Board Thread:Inclusion debates/@comment-188432-20130514042227/@comment-26975268-20130514201346

JagoAndLitefoot wrote: It's pretty much in the same style as these Torchwood: Miracle Day character teasers:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj6ob2_torchwood-miracle-day-character-videos_shortfilms#.UZIcLytGyK8

Yes, I will admit the similarity between the two. But the difference is: that trailer is meant to be a trailer, while She Said, He Said is clearly at least meant to be a narrative prequel.

The BBC market it as "the new prequel to [finale name]," the the words used to describe every other narrative prequel, such as The Bells of Saint John: A Prequel. The Miracle Day ad, however, was marketed as "character videos," specifically meant to be advertisements. In fact, if they weren't specifically referred to as advertisements, I might even argue that they too are narrative!

Once again, my main point is authorial intention. Both Moffat and the BBC (and everyone else involved) clearly intended She Said, He Said to be narrative, whether or not it conforms with the normal style.

Also, as far as your fourth wall claim, I don't really see very much fourth wall breaking in the webcast. Barely more than the recurring "Run you clever boy, and remember" being uttered directly at the camera.

If this were the opening sequence to an episode, you would not contest its narrative-ness (narrativity?). The story's pretty much a dream sequence, meant to represent their thoughts. The props from the past always coincide with them talking about related topics (such as snowman and Rose & Crown sign when talking of Victorian Clara), suggesting that they're thinking back.