Critical Investigation #1 - Textual Analysis (Luther)

Luther: Episode 3 series 2

(1 minute and 30 seconds analysis)

Luther is a 2010/2011 psychological British television crime drama which focuses on the unusual crimes that happen on the streets of London. As well as trying to solve murders and investigations, Luther has a stressful life behind the scenes also. Luther was created by Neil Cross

At 7 minutes to 8 minutes and 30 seconds, the audience would realize that Luther lives in a groggy, little council flat in London. The setting of the flat shows that Luther is still being represented negatively because despite his middle class job as DCI, he still lives a very working class lifestyle. The lack of furniture shows that he doesn't have many people staying at his house and may also suggest that he is hardly in his own house. It is evident that Luther doesn't have many people staying over, as a girl has to stay with Luther as she has no other place to go and Luther gives her a mattress and a sheet to sleep on. This suggests that he doesn't care much about his apartment as he only has the bare minimum. Luther's flat is also very messy with paper everywhere and pots and random cutlery, however, he has quite a lot of books in his flat. Luther asks the girl if she reads novels, and this goes against the 'typical' stereotype of black people as British television portrays black people as inadequate. 

In this scene between Luther and the girl, Luther rejects Hall's theory of 'dependency' as Luther takes the father role. The girl compares herself to 'Spongebob' and Luther didn't know what that was, so it shows their age difference and highlights Luther to be more of the father figure. The audience also witness Luther in the kitchen preparing food for the girl as she wakes up (something that a typical parent would do), Luther also gives the girl cooked breakfast as he settles for Frosties. The fact that a black man is in a kitchen cooking for another person is unusual as audiences don't regularly see it. So this shows that Luther counter-types regular interpretations of black people as they are normally shown 'causing trouble'. Even though Luther lives in a council estate, it doesn't define him as a person as he is a very intelligent and caring man.  

Furthermore in this scene, the way Luther talks and dresses is very significant. Luther talks very 'common' / has a strong east London accent, this is significant because it shows negative representations of black people. It shows that black people are not very sophisticated, so as Luther tries to steer away from the negative stereotypes it also refers back to them also. However, the way Luther speaks can be relatable to working class black men. The way Luther dresses is also very unkempt, as he doesn't shave and when he wears a suit and tie, he tries to be presentable for work, his tie isn't fastened all the way and his top button isn't done up which makes him look rather untidy. The way he dresses can also be symbolic for his apartment also.

Luther is shown on BBC 1, which defines their audience. Luther is a middle aged man, so the program may appeal more to males who are middle aged and from an ethnic minority. Luther is also a psychological crime drama which appeals more to a mature audience as it can give them something to relate to. Teenagers may find Luther interesting as it may have actors that they are familiar with, but on a whole, viewers over the age of 25 are more likely to watch it.