Luther and the fall
Luther and the fall are crime drama shows that both take different and varying approaches to how they present their work. For example, both have very different directions when looking into Pre Credit sequences, especially in regards to action build up and technical codes.
Pre credit sequence
The pre credit sequence follows Luther chasing a man in an abandoned factory. This shows Luther as being persistent, striking fear into the man who he chases. However, the personification of Luther is a negative one, showing no sign of him being a detective at this point and more so of him being a criminal. The camera is ridged and frantic as it follows Luther. This throws the audience right into the action and brings a fast and upbeat feel to the scene In comparison, The Fall focuses on the villain who seems to be the main antagonist, stalking a solicitor. The slow, methodical pace of the scene,as he does odd things like laying lingerie on the bed and eating a orange leaving the skin on the counter. The camera is still and direct on the antagonist, not moving frantic and taking precaution to follow the actions of him, creating the characters psyche and thinking methods. The lighting of the scenes are both darkened and cryptic in a way. They make sure to avoid being well lit to set a scene of a crime drama: the cold bleak world of crime
Characters
Luther is presented as a man who puts his job first: after being put on hold for a crime he was being investigated on, he was applauded on his return to the force purely based on his work ethic and success. His personal life is rough: he's going through a divorce and doesn't know how to handle his emotions. In contrast, the criminal of episode 1 is a young female who was bound for success by a young age: making precise and calculated moves to secure her alibi for the murder: one Luther cant prove. The fact that Luther is determined to drag her down fuels her and gives her a new target for her sadistic crimes. This makes the audience identify with Luther as he is a detective with personal issues holding him back.
On the other hand, The Fall presents the criminal as the more relatable and identifiable character. They do this by showing us his personal life: he has two kids and a loving wife, has a close relationship with his family and the people who work with him. This is a disturbing feeling of identification as he's also shown as a killer who stalks and rapes his victims. The fact that he targets brunette successful females shows he has a trope to follow and presents the victims as strong. The villain is presented as having a double life: the iconography of the shot where he stares into the mirror is a sign of his double life.
Genre + Narrative
Luther is presented as a crime drama and horror, showing signs of intertextuality. Luther at first focuses as a whodunnit, with Luther at first hearing the case and trying to create links to the criminal. He figures out the villain fast, turning the show into a how they done it and why they done it. The plot focuses on this storyline while he also has to deal with his declining marriage and personal life becoming a mess.
In contrast, The fall is presented as a crime drama thriller that never shows signs of a whodunnit and instead focuses on the protagonist figuring out how to catch the villain that we already know of. His motives are unclear but his actions and personal life are very clear and presented as such. The show isn't violent and is focused on the character development of the villain and the way he brings himself to commit the crimes. The episode is clear in presenting this villain as a long standing one: the main antagonist of the series.
Pre credit sequence
The pre credit sequence follows Luther chasing a man in an abandoned factory. This shows Luther as being persistent, striking fear into the man who he chases. However, the personification of Luther is a negative one, showing no sign of him being a detective at this point and more so of him being a criminal. The camera is ridged and frantic as it follows Luther. This throws the audience right into the action and brings a fast and upbeat feel to the scene In comparison, The Fall focuses on the villain who seems to be the main antagonist, stalking a solicitor. The slow, methodical pace of the scene,as he does odd things like laying lingerie on the bed and eating a orange leaving the skin on the counter. The camera is still and direct on the antagonist, not moving frantic and taking precaution to follow the actions of him, creating the characters psyche and thinking methods. The lighting of the scenes are both darkened and cryptic in a way. They make sure to avoid being well lit to set a scene of a crime drama: the cold bleak world of crime
Characters
Luther is presented as a man who puts his job first: after being put on hold for a crime he was being investigated on, he was applauded on his return to the force purely based on his work ethic and success. His personal life is rough: he's going through a divorce and doesn't know how to handle his emotions. In contrast, the criminal of episode 1 is a young female who was bound for success by a young age: making precise and calculated moves to secure her alibi for the murder: one Luther cant prove. The fact that Luther is determined to drag her down fuels her and gives her a new target for her sadistic crimes. This makes the audience identify with Luther as he is a detective with personal issues holding him back.
On the other hand, The Fall presents the criminal as the more relatable and identifiable character. They do this by showing us his personal life: he has two kids and a loving wife, has a close relationship with his family and the people who work with him. This is a disturbing feeling of identification as he's also shown as a killer who stalks and rapes his victims. The fact that he targets brunette successful females shows he has a trope to follow and presents the victims as strong. The villain is presented as having a double life: the iconography of the shot where he stares into the mirror is a sign of his double life.
Genre + Narrative
Luther is presented as a crime drama and horror, showing signs of intertextuality. Luther at first focuses as a whodunnit, with Luther at first hearing the case and trying to create links to the criminal. He figures out the villain fast, turning the show into a how they done it and why they done it. The plot focuses on this storyline while he also has to deal with his declining marriage and personal life becoming a mess.
In contrast, The fall is presented as a crime drama thriller that never shows signs of a whodunnit and instead focuses on the protagonist figuring out how to catch the villain that we already know of. His motives are unclear but his actions and personal life are very clear and presented as such. The show isn't violent and is focused on the character development of the villain and the way he brings himself to commit the crimes. The episode is clear in presenting this villain as a long standing one: the main antagonist of the series.
