Throughout the episodes of Serial, the narrative structure demonstrates the in-depth analysis and complexity of podcasting. In Episode Two, \u201cYou\u2019ve got some Gauls,\u201d we are given an in-depth exploration, full of analysis, and narrative of the structure\/events and characters in the story, with reoccurring structure from previous episodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of this is done brilliantly, Koenig, the narrator, does an incredible job sewing all the episodes together so that they all form various stories, with different examples of shortcomings or advantages that focus on the exploration of the justice system and its response to cases. She achieves this by giving a brief overview of the previous episode in the starting of the next episode. For example, Koenig begins episode two with the interview with Anna from the \u201cA Bar Fight Walks into the Justice Center\u201d podcast and then explains how the judges had still tried to give Anna a felony even though, an officer said that the punch to him was accidental, and he wouldn\u2019t press any charges. It shows the different faces of the system, of where you may be told one thing, but something else may occur. Anna was taken for a run throughout the system, and deemed as a criminal that didn\u2019t deserve a second chance \u2013 nobody listened to her situation in which she was sexually harassed etc. This is done to remind the audience of the issues in the previous podcast, and how the current episode differentiates or is similar to the previous flaws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way these episodes are sewed together are by keeping the overarching purpose or lesson the same in each episode. For example, all of the episodes focus on the new realm of discussion, where they explore the United States criminal justice and its response to a variety of cases \u2013 small or large. In the episode, Keonig discusses the flaws within the justice system by explaining a previous case like Adnan Syad\u2019s case and \u201cA Bar Fight Walks into the Justice Center,\u201d and states that many of these cases were judged based off of insufficient or incorrect evidence. Keonig shows that though cases like Adnan Syads\u2019 aren\u2019t normal, \u201cthe system can barely handle normal cases like felonies, misdemeanors \u2026 the ones regular to see\u201d (Serial, Keonig). However, Keonig again refers to another flaw in the judicial system like racism. She discusses how the judge was constantly questioning the black male in the court room and asking why he was always in trouble with the law. Keonig explains the tone of the judge hinting at her mother being a single black parent, with a father who had left the kids, whether his siblings were full or step-siblings. Why does this make a difference? Well, this triggers the audiences\u2019 memory because it provokes a negative view on the justice system for the audience and shows a continuing history of neglect and struggle from previous cases like Syads\u2019 and Annas\u2019 to the audience. This strategy creates a clear image for listeners and increases the need to listen to new episodes to see any changes or more forms of flaws in the judicial system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although, season three of\nSerial is about an overarching idea of the flaws of the judicial system, the\nauthor follows certain measures to make each episode different, by exposing\nflaws not only in the judicial system, but even criminals\/participants in the\ncases. One-way Keonig achieves this, is by being conscious of what facts add to\nthe story and what facts distract from the overall purpose of the podcast. This\nis shown in episode three, where she talks about the addiction of \u201cMr.\nMisdemeanor,\u201d but acknowledges that she is going off track, but only to add to\nthe understanding and backstory of the case. However, she then incorporates the\naddiction and situations that happened with the domestic violence in episode\nthree \u2013 she makes a clear line of what she has learned from the judge, what she\nhas opinions about and believes. This is always helpful because it introduces\nnew perspectives, opinions and builds credibility that the author is considering\nthe audience. Personally, this has a positive effect on the listeners in the\npodcast, to make a consistent identity of honesty, and clear-cut ideas. There\nisn\u2019t any exaggeration being added, and if it is, the audience is aware of it \u2013\nbuilding the overall credibility and comprehension of the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another example of this is seen in episode two where the focus of the story is in the judge\u2019s and defendant\u2019s testimony. In this episode, different clips are played from previous episodes and the current one to show how police interrogate, what the lawyers, prosecutors say. The purpose of this is so Koenig can portray how cases can be treated differently by prosecutors, lawyers, and others involved, indicating that judgments on cases can be based on incorrect terms. These conversations are structured in a way with the podcast that it\u2019s extremely easy to listen to and make the audience ponder about the overall judicial system and what they think is right or wrong. It helps captivate the listeners attention because they are filled with suspense and emotion and allow the audience to be part of the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All in all, Serial is\ncreated with such strategy and uniqueness that it is difficult to stop listening\nto it, the listener is always wanting more. This is due to the fact that all of\nthese are real-life situations and have a moral behind them \u2013 they expose\nsomething in America that is very crucial to us, and it exposes the pros and\ncons of the system that many of us may be blind to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Word Count: 878 Words, Time 11:59<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By: Jaskaran Johal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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