I chose to analyze the scene from season 3, episode 9 of The Wire where Carver and Colvin are discussing what to do about it being apparent that the body was dragged.

LOOK

The shots opens with the yellow police tape running across the middle of the screen. We then see Carver nervously moving back and forth along the outside of the police tape. Colvin then lifts the tape and walks over to where Carver is. Colvin appears bigger throughout most of the scene with Carver occasionally being obscured by him. The camera angle shifts two times.

LISTEN

There’s lots of background noise: radio buzzing, people talking, the faint sound of Colvin’s conversation, street noise, kids yelling. Colvin seems to be speaking much louder and in sharper, shorter statements than Carver who sounds much softer.

ANALYZE

Carver comes across as very nervous and unsure throughout, seeking guidance from Colvin. Colvin is loud and certain in his speech and movements. When the camera angle switches to focus on him, Colvin is saying that he will take the blame for the body being moved. It switches back after he says that. Ultimately, the way this shot it set up, we see that Carver is very much a pawn to Colvin’s plan and is trying his best to follows his orders despite not always knowing how to get out of various situations.