'Wallander', (Firewall, 7th December 2008, BBC1)

Analysis of 'Wallander':

The show opens with the camera producing an establishing shot by the use of panning and then tracking in towards the location. As it is an extreme long shot, it portrays to viewers the isolated and abandoned surroundings. The tranquil setting makes it unsuspecting of anything to happen; the rural environment enables the opening to be quiet, calm, exposed and excluded. However, the emptiness of the shot can worry and concern audiences as nobody is around, and it looks deserted.

         

The low hyperbolic sound of wind has been exaggerated to build up the suspense, and anticipation of what is to follow. The sound is eerie, coming across as quite disturbing to viewers, and makes them feel uneasy. The sound gradually gets louder as the camera continues to track in, hinting to audiences that the image at the height of the sound will be uncomfortable/negative. Viewers can see a car with its doors wide open and off the road, and two people walking in the opposite direction - viewers want to know why they are leaving the car, and it reinforces the idea of isolation and abandonment of the surroundings. Just before the cut, a higher pitched sound is brought in, making it quite chilling, and because it happens suddenly, it's quite a violent sound.

The abrupt cut from the countryside to the two female character walking away, changes the mood put across to audiences quite suddenly. This shot is a mid close-up of the characters, and because the characters don't look back in the direction of the camera, it's as if they don't want to see what is behind them. However, them not looking back and walking away, could also mean they're not worried; they're in no rush to get away - as if they're confident in their actions. The girls walking away foreshadows that something bad may have happened. As the characters are revealed to audiences slowly, and because we are unable to see any expressions they may have, it's as though they are hidden from us, and builds up the anticipation further.

The blood seen in this shot confirms to audiences that something bad has happened. Due to the amount of blood, and the view that it is splattered in various directions, it shows that something violent and brutal has taken place. The sounds heard in this shot are diegetic sounds: the radio, and the birds outside - it inserts a sense of normality, although the sounds are juxtaposed to what is going on inside the frame. The camera is placed inside the car with the female characters being out of focus - therefore as they disappear, it becomes more mysterious as to what their connection to the car is. 

The dark clothing on the characters gives viewers the impression that the girls don't fit the surroundings: audiences can see that one character is wearing leather - a very edgy and rebellious style, this then being reinforced by the multiple colours in her hair - as if she's the leader. This idea about a leader/follower is supported by the characters positions within the shot: one is in the foreground and is in focus, with the other being placed in the background and out of focus. The close-up of their faces show one to be focused and calm, and the other looking worried and scared. The female in the foreground appears expressionless and cold - implying she has no guilt or shame over what has happened. The hyperbolic sound of heavy breathing proves to audiences the sense of panic or fear the girls may have, and it also implies that they may be trying to compose themselves. The lack of dialogue between the two makes it quite uncomfortable and awkward for audiences. 

The close-up of a male characters face proves the brutality over what has happened. This shot is quite graphic, and viewers wonder what this character must have done in order to deserve these injuries. The face is shown to be bruised, swollen, cut and bloody - this illustrates to viewers how severe and maybe even fatal his injuries are. But, this is idea of his injuries being fatal are then contradicted by the characters eye twitching; it gives him a bit of life. 

This two shot proves that the blood on the female characters connects them to the man in the car - as if there's been a struggle and they are involved. As a result of using shot-reverse-shot between the inside of the car to the female characters, it strengthens the idea that there is a connection between the two. Audiences notice that editing is becoming more frequent: giving us lots of information about the characters, and to also speed the pace up. Therefore, the lack of cuts in the beginning were used to build up the suspense. 

The close-up of the male characters hand also twitches, implying to audiences that he is infact, alive.

The taxi driver ID card gives clues to audiences about who he is; it gives him an identity, and allows viewers to know more about him: he's no longer a stranger to us.

The close-up of their faces and the continued sound of heavy breathing portray their determination to escape the situation. 

The amount of blood shots to audiences the extent to what has happened. Also, along with the previous shots as well as this shot, the amount of blood proves that a serious crime has been committed.

A close-up of a keyring attached to a set of keys gives the sense that the male character is family-orientated. It gives the impression that he is a good guy, therefore viewers may feel sympathy towards him as the memory appears to be sentimental and happy.

The cut to a close-up of a knife acts as an answer to our questions asked throughout. As the knife is covered in blood, we can witness it has been used. To back this up, the hand gripping to the knife is also bloody. 

The close-up of the hand dropping the knife is quite vague and ambiguous to viewers as we don't know which female character it is that was holding it, yet we assume a particular character because of what has been insinuated about who the leader and follower is in this relationship. The high pitched sound as the character releases the knife signifies that it is an important and poignant moment. 

The opening title sequence then begins. This sequence links thematically to the previous shots; the black object that is included acts as a knife - an object seen in shots prior to the titles.

'Wallander' Opening Sequence: