stereotypically in Our Girl. All the other soldiers on the tour are men which fits the typical gender representation of the Army and how men are the stronger and braver gender. Georgie is also talked about like an object by her kidnappers which is a more stereotypical representation of women and her love life is mentioned. It is typical that women's love life get mentioned in media and this happens to Georgie. It is also stereotypical that Georgie as a women takes on the role of the medic/nurse instead of just being a normal solider however she is still very involved in the missions, knows how to use a gun and plays the role of a combat solider too.


Episode 1:


At the end of Episode 1 gender is represented more stereotypically when Georgie is captured. Here she is shown as a more stereotypical female who is weak and under the control of men. She is represented more as the "damsel in distress".


The camerawork represents this as low angled shots are used while filming the male terrorists to show their power over her. Shallow focus is used when filming the male terrorists as this shows their harsh emotions, whereas when shallow focus is used on Georgie it clearly shows her fear and terror representing her as the weaker sex. There is also an establishing shot at the end when the van Georgie has been thrown in is driving off. This shot shows the helplessness of the situation for Georgie as they are driving into the middle of no-where with no chance of help which shows how Georgie as a  woman being controlled by the male terrorists has no control over the situation.


The sound represents gender as Georgies diegetic sounds are all screams and gasps of terror. This represents Georgie as weak and scared whereas all the males have harsh, deeper, stronger voices who aren't scared represents Georgie and her gender as weaker and less able to help herself. Whereas Georgie just screams and whimpers the men shout coldly at her and this diegetic sounds shows how Georgie is worse off in this situation than the men and makes her gender seem weaker and less capable than the mens. The darker more sinister music at the end an non diegetic and asynchronous sounds increases the tension but also represents how bad of a situation Georgie is in and foreshadows little hope.     


The editing represents gender as it is all fast paced editing right up until the antagonist steps out of his truck and then everything slows right down. This is to show his power, importance and his calm and control over the situation whereas Georgie has a lot of fast paced editing around her which shows her panic and terror, again making her seem weaker.