The opening scene of CUFFS uses diegetic sounds to contribute to the authenticity of the police crime drama. Within the opening scene we can hear the intercom and sirens, these are both used to create a sense of realism and reality, as well as help the audience understand the genre of the series. Moving aside from this we can hear the sounds of seagulls and faint waves crashing up against the shore. This gives us an idea of the scenery whilst also following the traditional belief of Brighton being a seaside town. Furthermore, there is the common use of non-diegetic sounds which helps creates a deeper meaning of the experience of the fast paced working life of a policeman.
The Superintendent`s speech helps to create a sound bridge over the opening as well as the scene that follows, in which we meet he typical social groups of Brighton. This is portrayed through the cross-cuts of Ryan facing a bunch of thugs who are treating him with minimal respect. Irony as well as humour is also created as for what the Superintendent to be saying the opposite to what we see Ryan is facing on the frontline.
Cuffs is a programme which faithfully reflects the social, cultural and historical context of the 2010s. The opening scene and establishing shot also shows the audience Brighton's diverse community. Furthermore, reflecting representations of different ethnic backgrounds, different genders and different sexualities. In the course of this episode the superintendents mission statement for the police is challenged and tested because the force is not always shown to receive the respect and support of the public which he hopes for; for example, the rudeness of the stagdoo to Ryan, the way that Benson threatens Ryan with a screwdriver whilst verbally assaulting him and the shoplifter who tries to humiliate Jake whilst he is struggling to do his duty.
Similarly, the inexperience and naivety of Jake is also made clear when we see Ryan being firm and aggressive towards Jake. This comes as a shock to Jake, we know this through the use of dialogue. The dialogue allows us to understand Jake acts friendly and open towards Ryan trying to create a bond with his new colleague, telling him his name, age and sexuality. This is countered by Ryan as he piles pressure on him trying to keep a tough, experienced police officer as he describes Jake as "bedwetter" in addition to this he describes Jakes father as a "politician" rather than an officer.
For Blumer and Katz, audiences actively engage with media for their own gratifications. Audiences can get pleasure from empathising and identifying with characters and narratives represented in programmes like Cuffs. In the closing scenes of chapter 3, we once again get to meet the harsh life and the troubles which comes with being a police officer. This showed when Amit enters the corner shop and followed in by a group of racists. Who we soon find out stab Amit. Throughout this scene we can see the use of sound creating meaning. For example during his entry, we can hear diegetic pop music playing on the shop speakers. The friendly and inviting music helps us create a understanding that Amit's mood is upbeat, energetic and bouncy just like the music, also that he is a friendly, harmless teenager. However, this tranquil environment soon dies as the group of racists, including Benson enter the shop. With there enter diegetic pop music gets drowned out by immoral and dramatic non-diegetic music reflecting the mood of the racists. We can notice that with the distance between the group and Amit gets smaller the music gets louder highlighting the strong level of threat increasing. The rise in volume helps create an unfriendly atmosphere as the viewer knows something bad is about to happen as well as help build up suspension until the climax of where we see a curry packet spilling surrounding Amid.
Cuffs also helps meets audiences needs for escapism and diversion. Audiences watch programmes like Cuffs to escape from their everyday lives. Cuffs presents a very realistic version of life, offering lots of tension and drama. One example is the confrontation between Ryan and Nathan. There a mixture of sounds within this scene to help to understand the pressure and the level of control throughout the scene.
One way in with which Cuffs helps fulfil audiences pleasures is through presenting the social issues they have to face as a part of their job. An example of scene in which we get to see the struggle of which comes with policing is in chapter 5. The scene consists of Jake is trying to arrest a woman who stole items from a shop. Throughout the scene as the viewer we are made to have intense feelings of sympathy towards the police force as we understand the struggles and abuse they face on a daily basis. On top of this, in this is situation, with the female shoplifter, Jake is falsely accused of trying to sexually assault her as she desperately tries to escape her punishment. Consequently, as we know Jake is an inexperienced police officer we are made to feel sympathy for him because of the women taking advantage of his lack of experience and naivety. Although this scene has been created to express signs of comedy, we can have the feeling of culpability that society allows the woman to feel like they can accuse Jake of such a thing. Moreover, we express sympathy for Jake, and the police as for the new understanding that there job isn`t as easy as it seems with first look as for their feelings being disregarded and taunted because of the uniform they wear.
As the audience, during the conference regarding the stabbing of the Asian male by the Benson, we learn lots about Jo`s professional policing life as well as her personal life. At the start of this scene the camera frames a two shot of both the Jo and Superintendent Vickers, within this shot we are influenced to look at Jo`s facial expressions, which are expressing stress and upsets. Later during this scene we see Jo looking at superintendent's hands and ring suggesting that she is lost and thinking of the past relationship. As well as this we are made to feel sympathetic towards her as for us understanding there are lots of things running through her mind. This is met with a cross-cut to the witness watching the live broadcast, this would have been done deliberately as they are both feeling the same emotions of guilt and upsets. Overall this causes lots of meaning behind the scene as we learn that Jo is both soft inside regarding her personal life but tough and determined when doing her job. We soon find out that the police have a report and address for Keegan Benson, the racist thug who stabbed the innocent Asian teenager. This scene helps support us to learn more about Jo as for her being single-minded towards catching Benson. When they arrive at the address we are instantly under the impression of danger, violence and roughness as for the loud, diegetic, unfriendly music as well as the untidy house. However, even knowing they are outnumbered and support is still 20 minutes away they still enter the unknown environment. Therefore, this once again shows Jo`s determination and reliance towards her job and fighting crime.
