In this episode, to portray gender through camerawork there is a competition for power and superiority between Martha and the Master. When the Master and Martha talk the camera uses the shot,reverse technique and the 180 degree rule allows a sense of continuity in the episode. The camera is tilted up at the Master and then switches to be tilted downwards on Martha. This is perhaps to show superiority towards the Master in comparison to Martha who is made to look insignificant. The director wants the Master to look in control at this point of the episode. As a patriachal society perhaps the audience naturally feel as though the Master would be in control of the situation. Furthermore, Martha is out focus when she walks in from the lift to begin with, she is surrounded by two male security guards this shows her vulnerability and defencelessness, typical of a woman or a ‘maiden in distress’. However, the Master is focused on in a close-up shot showing his menacing attitude and centre of attention. Making him seem more powerful compared to her as the woman. The camera then switches to the male hostage, he is at the same level as the master showing the master isn’t looking down on him because he is a male; however, because he is seen in a wide-shot it distances the audience from the male hostage and from the master suggesting the hostage isn’t scared by the Master’s elevated power as apposed to Martha looking worried at this point. On the other hand, by the end of the clip the camera looks down on the master making the balance between power change to him now looking vulnerable which makes him as a male, not look as strong anymore which subverts the typical gender stereotype behaviour.
Furthermore the sound design of the flying orbs is in a female, robotic voice which subverts the typical female stereotype of playing the victim and being innocent. The voices grow louder and it makes them threatening. As the scene begins, the non-diegetic composed music sounds heroic and has an element of western-style music which sets the audience up for the competitive,dramatic fight for power between Martha and the Master.In the switching of power between the two main charactersMartha’s laugh grows louder which perhaps mirrors her elevated power over the Master, because she is confident she is winning this battle of wit. Masculine sounds are associated with the Master such as the laser and gun, which emphasises his superiority towards the other characters. On the other hand though, it limits his power because they sound like toy guns that young boys would pretend to have a shoot-off with their friends, fundamentally making him look immature and weaker. Consequently is shows Martha’s growing power counter-balancing the Masters. Furthermore, the authortitive tone the Master speaks in is almost mocked by Martha’s rebellious and quick comebacks which reduces his air of power. The pulses of music are used to signify moments of flashbacks and function to signposts Martha’s power increase.
The editing in this episode establishes an equal amount of time shared between both the Master and Martha which all in all, suggests their equal amount of importance, perhaps the equal power they both possess at this point in time of the episode. However, there is less attention shown on the male hostage an female orbs showing their lack of power as apposed to Martha and the Master. The male hostage treats Martha as the one he looks up to which subverts the gender stereotype because she is a woman acting as the ‘heroic’ character. The editing between shots (cut transitions) quickens as Martha gets more confident that she beating the battle of power with the Master, which in turn creates more tension on the action for the audience.
The Master is wearing a suit with his button un-done, which suggests he is relaxed bout the situation and in his element, almost as if he is smug about the fact he is thinks he is in control. Despise the fact Martha is seeming to gain more and more power over him. She is wearing a black, masculine suit which subverts the gender stereotype in being a vulnerable woman not willing to fight. The shift in power between Martha and the Master becomes apparent when he sits on the stairs. It’s a patronising stance as he lowers himself to her level metaphorically and physically, like he is an adult listening to her story. This may be his realisation she is stronger than he thought. The male hostage wears a blue, normal looking outfit which reflects his calm attitude towards the situation, he seems confident in what Martha is telling the Master.Although the fact he is held hostage as a male, just like Martha was, as a female, depreciates the Hostage’s masculinity. Moreover, earth is represented as gloomy and in danger, Martha is on a journey informing people of the crucial name they need to chant ‘doctor’. By her doing this, it sets her on a stool of power and ‘disciple’ like behaviour spreading the ‘teachings’ she had heard.
Jemma North's AS Blog 