Representations of Homeland

Homeland belongs to the thriller genre but has elements of politics. Conventions of thriller dramas are the narratives as they tend to include secrets and cover ups. The knowledge of the genre affects the audiences expectations as you assume they'll be the antagonist at the root of a political scandal and the protagonist who has to pursue the truth.

In the first episode you are introduced to Carrie, in the opening section you see her talk to her boss in a disrespectful manner as she tries to get what she wants, she then goes behind her boss's back to get information from an Iraq prisoner and causes a diplomatic incident. Her character is represented as determinded and strong. Carries character challenges Laura Mulveys theory 'the male gaze' as you don't view Carrie as an object of desire. The audience have respect and trust for Carrie as she's to protect her country however the audience are positioned to not see Carrie as reliable because we're not sure of the lengths she'll go to prove her theory. She also challenges the stereotype appearence of blonde hair and blue eyes due to the fact she stands up to authority and the audience like her as she's represented as the underdog when David tries to shut her down in Iraq yet she speaks to the prisoner anyway and has the power to save his family.
Carrie's boss David is the Director of Counterterrorism at the CIA, he is represented to have alot of power due to his occupation which isn't a streotype of a young black male. However his authority is often undermind by Carrie so he tries to restrain her, as the audience we don't like his character especially when we learn the reasoning behind his punishments on Carrie is because he blames her for his divorce suggesting they had an affiar. David is represented as weak contrasting with his powerful occupation.

Brody was found being held captive as a prisoner of war in Iraq after 8 years of being missing. At first he's represented as a hero who's undergone a traumatising experience therefore he's quiet and nervous. Brody returns home to his family but is jumpy and defensive when his wife touches him because of the beatings and scars he recieved in Iraq. As the audience you watch a sex scene with Brody and his wife through the eyes of Carrie therefore you experience the same emotional response as Carrie, the sex scene is awkward, agressive and lacks passion. The audience is cautious of Brody due to Carrie's informant saying an American officer has been turned. We soon learn that Brody lies about his interegation and that he beat the other missing marine to death.

Homeland Poster

The Homeland poster gives the audience an insight to the genre, narrative and characters of the Americam show.

The postioning of the characters suggest they are of equal levels because they are both eye level, the man is more forward suggesting that he has male dominance. The man is dressed in a USA naval outfit which helps to establish the genre of thriller.

The text 'The nation sees a hero. She sees a threat' also reinforces the thriller genre as well as establishes a working relationship between the two characters; suggesting they have a complication relationship where she doesn't trust him giving a clue to the narrative that she's going to find the truth about him.

The text also links to the image as you can only see half of his face, once side being the hero in millitary uniform and the other half being a blur that the blonde character sees as a threat. The blurred half of his face suggests his identity is missing which is a narrative link.

Homeland security is organised by the government in America which their highest priority is to protect America from terrorist attacks. Therefore the choice of title Homeland gives a huge clue that the main plot is going to be about terrorism .