Codes + conventions

• What do crime dramas have that is specific to sub-genres?

  A recognisable repertoire of elements
• How have crime drama conventions evolved?

  To reflect social and cultural change
• What is the usual basis of the narrative in crime dramas?

  A crime that needs investigation
• What narrative structure may crime dramas conform to according to Todorov's theory?

  A linear structure from disruption to resolution
• What is a characteristic of inverted narratives in crime dramas?

  They show the crime and perpetrator at the start
• What is a restricted narrative in crime dramas?

  Information is withheld from the audience
• How does The Bridge utilize a flexi-narrative?

  Characters are complex and storylines interweave
• What are narrative disruptions in crime dramas?

  Events or revelations that change the story
• What position may the audience occupy in crime dramas?

  A privileged spectator position knowing more than characters
• What do binary oppositions in narratives include?

  Good vs evil, police vs criminal
• What cultural differences are highlighted in The Bridge?

  Sweden vs Denmark, Saga vs Hanne
• What ideological significance can resolving binary oppositions have?

  Evil being punished and justice prevailing
• What typical plot situations are included in crime dramas?

  Discovery of a body, an arrest, an interview
• How does The Bridge differ in its portrayal of typical plot situations?

  Due to incongruencies in Saga's character
• What happens during the interview with the victim's wife in The Bridge?

  Saga is prevented from showing crime scene photos
• What are story arcs and narrative strands in crime dramas?

  They occur in episodes and across the series
• What is significant about the first episode of The Bridge?

  It introduces several complex narrative strands
• How are the narrative strands in The Bridge characterized?

  Some are new, others carry over from previous series
• What are the key narrative strands introduced in The Bridge?

  • Saga’s past and her involvement with Martin
  • Partnerships and team dynamics (Hanne, Lillian, Saga)
  • The crime of Helle Anker's murder
  • Additional storylines including Alexsandr's role
  • Henrik's drug dependence and family enigma
• Who is Saga involved with in The Bridge?

  Martin
• What is the nature of the partnerships in The Bridge?

  They involve team dynamics and tensions
• What is the central crime in The Bridge?

  Who killed Helle Anker?
• How is the murder scene of Helle Anker described?

  Set up as a nuclear family
• Who is Alexsandr in The Bridge?

  A character with an additional storyline
• What is Henrik's character trait in The Bridge?

  He has drug dependence
• What is the expectation regarding Henrik and Saga's relationship?

  How they will work together
• What are the typical stock characters in crime narratives?

  Boss, detective, sidekick, victim, suspects
• How do character pairings contribute to crime narratives?

  They create tensions within the narrative
• Who are the characters mentioned in relation to tensions in the narrative?

  Saga, Hanne, and potentially Henrik
• What role do settings and locations play in crime narratives?

  • Become synonymous with the programme
  • Relate to characters and sub-genre
  • Some settings are typical (e.g., police station)
  • Others become iconic (e.g., the bridge)
• What are some typical settings in crime narratives?

  Police station, post-mortem lab, urban settings
• What makes certain settings iconic in crime narratives?

  They become closely associated with the brand
• How do settings relate to characters in crime narratives?

  Settings enhance character development and plot