Write a comparative essay analysing the representations of the ‘law’ in the 2 extracts from The Wire and A Touch of Frost.

Representation can be closely analysed in many TV programmes. In “the wire” and “a touch of frost” the use of representations helps the audience to feel the programme is realistic, as it shows everyday examples and experiences. One thing the media industry use mostly is stereotypes, as then the audience will instantly understand what type of character is being shown and what his status is. Furthermore producers and directors see the use of stereotypes as an easy way out, as in the audience’s mind, the character they see will be how the producers want to the audience to see them. Throughout programmes the stereotypes do not always remain as they were seen at first.

In TV dramas consisting of cops and police the characters are usually portrayed as being smart and intellectual. This representation shows the typical actors in a TV drama which makes the things happening more realistic to the audience as they can see real life examples when looking at the police. In reality Police are seen as authoritive figures in society with high status. Police dramas reinforce this stereotype as storylines create ideologies to the audience about the police force. The audience will be comforted and have faith in the police in real life society if they are portrayed in a positive way. Police symbolise protection and safety and if they are portrayed negatively as in previous police dramas in the 1960s, it could impact reality as the audience may make judgments and start to doubt the actions of police and the legal system. This is shown in “the wire” as the cop is the centre of attention as close-ups are used. This shows that he is the centre of authority.
Furthermore the wire over exaggerates storylines which are full of action scenes and enigmas. This could give false representations of the police work force. Although it engages and interests the audience by doing this it creates fantasy for the viewer. It doesn’t illustrate aspects of reality such as paperwork and small policing incidents.

In the touch of frost the end result is usually the police solving the crime or catching the criminal. This could be seen as unrealistic as sometimes a case cannot be solved. Although, in the story lines where the police make mistakes, it demonstrates to the audience that they are only human, which could make the audience relate to them.

Looking at both “the wire” and “A touch of frost” you can see that the police are mainly male. TV dramas tend to have this stereotypical view that all cops that handle cases are male, because they are more masculine. In a touch of frost, an old man is the main cop. This positions the viewer to think of the stereotypical views the producers have. Also the man seems to always be smartly dressed in his own typical uniform showing is authority and significance. This in the audience’s mind makes everything look real as in real life the main detective is normally in his own clothes talking while the other detectives are dressed as a police.

In addition in the wire you can see the person dead and they guy being questioned is of a black race. This is extremely stereotypical as it is said that most crimes created are from black people. This view allows the audience to think what is being shown is realistic. However in a touch of frost the bad guys are seen to be white.