The opening to the first scene has a strong Western feel; this doesn’t follow the stereotypical portrayal of an effeminate man as westerns are always about proving how much of a man someone can be. The ‘face-off’ style meeting they have gives the feel of danger and is filled with testosterone which isn’t something a gay man is usually linked with. The use of close ups on the eyes and feet entering through swinging doors along with the western influenced non-diagetic background music presents the two men within the scene as butch, manly characters. Their walks are also masculine, slow and tense which disproves the stereotypical ‘strut’ of a gay man.
The stereotype of sexuality is strongly reversed in the key scene within the episode which is the fight scene. For instance the quick cuts and exaggerated sound effects for each punch make the fight feel fast-paced and violent. Also within the mise-en-scene the two characters snigger and grimace as they throw each punch as if they are enjoying the violence. The non-diagetic ‘song 2’ combined with the wide range of quick shots and exaggerated punching sound effects keeps the pace of the scene quick and snappy in order to grasp the audiences full attention, but it also makes the scene chaotic and full of adrenaline and testosterone, it shows two savage, uncouth men having a full on intense fight over what seems to be nothing. This is the complete opposite to the stereotype.
On the other hand the stereotype unconventionally shines through during the fight due to the use of close ups and the red colour scheme which connotes the closeness and passion between the two characters. Due to the censorship issues with nudity and sex the use of close ups, red setting and passionate adrenaline filled violence could be a metaphor or a substitute for what would be a passionate sex scene if rules allowed it to be.
After the fight there is a moment of bitchy banter between the two, where they have digs at each other about physical appearance including hair loss and weight gain. This brings back the typical gay stereotype within the two characters as gays are known for being very strict about their appearance and also being very bitchy about others. At this point as the action has finished and the pace of the scene has slowed down with longer shots and less close ups, this gives the viewer a chance to notice more about the characters physical appearance. Jack is in very dark clothes, with a long sweeping black coat; it is very dark and garish and doesn’t follow the stereotype which is loud, extroverted clothing. On the other hand the other character within the scene is wearing a maroon and gold jacket with tight trousers and boots, he appears to be dressed up in fancy dress, this follows the stereotype as they are known to dress up, think ‘Village People’! This could connote that Jack is the man in the relationship. Another thing that backs up this idea is that within the scene where they are chatting by the bar in every two shot and Jack is above his love interest showing that he possibly has more power and control within the relationship.
In the cab scene the others complain about Jack being unreliable and flimsy but they also say that it’s more fun when he’s around. Within the mise-en-scene everything is black which could connote the fact that they have been ‘left in the dark’ by Jack. The fact that they say he’s more fun backs up the stereotype as they are known for being vivacious and exciting. The way they describe him as unreliable could swing both ways as women often complain about men being unreliable therefore showing Jack as a generic male, on the other hand it could confirm the stereotype as it shows him as being spontaneous and a free spirit that doesn’t follow the rules.
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