Many scenes are shot from a distance like surveillance which is reflective of the nature of the drama and links bak to the FBI. It also gives a sense of voyerism which could be used to make Americans (the main audience) feel safe as it shows that terrorists and potentials are always being watched.
Clothing of the characters is usually casual however they are made up of mainly dark colours such as blacks,greys, browns etc. This could be done to make them seem normal and regular, which increases fear that anybody could be a terrorist. The colours also reflect the sinister behaviour that they are taking part in.
Locations vary from places which seem appropriate such as warehouses and broke down buildings to places which dont seem appropriate at all such as synagogues and diners. However this is probably appropriate as the show is meant to show that the threat can be anywhere.
Music also plays a big part in the show. Songs such as "Mass destruction" by Faithless obviously links back to the nature of the show. A lot of hip hop is used throughout such as A Tribe Called Quest, this could be due to the main character being a Black Muslim, which many of these hiphop artists are, so in a way could be subverting that idea again. It could also be done as many of their songs are linked to topics being discussed within the show, it could also be done to show another nonstereotypical role for Muslims.
Institution:
Showtime Entertainment. Shown on Channel 4 & FX in the UK.
Showtime entertainment is linked to many new and controversial shows for example The L Word, Brotherhood, Weeds etc. so for them to produce such a show would be seen as normal and just a new project. The have also been a part of many movies such as World Trade Center and American Gun. This shows that showtime can be linked to more hardhitting, emotional and even controversial topics. By producing things such as the Sleeper Cell and World Trade Center it can also be said that showtime has a patriotic ideology which is reflected within The Sleeper Cell.
Channel 4 too is linked to many controversial shows,films, documentaries etc. so this show being shown on their show reflects their ideology. Channel 4 is also known for showing many top American shows such as Desperate Housewifes, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under etc. so again for the channel to air this show links back to the nature of their channel.
Genre:
The main genres which make up the show are action, thriller, undercover, terrorism. The characters are generic as proven through the characters of Farik ( a typical terrorist) and Ray Fuller ( a hardworking American agent). Through the characters generic expectations are fulfilled. The ending for example is a convention, that good always wins and most importantly that America wins, which links back to the patriotic ideology which is apparent throughout the show.
Representation:
The show represents Islam as a religion, Muslims, Moderate Muslims, Extremists, Black Muslims & Convert Muslims (both have a particular stereotype within the Islamic Community), Middle Easterns, Women (no main female characters simply used for sex).
Islam is shown as seperate from the people that follow it which isnt usually shown within shows, this is done through characters such as Kenneth and the Sufi community. It is shown in its true form and is a fair representation in comparison to how it is usually presented.
Moderate Muslims is shown through characters of Darwyn Al Hakeem and Sayd Abdul Malik who know Islam in its true form and adhere to it yet do not take it out of context and do not take it to extreme levels. This representation could be considered as new for Muslims as since the terror attacks Muslims are seen as extreme or distant from their faith never as people who follow true Islam in a western society. These characters relate back to my thesis and show that roles are slowly changing.
Black (AfricanAmerican) Muslims are usually linked to harsh stereotypes through their links to such organisations such as Nation of Islam. However this show subverts this stereotype and shows the lead a black sunni muslim as one of the characters who knows what the true message is and fights against those ruin the name of Islam. The character of Darwyn is good representation of a black Muslim. The show and network could have decided on this due to the high levels of black muslims (including converts) in America. Also this subverts another stereotype that Black Muslims are associated with prison which is shown through shows such as "Oz" however this lead subverts it by being an educated FBI agent whose was born into Islam.
Women are shown in a derogatory way throughout the show. Darwyn has a complicated relationship with Gail, despite this relationship she is still seen as an object for sex and Farik refers to her as a "whore". The only other real woman character is the FBI agent who takes over from Ray Fuller, although she is hardworking she is not respected by Darwyn at all. Irony surrounds the representation of women within the show as Muslim women are usually associated with opression and apparently having little respect from Muslim men whereas in this show it is the western women who arent given any respect and shown as mere objects for the men.
Audience:
Americans as its an American show and they are the most concerned with terrorism, Muslims as it is them being represented, People who have an interest in this genre.
.Ideology:
Patriarchal as its male dominated and they are seen as powerful and in control. (Shown through characters of Darywn,Farik, Ray Fuller).
Misogynistic as women are seen as nothing but objects for sex, weak, stupid and naive. (Gail & other women that are there merely for sex). However in the last couple of episodes of the series a women FBI agent does appear although she is strong, emotionally detached from the case and responsible she still is not given as much respect as she deserves for her work.
Theres an extremist ideology through characters such as Farik, as well as moderate thinking through characters such as Darwyn and Abdal Malik.
The show is also very patriotic as its the Americans that win over the Terrorists, this offcourse is expected as it an American show but it also boosts American spirit to the ongoing "war on terror".
Social & Political:
Terrorism is an on going problem which the USA is fighting against so socially it is something which is on going and everyone will understand it also makes the audience aware of such situations, it has a patriotic feel to it which is something often linked to Americans. Politically the program makes issues such as the Bosnian genocide and Serb killings, Pakistani Political uprising, war in Iraq, issues with Iran etc. aware to the audience many of whom may be aware of these crises.
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