Tuesday, April 21, 2009

I counted 38. Thoughts on fuck.

I didn't post last night because we still have three weeks until the end of school, and it's still too early to bullshit assignments that are supposed to be meaningful.  Also, everyone else's posts were excellent and, again, I had nothing to say, especially after all of those.

 So there was some digression today on the scene in episode 4, in which the only word used is 'fuck.' Something Krzys said stuck with me, and I've thought about it all day. (natural consequence: I use 'fuck' in everyday conversation sixty percent more.)  He said that they are actually communicating perfectly, even through just this one (very versatile) word.  So I want to break it down, because this is the power of language demonstrated in a pretty interesting way... we can communicate a million different sentiments by using intonation and inflection and gestures to augment our limited speech.  Due to McNalty's and Bunk's close relationship, they understand each other perfectly, though I get the feeling that if I were with a stranger, this conversation would be just as powerful and effective.  We'd both get it.

Here's the scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM
Roughly broken down - sorry my 'meanings' sound so ridiculous...

1: context: Bunk discovers the pictures of Diedre.
meaning: "Oh, man, this makes things so much more complicated."  Expression of frustration.

2: context: McNalty responds.
meaning: "I know/Unbelievable/I can't believe it."  Echoing Bunk's thoughts, adding surprise.

3, 4, 5, 6. context: Bunk laying down the pictures on the ground.
meaning: "I still have to look at these and deal with them/Goddamnit." 

7. context: Checking out the photos/autopsy report.
meaning: "Shit/This just keeps getting worse."

8, 9, 10, 11. context: Laying the pictures out again.
meaning: "Shit/We are overwhelmed." Simple expletive, echoing frustration.

12. context: Discovering the bullet wounds on her back and chest in the autopsy photos.
meaning: "Oh, check this out/What?/This is getting more terrible."

13. context: drawing circle on ground.
meaning: "We are still shocked/We are piecing this together."

14. context: McNalty snaps his finger in the tape measure.
meaning: "Ow/That hurts/Goddamnit." simple expression of pain.

15. context: McNalty is measuring her height from the ground and pointing the gun.
meaning: "This is making sense/We are finally starting to piece this together and it is horrible."

16, 17. context: McNalty is kneeling on the ground.
meaning: "I need a better angle/I'm going to move back."

18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. context: Seeing the angle where the bullet might have gone.
meaning: "Oh no/Really?" expression of incredulity/slow comprehension.

36. context: McNalty using... whatever tool that is.  (I am an idiot.)
meaning: "I am struggling with this."

37, 38. context: Pulling out the bullet.
meaning: "Holy shit/We figured it out."

Fuck.

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