Capital: Representations

Episode 2 summary: Arabella is back home and is less concerned about Matya (the nanny) than Roger's bonus. Arabella was happy for Matya to accompany Roger at an auction where Roger spent almost £2000 on a picture for her. Quentina was arrested and kept in a detention centre whilst Mashinko waited for her. From postcards being sent, people were now receiving dead rats and birds. A couple months later, Petunia died and her daughter Mary decides to renovate the house in order to sell it. Bogdan finds £100,000 whilst renovating Petunia's home. Ahmed and his family gets a special visit from their mother however they all end up being arrested. 

Episode 3 summary: The police continue to investigate the "We want what you have" campaign and suspect Shahid for it. Shahid continues to say he is innocent and he had nothing to do with it despite him having the IP address for the blog. DI Mil tries to get answers and manages to get Shahid to talk about the campaign. It is later revealed that Shahid is innocent and his brother Usman was the one who created this blog with the help of his family and the lawyer. Roger and Arabella decided to move to the countryside where they could start over again. Mary and her son sorted things out and had a nice conversation.

Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49

The representation of family was significance within this opening scene especially of the Asian “Kamal” family and Petunia, the elderly women who lived on Pepys road. The Kamal family were represented as the typical Asian family who bicker over anything which is seen with Ahmed, Shahid and Usman. The Asian family are represented as very kind and humble beings who love to help others which is seen when Ahmed helped and walked Petunia home. The Kamal family seem to be quite close as a family and are comfortable “joking” around with each other.

Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10

The representation of wealth is quite significant to the workers like Roger as he was supposed to receive a large bonus. The importance of the bonus suggests that money is the only thing that matters and that your wealth defines who you are. The fact that Roger mentions “bonus season” suggests he is eager about the money he is going to get and that he has already started to plan what he is going to do with that money. Also, an important thing to notice was that the workers in the huge company were predominantly white males which could suggests that London may not be as diverse in working matters.

Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35

Here Roger is the one who works and earns all the money while Arabella takes care of the children and essentially is seen as a “housewife.” Arabella seems to be taking advantage of her husband and how much he is earning. Materialistic things keep her happy otherwise she argues with Roger. The “Yount’s” are represented as the typical “rich, white snobby” people who do not pay attention to anything other than showing off their status. Roger and Arabella are seen arguing over his bonus and their expenditure which suggests that this bickering will continue through the other episodes.

Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40

The representation of Quentina forces the audience to sympathise with her because she can not stay any longer in the UK. Quentina deciding to work illegally in order to earn some money for herself but she was being exploited by the person paying her. This suggests that immigrants are mistreated when they are trying to help themselves. Quentina was forced to give the man a kiss in order to receive the money she worked hard for, despite giving the kiss she was not paid the full amount because he has to “increase his commission.” The fact that Quentina was working is an alternative representation that challenges the stereotype of immigrants.

Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00

The representation of wealthy people is important because their wealth is what defines them. Roger is seen to be disturbed by the fact he is not getting his bonus and only receiving 30 grand. Roger decided to drink away his problems thinking that consuming alcohol will make things better but rather made them worse between him and his wife as they continued to argue. Roger reinforces the stereotype of rich ignorant people as he said “What use is 30 grands?” and referred to it as “basic pay”. Wealthy people expect the most where are others would be happy to receive that sum of money as a bonus.

Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55

Life at the corner shop seems to be quite well. The Kamal family are beyond happy and represent the stereotypical Asian family who have dinner together. The Kamal family enjoy having the whole family together for a nice meal while sharing their thoughts. However, like most typical Asian families they seem to be enjoying their meal one minute and then the next the are arguing and eventually end up back to normal as a “happy family.”

How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capital reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?

Capital reinforces certain stereotypes such as the corner shop is owned by an Asian family or the fact that the wealthiest people are white. Capital also reinforces the fact that immigrants are mistreated and have a difficult time trying to survive.