There are many elements that work together that lead to the overall success of this soap including Narrative, Representation, Realism and Audience. I see Eastenders as a community of people, consisting of friendships, friction and family. When Eastenders was created in 1985, unemployment was at a high and many of the characters chosen represented the area of East London, for example Den and Pauline had distinctive accents that audiences were able to relate with the East. I feel over the years Eastenders has become glamorised and less realistic than when it first become. The sets have changed dramatically for example the nightclub, not many streets have a night club at the end of them, this can make the soap opera seem very unrealistic.
As the episode begins the audience can see Ronnie jogging through Albert Square in the morning which is the iconic location of the soap. Time is reflected through this opening scene as Ronnie is going for a morning jog this explains it is the start of a new day. In the 2nd scene past storylines and characters are brought to the future this is represented by Mo looking for her nieces birth certificate, this narrative shows how time as progressed. An old character Kat Slater plans to return to the soap. Her return has been anticipated, it was aware to many viewers that she was returning as it was all over gossip magazines and in many newspapers. Short scenes are used in this episode to leave the narrative unclear, for example the situation with Kat (new character) is unexplained creating an interest in the narrative.
Jodie and Darren are facing some issues within their teenage romance which attracts many teenagers as they can relate to it, this expresses a form of realism. Many teenagers will continue to watch Eastenders to find out what happens between their relationship as they feel they can relate to the issues expressed. Heather is holding a christening for her son in this particular episode, regular viewers of Eastenders will have a preconceived image that something bad will happen at this event as nothing runs smoothly. Sam intends to ruin the christening as she hopes to leave Albert Square with Heathers boyfriend Minty, he is unsure of his feelings towards Heather and he feels it is becoming unrequited love . Unrequited love is represented as Minty explains to Sam " I will feel bad on Heather, but i do love you more". This narrative is also expressed in Coronation Street and Home and Away at this current time. This seems to be a very common narrative for soaps and gains many viewers as they want to find out what happens next. Sam's current story line leaves future unclear which expresses a sense of time. The audience is able to identify that a christening is taking place through narrative along with mise-en scene as a christening gown is visible in the frame along with decorations and food. The event will be held in the community centre which was expressed through the dialogue used, the location of this event insinuates that characters in this soap are from a working class background. Social class is also communicated to the audience by the characters jobs for example the café, and the laundrette. Audiences can also relate to these locations which show how realism is portrayed in this soap. The locations shown in this soap are realistic as it shows characters at work and running everyday errands. There is no artificial lighting in this soap which also creates a real persona.
There are 3 main storylines which are the christening, Kats return and Sam’s departure. As one character is leaving the soap (Sam) another one is joining (Kat). This keeps the audience incised and interested as the story is forever progressing. The christening and Sam’s departure connect with each other as many soap operas interconnect main storylines with each other to create maximum drama. A cliff-hanger is apposed at the end of this episode. This particular cliff-hanger will excite the audience because It involves the new character Kat, which the audience will be interested in and wanting to find out what happens next. Although Sam has left the soap there is no closed narrative and she is able to return to the soap at any time, death is the only closed narrative available and as time increases some soaps even come back from the dead.
As one iconic character leaves Sam (Left) a new characters is re-enters back into the soap (Right). As the producers believe that many Eastenders viewers have been the same for years they expect them to know who Kat Slater is and what she represents.
This research has now enabled me to make changes to my treatment before presenting it to my group. I feel that even if we chose a different group members treatment that I can still use the lessons iv learn't from my research, and make improvements and changes to what has been chosen with my own creative eye. I feel that I need to anaylse a soap trailer as this will express to me what common shot types, movements, locations, mise-en-scene and editing can be used and why it is successful with explaining a narrative and story.
