Compare and contrast of the law in two extracts from ‘The Wire’ and ‘A touch of frost’.
Both ‘The Wire’ and ‘a touch of frost’ share similar traits, as well as the difference of characters and general plot. ‘The Wire’ can be portrayed as a TV law drama, for a younger audience as it appeals to them due to the certain gang related plot line, as well as the younger, adolescent characters. On the other hand, ‘A touch of frost’ is best suited for an older target audience due to the age of the protagonist and the more complex storyline which that certain audience are more likely to relate to.
Both genres are law investigation, but do differ in sub-genres. ‘The wire’ can be seen as a gang related drama as well as law drama, the involvement of gangs and drugs appeal to the younger teenage audience which are more likely to be more interested to these circumstances. The sub genre relates to this social group as many can relate to these problems, and therefore find it more interesting to view this certain law drama. ‘A touch in the frost’ is a much more traditional law drama which includes one main character who controls the police investigation, but as the crimes are much more predictable allowing the older audience to view these dramas whereas ‘The wire’ replicates certain states in the US which are considered to be dangerous and treacherous to be living in, which could also indicate the age range relating to the certain sub-genre.
Both law dramas range in age of the main protagonist, ‘The Wire’s’ main character is roughly aged 25-35, whereas ‘A touch in frost’, where the main character is aged 50-60. These varied age groups directly show the target audience due to the protagonist’s age, allowing the storyline to be shown due to the age of the characters. Many of the actors within ‘The Wire’ are also aged around 25-35 representing their certain target audience, the level of understanding between the witness and the detective is also dissimilar, in ‘The Wire’, the protagonist is a informal character who attempts to understand the witnesses as their friend rather than harassing them with irrelevant questions which they do not need at this time. ‘A touch of frost’ is also aged around the main character and therefore allowing that drama to focus on the audience that they are anticipating.
Many of the characters are heavily dominated by masculine figures throughout both law dramas. Majority of the characters are male based, but within ‘The Wire’, there are main characters that are women. ‘A touch of frost’ is heavily male dominated but are women figures but of a lower rank whereas ‘The Wire’ have women characters who are of the same rank of the main protagonist, therefore breaking the relationship of men dominating the work environment. As ‘A touch of frost’ is set within the 1990s, a woman being portrayed in law enforcement was frowned upon therefore decreasing the amount of women within the law drama corresponding with the realist motion of law. ‘The Wire’ is set in the present day meaning that the gender wouldn’t be such an issue whereas ‘A touch of frost’ being set in the 90s therefore conflicts with the representation of the time. As characters in ‘The Wire’ is equally distributed with women and men characters, also not affecting the social rank, portraying the characters as equals.
As men within ‘A touch of frost’ are of higher rank than women, this then signifies the understanding at the time of women being a lower social class than men within this work environment. ‘The Wire’ on the other hand shows the equality of men and women also sharing similar ranks therefore portraying its attitude towards modern society and how it has developed over the years. Both law dramas share difference in opinion towards ranks of people due to their gender and also age difference between both TV dramas. Ethnicity would also have a contributing factor towards both dramas as on is set in 90s England and the other is set in present day America.
‘The Wire’ shares a more variety of characters due to their age range and their ethnicity, whereas ‘A touch of frost’ can then be represented as a traditional law enforcement drama and then showing the later development with ‘The Wire’. As the more recent drama, ‘The Wire’ would appeal to a younger audience therefore including characters from a range of ethnical backgrounds. ‘A touch of frost’ is suited for an older background, also including varied ethnicity, but set in the 90s and also not attracting the younger audience, ‘A touch in frost’ can be lenient on who they are accepting as the characters for the show.
Both law dramas show similar qualities but then vary from certain age, gender, social ranks and ethnicity. ‘The Wire’ is aimed for late teens to early twenties consequently showing all characteristics that aged ranged drama should be. On the other hand ‘A touch in frost’ portrays an older more traditional manner showing the professional and more orderly involvement with the investigation.
