Doctor Who - Gender

Representations of gender have been clearly illustrated through editing. Martha is shown to be a strong independent women when the scene cuts to the flashback of her walking through a cold marshland. The movement of Martha is put in to slow-motion to exaggerate the difficulties she went through and the isolation she had to cope with. This contradicts the stereo-typical woman, as usually the woman is being saved and the man has to experience the ordeal of being the hero, whereas in this Martha is shown to be the hero for the Doctor who is helpless.

The editing is also used to bring the Doctor back from being old and helpless, using CGI. This brings back the stereotypical hero sense of a man; this is shown as he floats across the room and kills the villain "the Master".

There are also gender stereotype methods used in the Mise-En-Scene. The 'Masters' wife is used to be a villain and is shown in this scene through her costume- a red silk dress. This shows that while many in the room have been suffering she has been wearing luxurious silk dresses, also the colour red suggest danger and the devil, suggesting she had some involvement in the 'the Masters' work. This is stereotypical as women that are associated with villains are usually weak and not able to stand up to their partner, instead they stand by and watch until they are able to escape.

Martha's sister and mother are dressed  as maids, showing that they are helpless and having to do 'a woman's job' whereas 'Captain Jack Harkness' has been performing hard labour and due to this is dirty and bruised showing him as being stereo typical man.

Camera shots are also used in this scene to show Martha as being the hero contradicting gender stereotypes. 'Point of view' shot is used for Martha when she enters to enable the audience to simulate the same experience Martha when she enters the room. It shows how her friends are in clear danger and desperate for help and that they are relying on Martha to save them. This shows that Martha has taken the stereo-typical role of the man as she has the role of the hero/saviour.

Sound is also used to create Martha's character as powerful and independent. When Martha begins to laugh and tell the Master about her travels, the soundtrack becomes uplifting and stronger- emphasising  her strength and independence over the last year. This shows further the clash with the stereotypical woman as usually this would be the man who was strong and being the saviour.