EXAM Q5

QUESTION 5: 'Explain how social contexts influence television programmes. Refer to The Avengers.'

In the episode ‘The Town of No Return’ of ‘The Avengers’ it is noticeable that the time in which it is  set massively contributes to what we see on screen. This is obvious when looking at their social interactions and activities they do. At the near beginning of the episode while Miss Peel and Steed are on their way to the Little Bazeley, the interaction between them and the gentleman who gets on the train seems shocking to an audience of 2017, this is as now days with the use of mobile phones and other electronics it’s rare that face to face interaction occurs especially in places like trains. Also during the train scene afternoon tea between Steed and Miss Peel happens, this is also very uncommon to the 21^st century.

The Avengers was one of the most iconic movement in woman’s history, with an independent and capable character of Miss Emma Peel, prior to all of this, it would be almost unheard of to have a heroine, let alone a strong dominant female character, despite women getting the vote in 1928. Her violence to the imposters at the end of series four must’ve shocked many viewers around the time it was aired and she defied many stereotypes of women around the world.

What is even more obvious about the social context is the dialect and costumes. The characters announce all their words perfectly, reflecting their social class as being very intellectual and respectful. All of the characters are well spoken and most are polite again portraying their social class well. Their sentences are very well formed in that they always make complete sense. The costumes are very formal, Steed is always dressed well, presenting himself as bright and trustworthy individual, ideal for his characters role and very suitable and fitting for the time that The Avengers is set in. The Avengers is set around 20 years after the war which is noticeable in the clothes they wear and again the way in which they speak.

The war is also evident to have been recently this is because of subtle references, such as the bricks which spell out; ‘piggy warren killed in action, 1942’ the war ended in 1945, and The Avengers first aired in 1961, the location of what appears to be a deserted air field also has hints of a War atmosphere. During the first night, when Steed and Miss Peel first turn up to the pub, there is small planes hanging by a thread. ‘Ah, the old 33, RAF fighting squadron stationed here during the war, airfield just outside the village’ announces Smallwood, showing he has a clear knowledge of the war, which again was very common around the time in which the series is set. The rubble of the airfield again presents the war as a recent event – which it technically was; only 20 years ago planes were having dogfights above us and we had troops fighting for our lives and safety.

The influence of all of these occurrences effect story lines and characters massively, whether it be the small props like decoration in a pub, interactions on a train or even day to day greetings or the dialect, accent or way they dress, they all effect the series in some way shape or form.