So3 E06 - Naomi

Episode Overview

Naomi thinks she has the world worked out, and puts people in their appropriate boxes. There's her hippy mum; the adoration from Emily; Cook's insulting manner; and her politics teacher, Kieran's flattery. She thinks she has them all sussed, and that it's only her who can see the truth. However, the upcoming student elections leave her at a loss, and her insecurities get the better of her. The trust and confidence inspired by Emily encourages her to stand up to her arch rival, the antithesis of everything she stands for, as her and Cook go head to head, and the clash allows her to realise a few things about herself and the others, that she may not be who she thought she once was. She realises she wants Emily and she is slowly turning into a lesbian, as well as the nice side of Cook after discovering her loss at the school election. She also finds out about Kieran's relationship with her mother. Emily tries to encourage Naomi to stand up for what she is, which is the only thing Naomi cannot work out how to do.

Body Language

I am going to analyse a short clip from this episode, showing Freddy and Naomi stumbling across a large crowd watching Cook and JJ's election bid on the school roof. I will focus on body language.

Due to the video owner's request on Youtube, I am unable to embed this video straight to my blog but you can view click by following this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuCryfirOZc.

This first shot shows Naomi riding a bike along a crowded path. Immediately we sense her independance and how she is not following the crowd, all of whom are walking - she has chosen to ride her bike. She slows down showing something has caught her attention and we are curious to know what this is. She stops next to Freddy with a look of disgust on her face and they are both staring up in the same direction, which suggests where the focus of the clip is. A motivated cut leads us to a shot of Cook and JJ on the roof. They both have their arms raised in the air and Cook punches the air shouting to encourage the crowd. We can tell all the attention is on Cook as he has both arms raised in the air, whilst JJ only has his nearest arm to Cook in the air as he gesticulates heavily towards Cook. He is possibly shyer and does not want the attention on him. However, both characters ooze confidence in the way they cheer and shout, with Cook in power holding the megaphone. Cook continues to dance and act to the crowd as he is an attention seeker, with his impulsive, cockey and vulgar humoured side coming out as he makes sexual actions on JJ's leg. JJ turns away in slight embaressment and surprise giving the audience a sense of reaction to Cook's actions - what he wants. We cut to Freddy's disaproving shake of the head, clearly indicating he is not on Cook's side. He maintains a blank expression as if he has lost something inside or just cannot believe Cook's ordasity and lack of dignity. We sense a broken relationship between the two characters or some sort of rivalry, which is not quite bordering hatred as the disaproving action is not strong enough. Naomi has raised eyebrows in a sarcastic manner showing her detest for Cook. She mentions JJ instead of Cook and Freddy pauses in thought. His face turns in startlement, which quickly turns into a sunken look and his eyes briefly close in sadness. There is a mixture of anger and sadness at his loss with JJ, showing he possibly cares more about this broken relationship than the one with Cook. It is a look of sudden realism that he has lost two friends, not just the one, and his heavy sighs here show he has been deeply effected by this. In the preceding conversation Freddy maintains a look of irritation, which does not change as if things have got so bad he does not care anymore what happens. Naomi mentions Effy and he does not react, more pausing in thought. He is lost for words but quickly turns around to speak when he has gathered his thoughts. We can tell he thinks hard about Effy, whom he possibly loves. His eyebrows shape downwards in the centre showing his anger, and he stares hard at Naomi showing how much he cares about the subject. His body more faces towards Naomi as he has found someone to confide in. Naomi carries a curious look shown by her squinted eyes, but she deeply cares for Freddy because she stares into his eyes. She can see a need Freddy has to let his emotions out so stands still to encourage Freddy's body movement and control in order to tell her what is wrong. She does not do the typical thing of showing affection by hugging or physical interacting with Freddy, but does the Naomi thing and assess the situation with thought and care, to try and work everything out. Freddy looks back up at Cook and JJ with a lost look and as he gears to walk away his head moves down sunken again in anger and frustration. He gives an uncertain look to Naomi as he does this, which is a confusing expression either showing anger at Naomi's curiosity or simple frustration at life, as if it is a knowing look and he knows Naomi knows what is going on. As he turns away Naomi briefly disengages eye contact, eyeing him quickly up and down to see his overall person - she is analysing him completely. As he walks away she stares thoughtfully after him but not in any sort of lustful or dreamy way. It is a knowing look and she looks worried about what will happen. She then looks up at Cook with uncertainty and we can tell she thinks he is the centre of Freddy's problems. She gathers her bike with force and strain in abrupt movements showing she is angry and slightly fazed, but she keeps her lips tightly together showing she is tough, strong and willing to fight Cook. It is a look of determination as she leaves and we cut back to Cook who has his back turned to the crowd in extreme arrogance, arms in the air. He is the man and he wants people to worship him, whilst JJ continues to gee up the crowd as Cook's little sheep and follower. His expression is simple glee as he does not know what else to do to interact with the crowd. They wave their arms to the beat of the crowd's chant, showing their control and power over the situation. It suggests they are winning the battle but Naomi's last look suggests she thinks otherwise. It makes an intriguing plotline and the audience is left with little choice but to continue watching to found out what Naomi does to confront Cook and help the confused Freddy.