Gypsy is a show that makes the viewers reintegrate their way of thinking. Every line that is spoken can be interpreted through a billion different ways.
The director captures the viewers in the introduction scene by the epic and intense music choice. The first image that actually appears on screen is a blurred background that then fades into a crowd of people walking about a train station. Not only is this shot interesting for the eye, but the monologue said by Jean Holloway (main character, who is also known as Dianne) is one to make you think deeply of your existence here on this planet, and your relationships with those who surround you. Secondly, the camera crew and the set managers set up each scene in such a surreal light that some viewers may even question is this real life or not. The angles and lighting set a theme for each scene and those two things work wonders when trying to persuade the viewers on who everyone is and what characteristics are important. Foreshadowing plays an enormous role in setting a “feel” for the show Gypsy; but in order for the viewers to notice the foreshadowing that occurs they would have to rewatch the episode again, and after I rewatched the first episode, I noticed so many new ques that I had missed the first time around. Jean/ Dianne oddly speaks of, “us all having secrets” and then goes into saying “you never really know a person truly bc people hide things.” Even right there I feel as if that is foreshadowing for her life, because I know she is hiding something. To support that statement, Jean goes to the coffee shop and orders a drink by the name of Dianne, later one of her psychiatric patients point out, “who’s Dianne” and she then quickly replies, “ohhh i must have picked up someone else's coffee.” There are a ton of miniscule details that Gypsy is built on, and it’s the viewer's responsibility to connect all the dots. Another interesting choice that the set director made, was the fact that every single one of Dr. Holloways patients outfits happens to be color coordinated to the backdrop of where they are sitting in the office. Also, when talking to the patients, the angles they are shot in are obscure. The backdrop is weird and unevenly faded behind them, it’s almost like half of the backdrop is in focus and the other half is not. Something that intrigues the viewers to want more from each is that all of the patients eyes have something special and mysterious about them. All the eyes seem to be hurt but yet they still have this bright and glossy feel to them. I can only think to describe these eyes as “lost eyes” or having “lost souls”. If you hate a show that has no consistency, Gypsy is not for you. Although one thing that does have consistency throughout the scenes is color. For example the colors of the set, clothes, and accessories are all centered around shades of blue and white. I have not yet uncovered what significance these colors have, but perhaps the white could be a representation of the pure and innocent life Jean claims she’s living.
If you need something in your life to make you think about your conscience mind, and what’s real in this world or not, Gypsy is the show for you.
When you mentioned the monologue at the beginning, I was wondering what your personal reaction was to it. Also, what exactly is the premise of this show, and how does the surreal nature of everything you mention fit into its theme or story? That being said, it certainly seems like there is a strong cohesion behind all the artistic choices of this show!
ReplyDelete