Mattie_white AS Media

How is gender represented in this clip of 'Mistresses' ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3NhPDuC5BU&feature=player_embedded

During this clip taken from T.v drama 'Mistresses', gender is represented differently. The first couple we see have a subverted gender roles. The woman is dressed in a smart business suit and is handed a mug (by her husband) that reads 'super mum' that suggests she is a powerful character with children.
Throughout this scene we see Richard (male character) getting frustrated because he is a 'stay at home' man. We also see a lot of mid shots between the two characters and they seem to be close. The scene is slow moving (limited cuts) this introduces a realism into the narrative. A sound bridge is edited in and used to take us to the next scene.
The second scene shows a woman at a low angle ( on the floor) getting her child dressed/ready. we hear diegetic sound of the shower and the see a young handsome man exit the bathroom at a high angle. Interpreting the child's point of view (what the child is seeing). The camera then cuts to an eye-line shot of the mother and child. Then quickly cuts again to another low angle shot of an attractive, glamorous blonde lady also coming out of the bathroom. The use of a low angle shot gives the couple coming out of the bathroom a superior, more powerful representation, compared to the single woman looking after her child. We feel slightly sorry for her. This scene is also very quick, which illustrates the fast moving 'rush' of a household getting ready in the morning. The mother of the child is in a smart tray/black suit which indicates she is on her way to work. This character is shown as independent. However in the first and second scene traditional gender roles are not shown. For example the man would stereotypically be going out to work.
We enter the third scene with another sound bride. The third and final scene we see a couple with traditional gender roles. But before we see them together we are shown a high angled shot of golden balls which symbolise a pawn brokers shop. Instantly we know the character we are about to see is struggling for money . Non diegetic, mysterious sound is played and we see a close up shot of cash in the mans hand. We get an uneasy atmosphere as the music plays and question what the man is up to. Why does he need the money? The man in this scene seems like a  gentleman e.g buying his girlfriend flowers to make up for being late for an IVF appointment.
A door bell sounds and interrupts the couples embrace. The man travels down the dark hall way and opened the door to two men dressed in dark suits. We get a uneasy feeling as the mysterious characters don't allow the man to shut the door. The men turn out to be bailiffs. quick cuts are used and over the shoulder shot to show the fast pace of conversation.