Cuffs Representation Exam Practise

Analyse how representation is used in the episode to create meaning for a mainstream pre-watershed audience. (5 Marks)

One of the characters, Jake, is represented as a white homosexual male police officer however is perceived challenging the stereotype of homosexual males. We know this because Jake refers to himself in the car as “gay” to Ryan, however there is no reaction from this,destroying that stereotypical homophobic behaviour through this. By Jake being openly “gay” he is portrayed as having a well built physique and is masculine which is challenging the stereotype of “gay” people as they are portrayed as feminine and “soft”. We can see this when he has no problem to hit the victim showing that  Jake's character is a countertype to the way that homosexual characters are predominantly represented. Showing gay people in a positive way instead of giving them that overall belief of society. Cuffs is shown at 8pm which is pre watershed, this gives the audience an idea that everyone can watch as it is not past watershed. This means that there will be no swearing or inappropriate behaviour which is not shown in Cuffs. In society today, Gay people are accepted, therefore this could then encourage people to be open about there sexuality without being judged or disliked.